Sciatica pain.....help

Well, it seems to me that if you know you have back issues that you make sure you are not doing anything that impacts your back - hire a trainer for one session.

Several thoughts - I used to get sciatica pain after heavy squatting. Turns out I have one leg shorter than the other and the one bearing most of the weights was the side that got sore.

You can try using a roller on your buttocks and down your thigh, but the best thing is go to an orthopedic doctor. If your sciatica is chronic he may refer you for physical therapy and, if you get a good one, they are the ones that heal you. They watch you walk, how you carry yourself and provide exercises to strengthen assistance muscles. After dealing with this pain for a year or so and going to several doctors I finally went to a PT who noticed the leg issue right away.

Good luck - it is annoying, but I would definitely go to a professional. Also, for me....the eliptical machine is instant sore lower back. I have short arms and if the machines are too big, i.e. I have to reach too far holding the handles and end up bending forward, it is murder on my back. I used to have better luck on an arc machine and lucky for me my gym just got 4 new arc machines with swinging handles and they seem to be sized in such a manner than you can compensate for short arms....much better.

Take care. One last piece of advice - if you are new to a gym, truly hire a trainer for a couple sessions to be sure you are positioning yourself correctly on both resistance machines and while using free weights. I've seen so much bad form in a gym I don't understand why I see the same people all the time and why they aren't hurt or limping yet!

What worked for me was using a topical cream with capsaicin in it. You can find it in any drug store or the pharmacy in Wal-Mart. Capsaicin is the active ingredient in peppers, that makes them hot, and it basically temporarily paralyses the nerve cells.

My pain was from a torn muscle in my back that healed poorly and left me with scar tissue, and MONTHS of pain shooting up and down my left leg. Standing, sitting, laying down, hot and cold compresses, a bottle of extra strength advil every week... nothing alleviated it. This was the only thing that took the pain away.

If you try it, read and follow the instructions very carefully. It does get hot, and even after the heat wears off, if you are someplace hot, you'll feel it heat up again. And don't get it on your hands. Capsaicin is an oil and it doesn't wash off easily, so if you get it on your hands and end up with it in your eyes, you'll be at emerge. But if you're careful with it and use it right, it can be a lifesaver.

The one I used was actually for arthritis. I think it was from Rub A535. It's been a while because my back did eventually heal enough that I don't have the pain any more.

Here's some more information on it:
http://www.webmd.com/pain-management/tc/capsaicin-topic-overview
http://osteoarthritis.about.com/od/painrelief/a/capsaicin.htm
http://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/capsaicin-topical-route/description/drg-20062561

Good luck! Back pain is the worst, I hope you feel better soon!

^^^ THIS!!

Helped my husband tremendously! He has degenerative disk disease, herniations, and spinal stenosis. A recent sciatica flare up led us back to capsaicin. Capsaicin helps when his prescribed pain medication does not, believe it or not! He uses Capsaicin HP (high potency). Just be sure to wear latex gloves when applying.