Jogging with Sciatica...

You should try physical therapy, but I personally think that jogging (running) six times a week is a bit too much. What do the doctors say? Seems kind of careless to suggest Aleve or epidural as the only options. Maybe you should look for an orthopedic doctor or a sports medicine doctor.

I'd see a physical therapist - or a few, if you don't get much help from the first one. They may have some other suggestions for stretching or other ways to manage the sciatica.

~Lyssa

I'm sorry this has happened to you. Remember to adjust your calories for the reduced activity level,

Sciatica is a symptom, not an injury. What does the doctor say is the cause? If he hasn't told you, find a doctor that will determine the cause and proper corrective action.

Best of luck.

I had a light case of sciatic pain quite a few years ago. I say light cause it was not a severe pain, it was just that nagging radiating pain from your lower back down your buttocks and behind my knee. It took 9 months for it to completely disappear for me. It is usually caused by pressure on the sciatic nerve by the disk in your lower back. Definitely see a doctor and physical therapist of you can. I would not be running if I were you as it may not feel painful, but you might be doing something to keep it from healing.

Terrible! And all too common among us older dudes.

Usually, it is caued by a lower back nerve pinch which usually resolves over some number of months with rest. Gaining weight surely won't help. Remember that weight loss is about controlling what you eat and can be accomplished regardless of activity level.

I would not run or lift weights until better. I would exercise in a pool instead, if possible.

Best of luck.

I have sciatic nerve issues due to scoliosis and arthritis in my lower back.

An excellent Physical Therapist has been like a golden ticket for me! It is the slower route but has yielded the most long-lasting results. Don't be afraid to try a few PT's. It is important to find one who "gets it" and connects with your style.

I have done the epidural in my backbseveral times over the years. When it works it is immediate relief, but I have about a 70% hit rate. If you do the epidural, I like to be established with a Physical Therapist in advance. I have better results when I follow the epidural with a few physical therapy sessions starting about a week after the epidural.

Last note - not all doctors are strongly in favor of Physical Therapy, so you may have to do some self-advocating to get what you need. :

I did not have severe sciatica but I had success with finding a knowledgeable masseuse to work on it and sitting on a tennis ball. It took her about 3 sessions before she was able to shift the nerve and relieve it completely. That was about 2 years ago. It did return this year but instead of waiting 6 months, I went and found a masseuse right away. This one actually put bruises on my butt but the sciatica cleared up in just 1 session. I think a PT or masseuse is the way to go. Once you can get that nerve moved, the pain is just gone. And then what she told me was, after it's gone, LEAVE IT ALONE. LOL. Unfortunately it's hard to find a good masseuse and then they tend to not stick around at the same place very long.