How to relieve SCIATICA?

[MamaG]

DH has it

He's in agony

Any tips?

Thanks

acupuncture, works a treat!!

hang upside down! When I had sciatica my inversion table helped as it reduces the pressure on the nerve.

Yes, I had this in BOTH legs. Recurred regularly, debilitating, weeks off work etc.
I went to a physio and an acupuncturist when it was really painful.
This got me back on my feet short term.

Decided to look for a long term solution:
Went to chiropracter who said "hmmm, have you been to a podiatrist? You have poor spinal positioning and it looks like it's coming from your feet."

Podiatrist says "yes, one leg is shorter than the other, you need orthotics" (things in shoes to correct feet imbalance).
Back to chiropracter, "yes, better, hmm, spine still a bit off...posture not great which is making it worse, have you tried Alexander technique?"

Off I go to Alexander technique teacher...after 4 weeks I was bent double with agony...week 6 the pain went...week 26 passes, I finish the course, I am now an inch taller (still with the orthotics).
No sciatica for SIX YEARS!!!!!

I also did pilates to keep my spinal muscles strong.

One of these could work for your DH.

If at first you don't suceed....

GP offered painkillers that rendered me a zombie and incapable of coherent speech. Apart from being offered a show on radio 2 this was not helpful in my career! Which is why I went the alternative route.

A good short term fix it a TENS machine. Works wonders while it's on, but long term a chiropractor/physio

Thank you. He has been referred for physio, not had appt yet and been given some v strong painkillers. He took one an hour ago and is now fast asleep on the floor - not great as I'm not yet 3 weeks post c-section!

/pours tea into MamaGs cup.

Has he considered an osteopath?

I've been limping since september with the arthritis in my back. Never considered anything like seeing an osteo as I thought they wouldnt be able to help. Phoned up one last week. Got seen next day and although he can't magically cure the arthritis (obviously) I am no longer limping. Had my second session today and by the time I'd left I no longer had a tension headache. He reckons one more session should keep me going for a bit. So my fears of long drawn out bankrupting treatment were unfounded.

Prescriptoin anti- inflamitarys, and pain killers really helped me. What has his GP said/done?

keep moving (gentle but frequent pottering)

painkillers

hotpack

lie on side with knees bent up a little way. Pillow between knees. Painful leg uppermost.

Lie on back with pillows (several) under knees

Lie on front with pillow under tummy

Poor DH It's horrid.

GP prescribed him v strong painkillers and anti inflammatories and has referred him to the physio

He moved into the back bedroom a few weeks ago (can't be tired at work and as I'm BF, made sense for him to get uninterrupted sleep!) and last night I suggested it might be the bed: so he slept in our bed last night and woke up feeling tons better - we're both hoping it was the crappy bed in back bedroom that made it flare up, so we will see how it goes.

Thank you for the replies

MamaG - ive just had an op - last wed to cure my sciatica (water works had ceased to function) I suffered 2 years previously after giving birth.

Reason for my sciatica was a prolapsed disc - is this the same for your DH? What relieved the pain - (almost instantaneously) was an Osteopath that can 'click' the disc into place. Its quite difficult to find one that does this as i believe its not the preffered practice - think a lot of them use 'traction' now but if the latter will take a little longer.

Bed rest was what the docs and consultants advised for me. I know what your DH must be going through - it really isnt pleasant.

Regards

MamaG

I also tried the following:

Epidural injections (a steroid i think) in the disc spaces in the back, Acupuncture, Physio, Chiropractors, Osteopaths and endless pain killers and anti inflamatorys, Ice packs.

Your 3 weeks post c-section??!! Poor u!

I hope your op was successful smelnel

Physio was the only thing which worked for me. Acupuncture is for temporary pain relief - good but doesn't release whatever's trapped and chiro did not really work. Much sympathy for your DH is was painful when I had it. Hope he finds relief.