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Stop Googling “Exercises For Sciatica”

8 min readMar 2, 2021

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a woman on a bed holding her back in pain
Photo by Sasun Bughdaryan on Unsplash

Sciatica is a widely accepted catch-all term that people use to describe pain in the back and hip, radiating down the back of the leg. It may surprise you to learn that sciatica itself is not a diagnosis, it’s a symptom (with several possible causes).

Most cases are a result of irritation to the sciatic nerve originating at the lower spine. However, people are quick to call pain in the back of the leg “sciatica,” whether it is or not, and the term is used somewhat inconsistently.

If you’re googling “best exercises for sciatica,” you’re asking the wrong question. The answers lie in what’s causing your sciatic pain. Save yourself some time and frustration by learning what to avoid with sciatica and get on the right path to pain relief!

Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Read the full disclaimer.

The sciatic nerve

The sciatic nerve is one of the longest and thickest nerves in the body (up to 2cm) and originates from multiple nerve roots in the lumbar spine (lower back), forming a left and a right sciatic nerve.

Anatomy varies but generally starts around the piriformis muscle (at the back of the hip) and runs down the back of the thigh, splitting…

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In Fitness And In Health
In Fitness And In Health

Published in In Fitness And In Health

Medium’s largest collection of science-based and experience-backed insights for a fitter, healthier, and happier you.

Maura Blackstone, DPT
Maura Blackstone, DPT

Written by Maura Blackstone, DPT

Physical therapist | RYT 500 yoga teacher | Spreading injury prevention tips for yoga, fitness, & everyday life. empoweryourwellness.online

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