Siatica any suggestions on relief?

[Comfysock]

Im in agongy, deep dull pain lower back and now dull pain going down one lwg.

Any suggestions on how to relieve the pain?

Exactly. A physio told me to do a cobra type position and it put me out for 6 months.

Just wait to see a physio. Go private if you can afford to.

Same here!! Naproxen and Pilates are the best.

Came on to say that after my MRI the consultant recommended pilates. He was not wrong. I do online videos by a physio aimed at back pain. Total game changer. (Also my slight prolapse has actually moved up!)

Naproxen and changing to a firmer memory foam mattress has helped mine massively.

Nope - recommended exercises for sciatica or lower back pain.
also do not just go to physios who ‘put their hands on you’ - you will only see a physio maybe once a week at best for 30 mins therefore unless you are paying mega bucks for private, home exercises are what’s going to improve things and I don’t know where poster is from but MRIs/scans are very far from routine for general sciatica

OP you have my every sympathy. I’m on my first ever attack, it has been excruciating and I can do little but rest in bed lying back on two pillows.

A few friends suggested seeing a chiropractor, so that’s what I’ve done. Pain is definitely easing, but I know that may have happened anyway by this time. He did x rays, told me what the issues are re my spine and disc. The actual appointments are only 10/15 minutes now as he just does a few stretches and quick twists to help matters along. Plenty of exercises to do at home.

Like you I found relief with a hot water bottle, but he said that will increase inflammation so I’m now on ice pack 15 mins twice daily at middle base of spine even though pain is one side. I tried paracetamol and ibuprofen first seven days, it didn’t do much. Can manage on no painkillers now, as no pain if I lie still.

Don’t make my mistake of feeling better and overdoing it - I ended up in agony again. I gather recovery is a long and slow process. Take it easy and all the very best.

UPDATE
Thanks everyone. Can you please link to some exercises I can do in the morning that help you?

Been ok today have been mobile, just paracetomol no leg pain but tonight now... deep dull pain down one leg.

This might sound weird...It feels like period pain but in my leg!!!!!

Im going to have a soak in the bath now as Ive not had one for a couple of days ☹️

https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/strength-and-flexibility-exercises/exercises-sciatica-problems/

Here is the NHS version I hope it helps

I firstly had nerve blockers from GP. Then referred to consultant, x-ray followed by MRI, followed by steroids in my spine. Consultant then recommended physiotherapist. So I went armed with all my results and received advice on the best exercises to use. I'm starting yoga this month I hope. I have two dodgy vertebrae and scoliosis so it's been a slow slog.

Also, my physio recommended this - I find it as good as ibuprofen cream.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fisiocrem-Solugel-massage-shoulders-Arnica/dp/B00C1W13GU/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=fisiocrem&qid=1705258418&sr=8-5&th=1

The pain is in my lefthandside where the big glute muscle is not spine. Sometimes get this if Ive lifted anything heavy but never had leg pain before and for this long.

My DH says that side looks slightly swollen compare to the other side.

This. Look up the Mackenzie method. It works. Also steroids can have a great effect—shirt course, high dose.

I had this for 5 weeks just over Xmas. Mornings were brutal, took me ages to get out of bed. I got some pregabalin off my GP. But regular heat and cold, stretching a lot really helped me and physio. I randomly woke up one morning and it had gone. Was like being in back labour continuously though, I was in tears a lot!!! I feel for you…. But it will just randomly go.

This is very good. I do regularly and have got excellent results- but only if done regularly

Thanks I'll try this when OH goes to bed.

But op hasn't had a scan so doesn't know for sure it is plain sciatica. Although now the symptoms have eased it sounds less problematic than it could be. I've just had years of bad advice from hcps telling me to do exercises that have made everything worse because my 'sciatica' wasn't sciatica at all and their advice pushed me into cauda equina. It's not something I'd mess with with YouTube videos now.

Thanks everyone for advice.

Tonight I had a soak started a couple of the McKenzie exercises which I'll continue everyday. Might take a naproxen tonight to help me sleep not sure yet

i find the tennis ball method really helps

UPDATE
So a couple of day after starting the McKenzie exercises/stretching several times a day....I actually feel much better. Dare I say the pain in my leg has almost stopped. Not sure if related but I do feel a little better and definitely nowhere near as stiff as I was

Glad to hear it OP.