Wellness

[sydsgma1]

I have injured my back and cannot get into a speciList for 3 weeks. Any suggestions to ease the pain and help with function would be appreciated. Tia

[hckynut]

Anti-inflammatory if your body has no issues with them. Find the best position that gives you the most relief from this pain. Some of these positions have to be changed frequently and this many times depends on the source of the pain and its exact location.

With my ruptured L-5/S-1 discs sitting for me was by far the worst position. Lying a certain way helped for a short time and then I would lie in a different position. Standing and walking were far and away the best for reducing the pain, while sitting in a chair where my rear side biceps of the leg hit the end of the chair was the most painful.

For some easy stretching and certain stretches help with the pain. It never hurts to apply ice to any type of injury or pain. While it may not help with certain sources of sciatica, I have never known ice to harm any type of injury or pain.

What type of "specialist" are you seeing for this pain? My wish for you is that you can find a way to at least minimize this sciatic pain until your doctors visit.

[151949]

ICE ICE ICE ICE ICE ICE ICE .

[HisElk]

OP, I've dealt with this pain and my chiropractor has really helped me. It took quite awhile, sometimes, months, but eventually it got much better.

When I sleep, I use a pillow under my knees if on my back; if I turn to my side to sleep, that pillow is in between my knees to keep the pressure off of my back. Ice can be helpful, but not for long periods of time - 20 minutes is what helped my pain.

Three weeks can seem like eternity in your case; do you have any friends that go to a chiropractor in your area? Maybe they could refer you.

I sincerely hope you can get some sort of relief very soon.

[sydsgma1]

John, I am seeing a neurosurgeon. The problem is we are at our winter home and it is more difficult to get into a specialist than at home. I was told not to use a chiropractor because I have juvenile disc disease and rheumatoid arthritis. I will switch from heat to ice.

[Big Sister]

Will you try acupuncture?

[151949]

On 11/15/2014 sydsgma said: John, I am seeing a neurosurgeon. The problem is we are at our winter home and it is more difficult to get into a specialist than at home. I was told not to use a chiropractor because I have juvenile disc disease and rheumatoid arthritis. I will switch from heat to ice.

yes, ice. The pain is caused when inflammation (swelling) puts pressure on a nerve. So ice is needed to reduce the inflammation. Heat is to relax a muscle but generally, when people think they need heat - they really need ice , because the muscle is inflammed.

[hckynut]

On 11/15/2014 sydsgma said: John, I am seeing a neurosurgeon. The problem is we are at our winter home and it is more difficult to get into a specialist than at home. I was told not to use a chiropractor because I have juvenile disc disease and rheumatoid arthritis. I will switch from heat to ice.

Hi to you sydsgma,

Am very sorry you are suffering from this very painful malady. While I have used Chiropractic and Osteopathic for many issues in the past, I am not a doubter when it comes to their successes with many people for many things.

That said, I would never have an "adjustment" when in severe pain, without first having an MRI done to confirm the source of the problem. While body adjustments by either of the aforementioned fields work for many, there is also a chance they can greatly and permanently harm a person if they have an issue that is not related to the purpose of these types of remedies.

With your types of joint problems I think your doctor is the one to decide what is safe for you and what is not. Chiropractic is now not seen by open minded Doctors of Medicine(MD)as a phony and dangerous practice as it was in past years and decades. Every one of my Sports Med Certified doctors, some which are also personal friends, have no objection to some of their patients having Chiropractic Adjustments. In fact my friend the Spinal Surgeon and his partners added a Chiropractor to their Practice many years ago.

For some reason there are some animosities between Neuro and Orthopaedic doctors when it comes to who/what is best for the treatment of certain cervical/thoracic and lumbar related pain issues. Which one to choose? I have a friend whose wife is a well know Neuro Surgeon in our area also. When I had or have spinal issues I will always choose my friend, the Spinal Specialist who is an Orthopaedic Surgeon, to diagnose and treat my pain issues. That is just my choice, and nothing more.

It is a shame you have to wait 3 weeks to get in to see this doctor. I am fortunate in that running my adult hockey league for so many decades, I have met doctors in almost all medical fields. Along with having doctors in my immediate family, I can usually get in to see any of these doctors in a short amount of time. Have had them get me in the same or next day even if they have to short circuit their lunch or other elective choices to get me or my wife in to see them for analysis and treatment.

Sciatica along with any spinal type issue should always be a concern for those in severe pain and getting a diagnosis as soon as possible should always be first on their agenda.

My best to you with this, and do keep me and others here that are concerned updated on your painful situation.

[travelin grandma]

I have had sciatica off and one (some quite painful) for a couple of years, lasting up to a few months. I am frightened of chiropractors and won't consider one. I have had acupuncture, but honestly, it didn't help. For me, it was Advil and waiting it out. I have a doctor's appointment this week for a check-up and will talk to him about it then. Good luck.

[helping1]

I have sciatica (the sciatic nerve is the longest spinal nerve in the body and is pinched) myself, and what helped me somewhat was aquatic (water) therapy. One would need a prescription for physical therapy/PT from a medical doctor (perhaps specifically mentioning water therapy), but the aquatic therapy may help with strength and flexibility of the surrounding muscles. It may also help with range of motion, especially due to the buoyancy of the water.