Guest guest Posted February 21, 2002 Report Share Posted February 21, 2002 I have recently started having trouble in the backs of my legs (ie: sciatica pain) that research has told me that I may have an injured piriformis muscle. One of the remedies is to stretch this muscle, but it only seems to get worse after my practice ( and driving in the car). Has any yogis ever had this problem and what do you do to help it? I've been going to accupuncture- hoping that will releive some pain.. Thanx cudachickie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 22, 2002 Report Share Posted February 22, 2002 ashtangayoga, cudachickie <no_reply> wrote: > I have recently started having trouble in the backs of my legs (ie: > sciatica pain) that research has told me that I may have an > injured piriformis muscle. One of the remedies is to stretch this > muscle, but it only seems to get worse after my practice ( and > driving in the car). Has any yogis ever had this problem and what do > you do to help it? I've been going to accupuncture- hoping > that will releive some pain.. > > Thanx > cudachickie I have the same thing; it flares up now and then. The (non-ashtanga) pose known as "pigeon" can help to stretch your piriformis muscle. For me, the best relief seems to come from brisk walking or light running. Also, hot showers. Driving a car a long time does seem to aggravate the pain; if I can, I take a break and get out and walk around, which helps. If I can't do that I alternate feet every few minutes (don't try it until you practice a little and get the hang of it!) These are all temporary measures; I have found that rereading "Healing Back Pain" by Dr. John Sarno is usually even more helpful. (Now that there is a search function here you can find past messages here about it if you're curious). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 22, 2002 Report Share Posted February 22, 2002 Hi... A tight piriformis muscle is often something that irritates sciatica, but remember, that nerve (that the piriformis presses on, to create the pain going down the leg) originates in the low back. So, minimize your forward bending, which is tough in Ashtanga primary, since it is heavy on the forward bends. Another thing to do is to place the piriformis in a completely relaxed position, and if you are in the heat of some pain, a stretch like pidgeon can help to add to the irritation. Try this position: lie face down on the floor with your head turned to one side, and draw the knee up towards your armpit, inner thing facing the floor then, and rest. Do this on the side obviously, where you are having the pain in the butt! In this position, the piriformis isn't placed on stretch or a flex, but rather completely relaxed. When not in a total pain mode with this muscle, then you can do pidgeon to work on stretching out that area to help prevent future bouts with this very painful issue. Good Luck...San...an ashtangi with a serious anatomy background! ashtangayoga, malsag <no_reply> wrote: > ashtangayoga, cudachickie <no_reply> wrote: > > I have recently started having trouble in the backs of my legs (ie: > > sciatica pain) that research has told me that I may have an > > injured piriformis muscle. One of the remedies is to stretch this > > muscle, but it only seems to get worse after my practice ( and > > driving in the car). Has any yogis ever had this problem and what do > > you do to help it? I've been going to accupuncture- hoping > > that will releive some pain.. > > > > Thanx > > cudachickie > > I have the same thing; it flares up now and then. The (non- ashtanga) > pose known as "pigeon" can help to stretch your piriformis muscle. > For me, the best relief seems to come from brisk walking or light > running. Also, hot showers. Driving a car a long time does seem to > aggravate the pain; if I can, I take a break and get out and walk > around, which helps. If I can't do that I alternate feet every few > minutes (don't try it until you practice a little and get the hang of > it!) > These are all temporary measures; I have found that > rereading "Healing Back Pain" by Dr. John Sarno is usually even more > helpful. (Now that there is a search function here you can find past > messages here about it if you're curious). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 26, 2002 Report Share Posted February 26, 2002 ashtangayoga, cudachickie <no_reply> wrote: > I have recently started having trouble in the backs of my legs (ie: > sciatica pain) that research has told me that I may have an > injured piriformis muscle. One of the remedies is to stretch this > muscle, but it only seems to get worse after my practice ( and > driving in the car). Has any yogis ever had this problem and what do > you do to help it? I've been going to accupuncture- hoping > that will releive some pain.. > > Thanx > cudachickie Here is a yoga webpage specifically about sciatica: www.focalpointyoga.com/sciatica.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 8, 2002 Report Share Posted March 8, 2002 hi there I know all about that dull 'what ever you call it" pain. Its all about those dam forward bends that cause it and keep it from healing. My advise would be ..... sit on your ankle when it starts to smart. Mine is on my right side so driving will obviously be difficult. When ever I find myself feeling that nausiating "ache" i flip out. I really cant take it anymore, its been almost 6 months. My advise.... If your in the primary series be very careful with all the forward bends. Basically what I do is.... I dont stretch towards that pain. Instead, I just sit with my breath and maintain the integrity of the asanna. Modify your practise, this is not an opening, its an injury and it sucks. Let this time humble your practice, its worth it, "i hope". Leslie Kaminoff is an excellent but expensice yoga therapist. Check him out. ashtangayoga, malsag <no_reply> wrote: > ashtangayoga, cudachickie <no_reply> wrote: > > I have recently started having trouble in the backs of my legs (ie: > > sciatica pain) that research has told me that I may have an > > injured piriformis muscle. One of the remedies is to stretch this > > muscle, but it only seems to get worse after my practice ( and > > driving in the car). Has any yogis ever had this problem and what do > > you do to help it? I've been going to accupuncture- hoping > > that will releive some pain.. > > > > Thanx > > cudachickie > > Here is a yoga webpage specifically about sciatica: > www.focalpointyoga.com/sciatica.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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