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.
These knee pain relief stretches & exercises don’t necessarily need to be done in bed, but they may help relieve knee pain in the morning before getting up, and/or when going to bed at night.
Sciatic nerve pain often comes from tight muscles along its pathway. The hamstrings, IT band, and adductors can all contribute to compressing the sciatic nerve. These stretches might help.
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.
The number one myth about knee arthritis is that exercise makes it worse. However, this couldn't be further from the truth. In fact, research has shown that regular exercise can significantly alleviate knee arthritis pain and enhance overall joint function
With a total knee replacement, it’s important to do physical therapy on the knee (prehab) BEFORE the knee replacement because the stronger and more flexible the knee is before surgery, the better the recovery and outcomes will be.
These knee stretches and exercises in bed are a great way to help relieve knee pain in the morning before getting up, and/or when going to bed at night. And they don’t necessarily need to be done in bed, they can also be done on the couch or floor.
Knee pain can be caused by many things. Often a tight quadricep muscle can cause knee pain. My favorite stretch for this area is a quad stretch. It’s great for the knee, hip, and thigh area.
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.