Sciatica on LEFT side? ONE Exercise for RAPID Relief!

To subscribe to 3-Tip Friday, Will's free weekly email where he shares his best health tips, new videos and fascinating research, go here: info.ht-physio...
To get a copy of Will's new book, Thriving Beyond Fifty, you can find it on Amazon below:
UK link: amzn.to/3mAISFv
US link: amzn.to/3J1ACGi
(Amazon Affiliate links) To subscribe to 3-Tip Friday, Will's free weekly email where he shares his best health tips, new videos and fascinating research, go here: info.ht-physio... Welcome to the latest episode of HT Physio Quick Tips!
In this episode, Farnham's leading over-50's physiotherapist, Will Harlow, shares one of the most effective exercises for sciatica in one leg!
To get a copy of Will's new book, Thriving Beyond Fifty, you can find it on Amazon below:
UK link: amzn.to/3mAISFv
US link: amzn.to/43TE5Q8
(Amazon Affiliate links)
If you're suffering from back pain that stops you from doing the things you love, you can take our back pain guide - which will give you 9 expert tips to put a stop to back pain at home - by visiting here: ht-physio.co.u...
If you're over-50 with a painful problem in the Farnham, Surrey area, you can learn more about how Will Harlow and HT Physio can help you overcome a painful problem here: ht-physio.co.uk/
*Any information in this video should not be used as a substitute for individual medical advice. Please seek advice from your local healthcare professional before taking action on the information in this video.* Full policy here: ht-physio.co.u...

[@pattyb7082]

I have read the same treatment ideas over and over again, and this is the first time I am hearing to stretch the good leg. The way I see it, I have nothing to lose in trying this out.😊

[@cjay3543]

Yes, exactly. Stretching the sciatic leg definitely made pain worse afterwards. This is true

[@humbertovargas5721]

Will You’re the only one who said to stretch the good side instead of the bad side. It does make a lot of sense. I started stretching both sides and sciatica pain on the right got really painful. Thank you

[@DanielSmith-fm4fs]

First time I m hearing not to stretch the affected leg. Definately gonna try. Thanx. Just did it and I feel amazing. Thank u

[@kumanderAgila69]

Likewise

[@linaalamuddin9510]

I can not believe it!!!for me it was instant relief for some time and then of course i needed to repeat it throughout the day. But thanks a bunch Will👍🏻from a new follower😊

[@shevy1227]

Wow this literally just fix my sciatica pain immediately. Blown away

[@JustaKarenDiscoveredTheIntrnet]

BS

[@shevy1227]

@@JustaKarenDiscoveredTheIntrnet well it did for a couple hours lol. Then it came back:(

[@lisov4575]

Then you never really had it in the first place! My sciatica pain is so intense I cant even sit down to do this exercise!

[@Buttercup697]

@@lisov4575there are levels of sciatica

[@velviteenrabbitt]

Worked for me. I’d been hobbling around for days prior to this. Thanks so much

[@lisaschliff]

Thank you! I got quick relief from left leg sciatica pain with this and two other stretches you recommended on another video. Grateful!! Will keep doing them.

[@valoriehigginbotham3886]

Thank you for sharing your tips with me, I greatly appreciate it. I have been suffering with lower leg pain and I am definitely going to do this stretch.

[@hagenzwosta]

Awesome. After dozens of unhelpful videos, this is a hit. Big thumbs up.

[@HT-Physio]

Thank you so much!

[@SteveSaltmarsh]

Thanks a lot for the advice Will. Got sciatica in left leg, been doing figure of 4 with both legs lying down for over a month and you're right still got pain! I'll do as you say, sitting, from now on and see what happens.

[@mrb257]

You have a good,distinct speaking voice,lovely English voice,and sensible advice,thank you .

[@HT-Physio]

Thank you! 😃

[@patriciakelly4580]

This is amazing. I'm 12 weeks into rehabilitation excercises for a proximal Hamstring injury, biceps femoris tear and groin strain in my right leg (Inline Skating Injury). This worked really well to relieve the tension in my injured leg. I'm going to try your groin strain stretch excercise next. Thank you, I think I should probably invest in your book now.

[@ulugbeksaipov917]

I m so happy to watch your videos , Will. Especially this one. This is very important advice! You are brilliant. 👍🍀🇮🇪💯💯👍👍👍

[@triconcert]

Very helpful again. Thanks Will!

[@kayplayforth9007]

Thank you for this timely Information Will ❤

[@user-rs2wy7vf1z]

Tkanks Doc. Been having paiinful leg for quite sometime. Will certainly do this exersize.Thanks a million.

[@sharoncarson2414]

this is the best advice I've been given ,,thank you will I'm a grateful follower !!

[@adelle468]

Thank you for this video...definitely gonna try this excercise. I was just thinking it might be a good idea to maybe sit a back further back from the camera if possible, in order to illustrate this excercise a bit better for the viewer, as one will be able to see your legs better. Thank you.

[@lipika284]

Excellent remedies doc

[@tomhill4003]

thank you Will! I had a really bad sciatica flare up a few days ago, and have been scouring KZbin for the correct exercises. The ones you demonstrate in this video are giving me great relief.

[@HT-Physio]

I'm sorry to hear about your sciatica flare up, but I'm very pleased to hear that my video was able to offer some relief! Wishing you all the best :)

[@lisaorlando1224]

I have been taught not to stretch the sciatic leg hamstring, although I have been given a nerve glide to do which does seem to help. I have been, without being told to do so, doing hamstrings stretches on the good leg, because it is definitely tighter than the sciatic leg, however, i haven’t been warned against the stretch you show! From now on, I will do it only on the good leg. Thank you!

[@hnormany999]

Thank you..I finally have some relief after trying to stretch the painful leg unsuccessfully. Often yours is the best advise…I would never have thought to stretch the unaffected leg

[@HT-Physio]

I'm so pleased my video could offer some welcome relief for you!

[@daviddavid9837]

A bit different from the majority of self-proclaimed experts who make me scream out in pain just trying to lift my foot to my knee. Thanks, Will. We'll try this on the non-painful side and see where it goes.

[@luisad.albergaria3197]

Thank you from Portugal.

[@u.barber5408]

Same as some of the others ..after following the "wrong side" advice I just worked my good side. Amazing!!!! What a relief!! Thanks so much!

[@HT-Physio]

So pleased my video was able to offer some useful advice and relief for you!

[@baskarank5708]

Thank you very much for your differential method of stretch... Very useful for therapist also like me

[@kanoongooadmi3308]

From UK, Have back problem since 2017, had😊 consulted 6 orthopedic surgeons, went twice for operation backed out at last moment , exercise helped from 2018 to 2023, now the pain is back with a vengeance Have done regular exercise since I was 8 years old now 78, active sportsman , do not have any lose muscle in body, very strong arms, back, legs and hips Now nothing is working, feel 70 years of trying to remain fit has not worked Feel will have to live with it, till I die My friends who have never moved away from sofa, are in same condition Even pain killers not working, Take care

[@geraldinephelan6158]

Thanks for the tip. Will give it a go.

[@gergemall]

Thank you. I felt immediate relief 🥲. ❤

[@kellyleopard1607]

Ok I am going to try this. Thanks! I actually have a doctor appt for Monday. I had this problem about 2 years ago and it only got better when I was forced to stop my daily power walking because of sitting with my mom who had multiple surgeries due to cancer and then on Hospice. I feel like I have a broken bone in my foot but also realized I have that same low back pain and yes it kind of travels down my left leg to my foot. I’m realizing I think it’s probably the sciatica problem again.

[@dolphinm3639]

Thank you. Quite helpful.

[@cosmicmauve]

Wish I knew this before I stretched the bad side. Better late than never. Very helpful!

[@HT-Physio]

Definitely better late than never!

[@456redskins]

I will try anything, thank you.

[@maryalgar8779]

QUESTION: Will, why does sciatic pain seem worse at night?

[@johnb30021]

I’ll try , if I don’t come back Thank You !!! 🙏🏼

[@AmandaHart-zb9uz]

Very easy on the eye, and really good advice.

[@Snip59]

Great advice indeed will keep doing cheers.

[@AmandaHart-zb9uz]

Very easy on the eye, and really good advice. ❤

[@av5483]

can someome pls explain the biomechanics of why this works? seems counter intuitive

[@brendacavanaugh3104]

I have sciatica in my left side. I went to a chiropractor back in may and each time i saw him i got worse nerve pain shooting down in my foot and my toes. I stopped seeing him and felt better but i still have numbness from my calf down to my great toe and excruciating pain in my butt, hip, SI joint area. I have been doing Dr. Charlie Johnson's program and i finally was able to figure out i have sciatica. So i am going to try this and see what happens.

[@kumanderAgila69]

Thank you so much! First time ko na watched ang ganetong treatment, karamihan na napapanood ko ung bad leg ang ginagamit nila! Salamat ulit sa pag share ❤

[@johannblignaut1966]

Must commend you on your presentations Will.Helps me a lot with sciatic pain through dark and long nights.

[@snowps1]

I just switched to a different physical therapy practice because they kept stretching my hamstrings which irritated the heck out of of my lower lumbar herniation. They were not helping me, but making me worse.

[@br3quiet326]

Giving this a try and hope it helps. Been in pain for a week, can’t walk and doctor literally just gave me muscle relaxers and pain pills and sent me on my way without doing xrays or ordering an MRI or anything..

[@brendacavanaugh3104]

Same here. They gave me muscle and nerve relaxers and neither helped me feel better. No X-ray and didn't even look at my back.

[@miadawn5175]

I had to FIGHT for an MRI. Insurance denied it twice and I found out this week that I have a very large disc herniation pressing on a spinal nerve. I have no ankle reflex and my calf muscle has been "offline" for a month. Now I need surgery. Going to try this stretch to see if I can find relief. Thr pain pills and muscle relaxers make me SO groggy.

[@tintinyakult]

it works thank you sir, God bless and more power!

[@HT-Physio]

So pleased it worked for you!

[@kayplayforth9007]

Great I hope this works for me!! Thank you Will ❤

[@Ashwinidevakal]

Very logical. Thanks

[@rogerpolidor428]

Thanks for this video.

[@fauziahpawan6605]

Best advise i have gotten ever!!!

[@HT-Physio]

Great to hear it!

[@karenp0226]

Thanks Will. Feel slight relief already.

[@HT-Physio]

Great to hear!

[@johngoh767]

Hi Will, Can we do the figure 4 lying down on the bed or floor and hold for 1-2 minutes per leg per repetition?

[@carmel1143]

Will your the best!!!wish I could be a client of yours but I’m in Nova Scotia Canada.

[@karenpiraneo5426]

Can sciatica be caused by spinal epidural anesthesia? I had this with my recent hip replacement anterior and it caused this on my left side which is the hip replaced. It also caused inflammation in my whole leg with neurological nerve pain...throbbing and burning all the way down to my toes. It's slowly getting better now at 8 weeks post surgery.

[@jamesshutt8177]

I have been watching and reading your book i will be 71 real sooni don't have a doctor i can't even get any whereI can't walk my pain is in both ledgs ok doc i'm still tryig my legs are so sore I don't what to do

[@NoorVatsalaBharti]

Whatever Doctor says is true. I had spasm on the arch of my right foot ( even limping) for about a month. I had pain in right heel every morning to extent I couldn’t walk and then - one day my left lower back got locked and I found myself on the floor unavailable to move. So… I couldn’t understand why it happened on my left if I have been suffering from my right for a month.

[@perlitaragudo8449]

I did a mistake for a long fime..i have sciatica on my left leg as the same the left leg is im doing to strecth... 8:46

[@vjollcaspaho2755]

Thank you very much. I am very patient my problem. It is the left side I’ve been on. Yes I want physiotherapy two months and have I take my special a prescription. I’ve been on KZbin. I do an exercise or home. I put some cream from specialist doctor now I’m waiting for the injection, so I want to throw out is problem. I watch your videos you explain very very well. God bless you.

[@leebayliss2552]

Will, thank you. Some people's attention span seems to be woefully inadequate it would seem. As always, you go to great lengths to carefully research and present accurate scientifically based rather than a sensationalised presentation of information. The necessary safeguards and a clear understanding of the theory and the methodology to be used prior to deciding to attempt it are given. This has worked effectively for me. Thank you 😊

[@huwprice881]

Interesting - I’ve been given stretches on the L (bad) leg and as you say, it aggravates the nerves and sets things off for a few days. Unfortunately I can’t get either shin anywhere near my thigh - maybe half way at a push!

[@nickfitz9800]

Im doing this now. It feels better already. Odd how doing the opposite side helps. Thank you.

[@paulahavens2764]

Is there another way of doing this. I have an artificial hip on the right leg and cannot put my leg in that angle. Thanks in advance

[@neildriscoll2974]

I have sciatica lower back now gone in right hamstring and buttocks on right side was painfully is get easier each day goes by but think.still away to go before get pain free.

[@Nitephall]

The first exercise I was taught by a PT for sciatica made it worse (lying down and bringing the bad leg up with a yoga strap over the foot, then flexing the toes toward you). Doing hip rotations while lying down also makes it worse. The first thing any PT should say when showing someone sciatica exercises is "this could make it worse."

[@MsFox2u]

My sciatica started on my right side and now has moved to both sides. Sometimes the pain is in both legs at the SAME time! What do I stretch then? I've been diagnosed with degenerative disc disease and my L2 & L3 disc are pressing on my sciatic nerve. Physical therapy just makes my pain worse after I leave. I do stretches at home 5-6 days a week and feel better after doing those than I do when I leave physical therapy.

[@vincentlow8081]

Why is it so on the non pain legs

[@jenk.6196]

What if both sides have sciatica pain?

[@saraht4973]

AGIN YOU RE A GIFT TO ALL THANKS SO MUCH

[@HT-Physio]

Thank you so much for your kind comment!

[@cpafcma]

Great exercises. They helped me a lot.

[@michelelo218]

Hi Doc, which side should we sleep on, good or bad side? Thanks

[@MM-gu8tk]

Is this for sciatica pain in the back of the leg? Ive got herniated disk (L-2) and pain from pinched nerve on the front and inner part of left thigh.

[@user-de6df3jq8i]

Will see how I go 🙏

[@valeriereynolds2799]

I have replacement hip on right, pain is on left..

[@SusanHaydon-kp1jc]

Did this carefully as directed by you. Don't think l have a tear. Not painful to do what you suggested, just a slight clunk on the twist one . All the rest ok.

[@user-wr8fs2zs8k]

i am suffering the past 7 months no body told me the opposite of bad leg i will try

[@raquellopez112]

Are u near California. Enjoy your videos. Very helpful.😊😊😊😊😊

[@gemmacruz8529]

He's in the UK.

[@Paul-ke5lu]

Fantastic videos keep up the good work! You may have mentioned this during your video and I may have missed it. IF this doesnt cause you pain how many reps and how many times a day should a person do this. I realize its not straight forward answer as everyone is different and in a different part off recovery. Thanks.

[@UppsalaSal]

Hope this helps…At 7 minutes he says do the stretch for 30 sec. At 8 minutes he says do it several times a day.

[@suchitajain8181]

I had severe and sharp nerve pain from Spondylolisthesis from the past 5 weeks when walking and bending mainly in my right leg. Pain was in my buttock (lower)and calf (side of the calf). The pain has reduced 50-60% and now I don't feel any sharp pain but muscle pain in my calf. Is muscle pain instead of nerve pain a sign that it is getting better or is it a sign of it getting worse ? Please confirm

[@coreyjoshua1750]

Did you have any numbness in your feet before your pain reduced?

[@suchitajain8181]

No

[@adelaidemohapi1909]

I dont know which leg I should stech because my left leg is painful and the right foot is numb

[@rovellicayan8284]

Thank you Doc, i will try it... Opposite side coz my left leg is the trigger so iwill follow that u said..

[@user-wi4bi6jb2t]

Is sleeping on the stomach bad for back problems ?

[@Butterbaby23]

Can some one with back pain do it ?

[@shameemhabib1974]

Will this help for L5-S1 disc

[@jennifernorvall8720]

If i cant lie on the floor and have rather a soft bed how do i strengthen my lower back and glutes please I am in my 80s

[@user-wi4bi6jb2t]

Can I do pullups if I have a bulging discs ?

[@78ramcharger53]

Better instantly, in pain for 3 days ,wow .

[@harmonicaman9437]

Hi, Would this be the same for Piriformis syndrome?

[@aestheticdermalclinicmelbo1600]

Спасибо большое

[@itriedagain100]

Why does it tend to be the leg leg with issues?

[@joancairns9846]

Thank you for the info. I learned a lot.

[@HT-Physio]

So pleased it was helpful!

[@Billy-cw4kr]

I'm having buttock and leg pain radiate to my foot .it alternating sides. Cam we have scaitica in both sides which shifts sides

[@Domnita8]

Hello Doctor, last weeks I had sciatica that radiated in the back of my left leg, now it radiates only in front of my left leg(quadriceps region). Could you please tell me why did this happen? Is this a bad or a good sign? Thank you very much, your answer will help me a lot

[@susanflakes6968]

3:45

[@Jasmine-uw1hh]

Hi doctor,how about if Sciatica is on both legs?❤

[@botakpower13]

stretch your hand

[@Skodill4c]

Duh! Men have third option down stairs

[@hachiroku7443]

In short bend from both your hip not with your spine.

[@brendastolecki4755]

Dr trying to tell me it is hip arthritis....trying to get me to do surgery. This is my back...I'm not stupid.

[@utb8536]

But i have problems with the right foot,you should edit with both😀👍thx

[@brendastolecki4755]

Ok, I need exercises to GET my leg up on the other leg. Can NOT do this sitting up.

[@ramum9599]

Bro,, i have sciatica on left leg due to stenosis in L4,5 ,,Can i do on right leg for results ??!!pl advise !!!

[@martintv..1524]

Best option is vertebrae correction.Sciatica is happening when you have vertebrae compression with rotation..No one physio help you with that.They will send you to neurosurgeon for disc operation witch is wrong! cos your vertebrae still has offset!

[@user-gm2pe6vy5u]

Is stationery cycling o.k. as I have a pinched sciatic nerve (R)

[@ithacacomments4811]

my PT said no....