Sciatica

[tn94z]

TweetMy sciatic nerve has been bothering the crap out of my since last week. I have tried stretching and taking Ibuprofen, but neither of those have helped. I was told today to try ice on it. And I went out at lunch and bought an Inversion table because I have read that it helps as well...not to mention I can continue using that for the other benefits.

Anyone have and problems with their sciatic nerve and what did you do to relieve the pain?

[BABY1]

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My sciatic nerve has been bothering the crap out of my since last week. I have tried stretching and taking Ibuprofen, but neither of those have helped. I was told today to try ice on it. And I went out at lunch and bought an Inversion table because I have read that it helps as well...not to mention I can continue using that for the other benefits.

Anyone have and problems with their sciatic nerve and what did you do to relieve the pain?

My hip problem started with sciatic pain. It has been a long haul. I would say rest and also do some myofascial release with a foam roller, in the glute muscle areas. Heat always worked better for me than ice. Any kind of climbing stairs or hills makes the pain worse and also a lot of sitting bothers it. I sure hope this doesn't last for you.

[rc10j1]

TweetWent to the doc and got some Relafen. It's an anti inflammatory. It made it go away.

[Dzone]

TweetPiriformis syndrome is a likely cause. Hopefully that is all that you have. Look it up and find some specific stretches for it and do the foam roller like baby1 recommended. Good luck , let us know how it goes.

PS-Take some Valerian Root to calm down the spasms. Experiment with ice or heat and see which one helps you the best.

[JsJs24]

TweetYes, I had a pinched sciatic nerve from a disc bulge that required surgery 16 years ago, and then last year I slipped the same disc again and pinched the nerve, which required a second surgery. One more time and I have to have a fusion. The only thing I can tell you is that it takes narcotics to relieve the pain unless you just have inflammation in which case ibuprofen will work. A chiropractor can help immensely is it is not a large disc bulge that is causing the pain, if so then surgery may be the only option. My bulge was protruding 8mm into my nerve canal, which was very large and surgery was my only option.

[Ropie11]

TweetI had this as well, and I personally found that sitting on a tennis ball, and rolling that way, really worked into the piriformis. A tennis ball, or raquet ball, seemed to get in and work better for me than a foam roller. (tho a foam roller works wonders for other areas!!)

Good luck!

[pigmeat]

Tweethave had it for 10 years....chiropractors a couple times a year plus stretching keeps it away for the most part

[dixiechick]

TweetI feel for you. Of all things, I trip on the treadmill and knock the start/stop key which made the treadmill stop and I landed on the ground. Now my back's been bothering me.

Hope you feel better soon.

[tn94z]

TweetThanks guys. I haven't had a chance to try the inversion table yet. But I have read that helps. As far as Piriformis goes, isnt that the one where the pain starts lower, like in your butt or hamstring and not in your lower back? I know the nerve starts at the end of the spinal cord, but it seems like I read that Piriformis is the muscle being tensed up and aggravating the nerve??

After I get rid of it this time, I am going to start a routine of using the inversion table and come up with a stretching program that will be done RELIGIOUSLY to try and keep this from happening again.

[Dzone]

TweetI have heard that there are some Chiropractors who are excellent for treating this stuff. Ive had it done myself and it's almost miraculous sometimes. As long as you dont go to one of those Chiropractors that dont give a rats ass if you dont get better as long as youre coming in all the time and paying thru the nose...Avoid those chiropractors at all costs!!!!!!Go to someone who is focused on sports medicine and results based rather than a money based practice...You sometimes have to weed through several Chiropractors until you find one who really knows what he is doing. Sad but true. There are clowns in every profession.

[diablo]

TweetI def agree with Dzone, you gotta watch out for those guys who claim to know whats what and dont!

[tn94z]

TweetThat is basically the reason I don't like going to doctors period.

[tn94z]

TweetI haven't been going to the gym because of this. As you all know that have experienced this, it feels much better when I am up and walking around. Would it be okay to go back to the gym or should I just layoff until it completely subsides? It is killing me not being able to go to the gym and I don't want to get in a habit of missing because of this.

[BABY1]

TweetSitting is the worst. Keep moving and lay off any stairs, eliptical, or treadmill incline. Definitely try the roller or tennis ball. It helps loosen and release the toxins that have built up there, if in fact you have developed any trigger points in that area.

[Dzone]

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I haven't been going to the gym because of this. As you all know that have experienced this, it feels much better when I am up and walking around. Would it be okay to go back to the gym or should I just layoff until it completely subsides? It is killing me not being able to go to the gym and I don't want to get in a habit of missing because of this.

Maybe you could just do some upper body exercises that don't strain your low back. Did you get an inversion table? Those can be really helpful for a lot of people. Helps to decompress the spine.