Sciatica Stretches/Exercises?

[RambleOn]

I've been having sciatica issues for the past year. It started out that my right leg would go numb when i walk but now if im standing for more than a few minutes my lower back and right calf/ankle are in pretty extreme pain. Anyone have any exercisees, specifically for a herniated disc but also for piriformis syndrome (Not sure what I have , cant afford an MRI, but ive been told its probably a herniated disc) that has worked for you? Anything would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[F#*k you cat]

Disclaimer

I am not a PT and I do not have a herniated disk
However I did fall down the stairs one night last year (scaitica pain )and got the following PT scan. This along with stretching your back should help. I did for me.
I lay on the hardwood floor nearly every day and bring my right knee to my chest and hold for like 15 seconds. I try to do 3 sets if the lil squirt (emma-claire) is not crying.
Best of luck

plus webmd may have some additional stretches

[RambleOn]

Disclaimer

I am not a PT and I do not have a herniated disk
However I did fall down the stairs one night last year (scaitica pain )and got the following PT scan. This along with stretching your back should help. I did for me.
I lay on the hardwood floor nearly every day and bring my right knee to my chest and hold for like 15 seconds. I try to do 3 sets if the lil squirt (emma-claire) is not crying.
Best of luck

plus webmd may have some additional stretches

Thank you very much for the input. I recently have started doing the knee-to-chest stretch, so maybe ill get some good results. Also, that illustrated bridge stretch stretch looks promising to my condition

[=FLO=]

I have been doing a lot of PT lately for a lumbar spine fusion. Lots of sciatica issues. Knee to chest is good, but lay on your back, knees up, cross one leg over the other, keep your shoulders flat, and twist both legs sideways to the ground. Really good hip flexer/sciatic stretch. Also do alot of doorway hammy stretches laying on your back.

[EarlyWood]

I had a sciatica problem 25 years ago. I don't remember doing any specific stretches but I do remember the day it went away. I was doing push-ups trying to push out the last one, form completely lost, the back arching badly downward compressing the muscles along the spine, still on the toes, arms struggling. I think something got re-aligned. That seventh push up was freakn killer.
Sciatica problem never returned.

[RambleOn]

Thanks =FLO=. Ya EarlyWood lucky you , ive been hearing that a lot lately about people having sciatica issues for years and one day it magically disappears.

[XXX-er]

I got the lower back instability also do you find the pain low and off to one side ?

I do a pilates/yoga stretch , pretty much the one shown here on the home page

http://www.yogamoves.ca/

For me it is the RIGHT side is bugging me so that is the leg I have in the trailing position and I DRIVE that right hip forward ,hold for 45 sec

I used to have to get out of my WW kayak and do this one on the river bank

[RambleOn]

I got the lower back instability also do you find the pain low and off to one side ?

I do a pilates/yoga stretch , pretty much the one shown here on the home page

http://www.yogamoves.ca/

For me it is the RIGHT side is bugging me so that is the leg I have in the trailing position and I DRIVE that right hip forward ,hold for 45 sec

I used to have to get out of my WW kayak and do this one on the river bank

Ya i get pain in my lower back/right buttocks all te way down my right leg to the calf and ankle.

[Vinman]

you should get checked for a possible disc bulge/herniation. Very difficult to differentiate between disc related pain and pain arising from the sciatic nerve that is not disc related.