topic Re: SCIATICA--HOW TO TREAT in Wellness

SCIATICA--HOW TO TREAT

fortune — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 07:35:35 GMT

I have severe pain from sciatica and need help to treat it on my own. I can't go to a doctor right now because of the pandemic. Thanks for any info!!

Re: SCIATICA--HOW TO TREAT

Pook — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 09:01:01 GMT

@fortune The massage therapist I used to go to recommended rolling around on a tennis ball to hit the pain spot and keeping it there as long as possible. Also something like a tens unit (Dr Ho's is the best I found - HSN) works well also.

Re: SCIATICA--HOW TO TREAT

Liverbird1 — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 10:07:41 GMT

I get back pain on and off . I use the plug in heat pads on the back . Also buy the lidocaine patches and apply to area which is painful .

Keep warm keep safe and hope you feel well soon .

Re: SCIATICA--HOW TO TREAT

wifey2qt — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 10:23:10 GMT

Although heat feels great, for me ICE was the trick! That and some ibuprofin helped alot! It reduced the inflamation pressing on the nerve. Try to stand and walk more than sitting too. Again this is what helped me ... we are all different , good luck!

Re: SCIATICA--HOW TO TREAT

sarahpanda — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 10:30:06 GMT

When my sciatica starts acting up, I lay on the HoMedics Air Compression Mat that I purchased from QVC a few years ago. It works great for me ! Saved me a lot of agony...except in my pocketbook. It cost around $225 but you might can find it cheaper on Amazon. I wouldn't be without it for sciatica flare-ups.

Re: SCIATICA--HOW TO TREAT

AngelPuppy1 — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 12:31:14 GMT

Must be something in the air! I am suffering terribly right now and nothing seems to be helping. I know of another lady who is hurting, too! I was wondering if the cold weather stirred it up, but don't know if this has anything to do with it? I wish I had an answer for you, but unfortunately I don't! Once I sit down, I have a terrible time getting back up. Once I do get up, after walking around for a bit, it feels a lot better -- and walking helps a lot --- while I am doing it. I can't stand and walk all day though --- very tiring! It's wearing me out! As "fortune" says, anyone having suggestions, please post! Thanks.

Re: SCIATICA--HOW TO TREAT

goldensrbest — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 12:59:13 GMT

My 85 yr.old mom,.has had this since ,last winter, she has to use a walker, goes to get a injection,every few months ,only it really only last a few weeks, her pain is really bad.

Re: SCIATICA--HOW TO TREAT

Ainhisg — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 13:55:15 GMT

Try the exercises in this link! I had sciatica hit me early this year, and doing these exercises every day brought it under control quickly. Caroline Jordan also has videos on YouTube where she demonstrates many of these exercises.

https://s3.amazonaws.com/kajabi-storefronts-production/sites/36913/downloads/3Lik93R6e7DnIcFpF4yA_Sciatic_Nerve_Pain_Daily_Exercises_.pdf

Re: SCIATICA--HOW TO TREAT

bonnielu — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 13:44:28 GMT

I fell over hubby about 5 years ago on a cruise ship. We were square dancing on the upper deck. The ship jiggled and we both went down over each other. I was fine until I actually got home (10 days later). Boy what pain. I went to a neighborhood physical therapist.... He treated me.. exercises and some manipulation. However what also worked... the Tens machine. Not sure I spelled it correctly but you can find it on Amazon easily no matter how you spell it. And for those of you who don''t know the Sciatica pain is torture. You want to jump off a roof or out the window to save yourself. Up and down my leg. Hope never to have it again.

Re: SCIATICA--HOW TO TREAT

LindaSal — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 13:49:20 GMT

@fortune Sorry to hear this. I too have been suffering from Sciatic discomfort for months now. I just recently talked about this in another thread. While I also have arthritis in my lower back (from an injury when I was young) that has contributed to my sciatic pain per my physician. Xrays confirmed that. What I do is my best to continue to be active, you MUST move your body (within reason) to keep everything as flexible as possible. When I get on the treadmill it's tough but when I get off I feel so much better.

I also take Excedrin daily to take the edge off. On real bad days I use those heated wraps with velcro. For me heat is the absolute best relief. Good luck.

Re: SCIATICA--HOW TO TREAT

Love my grandkids — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 16:44:20 GMT

@fortune I don't know where you are located but here in WA state and in CA lots of people are keeping doctor appointments!

Unless your doctor isn't taking appointments, there's no reason you can't see a doctor.

The medical places I go to are all following STRICT COVID guidelines. You might call your doctor unless he/she is not seeing patients.

The pandemic has not caused a moratorium on medical appointments.

Re: SCIATICA--HOW TO TREAT

furbabylover — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 17:28:10 GMT

@fortune Having endured sciatica for 30 years, I can tell you that I have learned to take a 3 pronged approach: I take Advil for several days (not Tylenol) , I apply numerous Salonpas Pain Patches to the area, and then I hold gel ice packs to the area for about 20 minutes. I then take a break from the ice, but apply it again in about another 20 minutes and do it throughout the day. This has worked the best for me. And Salonpas are at most pharmacies and they work better than most. Physical therapy did nothing for me, so I ended up finding my own way. Good Luck!!!

Re: SCIATICA--HOW TO TREAT

Love my grandkids — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 19:44:40 GMT

@furbabylover @fortune ITA about Salon Pas patches. they work wonders.

Years ago when I was diagnosed with sciatica (I was in my 30's) my doctor put me on a course of walking and home exercises.

Whatever helps, I hope you get some relief.

Re: SCIATICA--HOW TO TREAT

sann — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 20:17:58 GMT

When I had sciatica my Doctor sent me to physical therapy. That resolved the problem.

Re: SCIATICA--HOW TO TREAT

hckynut — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 21:29:47 GMT

@fortune

Haven't had Sciatica since my 1st back surgery in 1974. Had my completely ruptured L-5/S-1 spinal discs removed. Did need my L-3 surgically removed in the late '90's, no Sciatica.

Pretty bad lower spine pain, which also effected my left leg strength, and flexibility. Had it done after hockey season, still skated as a Ref, but had my players pick up the puck. Lost my some skating speed because of the weakness in my leg.

Any body pain for me I always go with ice. Might look online as some stretches always helped with my back pain. Now for me if ,y back is stiff, I spend more time on my Teeter Inversion Table.

Hope you find the right think to at least reduce your sciatic pain.

hckynut

Re: SCIATICA--HOW TO TREAT

Shelbelle — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 21:34:54 GMT

Myt DH went ot PT for a few weeks, then did the exercises at home that they taught him.

Re: SCIATICA--HOW TO TREAT

ALRATIBA — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 22:49:03 GMT

I went through that during this past Nov/Dec/Jan/Feb.

My pain mgmt doc's advice .....

Lidocaine patches

Alternate hot and/or cold compresses - see which works best for you. Cold worked best for me - 30 minutes twice a day. I got one of those large pads that you can freeze. Heat didn't work too well for me.

Physical therapy twice a week. (ETA - that lasted from Dec.-March)

Remain active - painful but you have to keep moving. A walker is more efficient than a cane.

Tylenol / ibuprophen

---------------------------------

Worst was remaining active - walking was really, really painful but I forced myself to walk everyday (using a walker).

Re: SCIATICA--HOW TO TREAT

Growing — Fri, 06 Nov 2020 01:46:51 GMT

Look up piriformis muscle injuries. We have a nerve that runs through our hip area that can cause sciatica like problems. A good chiropractor can help. I used this to sit or lay on to reduce the nerve pain from my piriformis deep around my pelvis and this device eliminated the nerve pain. It's called the "sacro wedgy". If you need treatment, get treatment. Your doctor will possibly send you to physical therapy or put you on pain meds or muscle relaxers, neither of which may cure this. You may have a spinal issue, so imaging will show these problems. Edited to say the medication may not cure it. PT can be helpful.

Re: SCIATICA--HOW TO TREAT

Mellyg — Fri, 06 Nov 2020 06:08:44 GMT

I had an ongoing issue with sciatica and went through constant and extreme discomfort with my pirformis muscle. Mine was caused from running, but I occasionally have an issue with it (stress can be a common trigger). I went to several Dr's, chiropractor and massage therapy. I didn't go to PT, though.

The things that helped......

stretching. There's a few stretches that are great for it. When you find the stretch that helps, it will feel very relieving. Also, try not to sit for too long without moving. Try to walk as much as you can.

Lidocane (icy hot) helped get me through the day. Tylenol helped, too.

Alternating ice and heat can be very helpful. The ice will act as an anti inflammatory and the heat increases the blood flow to help heal.

I was having a difficult time sleeping. Before bed, a bath with Epsom salts helped. And in some cases, a muscle relaxer.

I went to a chiropractor. I can't say it helped tremendously. But it didn't hurt. Massage therapy helped a lot (but I would get a massage that incorporated stretching).

Re: SCIATICA--HOW TO TREAT

Foxxee — Fri, 06 Nov 2020 09:17:59 GMT

@fortune wrote:
I have severe pain from sciatica and need help to treat it on my own. I can't go to a doctor right now because of the pandemic. Thanks for any info!!

@fortune

Sometimes a sedentary lifestyle, too much sitting is the cause. I found walking the best treatment. Until it's resolved, pain meds, and a heating pad.