sciatic nerve pain,

[southey]

Howdy chaps,

After wrong stepping my self last night on a run, this morning while lifting the loo seat i pinged my sciatic nerve, its rendered me pretty much useless and pathetic today, just wondering if any of you guys have any good stretches I can use to work the nerve and release a bit of the tension, its a high pain so not to much of a pinch, just enough to buckle the legs when it twinges

Many thanks in advance,

Southey,

[Chiseller]

I've had it three times over the years. Too hard to explain the exercises using my phone. Google is your friend..
If it is true sciatica..... I empathise

Sent from my HTC Explorer using Tapatalk 2

[southey]

Cheers dude, Whats annoyed me the most is the car should be back on the road by this weekend so had planned trundle around Salisbury plain, but its only Tuesday so it might still come off

[NetFrog]

I did this about 3 weeks ago and although it is not buckling pain it is very very annoying and almost permanent. I did a 10 mile trek shortly after it happened and within a mile the pain had gone for the day only for it to resume the next but as more of a dull ache. So maybe try walking it off if possible? I am away Thursday for a trek and hoping it will go away again!

Good luck!!!

[Miyagi]

I sympathise, that's agony, it afflicts me every now and again.

Try a hot bath if you have one, or cut your leg off above the hip at the waist - you know it makes sense.

Hope it passes soon.

Liam

[southey]

HAhahaha! I have decided to go with the amputation Liam, but which knife would you guys suggest, and what bergan to store it in, also, should i put some plastic down the protect the carpet, or will he beating from the wife be good to distract from the pain?

[Miyagi]

Ahhh, you have to use a carbon steel Clipper or folding saw.

Blood on the carpet? Real men would sort this out in their shed.

The beating from the wife though is the perfect solution to take your mind off the pain.

As the Japanese Admiral's memo stated during WWII "The beatings will continue until moral improves among the ranks".

Liam

[southey]

I did this about 3 weeks ago and although it is not buckling pain it is very very annoying and almost permanent. I did a 10 mile trek shortly after it happened and within a mile the pain had gone for the day only for it to resume the next but as more of a dull ache. So maybe try walking it off if possible? I am away Thursday for a trek and hoping it will go away again!

Good luck!!!

Cheers matey, I got stuck on the floor for a bit this morning! if it eases up with a hot bath ill have a walk and see what happens, Its naff though isn't it, you feel kind of useless for a bit, this is the third time in 8 years, first was because i was being silly and lifting an electric pump on to a bowser the wrong way, I ended knelt by the bowser for an hour or so, when I waved at the liney he just thought I was waving and gave me the finger! hahaha, second was just after the kids were born 3 years ago, this time I think it was the run and the coughing cold we've had for the last week(bloody play schools are the biggest vector for Ebola type bugs IMO)

[Bigfoot]

Plenty of stretches for sciatic type pain if you do a search. Not all of these pains are true sciatic however, so check out symptoms for piriformis syndrome and see if any match up with your pain. I'm a martyr to upper thigh/lower back pain and over the years have been amazed at how many muscles can impact those areas! Hope your pain eases, regular stretches are good for it.

[JAG009]

I know some one with chronic sciatica and he swears by his tens machine ,it maybe worth a try




Jason

[Toddy]

It's a misery
Thankfully, with care, it does heal....not that that's a lot of help at 3 am when you know you have another three hours to go before you can take any more painkillers

I took my 80+ Auntie to a chiropracter when her's flared. It really helped, but the Auntie decided to just sit down and not do very much and everything kind of seized up.

If mine ever goes again, I'm going to the chiropracter or a sports therapist and I'll do every exercise they advise. I'm not tholing that pain for months ever again or the afraid to move awkwardly caginess either.

Really, really hope it eases asap for you.

atb,
M

[Paul72]

I know some one with chronic sciatica and he swears by his tens machine ,it maybe worth a try
Jason

+1 My dad is using one for his sciatica and it gives a lot of relief

[andyc54]

I was told to hang off something with your legs just dangling its supposed to be the weight of your legs stretches the spine it sometimes helps me

[spiritwalker]

ive suffered with it for a few years now (curved spine as well) i find the only thing that eases it is exercise just simply going for a walk and for a while i did Tai chi that eased it too. I also find sleeping on a proper bed kills me some morning i can barely get up but oddly when im camping its great must be the hard floor in short of sleeping on the floor at home i dont really know what to do. All the doctor advises is keeping mobile, good luck with yours...

[Adze]

If you get any numbness (below the waist, above the neck doesn't matter) particularly toes or a tight band of it behind the knee of the affected leg, see your GP and don't be fobbed off with stretching exercises - ask to be referred straight away.

[santaman2000]

If you get any numbness (below the waist, above the neck doesn't matter) particularly toes or a tight band of it behind the knee of the affected leg, see your GP and don't be fobbed off with stretching exercises - ask to be referred straight away.

I have numbness (and sometimes pain) above the waist (my finger) My Dr. has diagnosed neuropothy (which if left untreated can lead to eventual amputation) So even above the waist isn't something to ignore.

[Laurentius]

Sciatica is not the worst I have encountered, I have spondylosis which compresses the root nerves to my arms. It is a pain, both literally and metaphorically, and the best exercise I have found for it is swimming. I have thought that I am too stiff and painful even to get in but at the end of the session I always feel better.

[para106]

Hi there, I'm a qualified Sports Massage Therapist but can't accept any responsibility if you further injure yourself by doing the following - it's effective though.... It's a modified figure 4 stretch:

1) Stand with your back & shoulders against a smooth wall.

2) If you've a definite sore side, take hold of your ankle or lower shin & bring your leg up until your shin is in a horizontal position above the knee of your standing leg.

3) Keep your head up, your back & shoulders against the wall & SLOWLY slide down the wall in a slight squat on your standing leg until you feel the stretch across your Gluteous Maximus - Bum cheek to the unqualified!!! You may want to have a chair back in front of you for support.

4) STOP when you feel the stretch & DO NOT BOUNCE in this position. Hold for 10 seconds, return to pre squat starting position & repeat as many times as you're comfortable the the strength in your standing leg holding out. If it gives out on you whilst doing this you'll bugger yourself up bigstyle....

You can also try this laying flat on your back - not as effective but safer if you're worried about the strength of your standing leg.

The above is also a good stretch for any Piriformis problems. Give me a shout if I can help. Cheers

[HillBill]

My ex used to have sciatica. I found the most effective way of helping ease it was to "crack" her back.

Basically you stand up with a mate stood behind you, you raise your arms and he puts his arms round your chest in a kind of bear hug, relax your arms. He then leans back as far as he can, and should just lift your feet from the floor while arching your spine backwards. If it works you will feel your back crack/crunch, its a very weird feeling. When done you will feel so relaxed and loose you will be wondering why you've never done it before

Basically what it does is stretch the spine along its length and allow any trapped nerves to come free. Its a trick i learned in the Legion, god knows why physios dont do it as it works so well.

[Count of Undolpho]

Wheat bags! Get a proper long one (without Lavender if possible) hot as you can and try to find the best position for it - I find its along the arch of my pelvis on the affected side. Heat is your friend!

As a side note; If you are ever in a car accident and end up on a gurney in A&E with one of those neck braces on, be very careful about telling them when your sciatica plays up.
I ended up on my side with my trousers round my knees and some young chap with his thumb where the sun doesn't shine. I think they were all too young to know why I started singing 'Moon River'.
Apparently it's to make sure you can still 'clench' to test for lumbar spine damage - though he was smiling when he explained!!

[southey]

Wheat bags! Get a proper long one (without Lavender if possible) hot as you can and try to find the best position for it - I find its along the arch of my pelvis on the affected side. Heat is your friend!

As a side note; If you are ever in a car accident and end up on a gurney in A&E with one of those neck braces on, be very careful about telling them when your sciatica plays up.
I ended up on my side with my trousers round my knees and some young chap with his thumb where the sun doesn't shine. I think they were all too young to know why I started singing 'Moon River'.
Apparently it's to make sure you can still 'clench' to test for lumbar spine damage - though he was smiling when he explained!!

Did he at least call!

This morning it was agony as all things inflamed are after you've slept, walking round and doing Para106s stretch every now and then has shown it to be my left leg, and in the butt cheek, I reckon I didn't stretch off properly after running the other day, I had finished on a hill session and rushed the warm down, off to the gym tonight to sit on a bike for a bit and a swim(in the shallow end encase of ceasing up)

[para106]

Hi Southey, for what it's worth, I'd give the bike a miss. I'm also a qualified Personal Trainer - not that I claim to be an expert. In fact I'd not have you doing anything that puts pressure on the Glutes or Piriformis as that may put pressure on the Sciatic Nerve. From what you're saying, mate, it could be a problem with the Piriformis that's causing the problem with the SN. If you HAVE to go to the gym I'd suggest light exercise using a Gym Ball instead of a bench or seat. This would help with your core & proprioperception which would help with your current problem. Try something that involves lying on a gym ball, that'll seperate the vertebrae in your lumbar region & may ease the SN. If you're going to use weights, halve (at least) your current load as a spasm with 70kg will do a lot more damage than 25/30kg plus you won't be able to handle your current load on a gym ball - the difference is telling. It'll help your technique too.

If you were coming to me at the gym I'd be starting off with a Sports Massage to isolate the problem & working out a programme in line with whatever treatment or stretching regime we decided on based on particular muscle groups affected. I'd stop you running too, doing more harm than good in your condition. Just my tuppence worth Southey & not Gospel without getting my mitts on you!!

I don't do Personal Training or Sports Massage full time anymore as, whilst the need's greater in Scotland, the will to pay for it is a lot less than in England!!!! Cheers.

[southey]

Many thanks matey, I will bin the bike for the mean time, would you reckon id be okay having a swim though, just some leisurely lengths, I have at least been ordered out of the house for a bit this evening as I nearly drove wifely to murder last night

[para106]

Should be OK as the water will be supporting the weight of your legs. Have a stretch before starting though or a good sauna. Good idea to start by hanging on to the side first & doing a few mins of just legwork - if you're gonna spasm it will early doors & usually not when you've warmed up. Be careful - you can still get in a lot of trouble in 3' of water, stretch after & hit the sauna again if you can. Or take a cushion & just go to the pub.......you don't lose all your fitness by just walking for a week

[southey]

Hahahah BUT BUT BUT!!!!

[para106]

There's no but's mate - only very sore ones if you do too much whilst injured!!!!!!!!!!!

[swotty]

I suffered with back pain and sciatica for about twenty years and tried everything, physio, chiropractor etc.....GP was useless as they don't want to spend the money!

Then about five years ago I went for acupuncture and after about four sessions it seemed to sort my back.....I haven't had the sciatica since and although my back sometimes goes into spasm it is nowhere near as painful as it used to be.

So, acupuncture.....it worked for me!

[Lifthasir]

three stretches that worked wonders for me are:

1. lie on the ground on your back and simply bend one knee towards your chest, put your hands on your knee to pull it a bit further if you can. When you don't have a bad back, this stretch feels pointless, but if you have, then it can feel like bliss
2. lie on front in press up position, look up and push yourself up till your arms lock whilst keeping your pelvis pushed to the ground - again, it feels lush when it is working. Do the above stretch when you've finished with this one
3. sit on a hard chair (kitchen chair not armchair), cross one ankle over the other and simly lean forward towards your feet a little, you should feel this pull across your buttock.

Hold all stretches for as long as you feel comfortable. Repeat several times each session and do it several times a day.

[southey]

Many thanks for the advice chaps, feeling much better now, stiff after staying stillish for any length of time like sleeping or watching a film, doing penty of walking and stretches have eased any little niggles,

[Lordyosch]

On the morning of 30 Dec last year I was lying in bed and coughed. Its now almost the end of May and I still haven't fully regained the use of my left leg. Sciatica is a B**ch!

I regularly see a physio and I attend Pilates every week. It took me a good three months to be walking propely -with barely a limp but I still can't run very fast of goe on tiptoes on my left foot.


For me, the best thing has been the Pilates exercise and building strength in my deep stomach muscles, they seem to keep everything in place.


Jay