Discussion: Sciatica

Anyone mastered sciatica? Two weeks of feeling a giant, venomous leach affixed to my left buttock is enough. Anti-inflammatories and rest are not options. Any experience with massage, cortisone, specific exercises, etc. would be welcome.

Not sure why you're taking rest and anti-inflammatories off the table as both are much to be recommended. Those aside, I've found that not sitting down helps a lot. Try to do things either standing or lying down. If you're creative enough, you can get through most days with only a few minutes of sitting.

Driving a car is just about the worst thing you can do.

Do a quad stretch but pull your opposite ankle instead of the same one (for sciatic in left leg, pull left ankle with right hand) and stretch your lower back. Also, can do with a belt looped around your ankle while lying face down on a bed or something. Do what you can to loosen the muscles in your lower back that might pinch the nerve. Don't sit on wallets in your back pockets. Try rock climbing or bouldering, which gives those back muscles a workout and loosens them up.

google "pigeon pose" - a stretch for your piriformis muscle, one of the literal pains in the butt that can put pressure on your sciatic nerve. Mine are almost always tight from running.

I also like the stretching routine using a strap that's in Yoga for Athletes - great section in the back helps you target what hurts.

YES to massage, and to many of the listed exercises, don't forget the foam roller, and when it hurts too bad, by all means get a shot of cortisone. I would put acupuncture as a possibility also, but it takes longer for results.

Thanks to all. No (more) anti-inflammatories for other medical reasons; and two weeks of near inactivity have accomplished nothing. I now have a "deep tissue" massage scheduled for Friday; and I'll attempt some of the stretches suggested tomorrow.

Find what it is in your posture / biomechanics that is contributing to it. Then identify ways to improve any issues and it will reduce.

I am with Tooms: http://www.bing.com/health/article/mayo-126211/Sci...

1/3 your life is spent sleeping. Each vertebrae needs to relax, align, release...and allow discs, muscles, and ligaments to rest. A bad bed and inadequate support causes parts of the back to remain in tension, and never able to rest.

Get a new, top-quality, extra-firm bed.

Seek professional medical advice.

Amputation. Or perhaps lobotomy? :)

Status: Thanks to most. I assume Brad's advice is a UK thing. Eric: I am standing as I type this. Rex: I'm working on two of those stretches. Victoria: the "pigeon pose" is awsome and nails the hurt. I will use an old man's version of it going forward. Here is the YouTube link I used: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVlX5HNKamw Charlie: deep tissue massage earlier today might well have helped - it sure hurt. John - my posture has never been great; and I'll work on it. Nickolay - the link to Mayo's thoughts was useful. Clark: my bed is good. Annie: doctors, MRI's and so forth a last resort.
Thanks again.