Anyone suffer from sciatic pain?

[PaulaV]

I have had an irritated sciatic nerve since my early 20s.

When I first got it, the shooting pain was so bad the doctor gave me muscle relaxers. They made me a loopy for a few hours, so that was not an option.

 

It comes and goes, but now it's more of a dull constant pain on some days.

 

I use a heating pad to soothe it, and I have been doing back and ab exercises to strengthen that area, which was the advice from the doctor.

 

Does anyone have any advice as to how to cope with this?

Accupuncture?

Certain yoga exercises?

 

It's a pain in the a$$, literally.

[Christine]

PILATES!

 

its amazing, I haven't been able to go the last few weeks because I have been so sick, but go to the reformer classes (they can be a little expensive) but they are amazing!

[JaimeLynne]

I used to get this quite a bit. However, since I have started up the exercise routine in this book it has almost completely gone away. I've been doing the exercises for 8 weeks now and I feel great all over! It really helps to get your body into alignment. Btw, most of the exercises (there are 5) are very similar to yoga moves.

 

Here is the book:

 

Amazon.com: Ancient Secret of the Fountain of Youth: Book 1: Books: Peter Kelder

 

It is a wonderfully quick and easy read that has changed my outlook on life. I highly recommend it

[Birdie07]

My sister suffered from this during pregnancy. My FI is a chiropractor and if you know anything about chiropractic they adjust your bones and joints so that all your nerves are in the right place and not "pinched". He always says he hears women saying they have pain and they don't go in. But he says chiropractic can help with that. That's my suggestion. Just go in and see if that will help. Some chiropractors have acupuncturists (Sp?) so if you wanted that too (though I must say I'm scared of having needles punched on me) but hey ...anyways that's my suggestion. Doesn't hurt to try. Sorry about the pain that sucks!!!

[StephanieMN]

I am in school to become a massage therapist and we are working on this area in school. I would encourage you to get a massage! It really will help you out.

[RaydensMama]

I had horrible sicatic pain during my pregnancy. I found that warm baths helped and a heating pad, but basically it just dulled the pain. I still get it sometimes but have yet to find anything that really helped. Im sorry you have this problem Paula cause I cant imagine getting it all the time!

[amyh]

My brother suffers from this Paula, I feel so bad for you. He's had his back go out several times, once I was there and literally had to drag him to the tub b/c he could not move.

 

He uses heating pads too, but tries to go to therapy when he can. He says the massages help.

[PaulaV]

Thanks for the advice.

 

I will definitely check out that book Jamie, thank you. Sounds like I have to work a different muscle group (from the way I have been) to get the support I need in that area.

 

I had a massage a little over a week ago and she made it hurt for a bit, but then it felt better... but I cannot afford that all the time I would like one at least once a month though.

 

I have gone to the chiro before and did help with a different pinched nerve, but due to a recent experience my FI had, I don't think i will go to one again.

 

The time I took muscle relaxers, I was in such pain I could barely walk Amy. Your poor brother!

 

I am definitely not that bad now. It's just constant and I need it to stop!

 

Thanks again everyone.

[*JillD*]

Paula, I'm not sure what is wrong with me, but I usually once a month around my time of the month, I get a really bad pain on one side of my back and the pain usually shoots through my butt and leg. And I will be walking and all of a sudden the pain will stop me dead in my tracks, getting in and out of the car is so hard! Some months its really bad, some months I barely notice it.

 

I usually try to use the heating pad and it dulls it, but it still hurts, it doesn't usually go away until my period starts and then it will usually be gone within 24 hours.

 

I never had the pain when I was pregnant, at least not that I remember, but I really just want it to go away!!

 

When we were on our honeymoon I had one day where my back started to hurt, I was thinking NOOOOO, I don't need this pain while I'm in mexico, on my honeymoon!!! but then it subsided until the day I got home and then it was horrible!

 

Let me know if you find anything that helps, I went to the chiropractor before too and I really didn't feel like it helped with the back pain.

[Msklee]

I am recovering from a herniated disc. I go to PT 3 times a week and she is teaching me to stretch and pilates. This is suppose to strength my abs,hips and thighs which supports your back. I really believe that it is helping. My back doesn't hurt as much because is stretch everyday and when it gets to tight I will use the heating pad. But the most important thing is to go see the chriopractor he can recommend the best possible treatment. GOOD LUCK