Could it be Sciatica?

Posted by Soledad02 @soledad02, Jan 20 2:55pm

I've had, what I believe to be, sciatica pain since May 2023. I went to a spine surgeon, had 2 MRI's, one Xray of lower back, two epidurals, pain management, PT. No relief, so decided to try a chiropractor. After many treatments I finally had relief for about three weeks. Then for whatever reason my sciatica returned. I'm maxed out on ins for any more treatments. I'm now going through PT at another location and they use a totally different approach which I like much better than my first PT. My therapist is going to try dry needling in the next few weeks. If this doesn't work then I'll try acupuncture. If that doesn't work then I'm going to reach out to a different surgeon as my former doc refused to do surgery (which I prefer not to have), due to having osteoporosis. He also wanted to send me for an epidural to try (after having two already). He didn't know that I had any epidurals!! Not good in my opinion. The pain is in the back of my right leg, mainly in the area of my knee. It feels like a pinched nerve. It hurts a when I try to stand after sitting. I can't bend the knee without excruciating pain. I can't walk very far either. Getting very discouraged as my husband and I use to walk 45 - 60 mins daily, now I'm a couch potato.

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Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | Jan 20 3:15pm

@soledad02 There is a variety in what physical therapists do. Sometimes the problem is tight fascia that causes a constriction. My PT does a procedure called myofascial release which helps me a lot. Here is our discussion on MFR:
Neuropathy - "Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR) for treating compression and pain"
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/
If you want to search for a certified MFR therapist in the John Barnes methods, please use this link:
http://mfrtherapists.com/
I also find articles at this website very informative.
MSK Neurology - "How to identify and treat lumbar plexus compression syndrome (LPCS)"
https://mskneurology.com/identify-treat-lumbar-plexus-compression-syndrome-lpcs/
These pelvic dysfunction problems may easily be confused with a spine problem as they produce similar symptoms. This is a very detailed article, but worth a read.

Jennifer

celia16 | @celia16 | Jan 20 4:56pm

I’ve had drying needling for other types of pain and was very pleased. It helped me a lot.

Soledad02 | @soledad02 | Jan 21 6:27am

In reply to @celia16 "I’ve had drying needling for other types of pain and was very pleased. It helped me..." + (show)

Keeping my fingers crossed it helps! 🤞

Soledad02 | @soledad02 | Jan 21 8:12am

In reply to @jenniferhunter "@soledad02 There is a variety in what physical therapists do. Sometimes the problem is tight fascia..." + (show)

@jenniferhunter thank you for this, very informative. Something to consider and worth a try.

lizziel1 | @lizziel1 | Jan 21 1:39pm

I had horrible sciatica and leg weakness for 2 years . Went to several doctors who could not help me… Even the Cleveland Clinic! In a last ditch effort I went to an acupuncturist. I think she was the only person who actually examined me!
Well as it turned out, my hip was partially out of its socket for all that time! She gently positioned it back and the pain was gone instantly. So much for my faith in doctors.

Soledad02 | @soledad02 | Jan 21 4:07pm

In reply to @lizziel1 "I had horrible sciatica and leg weakness for 2 years . Went to several doctors who..." + (show)

@lizzie1 that’s encouraging. Yes I’ll try acupuncture if the dry needling isn’t successful. I’ve read in many instances acupuncture helped with sciatica. I’m not giving up yet.

debkl | @debkl | Jan 22 12:07pm

Sciatica is an umbrella term for many things.

Sciatica researcher Tom Jesson, MD has a lot of great info. Here is a good starting point. https://shop.tomjesson.com/blogs/blog/what-these-words-mean-referred-pain-radicular-pain-radiculopathy-and-sciatica

celia16 | @celia16 | Jan 22 2:56pm

In reply to @lizziel1 "I had horrible sciatica and leg weakness for 2 years . Went to several doctors who..." + (show)

I often say that my acupuncturist and physiotherapist are the only 2 people who actually figured out the problem, went to it, treated it and I left feeling distinctively better. And, my insurance doesn’t cover the acupuncture. All out of pocket. Not dissing regular doctors……

pablo81 | @pablo81 | Jan 25 7:00pm

I think it is important to sit and view your MRI with your doctor and try to understand what he/she is explaining about where your pain is coming from and recommending. Then if it makes sense move forward.