[masraum]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

I disagree. Yes, initially do avoid the activity/movement that causes the pain, and some stretches do give immediate, temporary relief, but as a few others have said here the real goal is to use stretches and exercise to strengthen your core muscles so your sciatic nerve isn't getting pinched in your spine. Stretches and exercise may not give you immediate lasting relief, but if you keep with it you will be rewarded.

I agree. Stretching is very important for overall health as well as being strong.

Originally Posted by JavaBrewer

Been There Before. After a week or two after my last post I got more consistent relief from the pain, enough to sleep soundly. My right leg droop did not get better for another month or so. Attempts to stretch at times made things worse so I mainly focused on relaxing. Folks recommended some pool time but when I tried to dangle from the edge in deep water to flex a bit I thought I broke my back. Had to be helped out of the pool. A few months later I started a gym routine with core body stretching and strength routines. Now 12 or so years later no repeat events like that. I have dropped off the exercise this last year - need to get that going again. Good luck, it will get better.

Wow! Yeah, the core holds it all together.

Originally Posted by Skytrooper

The worst pain I have ever experienced was when I crushed my sciatic nerve. The nerve pain and burning from mid back all the way to my toes was excruciating. Lost the use of my right leg. I took 1.5 years to learn how to walk again. Severe drop foot. Went to nerve specialists, MRI, PT, Chiropracters (3 until I found a good one). Finally it got better, well as much as it ever will. I regained 80% function back. It has been 4.5 years now. It is a slow process. Strecting and light weight lifting is good to strengthen the core. The core is all important in preventing it from happening again.

Wow, you guys have had some issues. Glad that you've worked through it. Another vote for core.

Originally Posted by gsxrken

Google Dr. Stuart McGill and his “Big Three” exercises and then go down that rabbit hole on YouTube and the web. He’s done many fascinating studies on spines in his lab and he’s written several books that explain it all in approachable terms. One thing he preaches is never to do another sit-up in your life... and he backs it up with intradisc pressure instrumentation that illustrates it’s one of the worst things you can do.
In a nutshell, the spine needs to stay in a good position anchored by core stabilizing muscles; not wobble around due to either lack of core or from stretching into challenging positions.
Changed my life- without exaggeration.

Another core vote.
Interesting.
https://squatuniversity.com/2018/06/21/the-mcgill-big-3-for-core-stability/