Sciatica... sciatica.. and more sciatica

I don't have any advice on how to prevent it; however, you're doing the right thing by stretching. Last time I had sciatica, my chiro would literally stick this sharp instrument (not sure what it's called) right into my where my pain was and then massage it out and stretch my leg to one side and it would really help. It took a few visits for it to completely go away. He recommended that I roll on a tennis ball - have you tried that? It seemed to help alittle. Good luck

I had it so bad when I was in my early 20s that I had to go on sick leave. I woke up one morning after lifting a pallet of auto parts and had to crawl upstairs. I had to sleep on a carpeted floor for 1 month, and that at least let me get back on my feet. After that, I went to chiropractors for quite a while because nothing else was helping. I could feel the tension leave my lower body when they did a specific alignment for my hips. Maybe those could help with you, too. I also agree with the person who mentioned stretching, especially the lower core and legs. Another thing to work on is stretching out your achilles and hamstrings--for some reason, the achilles stretch really helped me.

From a Christian Perspective (It's christmas eve after all) http://www.christianet.com/arthritis/sciaticnervepainrelief.htm

From a yogi perspective you can do triangle pose (trikasana) with your legs extra far apart and your leading food out past 180 degrees. I suggest going to an Iyengar style yoga instructor and they might be able to help.

good luck!
john

I FEEL FOR YOU.
My son had. To have 2 surgeries,as he kept. Falling
Down.
Make sure you get x rays etc.
Good luck. God Bless..Baby

Tennis ball, foam roller, and stretching. I have persistent sciatica and dance about 12 hours a week, work out around 5 hours a week. Stretching is generally the extreme version (ballet). I foam roller whenever I can BEFORE going to class or working out, foam roller after, and have a stash of tennis balls in various places, including the car.

Keeps me going!

Yes, I did chiro as well and probably should again but don't wish to make the time at this stage. I also have an inversion table, which helps. At the gym, I find something I can hang straight from and let the weight stretch out the spine. Sometimes that works better than the inversion table.

I also have electrotherapy (tens unit) at home and, well, I haven't used it much lately, a small ultrasound unit that I use for phonophoresis of a product called "Traumeel," It's the time and prep factor that keeps me from using the ultrasound, though. Eaiser to hook up the tens unit and let it do its thing.

Foam roller: I use it pretty much all over the body. I first start with the back, then the legs, then the neck and head.

The tennis ball: I use it for spots that need a deeper massage or working out.

If neither of those helps, then I schedule a REAL massage. ;0)