The term sciatica refers to the symptoms associated with irritation to the sciatic nerve. The symptoms may include numbness, tingling, loss of sensation or weakness on the affected leg. The condition that causes the nerve irritation is either from disc pathology, muscle tension in the piriformis and gluteal muscles or restriction in the neural sheath that encases the nerve. Once the cause of the nerve symptoms are identified then the proper exercise can be performed.
A comprehensively trained Pilates instructor should be equipped to handle such situations. If the nerve compression is coming from the disc then the Pilates instructor will teach the lumbo-pelvis stabilization exercises that are central to the Pilates Method. If the symptoms are stemming from muscular or neural tension, the instructor can demonstrate simple and safe release exercises that will undo some of this tension as well as introduce correct movement patterns to insure that the piriformis muscle doesn’t tense up again. Many of these exercises can be done at home once they are properly learned. Stretching usually is done in the late phase of retraining, as when it is performed while the sciatic nerve is inflamed it may re-irritate the area.
All of our instructors at Mongoose Bodyworks can work with clients suffering from sciatica. If you have sciatica please feel free to contact us with any questions or to make an appointment.
Halle Clarke info@mongoosebw.com
A boutique Pilates Studio in Soho , NYC
