Sciatica

Hi @liz223, I'd like to invite @lioness, @richman54660, @qball2019, @ellerbracke, @harley105, and @smiseel to this discussion as they have all recently discussed sciatica on Connect. Perhaps they could share some tips or coping mechanisms they have tried with the sciatica. How did the in-home physical therapy session go?

I too had sciatica, worst pain I ever had. Went thru the spinal injections, chiropractor, therapies, Finally had a laminectomy, which freed up some room for L4,L5. Took about 3 months for the pain to go away. I was about 80 at the time and had a bad reaction from the operation, Spent 9 days in rehab.. I would do it again,the pain was that severe.

The in-home physical therapy went well. However, pain is still with me. I have called a Neurosurgeon for the 2nd time with no reply as yet. I actually am afraid of the surgery because of my age (87). I did the exercises on my own today.

I agree that the pain from sciatica is horrible. I honestly don't know how I can live with it. I'm sorry you had a difficult time with the surgery. I am afraid of it.

@liz223 Hi I have had sciatica pain which is a constant pain for quit awhile Ive done P.T.,in home exercises chiropractor but pain still there I dont want to have surgery but may have to am seeing my Dr soon see what she think Good luck to us all

@liz223 Heres a picture of our Poppies after all the rain

@liz223 Hi Liz. What you might want to consider to help sciatic pain would be myofascial release work. My physical therapist is trained in this. I'm guessing that you may sit a lot, and your hip flexor muscles are tight. You can also have some pelvis alignment issues that contribute to it. All of this can pull on your spine increasing pain. If you get things loosened up and moving properly that might help. Are you able to walk? Here's a link where you can learn about how MFR helps. I have sciatica from time to time and this has helped me. There is also a therapist finder on the myofascial release website with contact information. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/

what exercises?

@amomynous I do stretching of the key leg straight up pulling back towards chest P.T. said to do 3sessions of 10 increase it if you can before exercise use heat on sciatica first and ice after about 10 minutes then on floor knees towards chest roll side to side same routine Dr told me .

I had a friend whose husband had a vertebrae compression fracture (when 2 or more vertebrae press on each other and eventually a stress fracture forms.)
He was in terrible pain and had to spend weeks in bed until the fracture healed enough for him to start moving.
I also have heard that too many steroid shots can weaken or even rupture tendons. I do not know how many would be too much, probably depends on the person. I had sciatica once and also got a shot. It did not work either, although it did not give me a headache or anything like that. I finally decided to go to a chiropractor. The x-ray showed I had the beginnings of Degenerative Disc Disease (aka: arthritis of the spine) and the spaces between several of my lower discs was narrowing. Also had a bone spur on one disc that was narrowing the space. He gave me several adjustments (over several weeks) and exercises to keep my discs spread out more and to strengthen my back. If I don't do them, I can start feeling it.