Sciatica

I have sciatica off and on but I found physical therapy and a chiropractor helped the most. I have two cushions in chairs I sit on that are made for sciatica sufferers that distribute the weight more evenly and helps your spine, too. I was using canes to walk when it was bad and I keep them handy but for the past 5 years, I haven't had to use them.
 

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Rkunsaw, these exercises are very helpful as well. If you are able to get them, they are by a company called, OPTP.....on Amazon, as well.
 
I have had it on & off for years...point being it does sometimes return [randomly] {sorry} There is a PT movement called Piriformis-stretch . When you feel up to it, it does help IMO...It would be better for you to look it up if interested, than for me to try & explain it. But basically you sit in a chair, cross your leg, [say right ankle to left knee] then stretch your right side piriformis muscle [it is deep in the buttock] by pulling GENTLY your right knee toward your left shoulder. Go easy, try a-bit more stretch each day.

But, keep in mind that my explanation is not , & not meant to be, professional...so again,...google it for a much better explanation / description .

If you decide to try it?...hope it helps !

Good luck.....aging hurts....and sucks...:sour:
 
Someone sent me to a chiropractor once.

When I got home I had to crawl up the stairs to go to bed.

Never again. Once bitten. Twice shy.

I went to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester for a diagnosis. Deteriorated disk.

Recommendation: An operation if you are in an occupation that requires you to use your back.

If not. Leave it alone and baby it and it will heal on its own. Don't push cars or lift heavy objects. And don't get stuff out of a car trunk. Get someone else to do it.

It did get better. And eventually I was able to play golf again.

I did come up with an exercise of my own. It was simple.

Lie on your back And have a belt around your knees.

Press outward on the belt with both knees. This flattens you spine using your stomach muscles instead of your back muscles.

I showed that exercise to a therapist. She complimented me on it saying that's what they attempt to do is flatten the curvature of the spine.
 
Had it bad once. Went to a neurosurgeon who scooped away copious amounts of "matter"
from a herniated (slipped) spinal disc and treated the disc. WHAT A RELIEF ! had no trouble since.
 
I had surgery on my lower spine years for pinched sciatica (longest nerves in body) but was warned it might return due to scar tissue. I went from agonizing pain to absolute relief with the surgery. That was 30 years ago and I have had some reassurances since but they passed fairly quickly. Watch heavy lifting. Good luck I know your pain.
 
I had "radiating" sciatica (down the leg all the way to the heel) about 35 years ago that caused me to have to take some time off work....because I simply could not sit. I tried everything under the sun....injections, PT....everything but surgery. I think what helped me more than anything was wearing only "spongy" soled shoes, flip-flops to be specific.

The bad sciatica never came back, but I've had "non-radiating" sciatica since then. Usually it's just a mild nagging pain but sometimes feels like a ice pick sticking into my lower back. I've seen orthos, neuros, and chiros, but have never been able to totally get away from it. I just live with it. And grouse about it.......grousing seems to help a lot, too.
 
I ended up with sciatic nerve damage back in the 80's when I was 40something and went thru hysterectomy. A chiro ended up doing "internal" work and released the nerve and gave me a lot of relief. Found another PT later and it's called Pelvic Floor Work. He did some of this work on me too.

The exercises listed above are critical too, but sometimes major work needs to be done. I never did injections in that area...
 

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