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[Misc] Sciatica
- Thread starter Mellotron
- Start date
A mex eyecan
Well-known member
- Nov 3, 2011
- 3,872
good chiropractor
Easy 10
Brain dead MUG SHEEP
My dad was suffering with it for months and months in his leg, at times he was in absolute agony and could barely sleep. This was about a year, 18 months ago. The doctors couldn't do much about it other than prescribe a few painkillers and tell him to "rest", but despite that and various heated pads etc, nothing sorted it.
Until, more out of desperation than anything else, he tried a course of acupuncture. I think he paid for something like 5 sessions up-front, but with a partial refund if he didn't need to have all 5 sessions. He went for 3 sessions, and within a month, it had cleared up. He'd had no previous experience (or even faith) in 'alternative medicines', and he's still not entirely convinced it was the acupuncture that got rid of it. But gone it is, and its not been back.
Until, more out of desperation than anything else, he tried a course of acupuncture. I think he paid for something like 5 sessions up-front, but with a partial refund if he didn't need to have all 5 sessions. He went for 3 sessions, and within a month, it had cleared up. He'd had no previous experience (or even faith) in 'alternative medicines', and he's still not entirely convinced it was the acupuncture that got rid of it. But gone it is, and its not been back.
maresfield seagull
Well-known member
- May 23, 2006
- 2,317
Where is the pain ?
On a scale, one being lowest 10 highest
How painful would you say it is ?
Had a bad case about 12 years ago. Couldn't sit for about 6–8 weeks, had to stay standing. Life was spent counting down the hours till I was allowed my next dose of morphine. It was not fun!
1) Keep moving – walking etc actually helps.
2) Strengthen your core muscles, to relieve stress on your spine. Sciatica is often the result of a pinched nerve or similar in the spine.
3) Talk to your doctor about being prescribed nerve relaxant drugs. Not something they'll necessarily leap to first, as you need to let the root cause (see point 2) mend itself over time rather than just mask it, but they do help.
1) Keep moving – walking etc actually helps.
2) Strengthen your core muscles, to relieve stress on your spine. Sciatica is often the result of a pinched nerve or similar in the spine.
3) Talk to your doctor about being prescribed nerve relaxant drugs. Not something they'll necessarily leap to first, as you need to let the root cause (see point 2) mend itself over time rather than just mask it, but they do help.
GloryDays
Well-known member
A variety of nerve glides relieved some of my pain. Not nice though, and you should absolutely consult a pro (I guess) to make sure it's safe to do. Neurological stretching isn't like stretching out a hamstring, as I'm sure you know.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMbKv94Bu_U
But in my case this helped a bit. Generally movement is good IMO. By MO is speculative.
I actually played football through my sciatica. I couldn't lift my leg so ended up playing out from the back. It was funny. Inadvertently looked composed and cultured in the 'get rid' world of Lewis District League.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMbKv94Bu_U
But in my case this helped a bit. Generally movement is good IMO. By MO is speculative.
I actually played football through my sciatica. I couldn't lift my leg so ended up playing out from the back. It was funny. Inadvertently looked composed and cultured in the 'get rid' world of Lewis District League.
Normal Rob
Well-known member
bhafc99;10218345 . 2) Strengthen your core muscles said:
Seconded
Barham's tash
Well-known member
Go to a therapist that specialises in manipulation and have your Psoas muscles released. Right as rain two days later.
And to avoid the initial spasms that trap the nerves strengthen your core as others have said. The psoas is one of the major core muscles.
And to avoid the initial spasms that trap the nerves strengthen your core as others have said. The psoas is one of the major core muscles.
Baldseagull
Well-known member
See a Chiropractor or Osteopath privately, or self refer to MSK physiotherapy NHS https://sussexmskpartnershipcentral.co.uk/self-referral/
Weststander
Well-known member
Really good point (3), often overlooked by doctors.
Muscles around the source of the pain, as a natural defence mechanism, go into spasm.
I had an acutely painful lower back c. 20 years ago, my excellent doctor at the time simply prescribed a pill (one of the Benzodiazepine class of drugs?) to ease the spasm. Almost instantly, it cured all pain.
- Apr 19, 2018
- 2,134
Was going to say the same. Regular psoas release fixed years of hip and knee aggro for me. You can find videos how to do it yourself - one of those things I wish I'd discovered years before I did. A physio called Dewi (possibly wrong spelling) via Run Brighton put me on to it where loads of physios previously hadn't even considered it the source of the problem. Incredible how much it aggravates though when it's tight.
smillie's garden
Am I evil?
- Aug 11, 2003
- 2,734
Thankfully I've only had mild cases in the past, but I've found piriformis stretches to be helpful. From what I understand the piriformis muscle can sometimes impinge on the sciatic nerve, causing problems. The vid shows the basic one I've used, but an internet search will show many other piriformis exercises.
maresfield seagull
Well-known member
- May 23, 2006
- 2,317
They are currently a little over stretched ( pun intended)
The wait to actually get an appointment currently is quite long
Drs referral will speed it up a little
grubbyhands
Well-known member
You could consider an Inversion table,Google them,worked for me. I had had a prolapsed disc in my lower back which was pushing/pinching on my sciatic nerve root. Still got the table and use it periodically if I get a bit of a twinge. Best of luck,sciatica is horrible.
As a man of science I ought to sneer at acupuncture, but I have had it and rather enjoyed it. Here are my three golden rules for alternative medicines:
1. First use the NHS - see you doctor and follow the standard pathway. BUT you have to tell the doc it is imperative you get better, that you hate your condition, and will do what is necessary to get well. Tell the bugger what you think 'success' would look like. The GPs love a team effort. But GPs fob off people who don't seem to care. A little known fact, perhaps.
2. Alternative intervention is supplementary. It may cure you but it should never be the first port of call. And, blow me down, you can get acupuncture and other alternative stuff on the NHS as supplementary intervention add-ons to the standard care. I did. However the provision is almost certainly haphazard. I work in a hospital and physio just said 'do you fancy a bit of the old Chinese needles?' and when I said 'give it a go' they sent me to their pals downstairs. Your typical GP practice may be less keen. Would I go private and pay for alternative? Nay, no and thrice no.
3. Under no circumstances order alternative therapy off the internet. And never make an alternative pathway your first choice. There have been some horrendous cases of people dying because their alternative practitioner could do nothing, in the end, for the cancer, and by the time they rocked up at the GP surgery it was too late.
There has been no charge for this personal opinion
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doogie004
Well-known member
15years plus of lower back pain
3 ops and about 25 injections and still going
The best advice I can offer is go speak to a back surgeon mine is Dr karmani at the montefoire Hove
One of the best
Also get yourself a MRI the only way to find out whats going on
Happy to talk to you if you want to PM me
It’s a long road chances are no cure but learning to live with pain is also a lot of help
Also the best advice is go to Pilates best thing I ever do
Won’t find a decent back surgeon that does not advise this
Any way good luck here if you need advice
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
3 ops and about 25 injections and still going
The best advice I can offer is go speak to a back surgeon mine is Dr karmani at the montefoire Hove
One of the best
Also get yourself a MRI the only way to find out whats going on
Happy to talk to you if you want to PM me
It’s a long road chances are no cure but learning to live with pain is also a lot of help
Also the best advice is go to Pilates best thing I ever do
Won’t find a decent back surgeon that does not advise this
Any way good luck here if you need advice
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Me too. But my back pain (due to scoliosis) was banished by a clever physio (NHS) who said 'let's try straightening the curvature'. I now have a simple exercise. I use it from time to time, having had not one moment's trouble in around 10 years after a lifetime of agony. You can't beat a clever and inventive physio.
Also, yes, trapped nerves in my neck and shoulder. Another physio showed me how to pull the nerve through the sheath and untrap it. Weeks of total effing agony dispersed in 3 days.
I love the NHS. But you really do have to say 'I am vigorous and want to run about, cure me, cure me!' . . . or they won't.
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Very similar.
15 years. One op, micro discectomy, and whilst it solved one problem, currently I am contemplating my next move. I am under the Osteopath, but nothing is working….. The pain is incredibly wearing…..
Good luck to the opening post.
Weststander
Well-known member
A personal view on using chiropractors and osteopaths long term (and I believe in them, I used to use them):
To me it a seemed short term, not a holistic solution. A ‘sticking plaster’.
Obviously NOT for prolapsed discs or worn/non-existent discs, but I’d recommend yoga. Similarly, others have great experiences from pilates. Whilst the Alexander Technique is amazing for posture eg for those of us pc/deskbound in our vocations.
Imho giving long term solutions. Yoga and pilates require a bit of a commitment, but these days you can tune in to live sessions online from a genuine expert teacher. Issues can fade away!
To me it a seemed short term, not a holistic solution. A ‘sticking plaster’.
Obviously NOT for prolapsed discs or worn/non-existent discs, but I’d recommend yoga. Similarly, others have great experiences from pilates. Whilst the Alexander Technique is amazing for posture eg for those of us pc/deskbound in our vocations.
Imho giving long term solutions. Yoga and pilates require a bit of a commitment, but these days you can tune in to live sessions online from a genuine expert teacher. Issues can fade away!