Does anyone out there suffer from sciatica?

The Maid

Full Member
I was wondering if anyone else doing SW suffers from sciatica? My complaint has come back in the last couple of days and I was wondering if anyone has any tips for exercises to relieve the symptoms. A therapist I saw last year said I had the tightest hamstrings she had ever seen so I know I have to keep stretching them but sometimes I forget. I ice the base of my spine at least 3 times a day which hasn't been so effective in this heatwave as the ice pack loses its icyness within a few minutes. I am going to try using some cooling gel regularly and ibuprofen too.
Hope someone can help as I am feeling fed up with the pain at the moment.:(
 
I had very tight quads (the muscles at the front of my thighs) and it was causing the knee cap to be very tight against the cartilage where it should be free floating. Have you thought about a sports massage? They give you a really deep muscle massage and you follow up with stretching daily, you can't forget to stretch though it's very important to maintain muscle flexability.
 
Try lying over 2 or 3 pillows (face down)and see if that relieves the pain. If it does, then gently take one pillow away and gingerly lie down again. The pain will probably return but with luck should settle. If you can make it down to flat (and it's better to do this on the floor, then see if you can arch your back very gently backwards by putting your arms folded on a thin pillow. This can take over an hour. The idea is to squeeze the centre of the disc forwards. Keeping it there can be the problem. I know it's hot, but if you can roll up a bath towel lengthways and tie it very tightly round your waist it will support your back and allow the spasm to settle. If you can sleep in it it fills in the gap at your waist if you sleep on your side or back.
It might be worth phoning your local clinic or hospital, as most areas now operate self referral systems. They "triage" you over the phone, and backs are usually fast tracked. Round here we have what they call Physio First. Or your GP should be able to refer you as an urgent. And it should be free!
 
Hello the maid, I have suffered with sciatica for years, but (touch wood) have got it under control.I have had traction,osteopathy ,cortisone epidurals,tons of pain killers but do you know what sorted it ? I went to a 'Bowen' therapist and have never looked back(pardon the pun). Yes I still have to take good care of myself and not lift anything too heavy etc but I would recommend it.The specialist at the hospital said I would never work again and was only trying to relieve the pain.The Bowen has repaired the damage.
 
My mum used to get this really badly. She was adivsed to lie on her back on the floor pull her knees toward her chest (curled like a ball essentially) and gently roll herself from side to side just a little. Guess thias is really just a stretch? She found it helped but everyone is different and you need to find something that works for you. Good luck
 
Hiya, until recently I really suffered terribly with sciatica (I only suffer with it when I have lie-in's now) but I the best thing for me day to day were the heat pads you stick to your back (I know in this weather that seems like the last thing you want to do). Or sitting with a hot water bottle at the base of my back and when times got bad I would always take Feminax Ultra it is the best over the counter painkiller I found, its mainly used for period pains but also recommended for backs. I didn't find anything helped me as much as loosing weight has and your doing the right thing already so I really hope you feel better soon :)
 
hiya, i know i'm not fro sw but have had this problem tho i have to say (touch wood) that its improved greatly. I find ibuprofen is best but when its really bad you can take ibuprofen and paracetomol but leav at least an hour between the two. I have also found that heat is better that cold and i have one of those microwavable heat packs that is great cos you can wrap it around where it hurts, a bit less rigid than a hot water bottle.
gentle stretches can help too
 
I used to have this a few years ago when I put weight on. I took voltrol and ibuprofen& paracetomol. I must say that the best respite i got was from swimming. Since losing I have not had the problem now for about three years.

Philx
 
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