What to do if Prone Lying, the Elbow Prop, or the Press-Ups Are Not Working

What to Do If Sciatica Exercises Are Not Working

If prone lying, elbow props, or press-ups are not helping your sciatica pain, it may be time to try a few modified positions that can better target your symptoms. In this Bob & Brad Sciatica Program video, we explain advanced exercise variations often used in the clinic when standard sciatica exercises are not reducing leg pain, numbness, or tingling.

These exercises are designed to help people with sciatica symptoms related to disc bulging or herniation, especially when pain travels down one leg. However, we also explain that not all leg pain is caused by a disc problem. Conditions such as piriformis syndrome, spinal stenosis, or spondylolisthesis may cause similar symptoms, so it is important to listen to your body and seek professional help if symptoms are not improving.

The program introduces several sciatica exercise variations, including the Banana position, Roadkill position, towel-under-pelvis technique, Wiggle, two-leg rotation, Cat/Camel, and Windshield Wipers. Each exercise is performed carefully while watching for signs of improvement, such as reduced leg pain, less numbness, or decreased tingling.

A key rule throughout the program is simple: never continue an exercise that makes your pain worse. If an exercise helps, it may be repeated several times per day as directed. If none of the exercises are effective, Bob and Brad recommend trying nerve flossing and working on reducing common “pain makers” that may be contributing to sciatica or back pain.

This video is part of the Bob & Brad Sciatica Program and is ideal for those who have already tried basic sciatica exercises but need additional options to help reduce pain and improve mobility.