A safer way to do cardio

You have to get your heart rate up.

Why this matters:

There are countless benefits to elevating your heart rate. The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes a week of moderate intensity exercise. One of the major benefits of moving when dealing with sciatica pain is improved circulation, flexibility, and a reduction in pain. When you get your heart rate elevated for an extended period of time, the body releases anti-inflammatory hormones (reduce pain) and endorphins (reduce pain). But how can we do something safely without irritating our pain?

Action steps:

Walking is a very simple exercise that can be done without any equipment. Here’s my guide to doing it pain free.

Another option is riding on a stationary bike. Here’s my optimal setup.

Last but not least, is using a rowing machine. This too gets a lot of negative press. But when executed correctly, not only will this get your heart rate up, but you’ll notice a reduction in your pain because you are using your hips. This is my guide to rowing.

You don’t have to go for hours and hours. Try a little bit at a time and then build from there.