Does anybody have any suggestions for sciatic nerve pain?

[Loc Dog]

Check with your doctor, but I have 15 degrees of scoliosis since high school between pelvis and rib cage. An inversion table and losing weight helped a lot. Again, run passed doctor first. I went full 180 degree, but can adjust how far it goes and can just wiggle a little to stretch back.

 

[Creeperpark]

It would have been bad for 3 weeks on sunday. I've still been pushing myself to walk around and try stretches. Magnesium baths. Cold presses. Warm presses etc. But its getting progressively worse. Started lower back. Now it's almost constant in the left leg.
From what you're saying I'm already about doing what I can do for it in that case I hope it shifts fast. Appreciate the reply mate

Just keep moving and don't give in to the pain. Take walks and increase the distance until you hit the point of no return. You are almost there now friend. Take ibuprofen with food and keep moving. Acceptance of the problem will help you more than hating or resistance. Be patient brother your almost there. Keep us posted.

 

[exoticrobotic]

For longer drives I put a lacrosse ball under my cheek for massage

Sorry to hear of your back pain and sciatica @MCR0161

I've found stretching and deep muscle massage to help a lot using these things, especially the bollock looking one which i position either side of the spine for some relief.

I've got great joint/nerve pain/digestive relief from a soil probiotic.

It has significantly reduced my bloating/gas where i think the inflated small intestine pressing against the nerves of the lower back/leg is making these issues worse.

Hope you feel better soon fella

 

[X15]

Maybe try a colon cleanse. A lot of people have an overwhelming large amount of fecal matter stuck in their intestines which can cause back pain or nerve pain. Pressure from a lack of internal real estate. Gut/ digestive health affects a lot more than we think.
Best of luck Bud!

 

[Nannymouse]

So far, the chiropractors have done me more lasting good than any others. But now, one has suggested that x-rays (etc) might not be a bad idea.

Horse crashes, car crashes, lots of bale hefting and such in younger days. Am nearing 70 years eld, and the arthritis is jumping in on the fibro stuff.

I hold off from any OTC's and Rx's, as most cause guts to shut down...constipation hell. Oh, and yes, gut health makes a huge difference for my pain levels.

 

[bimblebrains_1]

i was a royal mail driver for years and that constant driving postion and the left leg doing the clutch,along with regular heavy lifting will give you siatica for sure bro,including the leg pains...i was put on light duties for a long time and it cleared up,then once i went back to driving it started again...i have since left the profession,barely drive now and had zero problems since...as creeperpark says bed is the worst thing for it but you gotta sleep so catch 22..it does take several months to clear up tho i'm not gunna sugar coat it,its debilitating and i know how you feel mate....hope things starts to improve for you soon ....... all the best .... bimble

 

[EnjoyingLife]

Some what seems excellent advice here. But I think I may go to the hospital and try and see a specialist. (Luckily we have the NHS in the UK so it wont cost any more than my national insurance contributions already paid) I've always been active even when inactive. Working in property services theres a lot of heavy labour.
For the record here my pain threshold is quite high. But this is constant and debilitating. I cant pin point exactly where it is. Because it started lower back. Moved down my legs and decided to stick around the left leg with the most pain focused on the hamstring and calf area.

I also understand a weed forum isn't the place for medical advice but its always the place I've found people will respond with their own issues/solutions. I love the weed family

I am no doctor but am a practicing massage therapist for about a decade and have a little physical therapy training.
While out of my scope of practice I will say those stretches will open the area.
I would go to a doctor for at least an X-ray as it'll show if the nerve is impinged.
There's sciatica which is nerve impingement starting at the spinal level (lumbar spine if I'm not mistaken, it's been awhile) and then there's piriformis syndrome which is essentially the piriformis (hip rotator, under glutes) getting inflamed leading to swelling thus pressing on the sciatic nerve as it passes between the piriformis and IDR which other hip rotator.
Piriformis syndrome presents like sciatica as the nerve is being pressed on more than it would like to be (impinged?).
So many names...

 

[BusyB]

Sorry to hear this, I have degenerative discs, nothing has worked for my sciatic pain, tried everything, I get it in both legs, and numb feet.
In constant pain.
Surgeon said after 3 MRIs nothing can be done.
Still awaiting pain clinic after 2-3 plus years.
Hope you find something that works for you.

 

[EnjoyingLife]

I forgot to mention the IT Band (Iliotibial band) when I was naming stretches.
How silly of me...

 

[Cactus Squatter]

Exercise, lots of exercise and stretching.
Squats, lunges, yoga, bear crawling.
I also get a monthly deep tissue massage.

If I don’t do that along with staying very hydrated mine really acts up. If not my sciatic, it’ll be my psoas.

 

[EnjoyingLife]

Exercise, lots of exercise and stretching.
Squats, lunges, yoga, bear crawling.
I also get a monthly deep tissue massage.

If I don’t do that along with staying very hydrated mine really acts up. If not my sciatic, it’ll be my psoas.

Agree here but stretch first!
Open up the area, get it limber, no or as little pain as possible, then exercise/strengthen the area.

 

[Cactus Squatter]

Agree here but stretch first!
Open up the area, get it limber, no or as little pain as possible, then exercise/strengthen the area.

Do you ever see a cheetah stretch first???

I’m just kidding. Yeah, definitely stretch well before working the crap out of it.

 

[madalasatori]

If you sleep on your side put a pillow between your kneed

 

[madalasatori]

Also a firm mattress with a luxurious topper really helps - your spine gets to stay relatively straight but you get the comfort of the soft topper which if you have bony hips like me is a godsend

 

[GainesvilleGreen]

NL#5 or GDP works for me. Love Sativas but they make me hyper focus on the pain

 

[EnjoyingLife]

Do you ever see a cheetah stretch first???

I’m just kidding. Yeah, definitely stretch well before working the crap out of it.

No, but they are in nature all day doing animal things. Us human animals are typically caged at a desk =P

 

[mr.brunch]

Try and get a scan to pinpoint the underlying problem before attempting any stretches etc. as there’s always the danger of making it worse.
My sciatic pain is due to the lower discs being squashed (dehydrated and herniated) but they can offer steroid injection in the lower spine which can be effective- my sister has had this, and has kept her moving for a few years now.

 

[G.O. Joe]

I've heard good things about the inversion table but haven't tried it. Even though I've had the lower 4 discs go and also a couple in my neck. So, years of experience here.

Only once was physical therapy recommended to me and this soon developed into piriformis, even though doctors are taught that sciatica and piriformis never happen at the same time - they refused to diagnose me with piriformis no matter how obviously or long I had it. They also refused to give me steroid injections until over a year after first seeing each doctor - this happened twice - even though I told them the sciatica was bad 6 months before seeing them. They also refused to give me oral steroids until the very end last time even though they are ridiculously cheap and amazingly effective, for a couple of days.

Doctors who aren't pain specialists act rather adversarial to those complaining of back pain, at least if you look like me.

It's inflammation more than anything else, so I strongly recommend not aggravating any injury. It may fade away but probably won't without the steroid injection, which is made into a much bigger ($$$) production than it needs to be.

 

[Paradox808]

I've got 2 tennis balls in a sock that I roll on. Feels great up the spine & when put under the butt to release pressure from the nerve.

But getting bodywork is the best answer. You need a good stretch to pull it out, my buddy just did some on me & I feel loads better. Do recommend

 

[MCR0161]

Sorry for the delay in replies guys. The docs came back and said spinal stenosis is the root issue. So I'm gonna proceed with some stretches etc that they recommended. Quite a lot of what's been said here. Has been said by "professionals" too now. So I guess a weed forum can be good for medical advice I appreciate every single one of you that's offered tips and well wishes. I'll keep you posted on my progress here