Tips for excruciating sciatic pain?

I've had chronic back pain for about 20 years. In July my back went out and I had severe spasms. Shortly after I started having sciatic pain and muscle weakness in my left leg. Eventually the pain almost went away in my hip but my back was still really bad. I tried the chiropractor for a month with no relief, I tried the physical therapist for a month with no relief. In January I joined the gym and have a personal trainer. My back still hurt but wasn't aggravated..until I tripped and fell 2 weeks ago. First it was my back feeling like it was going to go out again. Now that has subsided and I'm left with debilitating sciatic pain. It feels like a hot poker stuck in my hip with shooting pain. I can't sleep, I don't know what to do. I had an MRI Friday and don't go back until Wednesday.

Please, does anyone have any tips?
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Replies

  • RuNaRoUnDaFiEld
    RuNaRoUnDaFiEld Posts: 5,864 Member
    Yoga is the only thing that helps manage my pain. Specifically hatha,

    There are loads of free videos on you tube
  • VintageFeline
    VintageFeline Posts: 6,771 Member
    Yep, basically targeted stretching/yoga and probably some well instructed pilates would help (a specialist studio where the instructors really know their *kitten* and have spent years qualifying). I get sciatic pain but keeping strong and properly stretching out the entire area, being mindful not to overstretch, mostly keeps me totally in check now.
  • SonyaCele
    SonyaCele Posts: 2,841 Member
    when i had sciatica episodes, i had to lay in bed for at least 6 weeks to stop the sharp pains. AFter that it was many months of being careful before my back would stop aching. and then i'd step wrong or sneeze and repeat the whole process. This went on for many many years. Stretching did help but never made it go away. What has made all my back pain go away was learning to lift correctly, and strengthening my core and body. I lift heavy and my core is so strong and trained , any time i step wrong or sneeze my core automatically engages which protects my back. And learning to lift with correct form has saved my back , i know how to use my legs, and i know my limits what i can and can't do. I haven't had a sciatica episode in many many years, and i suffered with really bad sciatica .
  • successgal1
    successgal1 Posts: 996 Member
    edited February 2017
    I'm sorry you're going through this. I just wanted to say that a month with anything is not going to be long enough to determine if the therapy or chiro will ultimately aid with your pain. These things take time, lots of time. First you have to get through the acute pain time period, which is different for everyone. After my accident and sometimes flare ups it can take months just to get through the acute pain phase. Then its pain management and gradual, slow, strengthening. With always being ever vigilant not to do anything that might undo all the progress.

    Some things that helped for me, over the years, use your own judgement....

    Post car accident nothing was working (meds) prescribed by the doc. They prescribed something so expensive I couldn't afford them, and then it occurred to me I hadn't tried just plain old aspirin, and I did, and it helped. Taking it with a cup of coffee for the caffeine, multiplied and sped its effect. Once inflammation is down, chiro adjustments worked better.

    Chrio and phys therapy should be working together, not separately IMO. If your chiro says everything is where it should be, the therapy should be working to teach you those exercises that will help KEEP everything where it should be. Sports massage, deep tissue, may help break up old scar tissue and relieve spasms. If neither seems to be working logically with you, its possible you may want a second or third opinion from different therapists and chiros. As well as an ortho. After my accident I didn't know any better and went to one chiro and therapist in the same office, to no avail 3 times a week for 3 months, it was the second month when I couldn't get off the table that they sent me for an MRI and discovered my bulging disc. They kept me on long enough until my auto insurance policy money ran out and then informed me of that and I stopped going.

    Are you supplementing with magnesium? Mag supplements may help with spasming and inflammation, as well as turmeric and ginger supplements. I take 2 brands, Slo Mag and Doctors Best https://www.vitaminshoppe.com/p/doctor-best-high-absorption-100-chelated-magnesium-240-tablets/db-7013 that offer something like 3 or 4 different forms of magnesium, I take 2 of one brand in the AM and 2 of the other brand before bed.

    MSM may help in the long term with recovery, I found this one the best https://www.amazon.com/Jarrow-Formulas-Strengthens-Joints-1000/dp/B0013OSJ7S?th=1 and just mix one tiny scoop of the powder in water AM and PM along with the magnesium.

    The Mag may help with spasms right away, but all of these are long term supplements and may take a few days/weeks to gain full effect. But I believe they help with my, with the muscle/joint repair process.

    The MRI will help locate the source of the pain, good luck, I know how you feel.
  • kaizaku
    kaizaku Posts: 1,039 Member
    I had severe sciatica, although I'm not fully cured. Now I'm able to work out. Does the pain on the left leg go down to your left foot and make it numb? I couldn't sit down. Best thing to is rest for a while, take your meds only when you need it. I use to take it at night mostly. Then I worked directly on the pain that was causing the issue including stretches. Remember it will go worse before it gets better. Leg extension, walking, dead lifts wit the bar only.
  • Chieflrg
    Chieflrg Posts: 9,097 Member
    edited February 2017
    Yoga, specifically aerial yoga has helped many people that I advised on this issue.

    Hanging upside down help decompress the joints/spine, stretch the muscles, and adds flexibility.
  • rosiedhw
    rosiedhw Posts: 1 Member
    Have you tried acupuncture? Last year I was diagnosed with Bursitis and struggled with the pain the whole year only because I didn't want to get hooked on pain killers. Physical therapy made the pain worst. Orthopedic gave me cortisone injection and didnt work. I started going to an acupuncturist and he controlled my pain for the bursitis and my sciatic pain.

    I hear yoga is great for sciatic pain. Hope you feel better.
  • FlufferCat
    FlufferCat Posts: 39 Member
    I'm really sorry to hear someone going through this much pain.I have sciatica too.Mainly in my left hip.I've had the kind of feelings your having.It will shoot down your leg,and hit your ankle etc..
    I can only say what's helped me.First of all rest,and stretching.Sitting,and crossing the left leg over the right,and turning to open up the joint.Not a miracle,but it helps.
    Anti-inflammatory NSAIDS like aspirin,and ibuprofen can help.But of course it can irritate some people's stomachs.

    I don't go to Chiropractors.( I don't personally believe in their claims )
    So I would consult with an MD who specializes in pain,and orthopedic issues.You may be able to find a pain clinic in your area.Sciatic pain is very common.

    What has helped me personally is two main things;
    Losing weight.I had been depressed after the death of a loved for years,and just kept eating too much rich food.I had to face up to my lousy habits,and cut out all the sweets I was eating.I've lowered my sugar intake specifically.Having too much belly fat was pulling on my back,and hips.I think that was the major cause of the chronic hip pain for me.The severity anyway.I do still have pain,but it's more manageable.No more debilitating nerve shooters.
    Second-Weight lifting.I know this sounds hardcore.It really isn't.I've been weight training most of my life.I had stopped doing it regularly.I went back to it with dedication,and a sense of purpose.
    Doing squats,deep knee bends with a weight,has really changed the way my hips function.They're looser,and far stronger.My glutes,and quads can take the strain now.It has made a huge difference in how my back,and hips feel.I can have pain.But I can do what I need to do.The lifting,and plenty of stretching afterwards is crucial.
    I'm still lifting,and could still lose some more fat.So I hope it keeps getting better.

    Unfortunately sciatic pain can put you through an awful time.It takes time to rest,and work out of it.I know how hard it is to bear it when it's at it's worst.Seeing a specialist in pain problems might be a good idea.
    Best wishes.
  • FlufferCat
    FlufferCat Posts: 39 Member
    I had another thought.Is it possible you may have one leg slightly longer than the other? That could put extra pressure on one hip.You might consider getting custom insoles.
    I think some insurance might cover that if a doctor recommends it.

    And if you do ever want to try weight training go to a well qualified physical therapist,or a proper strength coach.Someone with a Starting Strength certification would be well taught in the basic lifts.
  • Sara1791
    Sara1791 Posts: 760 Member
    edited February 2017
    The only things that seemed to work for me were losing a significant amount of weight and not sitting for too long.
  • ew_david
    ew_david Posts: 3,473 Member
    edited February 2017
    I wouldn't start/do anything drastic until you have the results of your MRI. The only thing that has helped mine so far was an epidural steroid injection, but the cause of my sciatica may not be the same as yours. Stretching helps, but is a very short term solution for me. The only thing I was told was to not do things that cause pain, but that's pretty much everything, so I just do what causes the least amount of pain.

    Also, your back issues started at age 13? Did you have an accident of some sort?
  • DailyGroomer
    DailyGroomer Posts: 93 Member
    That kind you for your input everyone! Still not sleeping and not really able to sit or stand without pain. I have an 8 page paper I have to write for my graduate class and it's due tonight. I can't think about anything other than my pain. This sucks so bad
  • mcraw75
    mcraw75 Posts: 99 Member
    Do you have a desk job? It may sound silly, but try changing chairs.
  • DailyGroomer
    DailyGroomer Posts: 93 Member
    mcraw75 wrote: »
    Do you have a desk job? It may sound silly, but try changing chairs.

    I do have a desk job, the chair normally doesn't bother me until the sciatic pain kicked in.
  • DearestWinter
    DearestWinter Posts: 595 Member
    If you've tried physical therapy then I'd recommend one of those highly qualified pilates studios with one-on-one instruction. Make sure it's legit and don't skimp. It will cost a lot. ($80/hr) I found it reminiscent of physical therapy but holistic and much more helpful because they weren't trying to rush me out the door.
  • krmsotherhalf68
    krmsotherhalf68 Posts: 122 Member
    Hi there - I feel your pain (literally). I have suffered with sciatica since I was pregnant with my now adult daughter. That's a long time! After losing over 100 lbs., I joined our local Sr. Center and signed up for a Long Yang Tai Chi class. This is the only thing that has ever helped me. I've gone to PT, chiropractor, and ortho doctors. I've been on high doses of pain meds, but none of them relieved my sciatica like this form of Tai Chi. I also give a lot of due credit to the instructor. He's awesome! He's been studying Tai Chi and Chinese medicine for over 25 yrs. and has given me many stretches and tips to help alleviate symptoms. Thank God I have not had a sciatica episode since before last August when I began taking his class. And as noted above in some other comments, yoga stretches are helpful too. One important thing: check with your doctor BEFORE trying anything new. Peace.
  • onward1
    onward1 Posts: 386 Member
    I had a bout and found hanging from a chin up bar helped. I would just try and relax and hang. Good luck, back pain is the worst, take it easy.
  • HappyAnna2014
    HappyAnna2014 Posts: 214 Member
    YOGA!! My yoga instructor is always telling us which poses are great for sciatic pain. Hope that helps!!
  • zdyb23456
    zdyb23456 Posts: 1,706 Member
    Mine wasn't severe, it started in my right butt cheek and traveled down my thigh to just above my knee. Driving was the worst, something about sitting with that leg extended... ugh.

    I found rolling on a lacrosse ball on that butt cheek really helped, hurt like crazy, but really helped. Also, weirdly, deadlifts. I imagine it was strengthening the butt and lower back muscles that really helped.
  • DailyGroomer
    DailyGroomer Posts: 93 Member
    Thank you all for your tips. Ironically I was doing deadlifts Saturday which I think may have aggravated the nerve a little. I imagine those muscles tightened. I'm anxiously awaiting my follow up appointment on Wednesday.