sciatica

Lay flat on your back on the floor or bed ask another person to hold your ankle and pull the leg on the side you are getting the pain, they should keep pulling and count to 30 then stop for 10 seconds then pull for another counting to 30 repeat 4 times. This will take pressure off the sciatica nerve.

Lie on the bed and stretch the affected leg as high up the wall as you can.

Bowen technique has worked for me. Very gentle and relaxing. Not expensive. I do hope you find relief from the pain.

I've had sciatica for many years as a result of a throw in judo when I was about 19. I was in a corset for 2 years and that with physio did help at the time. When I had a fall a few years back the sciatica returned big time. Doctors suggested various medicaments but my new Pilates teacher at the time who was also an injuries specialist literally took one look at me standing and on the couch and said (a) I had a curved spine and (b) this was resulting in having one leg shorter than the other. I now have a built up shoe and after regular sessions of treatment under this injury specialist I'm becoming pain free. The Pilates I do at his studio is adapted to my needs and monitored. So what I'm trying to say is that there may be an under lying cause elsewhere in the body.

meandashy so sorry to here you are a sufferer too. I am really hoping the physcio will help goning again on Tuesday.Yesterday he put me on a machine which gave deepmassage then he did some manual manipulation and gave me exercise, Tuesday he is putting me in traction so really hoping that i might turn a corner after that. I did the exercises this morning but one i just cant do as too painful.
Now due to the painkillers i have constipation as well, so currently guzzling lots and lots of water to try and helpthat. Feeling really down in the dumps asnd sorry for myself at the moment and scared for the future as i have always been so active and independant, having to ask OH to take me here and there as scared to drive due to meds and incase my leg goes into a spasm and being stuck indoors day after day is not good for the spirits at all.

Oh the pain ?
I started with sciatica. Very painful. My gp was not helpful. I went to the gym to try and strengthen the muscles. The first time I went I slipped my disc. The hospital waiting list for surgery was 11 months! In that time the nerve damage was done. I have little feeling in my leg or foot as a result.
Less than a year after surgery I slipped my disc again! I would NOT have the surgery again.
I found physio helpful and acupuncture is wonderful! It gave me the best sleep I've ever had since the initial injury!!
I'm currently seeing a chiropractor for neck pain, all related to the back and how I walk and carry myself now (I have a stick for balance).
Definitely try and get sorted now incase it develops as I wouldn't wish what I'm going through on anybody ?

I had sciatica and piriformis syndrome from beginners of August till Marchbof following year. I had physio, acupuncture, drugs, ultrasound and was housebound unable to stand long enough to cook a meal by the end. In the March I had injections under anaesthesia in hospital and was walking pain free in a few days. That was 3 years ago and been mostly fine since with just a couple of short episodes of it.

It is important to identify whether the sciatic nerve is trapped because of a slipped disc or muscle stiffness. If the cause is muscular, then physiotherapy, pilates, etc should help but if you have slipped disc, you may need surgery.

For a trapped nerve - try alternate hot water bottle on the nerves and then frozen peas.

Agree with Lesley Accupuncture is amazing for Sciatica,i had only one session and it was such a relief
I was told to lie on the unaffected side and stretch the affected side across ,which helps relieve the nerve[ when at home]after one more accupuncture session I had no more trouble, well worth every penny,i had to go private, even though the hospital offered it, but only in 10 minute slots

There is a movement in Pilates called theClam Shell which I find to be a lifesaver when my sciatica kicks in. I am sure you can find a demo on YouTube

poor you. it is hideously painful. Hope you get some relief. I find that sleeping without a pillow is really helpful.

I suffered sciatica for many years and tried various treatments including injections, unfortunately my only option was surgery.

My father was a martyr to sciatica for years until he started taking Vit B complex for another condition. He improved very quickly.
I suffer arthritic pain and find that these vitamins ease my pain too.
There is absolutely no scientific reason why Vit B should help with pain, but it does seem to, so it’s worth a punt.
In the recommended dose it’s cheap and free of side effects, so no harm in trying.

Forgot to say he just used over the counter painkillers and peace is restored in our house as he is back out running.

My husband, a runner, had sciatica and saw a sports physio who did a bit of maniplation and gave him some stretching exercises to do and he was lucky that it took a few weeks to get better as it could take a month or so He used one the those long sports elastic bands to do the exercise with and you can get them from most sport shops or Argos. You would need to use a pink easy one.

I too had years and years of sciatica....went to a chiropractor....took an xray...gentle manupulations and specific exercises! Very important...now pain free! Painkillers also dulled the problem and not in a good way. Would go back in a second if pain returned...over 3 years now and i swim, pilates, dance and do yoga....gently....and no pain. Good luck.

After all else failed my GP who was an acupuncturist, asked if I would like to try it. I had nothing to lose so duly went in. Three needles went in at first but when he put the fourth in, I heard a muffled "whoops" looked round and saw what looked like black tar all up the wall. Apparently the black stuff was old blood and I had obviously burst a small capillary some time ago and he said that might be the root of the problem. He cleaned it up and continued to put more needles in and then left me for half an hour. After the needles came out I knew he had fixed it as I could walk properly and walked down the stairs normally, got into the car with no pain or stiffness and went home with a big grin on my face. Sciatica is absolutely B awful and wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.
I do hope travelsafar finds something which will help soon as constant pain drains the soul and the spirit.

Someone previously mentioned turmeric and I understand this has had some success with helping people with sciatica. I take 'golden paste'. A mixture of turmeric, coconut oil and black pepper and has helped my osteoarthritis. Quick, cheap and easy to make. There is a lovely friendly facebook group called Turmeric User Group UK. You have to ask to join, but the information on there is vast and the admins are really helpful. People take it for so many health problems with good results. It also seems to be helping with my hot flushes too AND seems to lift my mood. There are files to check if its compatible with other medicines you may be taking. Good luck! PS its good for older stiff dogs too! ;-)

travelsafar.I have been laughed at by folk without them trying what I have found helps relieve joint pain.
I believe in taking homeopathic treatment along with traditional medicine as homeopathic helps the body to heal itself unlike herbal medicine which cannot always be taken alongside drugs and should not be used long term.
Take paracetamol while allowing the homeopathic to do its healing work on you.
You can also buy heat pads from supermarkets and chemists as heat helps the muscles relax A tense body will increase your pain. I am not here to advertise a specific product but I know what has helped me with my arthritis which can never be cured but a significant reduction in the pain which allows me to get on and enjoy what life is left for me and I can sleep as well..
People did cope years ago without drugs as homeopathic had been around long before drugs came on the scene

I have used Physio's, Osteopaths and Chiropractors in my time, and I would recommend them in reverse order.
Trouble is you can get good treatment or not so good.
I haven't suffered with Sciatica but have with Plantar Fasciitis.
Steroid injection lasted a fortnight. Chiropractor recommended massaging heel by placing golf ball on floor and pressing down on and rotating your foot in small circles.
it works.

Have just remembered on reading through other posts that I found Voltarol, and Tens machine useful over the years too. Thought these may help you at some time.

I find the only thing that works for me is straight to chiropractor, hot water bottle and painkillers (ibuprofen, paracetamol). it doesn't work for everyone but you will eventually find what works for you. Some people find that cold icepack or Cooler pack works (I got one from Amazon), but eventually, for me its the chiropractor that works wonders. Hope you soon find some relief, its not a pleasant thing to have.

Sorry to go on - but perhaps helpful to say that I haven’t taken any painkillers because I’ve been on Warfarin for ages and I’ve never found Paracetamol any good for anything - I’ll stop now! (Unless there are any questions!!)

Btw - perhaps I ought to add, I am 85 and realise things take longer to heal but today’s date is the 8 Dec which is a long time but I am fine - it is a horrible thing to experience.