Sciatica - Driving me crazy

[oil&gas]

Then there's issues such as posture, including while sitting.

Ergonomic chair is now a necessity to me. Bought several
over the years from Staples in the price range of $200-$300.
I can't tell for sure if those chairs can prevent the pain from
coming back. But I definitely feel little to no strain on my back
sitting all day at my desk and that alone is worth the money.

 

[AK-47]

There's an easy way to cure this. I used to get sciatica sometimes as well, I then tried this Tennis Shoe Technique every time it flared up and it was gone in 5 minutes:

http://www.earthclinic.com/cures/sciatica.html

Tennis Shoe Technique

A somewhat less conventional treatment option, the tennis shoe technique involves setting a tennis shoe on a chair with the heel facing forward and using this as a “bike seat” style cushion. This technique functions to support the tail bone while allowing the gluts to relax. This practice also relieves the pressure of sitting directly on the center of the body

 

[good to go]

I had the same problem on the left leg about 8 or more years ago. I went to see Amy on Wynford drive and after 4 very painful sessions it went away. It flared up last October and i hobbled around for 2 weeks then went to Amy again, she fixed it after one session this time and it has not come back yet. Try it...you have nothing to lose.

 

[Titalian]

Exercise is the key. The disk pops out because the muscles in the area are too weak. In your case, the protruding disk impinges on the sciatic nerve, that goes all the way down to your big toe. The first stage in the treatment is flexing exercises that will push the disk back in. The second stage is reinforcement of the muscles in the back. You will consult a kinesiologist or sports medicine therapist for the latter and a physiotherapist specializing in the Hamilton Hall techniques for the former. Worked for me.

Walking is good, but running is even better.

Then there's issues such as posture, including while sitting.

CBI.ca (formerly Canadian Back Institute)

Thank you Wilbur and very true. Think of your back as a suspension bridge, with the ligaments and muscle holding and aligning the skeletal structure.
If these muscles or ligaments are not well maintained the structure starts to misalign causing other ligaments to work harder, thus causing the pain and
the protruding disc. Exercise is ultimately important here but I'm not a big fan of jogging especially in later years as it causes discomfort or even problems
in the joints especially the protruding disc. Cycling would be a good option, less pounding and more of a cardiovascular flow to the problem areas.
Weight is especially important here as well as nutrition.

 

[The Oracle]

Friend of mine had this exact same problem a few months ago.

This is where he went to get it resolved.

http://www.backontrackwellness.com/

 

[SkyRider]

I'm not a big fan of jogging especially in later years as it causes discomfort or even problems
in the joints especially the protruding disc. Cycling would be a good option, less pounding and more of a cardiovascular flow to the problem areas.

One of my colleagues was a hard core runner. One day his knee just exploded. He was in his 40's at the time. Cycling is good, swimming is also good.
(I read an article a few years ago about this guy whose disc exploded and he became an invalid. Not sure what he did wrong.)

 

[pussyluver]

I have had the same problem for a while. Doctor took X-rays and found nothing abnormal. Went to physio. Got some temporary relief, but when I stopped going it returned.

Went to see a kineaseologist (totally messed up the spelling) and he suggested it was mostly due to a desk job creating a very weak core. A few weeks on an exercise and stretching program and I am pain free. Also, the biggest help was a foam roller to do self massage. It was a torture device the first dozen times I used it, but eventually it broke up all the tightness and scar tissue that build up and loosened everything up... I am a foam roller evangelist now!

Basically, if doc says no structural problems from X-rays etc., them it's probably muscular... And with a little work you can build tem up and be pain free. Oh, and foam roller... Just in case I hadn't mentioned it!

 

[johnhenrygalt]

If you are fat, get yourself in shape. Obesity and overweightness are aggravating factors with sciatica.

 

[GPIDEAL]

First of all - did you get a MRI to check if you have a ruptured or herniated disc where the disc is bulging and touching the nerve to trigger the pain and numbness?

1. I had this when I ruptured a disc in my early 20s. Physio fixed it. I have degenerative disc disease and a weak lower back so the old injury inflames it every time. But I never had blood in stools or numbness in my foot - your shit is even more serious (and I had it pretty bad!!)

2. There's a guy who works magic with his physio - he worked on my back but he's out in Vancouver now. Next best is a chiro I see in Yorkville. He's worked with the US women's olympic team so he's super good. Let me know if you need his contact information.

I was told that I have a degenerative disc. Physio took care of that. It's flared up again but I've neglected exercises necessary to strengthen the core as well as stretching exercises.

Captain Kirk needs to do those things because if the core is strong, it will support the back more which will alleviate pain.

 

[GPIDEAL]

My doctor referred me to CBI Physiotherapy (used to be called The Canadian Back Institute). There are probably other good physio places.

 

[GPIDEAL]

Exercise is the key. The disk pops out because the muscles in the area are too weak. In your case, the protruding disk impinges on the sciatic nerve, that goes all the way down to your big toe. The first stage in the treatment is flexing exercises that will push the disk back in. The second stage is reinforcement of the muscles in the back. You will consult a kinesiologist or sports medicine therapist for the latter and a physiotherapist specializing in the Hamilton Hall techniques for the former. Worked for me.

Walking is good, but running is even better.

Then there's issues such as posture, including while sitting.

CBI.ca (formerly Canadian Back Institute)

Ah ha. Someone beat me to it.

Consistent with posture and what oil&gas said about ergonomic chairs, I have lumbar support rolls everywhere. A CBI clinic will also sell their rolls (more choice and better ones than at SDM), some of which are semi-rolls instead of full rolls.

 

[Big Sleazy]

I've had sciatica before. Find yourself a good acupuncturist. They have n over 90% success rate. You'll feel 50% better within 24 hrs after receiving the first treatment. You'll likely need at least 2 or 3 more ( maybe more ) to get to 100% pain relief. Once the pain is gone you have to figure out what is causing the issue. Could be work related i.e: You sit too much. But once it's better you'll need to start a stretching routine. If it flares up again just go back to the acupuncturist.

BS

 

[peter4025]

My doctor referred me to CBI Physiotherapy (used to be called The Canadian Back Institute). There are probably other good physio places.

I had problems width this type of pain and lower back. I usually go to a physiotherapist that uses laser therapy. It helps me all the time and after a couple of treatments I'm good for another 6 months at least

 

[MissCroft]

Do you swim? I've found that sometimes swimming can work wonders.

 

[GameBoy27]

I have a Chiropractor I've been going to for years. I go once a month for a tuneup which is usually enough. Once in a while I'll get muscle spasms in my neck so I'll see him a couple times in a week. It makes a huge difference. He's never been the type of guy who says "oh, you're neck (or whatever) is bad, you're going to need x number of treatments." He says, you know your body, come back to see me if you feel you need another adjustment. Not all Chiropractors operate this way, there's some bad ones out there.

I would talk to your friends to see if they can recommend a trusted Chiropractor. Never go with a random Chiropractor, they must come with solid recommendations from good sources.

I'd then have a complete evaluation along with x-rays and go from there. A good Chiropractor will also give you stretches and exercises to do if they feel it will help relieve the pain.

The trick is to find out what is causing the pain in the first place. A GP will likely just give you pain meds which is not the answer.

There's also http://www.backclinicsofcanada.ca/ but I don't know much about them or anyone who's been.

I hope you get it sorted out. Back pain effects everything you do. Good luck.

 

[GPIDEAL]

Do you swim? I've found that sometimes swimming can work wonders.

JFK had major back problems and swam to strengthen his core. Note the muscles here.

 

[GPIDEAL]

I had problems width this type of pain and lower back. I usually go to a physiotherapist that uses laser therapy. It helps me all the time and after a couple of treatments I'm good for another 6 months at least

What do they use the laser for?

 

[GPIDEAL]

If you are fat, get yourself in shape. Obesity and overweightness are aggravating factors with sciatica.

I'm not obese and when I asked a top notch physiotherapist at CBI (he was quoted on CTV National News) if I should lose some weight, he told me weight wasn't a crucial factor (surprise to me).

 

[peter4025]

What do they use the laser for?

It's a low light laser therapy used in combination with infrared lights that help reduce pain, improve circulation and speeds healing of injured areas. It works for me and heard from other patients that is incredible. If you want I can pm you their website if you want to find out more.
,

 

[GPIDEAL]

It's a low light laser therapy used in combination with infrared lights that help reduce pain, improve circulation and speeds healing of injured areas. It works for me and heard from other patients that is incredible. If you want I can pm you their website if you want to find out more.
,

Sure why not. Thanks.