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Sciatic Nerve Glide exercise demonstration
Exercise library

Sciatic Nerve Glide

A gentle sliding nerve mobilisation of the leg and ankle to ease nerve-related sensitivity down the leg.

Area
Lumbar spine
Stage
Early rehab
Equipment
Chair

Typical dose: 1 set × 8 reps · twice a day · slow, no forcing. This is a general starting point, not a plan matched to your condition or stage.

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How to do it

You need: Chair.

Sit tall on a firm chair with both feet flat on the floor and your hands resting on your thighs.

  1. Straighten the affected leg out in front of you until the knee is nearly straight, and at the same time lift your head to look up.
  2. As you bend that knee down and lower your foot, tuck your chin and look down.
  3. Move smoothly between the two positions, like a gentle see-saw.

Form cues

  • The movement is smooth and rhythmic, never forced or held at the end.
  • You feel a light pull or gentle stretch that eases off as you return.
  • You keep the movement small if your symptoms are easily stirred up, and larger only if it stays comfortable.

Common mistakes

  • Pushing into a strong stretch or holding the end position.
  • Doing lots of fast repetitions and flaring your symptoms afterwards.

Safety: Stop and message your physio if the pain spreads further down your leg, or you notice new or worse numbness, pins and needles, or weakness in your leg or foot.

Part of these recovery programmes

This exercise is one step in a staged plan for the conditions below. Each link opens the full programme and shows where this exercise fits.

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