It may seem counterproductive to stretch and over exert yourself when you are feeling pain in the lower back or legs.  There are also other treatment options available that do not require you to put your spine in harm’s way.

First of all, there are indeed other treatment options available that do not require physical exercises at the source of pain.  They include the use of pain medication (could be over the counter or prescription), steroid injections or spine surgery.  These options have their drawbacks, but they are also simpler and require less effort from you.  And depending on the severity of the root of your sciatica, they may be necessary.  Why bother with sciatica stretches at all?

Fortunately, most causes of sciatica pain and numbness can be fixed by strengthening the spine and increasing your flexibility.  A minor case of lumbar spinal stenosis is an example of a disorder that can be manageable with simple sciatica stretches and exercises.  Physical therapy that encourages the flexion of the spine is a good way to train the muscles to stabilize the back to avoid changes that can put compression on the nerves.  An increase in flexibility will also help your body cope with any complications to the nerves or bone structure.

Engaging in physical therapy is also a very cost effective and long term solution to sciatica.  You are able to do simple stretches on your own time without having to leave your house.  Other methods, most noticeably medication and steroid injections, are not the most ideal treatment options over a long period of time due to possible side effects.  They will also come with significant costs that can really add up quickly.

Of course, severe causes of sciatica will require more intense treatment options, such as surgery.  But if you only experience mild symptoms of pain and numbness in the back and legs, sciatica stretches and exercises are a great long term method of dealing with the pain.