Are you dealing with shooting pains or numbness from sciatica? Discomfort is caused when the sciatic nerve (which runs from the lower spine down the back of each leg) gets pinched. It can be caused by an injury such as a slipped disk or pelvic fracture, pregnancy, or tight muscles in the lower back, hips, and legs. Whether you feel yours at night or after sitting or standing for a long time, relief is just a yoga mat away with these eight poses.
If your sciatica symptoms are caused by sitting or standing for long periods, stretching the outer leg can offer instant relief.
Find more details on this balancing pose here.
Creating some movement in the spine through twisting poses can relieve pressure from the sciatic nerve. As a bonus, this pose also targets the oh-so-tight piriformis muscle.
Check out this post if you're itching for a deeper variation.
This variation of Lizard pose will open a different part of your hip, as well as offer a nice stretch for the hip flexor, which can also contribute to sciatica discomfort.
Strengthening the back muscles can offer relief, and here's an effective and relaxing pose to try.
Here's a more detailed description of how to do Locust A.
Take this pose as deeply as you want to target the areas of discomfort around your lower back, hips, and thighs.
Here are more details regarding the common hip-opener.
This relaxing variation of Pigeon really targets the tight piriformis muscle, which is a common cause of sciatica.
This gentle variation of Reclining Big Toe pose is done with a bent knee so you can really focus on stretching the lower back and hamstring of the leg that's raised.
Some people will experience relief from engaging the glutes and hamstrings, so give this backbend a go.
If you want more details on how to do Bridge pose, keep reading.