Sciatica

[Nebbiolo]

Does anyone SUFFER from it? I'm close to agony at the moment. It can start due to most trivial move. Last night, I bent slightly to undoe some sellotape on a parcel and felt the back go.

Any tips on easing the pain?

 

[Sharpys top lip]

Down the right hand side of my back, Just over my buttock!! was in so much pain didnt work for 14 months. Had to have heat treatment twice a months for a year to get rid. Been Ok for about 5 years now, but get it every now an then if sitting or lying in the wrong position!!


I dont envy you mate, i know exactly the pain you in! Try the heat treatment it's great!

 

[Sharpys top lip]

Neb, try streching a little in the morning!! On your bed before you get up, just little streches to walm the back up.

 

[Nebbiolo]

Neb, try streching a little in the morning!! On your bed before you get up, just little streches to walm the back up.

I usually do the "bending my back forward while standing straight" routine which can be helpful. I would have a hot bath but we've only got a shower.

I've currently got it on both sides of the back (right and left top buttock). I hate it and everyone thinks you're just skiving when you tell them you can't lift anything.

I first did it about 8 years ago splitting logs.

never been the same since but it comes and goes.

 

[Rook]

A few things you can do.

1. If you wake up with back pain then invest in a new mattress.

2. Wear running shoes whenever possible. Asics are the best, New Balances are good too.

3. If the pain gets worse or doesn't continue. Perhaps find a pain management doctor. There are treatments that could help in which you don't have to take opiates (assuming you don't want too) such as nerve blocks.

4. I've heard acupuncture works as well.

I'd avoid long term NSAID use ex. Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or Naproxen (Alleve) becasue they will f up your heart.

 

[Desaparecido]

I'd avoid long term NSAID use ex. Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or Naproxen (Alleve) becasue they will f up your heart.

But only if you're already at risk of/have heart problems

 

[Whitebootman]

My wife has suffered for a few years now. She says that gentle streaching and heat work for her. She has also taken up some gentle yoga which she say's is a big help, but to take advice first.

I hope this help's I've seen her in pain and know it's not nice. Good luck.

 

[The Esk]

Sciatica Pain Relief Exercises: Managing Sciatica Pain through Exercise | Spine-Health

 

[Blue Ray]

Does anyone SUFFER from it? I'm close to agony at the moment. It can start due to most trivial move. Last night, I bent slightly to undoe some sellotape on a parcel and felt the back go.

Any tips on easing the pain?

I suffer with this sometimes. Its not nice and I find wearing jeans dont help. Try some 400mg Ibuprofen to ease the pain a little, they can help. Also Ibuleve Painkilling Gel.
It helped me but doesnt help everyone. Worth a try though. Good luck.

 

[Nebbiolo]

A few things you can do.

1. If you wake up with back pain then invest in a new mattress.

2. Wear running shoes whenever possible. Asics are the best, New Balances are good too.

3. If the pain gets worse or doesn't continue. Perhaps find a pain management doctor. There are treatments that could help in which you don't have to take opiates (assuming you don't want too) such as nerve blocks.

4. I've heard acupuncture works as well.

I'd avoid long term NSAID use ex. Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or Naproxen (Alleve) becasue they will f up your heart.

I get irregular heart beats which I've been taking beta-blockers to control. Just one or two pills a day is enough. So thanks for that information. I've always been a fan of Ibuprofen. Guess I'll look for a different pain killer.

 

[Nebbiolo]

Sciatica Pain Relief Exercises: Managing Sciatica Pain through Exercise | Spine-Health

Cheers, there are some good exercises there. A couple of them I remember from when I was getting treatment a few years ago.

 

[Chris]

I suffered with back problems for years. I had one in Feb I think of this year. Kept me off work for 4-5 weeks or so and I ended up going back not fully recovered. Couldn't play golf for months and months, would get too painful after 12 holes.
Went to a different doctor and she told me to get this book :
Amazon.co.uk: Treat Your Own Back: Robin A. McKenzie: Books

I read it, do what it says and have also changed a few fairly simple things.
Simple things that made the most difference :
-When you sit down, don't slouch!! push your arse to the back of the seat and try and get the natural inward (lombosis) curve of your spine. Its quite hard to do for a few weeks and you can't hold the position all day till your back muscles atone to the new posture.
-Throw/give away 'comfy' couches/chairs or just avoid sitting on them completely. Nothing nicer than sinking in to a couch at days end, but its the worst thing you can do. Your back relaxes in an odd position and when you get up, you have stretched your back all funny and run serious risk of pulling your back again.
I work in IT so bought myself a proper comfy straight backed seat at home and got given one in work.
-Alter your driving position. Hard to do, but this for me was what I think was causing my problem. I drive a lot getting to and from work so sat basically slouched down for long periods.
-Do the inward spine stretch a few times a day. Pop your thumbs above your hips on your back and push, stick your stomach out a bit and take a few breaths.

You get the jist, but in short fixing your back takes willpower and a change of attitude and lifestyle to an extent. Good luck

 

[Jamo Martinez]

I've had this problem on and off for a few years. It started when I was teaching and was at it's worst during the period I worked at an English school. Before that and since 2003 I've been working basically in a cleaning/caretaking job at apartment complexes and have had less problems, even though I occasionally do have to move some heavy stuff. That brings me to the conclusion that it was more a problem of posture and lack of exercise which started the problem in my case at least.
Can't improve on the advice given, except to suggest using an electrically heated pillow or hot water bottle wedged between the trouble spot and your seat. this will make you push your stomach out as well as relieving the pain

 

[Nebbiolo]

I've had this problem on and off for a few years. It started when I was teaching and was at it's worst during the period I worked at an English school. Before that and since 2003 I've been working basically in a cleaning/caretaking job at apartment complexes and have had less problems, even though I occasionally do have to move some heavy stuff. That brings me to the conclusion that it was more a problem of posture and lack of exercise which started the problem in my case at least.
Can't improve on the advice given, except to suggest using an electrically heated pillow or hot water bottle wedged between the trouble spot and your seat. this will make you push your stomach out as well as relieving the pain

I'll just have to get some Gordon Brown. That'll take the pain

 

[Nebbiolo]

I suffered with back problems for years. I had one in Feb I think of this year. Kept me off work for 4-5 weeks or so and I ended up going back not fully recovered. Couldn't play golf for months and months, would get too painful after 12 holes.
Went to a different doctor and she told me to get this book :
Amazon.co.uk: Treat Your Own Back: Robin A. McKenzie: Books

I read it, do what it says and have also changed a few fairly simple things.
Simple things that made the most difference :
-When you sit down, don't slouch!! push your arse to the back of the seat and try and get the natural inward (lombosis) curve of your spine. Its quite hard to do for a few weeks and you can't hold the position all day till your back muscles atone to the new posture.
-Throw/give away 'comfy' couches/chairs or just avoid sitting on them completely. Nothing nicer than sinking in to a couch at days end, but its the worst thing you can do. Your back relaxes in an odd position and when you get up, you have stretched your back all funny and run serious risk of pulling your back again.
I work in IT so bought myself a proper comfy straight backed seat at home and got given one in work.
-Alter your driving position. Hard to do, but this for me was what I think was causing my problem. I drive a lot getting to and from work so sat basically slouched down for long periods.
-Do the inward spine stretch a few times a day. Pop your thumbs above your hips on your back and push, stick your stomach out a bit and take a few breaths.

You get the jist, but in short fixing your back takes willpower and a change of attitude and lifestyle to an extent. Good luck

I'm a terrible sloucher, and I know that that makes it slip. When it isn't really hurting, you just sort of forget about sitting up straight.

The exercises I did earlier have helped. It's still sore so I ended up hitting the painkillers. Hopefully in a couple of days it'll improve.

I don't know what it is this time, though. In the past I've tended to get it every couple of months. But since about July it's been flaring up on a regular basis.