Sciatic Nerve Problems

I was in a car accident and as a result developed a herniated disk in my lower back. This caused sciatic nerve pain just like you, in my right leg as well. After working with my chiropractor for a year with no real relief he referred me to a pain specialist. They did a bunch of tests and everything and eventually I had a radiofrequency ablation for that nerve. That was about 8 months ago, and although it flairs up at times, for the most part I feel 100% relief!

I would ask your chiroprator about referring you...it helped me!

I have had sciatica pain since I was pregnant with my son in 2008. I still get it randomly. Actually, I hadn't had it for almost a month, which I assumed was because I was working out so much, and then on Friday when I was shredding I felt a pinch in my left butt cheek and fire shot down my leg to my ankle. I laid on the floor for a good 10 minutes until I could get up and limp to the tylenol. lol I was worried that I would have to call Lockwood Crane to get me up.

So, I just use Aleve or something close to it for pain. My mom had the same issues and got a cortizone shot in the general location and never had sciatica pain again. Have you tried that?

I've had issues with sciatic pain before..............mine got so bad that I thought it was a back issue (runs in my family).

I ended up going to Physical Therapy for a few months, after which I did stretches and stuff that that she taught me. I have found them to be very valuable exercises that I still use to this day when it begins to flair.

These are similar - and they really helped me.

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/exercises-for-sciatica-leg-pain.html

I have suffered with sciatic pain since 2004 when I fell while pregnant with my son.

The BEST home remedy that I have is a Tennis Ball and a Hard Chair.

I now get injections a couple times a year to aleviate the pain, but when I start having pain and can't get into my doctor right away this is what I do...take a tennis ball put it on a hard chair and sit on it with the side of your glute that the pain is in. Move around on the ball, it helps to loosen up the muscle, much like a massage therapist would do!

Sounds funny...but I swear it works! I usually do it 3-4 times per day when I am having pain.

Good luck to you...and yes, the injections work. My doctor does a steriod and time-release anti-inflamatory.

I've been dealing w/ it almost a decade. last year i joined MFP & lost substantial weight. Losing the weight helped some relief. However, the pain level is unbearable @ times that I can not do any physical @ all......I just had an Epidural Nerve Block injection on 10/27/011 & I am still in pain.......I am going to have a consultation w/ my Dr re: surgery......and I have no options left but to do the surgery (Lumbar Fusion). Thee injections do not help out any more.......your Dr is right about having to do the best of it...but what kind of relief is that when U r in constant pain............I wish U well & a speedy recovery soon.................:smokin: :smokin: :drinker: :glasses:

The things that have worked for me are

1) Prescription orthotics
2) Physical therapy
3) Bikram yoga (other yoga would probably work too but the heat seemed to help)

Hi! I can relate to your situation.

In October of 2009 an MRI showed that I had 2 herniated discs (at L4 & L5). No specific injury or incident - pain started gradually and got worse and worse until I couldn't get out of bed one morning. I had been seeing a chiro for MANY years prior, so I started immediately with adjustments nearly every day to help alleviate the excruciating pain that radiated from low back all the way down my right leg to my foot. Shortly thereafter I started experiencing numbness in my right heel and the outside of my foot - had an EMG and that showed that my nerve & muscle function was normal (thank goodness). Underwent Spinal Decompression Thearapy through my chiros office and the back pain went away, but I still had the numbness in my foot. Went to PT for a few months and got stronger - but still battled the numbness and some sciatic discomfort so I had a steriod injection - didn't help much. Tried a few more rounds of Decompression with no additional help. After another MRI (which showed that the herniation had lessened, but was still impinging), I consulted then with 2 surgeons (Neuro & Ortho) and both told me I was not a surgical candidate. I ended up having 2 additional steriod injections (the last of which finally helped alleviate most of the sciatic pain) and then was told to continue with my exercises & strength-training to keep my back and core strong, & keep seeing the chiro as needed. My chiro was VERY involved in every step of my treatment plan - I have him to thank for getting me where I am now.

So, fast-forward to present day - 2 years later......am I where I thought I'd be - no. My foot is still partially numb and with regard to my sciatic discomfort - I have good days and better days depending on my activity level. Some day I may wake up and everything will be sunshine & rainbows - but realistically - for as bad as my heriation was....I'll probably always have issues. Is it frustrating - sure.....am I restricted from doing certain things - sure (but not much)....I just do what I can to keep active, to keep strong so it doesn't happen again!

Best of luck to you - I hope you find relief soon!!!

I am post-lumbar surgery with chronic problems as well. My advice is this - water exercise, if at all possible; it helps to reduce the impact, and the bouyancy also helps to alleviate some of the pressure, even if only for the time you are in the water. Wear good shoes designed to reduce impact. Elliptical for cardio over treadmill. Use balance balls, ab loungers, any type of equipment that helps to reduce the stress on that area while exercising. And, last, but most certainly not least - stretch . . . every morning when you wake up, before and after exercise, and at night before you go to bed. It makes a HUGE difference.

Good luck and good health!

I have had sciatic nerve problems off and on for 6 years. My job as a server kept me on my feet, and sometimes the attacks would be insane.

The things that I found that helped:

1 - walking. When it hurts grit your teeth and keep going. Yes, sometimes that means stopping mid step because you can't take it - breathe and keep going. If you lay down, or stop moving those muscles will tighten and the next day will be worse.

2 - Squats focusing on keeping your back and shoulders straight. It seems to stretch the muscles out.

3 - Skechers Shape Ups. Yes, there are mixed reviews. These have changed my life! For the past 2 years I've been wearing them and the Tone Ups constantly. My back has been so much better it's unreal. I swear by those shoes for me, and will never go without!

I have never gone into a doctor (I hate Dr's) though I can feel exactly where the pain in my back is. My Mom has RA and every time I complain about my back I remind myself I need to keep going, and continue on. Being active is key .