Foam Roller for Sciatica – How Does a Foam Roller Help With Sciatica?

foam roller for sciatica

Pain of the sciatic nerve-sciatica can be a very unpleasant experience. It may result from a herniated disc, a pinched or compressed nerve, spine contraction, or tightness of the muscles that surround the sciatic nerve. Those with sciatica will usually feel a tingling sensation, sharp pain, numbness, or weakness that runs along the nerve- from the lower back, down to the buttock, and back of the leg.

For relief, there are various options but patients can try a more therapeutic treatment; a foam roller for sciatica. Read on to see how.

How does a foam roller help with sciatica?

Foam rolling entails methodically rolling up and down and maintaining a sustained amount of pressure on a particular muscle group. Usually, sciatica will involve tight muscles of the calves, buttocks, hamstrings, or the lower back. A foam roller is therefore a perfect piece of equipment for addressing these leg problems. It is a home treatment tool that works perfectly, especially alongside other sciatica remedies. It is important to note that using a foam roller may not be very good for the lower back because of the strain and pressure it exerts on the spine.

The use of a foam roller is a type of self-myofascial release therefore, it helps with pain associated with the fascia. Foam rolling releases fascia tightness and tension to lessen and ease the muscle knots. These are factors that contribute to sciatic pain.

When using a foam roller for sciatic pain, it is vital that you begin slowly with a not very hard or stiff foam roller. Doing too much at the beginning can lead to even more pain and make you more uncomfortable.

Locate the spot

Start by locating the spot that feels tight, painful, or where you feel a knot. Proceed to roll over the identified location over a number of times but, very gently. You may hold the roller where pain is felt. This will allow for knot or tension release and you will experience nearly instant relief. A foam roller that vibrates the painful spot can offer you even more relief for the tension and tightness you feel in the hip, leg, buttock, or lower back.

Foam rolling can be used to release the iliotibial (IT) band, the glutes, and the hamstrings. This ultimately helps with hip and knee mobility with the release of muscle tension. Start from the glutes, move down into the IT band and then the hamstrings.

You can also foam roll to address issues that are common like those associated with the piriformis muscle.

Suggested articles:
Does Pilates For Sciatica Really Work? All You Need To Know
Tennis Ball Exercise For Sciatica – Top 3 Variations Explained
6 Tips On How To Sit Comfortably With Sciatica

What benefits does foam rolling offer?

  • It increases circulation in the affected area so as to enhance healing.
  • Foam roller improves tissue extensibility therefore, relieving back pain.
  • It improves muscle balance for the betterment of daily functions and movement.
  • It promotes muscle relaxation as a result of reduced stiffness.
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is 300x250px.jpg

Ideal times for using a foam roller for your sciatic pain

Ideally, the best times to use a foam roller for sciatica are when you want to enhance flexibility or reduce stiffness. For those that have trouble with tolerating daily activities or exercises, a foam roller can be used prior to the same so as to reduce discomfort and to also assist with tolerance. A foam roller can be used to cool down after conducting exercises meant for sciatica, for you to minimize the stiffness and also improve recovery.

Those times of day that you feel stiffer or feel quite sore are also great for pulling out your foam roller. For example, after waking up or after a day filled with activity.

During foam rolling, you need to remain relaxed so as to reap maximum benefits. If you feel any tension or the symptoms start to worsen, it is important that you stop. You can also modify the position or pressure you are working with. Always seek medical advice if you experience further changes in the symptoms.

Suggested articles:
Sciatica And Cycling – Is It OK To Cycle With Sciatica?
7 Easy Ways To Peaceful Driving With Sciatica Symptoms
Sciatica And Swimming – Can Swimming Help With Sciatica?

Conclusion

In spite of what the cause of your sciatica is, you can significantly reduce the symptoms and the pain using a foam roller for sciatica. It is a very easy, inexpensive, and effective way to alleviate the symptoms and generally improve the quality of life for those suffering from sciatica. Make sure to accompany foam rolling with other sciatica treatment remedies.

Suggested articles:
9 Different Techniques For The Best Massage For Sciatica
How To Use A TENS Machine For Sciatica Pain Relief
How To Use Heat Or Ice For Sciatica Pain Relief
Acupuncture For Sciatica – Will Acupuncture Help Sciatica?
Reflexology For Sciatica – Does It Actually Work?
How To Treat Sciatica At Home – 8 Effective Ways Included
Effective Acupressure Points For Sciatic Pain


In Sciatica SOS™ , you’ll learn exactly how to relieve pain naturally and permanently

Sciatica SOS™ is a complete program for curing sciatica pain at home. It’s already helped many people overcome chronic sciatica quickly and easily – and it can do the same for you.
The program combines a simple exercise program with powerful home remedies that resolve the root causes of sciatica…reduce pain fast…and prevent it from returning.
Best of all, the program guarantees to relieve your pain in just 7 days.
Would it be a relief to be free from sciatica pain by this time next week?


To learn more about Sciatica SOS™, check out the following free video presentation: Sciatica SOS™


If you purchase Sciatica SOS™ today and your pain hasn’t been eliminated in just 7 days, you can claim a full, no-questions-asked refund (how many chiropractors offer that kind of guarantee?). Hundreds of former sciatica sufferers are already living a pain-free life thanks to these methods. So why not try it?