Anyone have a cure for sciatica?

[ho'ard]

[quote Drew]I've had back problems off and on for many years. Usually, my lower back would suddenly cramp while doing the slightest motion, but I would end up virtually unable to move and in extreme pain. Over time, I learned to feel it coming, which helped to avoid the worst most of the time. A year ago, it happened again but didn't get better. I finally got to the point where nothing helped and my leg and toes were numb and/or in big pain. Went to the doctor and found out I had a herniated disk, and was eventually scheduled for surgery. Since I was in such pain and because of some of the tests, I was forced into no movement bed rest and I began to recover. I did not want to have surgery and because the symptoms were relieved, I cancelled the day before I was to go in. The doctor wasn't happy. After that, I found a book that has helped a lot. It's not revolutionary, but has made a difference for me. I think that the disk is still herniated, but now there is not much pain and the numbness down the back of my leg and in my toes is gone.

http://www.amazon.com/Minutes-Pain-Free-...21?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1179972716&sr=8-1

Also, there are a number of back-pain related discussion groups on the internet. Some have good information, though you need to be skeptical of a lot.
Research shows those who have back surgery and those with similar problems who don't end up in about the same condition down the road. Good decision, most likely.

[ho'ard]

[quote anonymouse1]Robin Mackenzie is a god on this stuff, IMHO.

The one thing that helps me, other than preventative exercise, is the pain killer/muscle relaxant Aleve.
Our posts crossed in the mail.
Thanks for backing me up on Mackenzie. It was the only thing that finally broke me out of my original L5/S1 crisis in '97, after chugging along for 2-3 months.

[MacManMaz]

I highly recommend visiting a physical therapist. Most insurance now gladly covers them with a small co-pay because they have found that patients do better than just rest and pain killers. Surgery, is definitly a last resort.

You may have to go to your primary care physician to get a prescription for the therapist. My experience is that you are best off with a "Mackenzie Therapist" for anything that has to do with the back or spine. Look for one in your area that is a certified Mackenzie Therapist.

I don't want to scare you, but bed rest can actually sometimes make the condition worse. Also, if you suffer along and do not go for treatement to relieve the pressure on the pinched nerves, it can eventually lead to permanent nerve damage and loss of strength and function.

I would pick therapy over chiropractic, my experience is that it is much more comprehensive and you can learn to relieve pain on your own.

[ho'ard]

Online fora can be a horrible place to get advice on a medical condition.
So far, this thread is a pleasant exception!

[Dennis S]

[quote MacManMaz]I highly recommend visiting a physical therapist.
She was taking physical therapy for "a bad back" when this started hurting.

[lost in space]

Physiatrist saved my life. I couldn't sit for more than five minutes without partial paralysis. I'd been diagnosed with sciatica for years, he found it to be reflex sympathetic dystrophy. I am 99% free of it now, with occasional Aleve or generic Naproxen Sodium.

[ho'ard]

Any clue as to what specific exercises the PT was having her do at that time?

Sometimes a bluging disc can cause problems, and then get pushed over the edge into a full blown hernmiation. The herniation is actually preferable to the bulge IMO since it can heal, while the bulge just lingers.

[ho'ard]

[quote lost in space]Physiatrist saved my life. I couldn't sit for more than five minutes without partial paralysis. I'd been diagnosed with sciatica for years, he found it to be reflex sympathetic dystrophy. I am 99% free of it now, with occasional Aleve or generic Naproxen Sodium.
Huh?!?!?!?

Willing to describe all that in further detail? RSD of the spine? What was the cure?

[Drew]

I'll second the vote for Aleive (sp?). It's the only over the counter product that seems to have an effect for me. Also, I've found that standing under a hot shower with the water focussed onto my lower back works well, even better than just a heating pad or something else like that.

[Dennis S]

[quote h']Any clue as to what specific exercises the PT was having her do at that time?

Sometimes a bluging disc can cause problems, and then get pushed over the edge into a full blown hernmiation. The herniation is actually preferable to the bulge IMO since it can heal, while the bulge just lingers.
She didn't say what specifically caused it. She's had one back operation already. She went through all of this before and then 3 shots before they operated. I assume that's what they'll do this time.