Sciatica is a term used in the definition of nerve pain in the leg caused by sciatic nerve inflammation and/or compression. In the lower back, Sciatica originates, radiates deep into the ass, and moves down the leg.
The nerve root inflammation or compression in your lower spine may result in sciatica, usually felt along your thigh as searing pain, likely spreading through your leg and foot. Symptoms of Sciatica may be recurrent and chronic or may intermittently flare-up. Particularly when you are at the workplace and have to complete a full day of work, extreme sciatica can be troublesome.
A herniated or bulging disc in your lower back is the most frequent source of sciatica. Here’s a guide to seeking sciatica relief from a herniated or bulging disc when you’re at the office to help take your mind off your discomfort and back to your work.
Switch to a standing desk at regular intervals
The tension on the spinal discs in your lower back will increase by up to 40 percent when you sit. For this reason, long sitting periods can cause your discs to irritate the roots of your sciatic nerve, worsening your sciatica.
Try using a standing desk to help alleviate the tension around the nerve roots in your lower back. Standing is an active process, and it can help alleviate pressures on your lower back and reduce sciatica pain from a herniated or bulged disc by following an ergonomically supported standing posture. During your workday, try to intermittently switch between a seated and standing position. Work your way up to longer periods of standing, progressively.
Take a short walk every hour
Via the movement of fluids that occurs during exercise, spinal discs obtain nutrition, which often increases blood flow. Research indicates that light exercise, such as walking, can help increase nutrient fluid transfer to the disc and improve the capacity of the disc to respond to spinal loads.
Try getting up every hour and walking a short distance when your career needs long periods of time at your desk. Take a long, deep breath and use the right stance for walking. It might be helpful to install a periodic alarm on your phone or computer that encourages you to take a break and walk every hour.
The following walking patterns will increase pressures on your spine’s joints, adjust the movement of your muscles, and/or increase the loads on your joints and discs, which can impact the roots of your sciatic nerve.
- Walking by excessively curving your lower back
A walking posture that includes thrusting the abdomen and growing the lower back curve (lordotic posture) can cause overloading of the spinal facet joints. The muscles that function to stabilize the spine, such as the hip and buttock muscles, are also underactive and sluggish, allowing the muscles of the thigh to become overactive to compensate for spinal stabilization.
- Walking with a hunched back
It can cause your chest to lean forward by bending your upper back while walking (kyphotic posture), raising the tension within your abdominal and core muscles.
- Walking with a flat back
Walking raises the tension on the vertebrae of your lower back by reducing the normal curve of your upper and lower spine. You can become exhausted and/or weak in your lower back, hip, buttock, and thigh muscles.
- Walking by tipping your pelvis in front
Walking increases the natural curve of your upper and lower back by pushing your upper back backward and your pelvis in front (swayback posture). This posture can cause the muscles of your lower back to become strained and hyperactive, resulting in fatigue.
Tips to protect your sciatic nerve while walking
Pay attention to your body posture, the duration of your movement, and your walking speed to stop sciatica or decrease your symptoms when walking:
- With your head placed on the top of your spine and ears above your elbows, keep your back in a neutral place.
- The land between your midfoot and heel when taking a turn, then gently roll onto your toes and push off into the next turn. Naturally, this type of initial foot contact will shorten your steps because it’s hard to roll your foot when it’s far from your body.
- Slow the tempo down and take steps that are shorter. You should be able to conduct a conversation comfortably while walking.
It is also necessary to engage your abdominal muscles actively, breathe rhythmically, and take frequent breaks while walking (if walking long distances).
Check your stance and slow down your walking pace if your sciatica flares or worsens as you walk. Consult a doctor for an effective medical checkup and recovery plan for your sciatica if the symptoms continue.
Try the seated nerve glide exercise
The nerve glide exercise is a helpful exercise for herniated discs that can be carried out when you are sitting in your office. This routine helps to calm the sciatic nerve and desensitize it. To execute this exercise:
- Thus holding the other foot flat on the floor, sit upright on a chair, and straighten one leg.
- Bend the ankle slowly so that the toes are pointed towards you.
- Keep bending your ankle back and forth, pointing your toes away from you and then in the direction of you.
- Try the same nerve glide with your head bent forward to place more strain on the sciatic nerve, as tolerated, pulling your chin into your chest.
- Pump the ankle 15 to 20 times up and down and then perform the exercise on the other leg. For each leg, try to complete 3 rounds, twice a day.
Consult the doctor for an in-depth medical checkup if the symptoms of sciatica begin to significantly interfere with the working days. Your doctor can suggest options for medical care, such as a supervised physical therapy program, pain killers prescribed, and/or injections of lumbar epidural steroids.