Sciatic pain

I sympathize with you. Sciatic pain is difficult to deal with. I spent thousands of dollars at this scammy clinic. Their decompression table was a wonderful relief but it did not last. What helped me A LOT was a decompression belt. It comes with a pump that you can expand the belt with, relieving pressure on the nerve. I wasn’t sure about it but I was at the end of my rope. Turned out to be a great decision. Now I have the odd flare-up but it is mild and doesn’t last. I still put it on first thing in the morning even though there is no sciatic pain, and keep it on through breakfast time. It also works wonders if you have a sore back. Since I bought mine I have seen others on the market. Do they all work well? I don’t know. If you are interested I can tell you which one I purchased. It could very well help you without drugs - and if it doesn’t, well, It’s not a big investment and would have been worth trying. Take care and good luck!

@richardfrancine
I would love to know the brand and where you got yours and average costs if you know.
I have such bad sciatica pain along with other back problems that it has truly diminished my quality of life.

@lukekee
Hi Luke

I purchased Dr Ho’s decompression belt, from his website.
Here in Canada it is also sold at Shoppers Drug Mart. I paid $150. for it, a few years ago. I sincerely hope it works for you. All the best!

@richardfrancine
Thank you

Ask for Caudal Steroid injections. Works great for me! I had a lumbar fusion 25 years ago and now have post lumbar issues - extreme pain. They are a little uncomfortable to get but it only takes a few minutes. My injection last right at a year - I am luckier than most but you never know. They run a needle up your spinal column and as they withdraw it they drop a steroid. Within minutes all pain is gone.

Hello,
My heart goes out to you & I think I kinda know how you feel. I was going to the pain NP asking her for an MRI of my lumbar spine since the end of '25. By the beginning of this yr the pain was in my rt sciatic, hip, & down the side of my leg & nerve pain down to my foot + my foot went completely numb. To mk a long story short I went to the ER & finally got my MRI which showed anL4-5 disc herniation compressing my L5 nerve root & my spinal cord to only 5mm, severe is < 10mm!
I went 2 a neurosurgeon & he said I could try conservative methods lk epidural injs, physical therapy, and better body mechanics ie. No bending @ the waste & no lifting of heavy objects...all per Dr's orders of course...
Im just a nurse w/ a bad back but I saw a pain mgmt Dr when my pain was escalating.
I hope those ideas help you avoid severe nerve pain traveling down your leg!
Be careful & good luck...

@mkk0124

My last MRI {5/2025} showed L4-S1 disc herniation, compressing my S3 exiting nerve root & my spinal cord to 7mm, Which is severe spinal stenosis Radiculopathy~ All Left sided. Surgical options like discectomy or laminectomy may have to be be considered, Eventually! Meanwhile next MRI is next week. I am now taking 2 1/2 tabs of 5mg Norco every 5 hours and then the 1,000mg Tylenol in the morning and at bedtime....TODAY first day since I started Norco I feel so much better no more waking in agony screaming or crying for 20 minutes before it kicks in PTL! Praise The Lord @!

@rockinrene65
Prayers to you! I’m so sorry.. 😢