Sciatica sufferers...?

Question

...what have you found an effective way of relieving your pain is? If you mention meds pls mention which ones but also interested in any alternatives.

ALSO... what do you think sets it off?

Thanks!

Answer 1

sciatica is caused by inflammation/swelling in the lower back, this inflammation irritates the sciatic nerve that runs down both sides of your lower back from your spine to your legs, thus sending shooting pains down you legs.

It is generally set off by excess strain to the lower back (carrying large b*****s, excess weight, pregnancy, physical labour, bad posture).

I have found the best medication for me, are NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen (nurofen, advil etc..). Also one steroidal drug works in long term that is Mobic (not sure of active ingredient + prescription only).

Stretching is really effective, lifting things properly (i.e bend knees not back), lose weight if needed, or invest in a great bra.. and if you're pregnant, it comes with the territory... i found going to the chiropractor helped whilst i was going, but once your treatment period ends you are back to square one with an empty bank account..

heat packs on your lower back, if this is chronic (longer than 6 month thing) are effective, i have also found lying on a flat floor with your knees bent (preferably perched up on chair at about 90 degree angle) can relieve a lot of swelling.. sleep with a pillow between your knees as well if you sleep on your side..

i know thats a lot of things but i guess you can try one or try them all whatever suits you... hope this helps :)

Answer 2

sciatica is caused by compression of the sciatic nerves. It passes right from head to toe. devides itself into two and smaller branches at the sacral region towards two thighs and down.  the pain may not be of serious nature initially but develops sooner or later if the cause is not removed.  The cause could be a herniation, a stenosis, a compression, an injury, a prolapse of intervetebrate disk, caries on the bones.  The triggers are a jerk, a lifting of weight, a pushing of weight, bending forward, defective exercises, awkward movements of body, degeneration of the bones, natural wear and tear of bones, and the immediate reason is always gastric.  

      It is worthwhile to observe a few things:

1.  Those who suffer from sciatic pain and further, mostly are of Vata (Rheumatic) constitution.  Mostly people who were active.  

2.  They are mostly constipated.  And autointoxicated. with an upset stomach, full of gas, or partially distended.

3.   The pressure in the stomach push the gas towards the backbone in most of the prolapses and painful situations.

     Sciatica varies from person to person according to the area of the backbone or spine affected, the intensity of the  compression on the nerve.  Accordingly, there can be left sided sciatica, right sided sciatica, sciatica with back pain(where there is inflammation), sciatica with swelling, sciatica shooting pain, radiating pain, pain upto the knees, pain beyond the knees pain on calves, pain in the centre of the buttocks, shock like pain, drawing pain, cutting pain, squeezing pain, pain with cramps, pain going down upto tip of toe. Pain with numbness, pain like a ball expanding, numbness and loss of sensation, cannot bend the toes, rubber like feeling at the ankles, rubber like feeling behind at the achilles heels. rubber like feeling between the toe and the first finger of the leg.  L5 is the normallyaffected portion.  That is exactly where you bend the body.

May have problems in cervical region also.  In such cases the pain radiates to shoulders and head and both hands.  Damage to sheaths of nerves can cause serious damage here as well as when the pain shoots lower than knees.  

        Many a times the ailments are connected or run complementary or supplementary to cervical spondylosis.  The Osteophites and caries deposited on the bones add to the compression to nerve roots.  

       There are invasive treatments and surgery available for correction, but more than curative, they have management value.  

      An important cause is certainly stress.  The stress suppressed in backbone on spinal chord.  This is two forked.  On the one hand stress causes worry and ulcer and therefore creates gastric disturbances in stomach and constipation.  On the other hand the stress creates anxiety and fear which causes stiffness in the back muscles.  The stiffness makes disallows the cartledges displaced from reversing back to position and gives lesser maneuvrability to nerves where there is already stenosis.  Against which the herniated bones compresses.  The gas in the stomach pushes and dislocates the carteleges when pressure on stomach is applied while lifting or pushing.  

            The best treatment I have seen in sciatica and intervetebrate disk prolapse are manipulations towards relaxing back muscles.   Acupressure here works wonders.   The points are behind the palm between the thumb and first finger, on to the bones of the index finger. on legs these are on the inside step bridge of the legs on the bones towards the middle edges of the sole.  the pressure should be applied only for two minutes a day.  

          Ibuprofane gives temporary good releif to the pains but gives stomach upsets which later add to the problems by distention.  

          The medicines I have used with excellent results are :

Rhus Tox  1 M single dose only (Good for all sprains/spondylosis)

Causticu m 30  three doses for one day (in particular where the pain is left sided)

Gnaphalium Q 5 drops in one ounce water three times a day as long as back pain is there.

Colocynthis 30  three doses for one day

Lycopodium 200 one dose only if the sciatic pain is right sided and of gastric origin.

Arnica 30 three doses for one day or Arnica 200 single dose for one day in case the cause is injury to the bones,.

cocculus indicus - if spondylosis also is present.

Kaliphos  6X for anxiety and low pressure which normally accompanies such situations.

Calcaria Phos, Calcaria Fluor, Calcaria Carb, aurum metalicum  and other medicines will be required according to further symtoms

              

               get well soon.

Answer 3

My mum suffered with this for about 3 years! Nothing the doctors gave her seemed to work, then someone recommended chinese medicine. We were all quite sceptical at first as it was quite pricey, but she was desperate so she gave it a go. They gave her this tea type thing to drink which smelt like curry! I cant remember the exact details of how often she drank it and how long it took to work, but it honestly worked 100 percent. It might not work for everyone but it is definatly worth a try. Good luck i hope you get it sorted x