How can i relieve the pain of severe sciatica caused by a herniated disc?

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4 weeks ago i was stuck in bed because of a herniated disc. Now, this sciatica pain is horrible. It started in my butt and now it has moved to my calf. Is this something that anyone has experienced before? And how long should this last. BTW i no longer feel any discomfort in my back, very minimal. Help please
The best thing for a herniated disc is talking with your doctor. They can recommend anything from a chiropractor to spinal injections. But don't worry, odds are they will be able to handle it without extreme measures.

In the meantime, here are the things you should be doing:

1 - keep a log of when you are in pain, where the most pain is located (side of the body, down the legs, etc.), and if you are feeling pain when you wake up.

2 - Keep some nuts or some other source of quick magnesium handy at all times. It may not be enough to stop the pain completely, but eating enough will take the edge off, and they act fast.

3 - if you are using a heating pad, consider an infrared heating pad, they go straight into the muscle without hurting the outer layer of skin.

4 - If ice seems to help you more, put an ice pack directly on the pain area and try to keep it there for 10 minutes. Then remove it for 10 minutes and repeat.

Your doctor probably has more information for you, but hopefully these tricks will help you until you are able to be seen.

Good luck!  (+ info)

How to deal with sciatica while pregnant?

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I just got off the phone with a telenurse she figures I have sciatica. She gave me some advice just wondeing if anyone else has experienced this and what they did to relieve the pain. Also if it affects labor and delivery?
All you can do is get plenty of rest. The baby is pushing on your nerve so there's not a lot you can do. Just take it easy and try seeing a chiropractor, they can give you some good advice on pain management.
As far as labor, it could affect the position you give birth in if it's painful but that's about it!

DO NOT TAKE IBUPROFEN!!!!  (+ info)

What are some ways to relieve the pain from sciatica?

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I'm only 14 weeks pregnant and have been experiencing a little bit of sciatica since my 10th week. It usually doesn't last for very long but when it does I can't even walk. I was just wondering if anyone knows of any ways of relieving the pain, and when it should go away. I know it's not from the baby right now but probably my insides moving around. Any similar experiences? How did you get rid of it?
I had that problem during my last pregnancy and found resting with my legs elevated about my hips helped as well as warm (not hot) baths and heat packs. Try doing gentle stretches and yoga, but be sure to have your doctors okay before participating in any exercise!  (+ info)

What can I do to relieve the pain of my sciatica while pregnant?

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I started having sciatica pain the last couple of days, last night I couldn't even walk on my right leg, the pain starts in my lower back, down my right buttock, then down my leg....I have a hard time sleeping as well. Is there anything I can do or take to relieve this pain? I'm 18 weeks pregnant.
Ask your doctor if it's ok to get a prenatal massage. This really helped me when I was in the same situation. Also my doctor told me to do light stretching throughout the day and to drink plenty of fluids. And to keep walking even though it hurts...Try sleeping with a pillow between your knees at night, this will relieve some of the pressure being put on that nerve. You can take tylenol for pain as needed if your doctor says it's ok.  (+ info)

What's the difference between chronic back pain and sciatica?

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I have been experiencing strong and consistent back pain for as long as I can remember (I am 25 now). It starts with a little discomfort in my lower back, and about 20 minutes later, if I don't take pain medication, my joints will start to ache on one side (my hip, my knee, my ankle). X-rays show some minor scoliosis and a compressed disc (L4 and L5). So far, orthopedic surgeons are reluctant to do anything or even take me seriously because I'm "not old enough to be in a lot of pain."

My question is, could this be something more than a compressed disc? I've heard mention of sciatica but I have no idea what that is. I can usually catch it before it gets too bad, but it takes about 4 pills a day (Excedrin, Advil, etc) and I don't think that's a good long term answer.

And, one last question - what can I say to the doctor to get him to take me seriously?
If you have documented scoliosis and a compressed disc-L4/5, you quite likely have sciatica--pinched nerve at the site of the disc compression--which is causing the pain you feel all the way to your foot. Have you been put on a physical therapy regimen for the compressed disc or fitted for a brace for the scoliosis? I had back pain like yours from about age 28; at age 38, they wanted to fuse my lower spine; I resisted until age 53--what a mistake. I now have permanent chronic pain, "failed back syndrome" and must take very strong pain meds daily. I can no longer function like an average, well person my age. What to say to the arrogant doctor who thinks you're not old enough to have a lot of pain? "You're fired!" Try going to a neurosurgeon, getting an MRI to see if there's more going on (spinal stenosis, for example). Just because you're young doesn't mean you shouldn't be taken seriously. Do you feel like being disabled the rest of your life because of what one jack-ass said to you? You MUST be your own health-care advocate!  (+ info)

How can you treat a sciatica at home?

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I believe I have a sciatica. My massage therapist told me I was at risk for getting it and now it has happened. I have lower back pain shooting down my leg. Has anyone had to deal with this, and how can you help the pain at home?
Ah yes, you sound like you have sciatica. I've had it for ten years. Not fun at all.

Here are the things that have helped me:
1. LISTEN TO YOUR BODY. If you are having a "bad day," take it easy. If you don't, you are doing nothing more than causing further inflammation.
2. Alternate heat and ice
3. Use OTC NSAIDs...ie. Aleve (works best for me) and Ibuprofen
4. Exercise (strangely enough)!! You can find some GREAT, easy sciatica exercises here:
http://www.spine-health.com/topics/conserv/Sciatica-Exercises/Sciatica-Exercises-Overview.html

If none of these help, consider steroid injections...or better yet, IDD therapy. I started IDD six months ago, and have never felt better. It's non-invasive, non-surgical, and IT REALLY WORKS!! Bad part is, insurance doesn't cover it. You can read more about it here:
http://www.iddtherapy.com/

Yes, it's not cheap...but I can actually pick up my toddler now...something I haven't been able to do since she was a newborn.

A lot of people can get away with home therapy...some resort to steroid injections, acupuncture, and physical therapy (I did all of the above). Surgery is a last resort. However...as a fellow sciatica sufferer, I can't say enough good things about IDD. It's simple, take about 20 minutes, and my pain is COMPLETELY gone.

I hope some of these give you some relief...just remember, LISTEN TO YOUR BODY!!

Best of luck!  (+ info)

What are the best excercises to lose weight with when having sciatica?

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I currently have sciatica (an old inury from a lifting accident) and I was wondering what would be the best fat burning excercises? I have been trying swimming however would like faster results as I normally spend 30 minutes doing cardio(15 mins on treadmill and 15 minutes on the cross trainer), I do do weights as well (machines) however this is not irritating my back for some reason Thanks all :0)
Do swimming but what ever you do don't do breast stroke as this will aggravate the sciatica. Treadmill is okay but within your limits. cross trainer is good but again can cause problems. Use a bike as these can really help and from personal experience caused me less aggravation.
Personally I would keep up what you are doing but include the exercises that will help improve your back. With an improved back then your cardio side can increase and therefore give you greater weight loss improvements.
I am sure you have this one already under control but make sure your diet is healthy as well as you can do as much exercise as you like but if the diet isn't right the changes will be slow to non existent.
I have included a link to my blog below where if you click on the bad back section it will take you through some useful advice that can help with sciatica. There are only 2 articles per page so you will have to click on the previous entries link at the bottom of the page to see the rest.
Finally sciatica isn't a nice condition but the symptoms can be improved, I would highly recommend you see a chiropractor or a physiotherapist to help you with your progress (if you haven't already) as all this advice is based on not having met you.
I hope it has been of some help and good luck with it. I too had sciatica for 2 years and now I am completely pain free and it all came down to hard work and lots of stretching.  (+ info)

Could sciatica be the reason my foot is cold?

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In a nutshell: I injured my back a few years ago resulting in sciatica and, whilst it's largely got better, it goes through bad spells (usually due to awkward sleeping positions) and is easily strained these days.

About a week ago, I slipped in my shower and hurt my back. Again. Since then, the lower right half of my body has been numb and stiff, and my right foot is extremely cold. Could this be due to my sciatica - never had the cold before, but have experienced the numbness?
If your foot is cold to the touch this suggests a vascular problem seek local medical advice.  (+ info)

How long til my sciatica goes away?

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I've had sciatica my whole life but there have been years between my flare ups and usually it only lasts about a week. It has now been two weeks and it just seems to be getting worse. How long did it take anyone for theirs to subside?
The not so good thing is that if you've had this problem your whole life it could have been getting worse over the years whether you felt it or not.

Treatments that may help are chiropractic care, PT, or if these don't help then a pain injection (epidural).

I'm not a fan of medication shots though, I don't know about you? There is a newer tretment available now called DRX9000 spinal decompression that helps get rid of sciatica. You can find out more here: http://www.ctbackdr.com.

I hope this helped.  (+ info)

What is the best treatment for sciatica--injections or physical therapy?

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I was wondering because my doctor referred me to physical therapy, but she also said that I could get injections too. For those who do not know what sciatica is, it is the strain of the sciatic nerve that travels from your back, through your leg, to your foot causing sever pain, numbness, and tingling in your foot.
Research demonstrates that overall, most people who have injections are no better off a week or two later. However, in people whose symptoms persisted even with physical therapy, therapy often becomes more effective once an injection has been administered. This is especially true for those whose symptoms are constant and radiate all the way to the foot.

Physical therapy is an excellent choice. While it's true that the term "sciatica" is often misappropriately applied, it is NOT true that you HAVE to know the exact source of the sysmptoms before it is treated. Rather, research demonstrates that sciatica (whether a true "radiculopathy" or a referred "somatic" pain from the intervertebral disc, or sacroiliac joint, or hip), or any musculoskeletal pain can be treated without expensive imagining or ever knowing the true pathoanatomic cause of the symptoms. It remains unknown in 85% of cases anyway.

Rather, assessment and treatment by LISTENING to YOUR history and observing what happens to the symptoms when you move is demonstrated to be a reliable and valid way to direct treatment...all by showing you how you can fix it yourself with very little intervention from a clinician. This approach to treating it is prevalant by physical therapist and chiropractors who are certified in Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (www.mckenziemdt.org). I would recommend you locate a practicioner who is certified in this.  (+ info)

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