# Looking for sciatica pain relief suggestions. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 10, 2013, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-sciatica-pain-relief-suggestions/673579 "2013-11-10T15:55:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Thylacine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thylacine/32/1143_2.png) [@Thylacine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thylacine)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2013, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-sciatica-pain-relief-suggestions/673579/21 "2013-11-13T03:08:22Z")
Long term the best thing I ever did was get a wii with balance board, and concentrating firstly on the balance exercises then adding hula hoop. Some of the yoga based moves were also excellent, sun salutation in particular. I used to list really badly to the left, changing that via seeing when I was veering and correcting and building up my corset muscles helped hugely. In the immediate I find door frames just the right height for me, on tip toes I can grab the architrave and slowly lower my heels to get a good stretch, your height will dictate what you use of course. Swill/balance balls are great for stretching out on but also for just sitting on. Stools rather than chairs will also help you build the support muscles. ---
**Author:** ![Marion\_Wormer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d07c76/32.png) [@Marion\_Wormer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marion_Wormer)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2013, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-sciatica-pain-relief-suggestions/673579/22 "2013-11-13T04:26:16Z")
I’ve had sciatica. Not perhaps as bad as others posting here. I’ve had a couple of things help me. One was the Lying deep gluteal stretch as shown on [the bottom of this page](http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Backpain/Pages/sciatica-exercises.aspx) from the NHS. The second thing was adopting good posture. In addition to sciatica I also have crompressed vertebrae in my lower back (thrown off a horse). One day I decided to follow what the posture nazis said to do. So for six weeks I stood up straight, sat up straight adjusted my keyboard, my chair height, and kept it up for every minute of every day. The first couple of weeks were awful, but after six weeks the pain was completely gone and it’s never come back, It will certainly do no harm to try this. I do warn you that the first couple of weeks are pretty awful, but it gets better after your body adjusts. ---
**Author:** ![MikeG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikeg/32/4329_2.png) [@MikeG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeG)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2013, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-sciatica-pain-relief-suggestions/673579/23 "2013-11-13T13:28:24Z")
Ive been doing that piriformis stretch as well as the hamstring stretch and all the others on that nhs link. However, im extremely limited in flexibility. For example, the hamstring stretch. Imagine lying on your back andpointing your foot up then lifting your leg keeping it straight. My gf can raise hers well past 90 degrees. I get excruciating shooting pain when my heel is only a foot off the floor or less!! I mean I cant even get to the stretchingpart before the nerve starts hurting. ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2013, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-sciatica-pain-relief-suggestions/673579/24 "2013-11-13T14:42:34Z")
Can you put pressure on your previous employer and/or your insurance company to get you what you need so you can get to the Doctor? That’s what I’d do, but I have a pretty low tolerance for that kind of pain. I’m bug them so much, they’d do whatever it takes to shut me up. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![MikeG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikeg/32/4329_2.png) [@MikeG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeG)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2013, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-sciatica-pain-relief-suggestions/673579/25 "2013-11-13T15:55:23Z")
Cobra will kick in on Friday maybe thursday afternoon. Cost me $450 to start, im going to the doctor and am resigned to bankrupting myself to get treatment. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2013, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-sciatica-pain-relief-suggestions/673579/26 "2013-11-13T18:22:13Z")
Glad you are getting treatment. ---
**Author:** ![DummyGladHands](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/49beb7/32.png) [@DummyGladHands](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DummyGladHands)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2013, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-sciatica-pain-relief-suggestions/673579/27 "2013-11-14T03:05:39Z")
I have had sciatica so badly that I tried getting off the toilet one morning and fell butt naked to the floor, and couldn’t move. Although (and admittedly I skimmed the thread), I don’t see that this is Dx as sciatica. Anyway, when I have the bad pain, I never sleep in a bed. Because I tend to roll on my tummy. I sleep in a recliner or on a narrow couch. Heating pad. Make sure your car seat is pulled as far forward as you can to still drive-the pressure on the muscle/nerve of stretching to use the brake or gas pedal, while sitting on the area, will exacerbate the agony. When it’s not hurting badly, or even not at all, I walk and walk-treadmill or outside, weather permitting. Posture yes. Stand up desk for work, or at least the option to sometimes use one. And I was told positively no stretching exercises, contrary to what I am reading here. Oh, and if you can’t do the recliner, put big fat very firm pillows under your knees to keep them bent while you sleep. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2013, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-sciatica-pain-relief-suggestions/673579/28 "2013-11-14T05:41:42Z")
> [@DummyGladHands](#): > > I have had sciatica so badly that I tried getting off the toilet one morning and fell butt naked to the floor, and couldn’t move. Although (and admittedly I skimmed the thread), I don’t see that this is Dx as sciatica. > > Anyway, when I have the bad pain, I never sleep in a bed. Because I tend to roll on my tummy. I sleep in a recliner or on a narrow couch. Heating pad. Make sure your car seat is pulled as far forward as you can to still drive-the pressure on the muscle/nerve of stretching to use the brake or gas pedal, while sitting on the area, will exacerbate the agony. When it’s not hurting badly, or even not at all, I walk and walk-treadmill or outside, weather permitting. Posture yes. Stand up desk for work, or at least the option to sometimes use one. > > And I was told positively no stretching exercises, contrary to what I am reading here. > > Oh, and if you can’t do the recliner, put big fat very firm pillows under your knees to keep them bent while you sleep. If the nerve is pinched between two discs and stretching helps to pull it out of that pinch (which it demonstrably does in many cases) why would it not be a useful therapy? ---
**Author:** ![MikeG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikeg/32/4329_2.png) [@MikeG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeG)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2013, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-sciatica-pain-relief-suggestions/673579/29 "2013-11-14T06:08:09Z")
Im starting to believe stretching is counterproductive. The naprapath said the stiff muscles are a defense mechanism and keep me from moving the nerve too much. All I know is the stretching isnt supposed to cause tremendous pain yet it does so for me. ---
**Author:** ![DummyGladHands](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/49beb7/32.png) [@DummyGladHands](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DummyGladHands)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2013, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-sciatica-pain-relief-suggestions/673579/30 "2013-11-15T02:47:49Z")
> [@](#): > > If the nerve is pinched between two discs and stretching helps to pull it out of that pinch (which it demonstrably does in many cases) why would it not be a useful therapy? Perhaps then there are a multitude of causes. The doc said mine was caused by over stretching the big muscles in my back, which allowed them to twist and pinch the nerve. And although it felt good to stretch, it didn’t help over all, and he cautioned against it. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2013, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-sciatica-pain-relief-suggestions/673579/31 "2013-11-15T03:48:44Z")
> [@DummyGladHands](#): > > Perhaps then there are a multitude of causes. Bingo. ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2013, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-sciatica-pain-relief-suggestions/673579/32 "2013-11-15T05:57:04Z")
Just wanted to say thanks for starting this thread, **MikeG**. I was thinking of starting one myself. My pain is not as bad as most are describing, but it is really frustrating. Lots of good information here. ---
**Author:** ![MikeG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikeg/32/4329_2.png) [@MikeG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeG)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2013, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-sciatica-pain-relief-suggestions/673579/33 "2013-11-20T02:44:41Z")
So I went and had the MRI done yesterday, price be damned. At this point my quality of like is really taking a hit. Left a message for the doctor to set up an appointment but no reply yet. I’ve got the CD from the MRI and have been looking at it. I have to say the resolution is WAY lower than the examples on Youtube. I also have the films apparently the prescribing Doc is “special” according to the MRI techs. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2013, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-sciatica-pain-relief-suggestions/673579/34 "2013-11-20T02:51:04Z")
> [@MikeG](#): > > So I went and had the MRI done yesterday, price be damned. At this point my quality of like is really taking a hit. Left a message for the doctor to set up an appointment but no reply yet. > > I’ve got the CD from the MRI and have been looking at it. I have to say the resolution is WAY lower than the examples on Youtube. I also have the films apparently the prescribing Doc is “special” according to the MRI techs. In my one and only experience ferrying an MRI from a radiologist to my specialist, the receiving doc didn’t even look at the CD images but went straight to the attached film copy, which was very apparently much higher resolution, even to my medically-untrained eyes. ---
**Author:** ![Edward\_The\_Head](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ce73a5/32.png) [@Edward\_The\_Head](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Edward_The_Head)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2013, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-sciatica-pain-relief-suggestions/673579/35 "2013-11-20T03:39:49Z")
I’ve had some problems with this on and off. I don’t know how much this has helped in reality, but I’ve started sleeping with a pillow between my legs. I thought it would be a pain and I wouldn’t be able to sleep, but damned if I didn’t. I haven’t woken up with any pain in my back in a few months now. I’ve also had good results with switching my wallet from one pocket to another. But if you’re a side sleeper try the pillow and see if that helps. ---
**Author:** ![harmonicamoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/65b543/32.png) [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2013, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-sciatica-pain-relief-suggestions/673579/36 "2013-11-20T07:45:36Z")
Find a good chiropractic physician. Yeah, they exist. Ask around. ---
**Author:** ![SerafinaPekala](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecae2f/32.png) [@SerafinaPekala](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SerafinaPekala)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-sciatica-pain-relief-suggestions/673579/37 "2013-11-21T01:55:15Z")
Have you tried kinesiology taping? [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/0T0NFeaymn0/hqdefault.jpg "How To Kinesio Tape for Sciatica Pain With RockTape Rock Doc Jon Torerk") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0T0NFeaymn0) ---
**Author:** ![MikeG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikeg/32/4329_2.png) [@MikeG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeG)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2013, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-sciatica-pain-relief-suggestions/673579/38 "2013-11-22T00:05:13Z")
I have not tried Kinesiology Tape. Honestly it seems a bit woo to me. Got the MRI report back. Highlights: “left paracentral herniation extending into proximal left foramen displacing left S1 nerve root posteriorly”. “moderate central canal stenosis and mild to moderate left foraminal stenosis” “mild right foraminal stenosis and mild facet hypertrophy” “chronic endplate reactive change” Impression: left paracentral herniation at L5-S1 …Now, I’m a pretty smart guy but DAMN that’s some obtuse shit there. Any Docs or MRI diagnosticians wanna break that down into less than 3 syllable words? Going to see new doc next Tuesday. Didnt use any vicodin yesterday or today but maxed out aleve and tylenol which is giving me a stomachache. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2013, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-sciatica-pain-relief-suggestions/673579/39 "2013-11-22T00:15:49Z")
> [@MikeG](#): > > … > …Now, I’m a pretty smart guy but DAMN that’s some obtuse shit there. > > Any Docs or MRI diagnosticians wanna break that down into less than 3 syllable words? > … The technical term for that is 'you’re in a hell of a lot of pain" ☹ I imagine the terms would show up on a google search but it would take a layperson like you (or me!!) a while to decipher them. i got a few of the terms - they number the vertebrae by the part of the back e.g. L-5 is the fifth lumbar vertebra. My daughter had a mild compression fracture in T10 (thoracic vertebra 10) for example. Maybe S-1 is sacral vertebra number 1? :::googles::: Yep, L5 is the lowest lumbar, S1 is the topmost sacral. So what I think it’s saying is that the disc between L5 and S1 is herniated (sticking out) and pressing against the nerve, pushing that out a bit. [The diagram I found](http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/spine_picture.shtml) suggests that the leg muscles are controlled by the lumbar part of the spine. ---
**Author:** ![MikeG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikeg/32/4329_2.png) [@MikeG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeG)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2013, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-sciatica-pain-relief-suggestions/673579/40 "2013-12-08T05:36:11Z")
Had my epidural early this morning. IT went pretty smoothly, propofol knocks you out fast! Still hurting but I’ve got the next two days off so I am hoping to see some improvement. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-sciatica-pain-relief-suggestions/673579.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-sciatica-pain-relief-suggestions/673579.md?page=3)