Sciatic nerve pain usually occurs in the buttocks area, and it can often be caused from a tight muscle in the buttocks area called the piriformis muscle. People often describe the pain as achy, shooting, heavy, and just a pain in the butt…literally. This video will show you some simple stretches to keep the pressure off that sciatic nerve!
The first stretch for your piriformis will be on your back. Cross the leg over that is hurting into a figure 4 position. Grab the knee on the same side of the pain with your opposite hand, and pull it up and across your body to the opposite shoulder. Hold the stretch for 30 seconds and perform 3 times. The next stretch, you will keep the figure 4, and pull the good leg up towards your chest. You can use a belt or leash to help pull the leg up if your hips are not very flexible.
Finally, turn over onto all fours, or quadruped and cross the injured side in front of you. This is going to be a big stretch, so only do this if you are not feeling much of a stretch with the other exercises. Once you cross your leg over, lean down towards the floor to the opposite shoulder.
Hamstring pain or a hamstring strain can be very painful. The hamstrings help us walk, lift our legs backwards, and bend our knees. When you have a hamstring strain, all these movements can be painful. These hamstring stretches and exercises should help relieve a hamstring strain.
Knee pain can be caused by tight or weak muscles around the knee joint. If you have general knee pain, the muscles you most likely want to stretch and strengthen are the quadriceps, hamstrings, and the calf/gastric.
Bowed legs (aka bowlegs, bow legs, or genu varum) can come from weak & tight muscles, bone deformations, and/or degeneration. These stretches & exercises are designed to help if it’s coming from weak and/or tight hip muscles.
Sore legs are common when starting a new workout program or when exercising a little too hard, especially on leg day. These stretches can help relax sore and tight leg muscles & provide pain relief.
The ACL helps keep the knee stable, and prevents it from sliding forward. When you have a torn ACL, your knee can become painful and unstable. These stretches and exercises are for a non-operative or pre-operative injury.
Leg pain and/or swelling in the legs can cause a lot of problems, and it can also prevent you from activities and even walking. Here are 5 easy ways to help reduce leg pain and swelling.