Exercises to Relieve Nerve Pain in the Thigh

Nerve pain in the thigh is often caused by the pressure put on a nerve in another part of the body, such as occurs with sciatica. Sciatica is actually a pinched nerve in the lower back, but the pain radiates down the leg into the thigh. Contrary to popular belief, it is important to exercise when you are experiencing nerve pain like sciatica. Cardiovascular exercise combined with gentle stretching is recommended to relieve discomfort and help heal sciatica.

Low-Impact Cardiovascular Exercise

Regular cardiovascular exercise is important to maintain total body fitness, even when you are suffering from nerve pain in your thigh. In fact, moderate, low-impact cardiovascular exercise can help reduce some inflammation and the irritation causing your nerve pain and help prevent it from coming back. It is important that the exercise be low-impact, meaning it doesn't put a great deal of stress and strain on the joints or lower back. Walking is a great form of low-impact cardiovascular exercise. You should get at least 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise three to four days per week.

Hamstring Stretch

Your hamstrings are large muscles on the top-back of your thigh. Often, sciatic pain radiates down one side of your body through your hamstring. Whether this is where you are feeling the pain, it is important to keep your hamstrings long and flexible. Hamstring stretches also help reduce pressure in the lower back. An easy hamstring stretch to do when you are feeling pain or even when you aren't feeling pain is a forward bend. Stand up tall with your hands on your hips. Squeeze your shoulder blades together and broaden your chest as you fold forward, keeping your spine straight. Stop when your spine begins to round and release your fingertips to the ground or to your shins. Hold here for 10 to 20 seconds and then slowly rise back up. Do this daily.

Piriformis Stretch

The piriformis muscle is a small muscle in the lower back that connects to the pelvis. Sometimes, the sciatic nerve gets compressed by the piriformis if it is too tight, and this can be the cause of your pain. That's why it's important to stretch the piriformis muscle regularly. Lie on your back on the ground. Bend your knees and place your feet flat on the floor. Take the leg on the side on which you feel pain and cross it over the other leg at the knee, so that your knees are stacked on top of each other. Now, lift both feet of the floor and interlace your fingers around the back of the bottom thigh. Keep your head and shoulders on the floor and pull your legs in toward your chest. Hold here for 20 seconds and switch sides to maintain balance in the body. Perform this stretch daily and whenever you feel pain.

Spinal Twist

Spinal twists help to realign the spine, as well as any muscles and nerves that might be pinched or out of place. You can do any easy spinal twist right at your desk whenever you feel pain. Sit in a chair facing forward with your feet flat on the floor. Keep your hips centered on the chair, but turn your upper body to the left. Use your hands on the back and side of the chair to help rotate your torso even further to that side. Hold here for 20 seconds and release. Switch sides.