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I have some sciatiac nerve problems. Can anyone give me some tips that might help the pain.

Peggy

(((peggy)))

i don't have sciatic nerve problems. but my mother has in the past. when sitting she always makes sure her lower back is supported and her feet up. for her that helps releive the pressure. she also uses ice. but i know some prefer heat.

i hope you get soem relief soon. i'm sure you will get more helpful replies in the morning.

Hi Peggy,
I don't usually visit this forum but I saw your *help*. I wouldn't do any of the stretching things that I mention unless you know exactly what is causing the sciatica, and why, and how long you've had it etc... Just be really careful.

I used to have a lot of problems with sciatica, but I stopped doing a lot of the heavy yard and garden work that I used to do, and (touch wood) it's quite rare for me these days. I had a wonderful physiotherapist who taught me a lot of things that helped. I had 3 compressed lumbar discs and some other problems with various different curvatures that I've always had, and lots of instability in the lumbar area.

That's what you should really be having checked out. What exactly is causing the sciatia... for me was that compression of discs.

Sitting too long was really bad for me although at one time I used one of those ergonomic stools and that was great. I also used a lumbar support in the car and at the dining table etc.. It wasn't a small one, it actually is a couple of feet in height with a moulded bulge for the lumbar support. It seems to keep in place much better than just a small support in lumbar area.

I was told never to lie flat on my back in bed, and instead to lie on my side when I go to sleep with knees bent and it helps to put a little cushion of pillow between the knees. I thrash around a lot in a bit of a restless state when I sleep, so that's a tricky one.

If you do need to lie flat on your back in bed, then bend your knees up and place a couple of pillows under your knees. Doing these things will take pressure off the lumbar spine and hopefully release the pressure which is causing the sciatica.

Careful when lifting heavy things and be careful with the way you twist and bend. Always bend the knees.

I remember the doctor showing me one of those skeleton models of the lower spine and he moved it around simulating different postures, and that showed me a little more about what happens to those nerves, discs, and bones.

My physio spent a lot of time with me with stretching exercizes. A number of times I had to have traction. It was excellent, but I have no idea if they still do that in this day and age.

She used to also have this rack thing made of wood on the wall. It was a stretching device.

The other thing that was extremely helpful was gentle stretching and exercizing in a heated swimming pool. The main thing I felt about all that at the time was that I didn't want to do anything at all at one stage, but I knew if I didn't keep moving then it'd be harmful too... so I kept it gentle and changed my lifestyle a lot.

No more tennis. No more tenpin bowling. No more jogging or running on roads or footpaths, No more seeding, rolling, mowing, slashing fields of grass. LOL Any darn wonder I damaged my back. Of course, once it all settled down, I have found that I can do some of these things moderately. Some things I just don't even contemplate.

This is all off the top of my head. I'm sure that there would be websites that people might be able to direct you to, or even possibly more up-to-date types of hints than I've just given. It was a long while ago, but I know all those things I listed helped me enormously.

If I think of anything else, I'll post it here as well.

take care,
Lara

I found just walking more helped the pain to go away...BUT this was when my back problems had just started....I really think it depends how long you have had this pain...If it is for a very long time...You need to determine the origin before anyone can give you advice about how to rid yourself of this irratating pain...

I've tried everything and at the end of my rope. As soon as I lie down in bed even on my side with a pillow between my legs, my right leg jumps starting in the back, going down the buttocks and my leg. I haven't slept more than 1.5 hrs in months. I have degenerative disc disease, severe osteoporosis, scar tissue from previous back surgery and arthritis. I've had MRI's, CAT scans, nerve studies and the only solution they gave me was meds that make me a zombie the next day. I'm not bad in the daytime but if I'm on my feet too long or sit too long, my leg goes numb. It's the not sleeping that is the main issue. I don't know what else to try. I take Soma and Tramadol and that doesn't help and Bacolfen makes me incoherent the next day but still doesn't stop the leg jumping. It's not RLS but rather a compression of the sciatic nerve. No dr has an answer except to live with it but it's getting me depressed. Any suggestions?

Hi,

I have also been having some sciatic nerve compression lately. I went to the doc on Wednesday and he took a brief look and mentioned that it could be a spasm of the piriformis muscle or the iliopsoas mucle. You might want to check it out. My docs website is www.nervemed.com, go to the bottom of the nerve disorders page.

Good luck.

this site has some good exercies for the sactic nerve . they really helped me

http://www.spine-health.com/topics/c.../sciaex07.html

I am so sorry you are having this pain right now...:(
Mine flairs up every so often too!!
The last time it only lasted 3 days because i did these excercises faithfully!!
The time before..It lasted for 10 days!!!!:eek:
If you cant get down on the floor to do them -then just stand with your hands on your lower back and bend backward and look up to the ceiling feet flat!
Hold that pose for a count of 30.It might feel odd-but it REALLY works if you do them everyday!!!
Do 10 sets for a count of 30.. Three times a day.
It really works to relieve pressure of the sciatic nerve!
If you can get on the floor/You lay down flat and put your arms in a position like your gonna do a sit up and raise your head and chest only..Like your gonna rock.Hold that pose for a count of 30.Then same thing.Do 10 times.Three times a day.
The idea is to get pressure of the sciatic nerve.Also a good antiinflamitory med is a great idea!!
Also as others have said.Try not to sit too much..
These sound crazy..but they really do work!!!
I hope you feel better soon.{{{hugs}}}