Yoga therapy for sciatica

In young and middle-aged people sciatica is usually caused by a herniated disc in the lower spine trapping a root of the sciatic nerve. In the early, acute stage there is acute leg pain which interferes with many of your normal activities.

During recovery there is a period when there is no longer any leg pain but the disk is not fully healed. In our experience suitable precautions over this period, coupled with therapeutic yoga exercises, can reduce the risk of recurrence.

Our therapy is based on a system designed by Professor D. Dongaonkar, a distinguished orthopaedic surgeon. The exercises and lifestyle advice are tailored to your stage of recovery, based on the in depth assessment and monitoring of your back condition. Starting with relaxation and very gentle movements in the acute stage and we progress to stronger exercises and fewer precautions as you recover. This can help the healing process in the following ways:

• Gently mobilising joints - promoting repair and maintenance

• Relaxing tense muscles - enhancing restorative blood flow to damaged tissues and washing away pain-causing substances from the affected area

• Strengthening core muscles, and improving muscle control - improving posture and helping protect the spine

• Heightening body awareness and reducing fear - facilitating identification of body positions that are pain-free and devising of ways avoid (or modify) positions that cause pain

Consultations and back pain classes are available at our Yoga Therapy Centre in Bethnal Green (London E2) and at the NHS Kentish Town Health Centre in Camden Town. (London NW5). Home visits are also possible.

For those living away from London we have ›specialist back pain therapists in certain other parts of the UK and Europe, and a website for self-assessment of low back pain, available worldwide at ›www.calba.net

For further information or to make an appointment click ›here.