Advice on dealing with sciatica pain?

I have a lot of it now that I am getting more pregnant. When I get it, I ask someone, Alex or a friend, to press hard on either side of my lower back. Sometimes, that releases it. Other times, I make a complete stop, bend all the way down and back up several times.

Thanks, I’ll try it on her.

A good physical therapist is worth their weight in gold.

Thanks!

Flexeril

Here are a lot of good ideas and personal tips, from other fluther sufferers.

Check out this FitnessBlender stretching routine.

Assuming it is primarily muscular and not a disc, several things helped me.

Not lifting anything over ten pounds

Not wearing heels

Not doing the cleaning or laundry for several weeks of ot involved any sort of lifting, bending, or twisting.

Being sure not to twist my back as I stand up. So getting out of a bed or car I move both legs and body to the side of the bed or out of the car slowly and then stand. Most people get out sort of one leg and then the other follows.

Some stretching exercises, but nothing extreme.

Still walked around and got some simple exercise. I worked retail at the time so I limited how much time I was standing, but it was still 4–6 hours a day. I don’t recmmend that much, I think I would have heeled faster if it had been less.

You can also take ibuprofen to try and reduce the muscle tension. I would say at least 600mg, just remmebr to take with food and plenty of water. I didn’t take a lot of meds, but if I had. Itially possibly it would have helped me heal faster I think.

My biggest improvement, and when I finally got all better was when my MIL was doing all household chores for me for weeks. Thank God for her. I had been in agony on and off for months, and finally I got better, and have never had it again in over 17 years. Once in a while I get a twinge in my back for a few days, but never the pain I suffered then, and it is never lasting for more than a day or two.

I went to physical therapy and I don’t know if it helped a lot. I went when the injury was pretty new and I was still in a lot of pain. It’s worth a try though. They will help teach some exercises and put the pads on that feel like ants crawling across the area, which a lot of people find very helpful.

Is there an Anti Gravity Yoga class near you? Does she have access to an inversion table?

She just headed up to emerg. The pain is pretty bad. I’m heading over there soon to be there for her.

How is she doing? Did the xrays show anything major? The pain can be horrible. I cried in my office at work more than once from the pain.

She received a script for an anti-inflammatory and a steroid. Radicular pain is what it’s called.

She’s on her way to the office to call a client, then home. Sitting is what really gets to her. She’s been driving back and forth to Livonia (1½ hour drive each way), every day this week and it’s been killer on her back (sitting in her car for that amount of time).

Doc also said to alternate to between ice packs and the heating pad.

Sitting killed me too. I couldn’t sit up straight, I had to be slouched way down in a chair. Did he give her a back brace?

No, she didn’t. She did recommend getting some heel inserts.

Is there anything that you could recommend for sitting, when she’s at the office?

Well, the brace helps support the back. I worked retail at the time of my injury, so I was mostly on my feet. I don’t have any tricks for sitting, except for her to keep her feet elevated if possible. Even if it is some sort of small stool.

I lived in FL at the time, which is the land of speed bumps, and every time I drove over one the pain was horrible. Ugh, I hope she feels better fast. Is she going to go to physical therapy?

One more bit of advice, when she starts to feel better, she needs to continue to be. Areful for a few weeks so she doesn’t slide backwards. In my opinion the biggest thing is not to carry or lift anything heavy.

She might want to try water aerobics which helps build core muscles and the water relieves the weight on our spines.

@JLeslie She lives on the lake. Would normal swimming do?

I’m not sure about the physical therapy.

What worked for me was to get a script for a brace from my doctor and then have a special surgical supply and equipment house fit me for a serious one. I still use it from time to time; it was custom-fitted and can be adjusted in several directions.

You can buy generic braces online but they are not as effective. The Rx ones have boned stays that support the lumbar muscles and keep you from bending or moving incorrectly by accident.

She wants to swim, initially, if she is comfortable as a swimmer, in very warm water and a controlled environment. A heated pool is the solution.

I agree with @gailcalled that the water should be a reasonably comfortable temperature. The floating belts for deep water aerobics will allow her to be suspended in the water without having to do anything to stay afloat. I wouldn’t do a lot of active lap swimming, but just floating around might give her some relief. Or, a jacuzzi if it isn’t crazy hot. Too hot or too cold is bad in my opinion.

I’ll pass all of this information onto her. Thanks for help.

Her holidays officially start tomorrow at 5. So, instead of going up to the UP, we’re lying low at her place in Lakeport. There is no way that she could handle a 4 and ½ hour drive!! Luckily, I can be there for her this coming week to run errands and whatnot.

I found out my was due to low vitamin D levels. After a couple of months of taking vitamin D3 that was prescribed by my doctor, it went away on its own. Vitamin D3 is a great anti-inflammatory hormone. I was prescribed, 54000 units a week. Maybe she should get her blood drawn and checked.
As soon as I start to feel some pain return, I increase my dosage and the pain goes away before it becomes troublesome.

Good suggestion about the D. Great idea to get it checked. It could significantly help.

I had some sciatica doing to a pinched nerve. One of my lower discs was herniated. I did traction with my chiro had a lot of sex, walked for an hour a day on soft ground. I also ate very balanced healthy meals. amino acids are great healers.