The term “sciatica” is often confused with general back pain. However, sciatica is not just limited to the back. The sciatic nerve is one of the longest and widest nerves in the human body; it extends from the lower back, through the buttocks, and branches down each leg, ending at the soles of the feet.
Thus, the shooting pain associated with the compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve radiates along the same route, emanating from the lower back and culminating at the tip of the big toes of the feet.[12]
Since the sciatic nerve is responsible for regulating the movement of several muscles in the thighs and legs, this kind of painful nerve irritation and inflammation can be extremely debilitating. However, one must bear in mind that there is no uniformity in the severity and symptoms of various sciatica episodes.
The discomfort can range from mild swelling, muscle weakness or numbness, and a tingling sensation along the nerve site to far more excruciating pain that feels like an intense electric shock. In severe cases, the stabbing pain worsens with the slightest movement, rendering the patient completely unable to bend their knees, move their foot and toes, walk, or even stand.
It most commonly occurs in people between the ages of 30 and 50 years.[1]
It usually affects only one part of the body but tends to be severe and debilitating.
Contents
Signs and Symptoms of Sciatica
Pain is the most common symptom of sciatic nerve pain. The pain usually extends from the lower back to the rear of the thigh and down through the leg. The pain can range in severity and may be aggravated by sitting for long periods.
It can be accompanied by symptoms such as:
- Burning or tingling sensation down the leg
- Shooting pain that causes difficulty standing up or sitting down
- Numbness and weakness down the affected leg and even in the toes
Causes of Sciatica
- Sciatica is most often caused by a herniated or slipped disc. These discs form a cushion between the spinal vertebrae and keep them in place. With advancing age, these jelly-filled discs tend to degenerate or rupture, causing the fluid to leak out. As the discs progressively become thinner and harder, they tend to stress out the adjoining nerves in the lower back.
- Moreover, a weakened intervertebral disc might slip from its place and protrude forward, exerting greater pressure on the sciatic nerve fibers. A slipped disc can result from spinal injury or trauma and from years of bending or sitting for extended periods.
Besides this usual culprit, the compression of the sciatica nerve might be rooted in a number of other factors including:
- A spinal injury or infection
- Degenerative disc disease, which involves the gradual breakdown of the cushioning discs between spinal vertebrae
- Development of bone spurs or bone overgrowths on your vertebrae
- Pregnancy
- Spinal stenosis or narrowing of the spinal canal
- Isthmic spondylolisthesis, wherein a vertebra slips forward overlapping another one
- Piriformis syndrome, in which the piriformis muscle, located deep in the buttocks, spasms or tightens, putting pressure on the adjoining sciatic nerve
- Pelvic injury or fracture
- Tumors
Risk Factors
People in their thirties and forties have a higher risk of developing sciatica. Even people who are into jobs that require lifting heavy loads for long periods or those who enjoy a sedentary lifestyle are more likely to develop sciatica. Moreover, the following factors can make one increasingly susceptible to developing this condition:
- Being tall
- Smoking
- High stress levels
- Physically demanding work that involves a lot of strenuous activity, such as frequent lifting, especially while bending and twisting
- Jobs that require extensive driving, especially if it causes vibration of your whole body
- Excessive body weight, putting extra pressure on the spine
- Diabetes, which increases the risk of nerve damage
- Sitting for long stretches
Dealing with Sciatica Pain
Although sciatica pain usually resolves on its own with adequate time and rest, some cases might warrant primary treatment or even surgery. You might even have to enlist the help of a physiotherapist who will determine appropriate exercises for your condition.
Sciatica exercises are designed to strengthen the spinal column and the surrounding muscles and tendons and, thus, can substantially assist with pain management and help you retain or recover mobility.
Depending upon the root cause of the pain, and after taking account of your symptoms and complete health history, the doctor might prescribe the following methods to alleviate your painful discomfort:
- Sciatica sufferers must refrain from sitting for long periods of time on end, unless it is more comfortable than standing.
- Keeping yourself comfortable while staying active is key. You can benefit from alternating lying down with short walks. Staying bed-ridden can prove counter-intuitive and end up aggravating other parts of the body. It is recommended to gradually increase your walking distance, but only if you feel up to the task. Exerting your body through painful walking sessions will only amplify the damage.
- Another way to soothe the pain is by applying a heating pad on a low or medium setting to the affected area, for 15 to 20 minutes every 2 or 3 hours. You can even swap one heating pad session with a warm shower, and try both these therapies alternatively. Moreover, if you don’t want to go to the trouble of switching pads every few hours, try a single-use heat wrap that can last you for up to 8 hours.
- Applying a cold compress or an ice pack for 10 to 15 minutes every 2 to 3 hours might also prove helpful in relieving your pain to a certain degree. Neither heat nor cold therapy is conclusively backed by science for effective pain management, but since they come without any side effects, there is no harm in trying both to see which one works for you.
- You can take over-the-counter NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, aspirin and muscle relaxants to relieve the pain. However, be mindful not to become excessively dependent on these analgesics which are only recommended for temporary relief. Long-term use of such strong medications will do more damage than good for this particular condition as well as your overall health.
- If your symptoms fail to subside despite these first-line treatments, your doctor may recommend more aggressive treatments such as physical therapy, massage therapy, chiropractic treatments, acupuncture, yoga, or a combination of these modalities.
- After 6-8 weeks of the aggressive treatments, if there is no noted improvement, then it is possible to move to the next step which would be epidural injections followed by a possible surgical intervention. It is important to note that 80 percent of patients will not require to go beyond the aggressive treatment modalities.
Prevention
The following preventive steps can help stave off this condition from developing or recurring:
- Try to maintain an upright posture when standing, walking and sitting. When standing for extended periods, try to rest one foot on a stool or box at regular intervals.
- Work out your core muscles in the abdomen and the lower back from time to time, by undertaking certain exercises that have been approved by your doctor or physiotherapist. Customize your exercise regime as per your strengths and weaknesses, and stick with it. A regular dose of aerobic fitness can go a long way in strengthening your back and improving your muscle flexibility.
- When lifting heavy objects, exert maximum pressure on your lower extremities. A safe lifting technique entails holding the object close to your as you lift it up, bending only the knees while keeping the back straight. By holding the load close to your body, you are essentially minimizing the stress on your lower back. Also, the entire brunt work is carried out by the hips and legs, not the back. Take the help of a partner if the load is excessively heavy.
- Use ergonomic furniture to keep your back well supported, especially when seated. The ideal chair for sciatica patients are designed to provide adequate lower back support and usually come with an armrest and a swivel base. Moreover, maintain an appropriate sitting posture by placing a rolled towel or cushion in the small of your back to retain its normal curve.
- Quit smoking.
- Keep your weight in check, as excessive body load can irritate the sciatica nerve.
- Use a mattress that’s neither too hard nor too soft for sleeping.
When to See a Doctor
Mild sciatica usually goes away over time. Call your doctor if self-care measures fail to ease your symptoms or if your pain lasts longer than a week, is severe or becomes progressively worse. Get immediate medical care if:
- The sciatica symptoms afflict both your legs at the same time
- You have sudden, severe pain in your low back or leg and numbness or muscle weakness in your leg, thigh, pelvis or buttocks
- The pain follows a violent injury, such as a traffic accident
- You have trouble controlling your bowels or bladder
- If you develop redness or swelling on your back or around the spine
- You have an unexplained fever accompanied by back pain
- You are plagued by excruciating pain that gets aggravated when you lie down, and keeps you up at night
- You experience a burning sensation while urinating or notice blood in your urine
- Severe, unflinching pain that fails to diminish despite proper rest, care, treatment and exercise, such that it disrupts your daily routine and keeps you from performing even the most basic activities
How to Relieve Sciatica Nerve Pain Naturally
Although there are many conventional treatments for sciatica, they may only ease the pain temporarily. Plus, most steroid injections can cause serious side effects.
You can use some home remedies and natural therapies as well to reduce inflammation and pressure on the irritated sciatic nerve. Plus, in most cases, the problem goes away with time (around 6 weeks) and rest.[2]
Here are the best home remedies for sciatica.
1. Apply Hot or Cold Compresses
Using hot or cold compresses can help relieve sciatica pain and inflammation.[3]
Heat treatment relaxes tense muscles that may be compressing the sciatic nerve.
Cold treatment reduces swelling around the nerve and also numbs the pain.
You can also alternate heat and cold, starting with the hot compress and ending with the cold compress. When using heat, use moist heat like a steamed towel as it is more effective.
- Place a hot or cold pack on the affected area for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Do this every few hours until you get relief.
2. Low Back Massage
Massage therapy can relieve sciatica pain and also help the body heal itself, especially if the problem is caused by a muscle spasm.
A study points out that massage therapy is effective in reducing chronic low back pain.[4]
Low back pain is a common symptom of sciatica.
A 2014 study reports that deep tissue massage may be as effective as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for relieving low back pain.[5]
Plus, massage helps release tension, stimulate circulation and increase the range of motion.
- Massage the affected area with St. John’s wort oil 2 or 3 times a day until you get relief. St John’s wort has anti-inflammatory properties that help relieve sciatica pain and inflammation.
- Another option is to add 3 tablespoons of nutmeg powder to 1 cup of sesame oil. Heat the mixture. Allow it to cool and massage the affected area with it when it is comfortably warm. Do this a few times a day for a few weeks.
- You can also consider trigger-point massage therapy at least once daily. Pain in the lower back, buttocks and side of the thighs is often associated with trigger points in the gluteus medius and minimus muscles.
3. Exercises to Relieve the Pain
In addition to rest, maintaining normal activity is highly beneficial for dealing with sciatica.
A day or two after a sciatica flare up, you can start a regular exercise program to strengthen the abdominal and back muscles. Strengthening the core muscles helps facilitate quick recovery.
A study done on rats suggests that progressive exercise training decreases peripheral neuropathic pain by reducing levels of certain inflammation-promoting factors.[6]
You can do Knee to Chest Stretch to help reduce the irritation of the sciatic nerve and improve flexibility of your lower back.
- Lie on your back on a mat with your feet straight and hip-width apart.
- Keep your upper body relaxed and bend your right knee upwards with an inhale.
- Clasp your hands behind the thigh and gently pull it towards your chest as far as is comfortable.
- Keep the other leg flat on the surface.
- Hold this position for 20 seconds with controlled deep breaths and then lower your leg gently.
- Switch legs and repeat.
- Repeat 3 to 5 times.
- Finally do this exercise with both the legs 3 to 5 times.
You can also do exercises like spinal rolling, knees rocking, floor twists, backblock, back extensions, sciatic-mobilizing stretches and certain yoga poses like the cat-cow pose and pigeon pose to help relieve sciatica and lower back pain. You can try spinal decompression exercises as well.
4. Take Turmeric
Turmeric is another effective natural remedy for sciatica because of its anti-inflammatory properties. It contains a compound called curcumin that helps reduce nerve pain and inflammation.
A study reports that treatment with curcumin during the early stages of peripheral neuropathy can prevent the development of chronic neuropathic pain.[7]
- Add 1 teaspoon of turmeric to 1 cup of milk. You can also add a small cinnamon stick. Boil the solution. Sweeten this healthy drink with honey and drink it once or twice daily until you see improvement.
- Another option is to take 250 to 500 mg turmeric supplements 3 times a day for several weeks. Consult your doctor first.
5. Use Capsaicin Cream
Capsaicin cream can be used for the treatment of sciatica nerve pain.
Cayenne pepper contains an active ingredient called capsaicin that works as a natural pain reliever. It helps deplete the levels of a neurotransmitter called substance P, which transports pain signals.
In fact, a 2011 study suggests that topical use of capsaicin may be beneficial in pain management.[8]
- Buy a cream or ointment containing 0.025 to 0.075 percent capsaicin.
- Apply it on the affected area up to 4 times a day, at least for 1 week.
6. Try Acupuncture
Acupuncture is another effective natural treatment to relieve sciatica pain, relax the muscles and help your body heal itself.
Another theory is that by stimulating certain acupuncture points, the central nervous system is also stimulated, in turn triggering the release of chemicals that either change the perception of pain or produce a sense of well-being.
A study published in the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine found that warmed acupuncture with heated needles helped improve sciatica pain. In fact, 17 of the 30 participants got complete relief from sciatica after acupuncture therapy.[9]
Always have acupuncture therapy performed by a skilled and experienced acupuncturist.
7. Spinal Manipulation
Chiropractic care is an increasingly popular natural treatment for neck and back pain. Chiropractic spinal manipulation includes different techniques involving rapid, short thrusts to alleviate nerve irritability responsible for inflammation and other symptoms associated with sciatica.
A 2010 study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that spinal manipulation benefited 60 percent of the study participants suffering from sciatica to the same degree as a surgical intervention could have provided.[10]
Consult a doctor of chiropractic medicine for proper treatment, depending on the exact cause of your sciatica pain.
8. Yoga and Stretching
Sciatica patients often report experiencing pain after prolonged sitting or standing as well as after sudden and abrupt movements. Moreover, the discomfort is made worse by scrunching or shortening the spine caused by movements like elevating the legs up, bringing the knees toward the chest or squatting.
Quite to the contrary, stretching exercises, yoga and the simple act of laying down can help lengthen your spine and thereby reduce the sciatica-induced stiffness, inflammation and pain in the back.
Yoga, in particular, was found to be especially productive in mitigating pain and disability in sciatica patients. A study further attested to the safety and credibility of yoga in alleviating chronic back pain.[11]
The best yoga and stretching exercises for sciatica patients aim at working out the back muscles, and are designed to simultaneously build muscle strength as well as relax the stiffness in the affected areas. Owing to the efficacy of such core strengthening exercises, they are routinely incorporated in the rehabilitation settings for post-surgery sciatic nerve patients.
Additional Tips
- Stretching exercises for your low back can help relieve nerve root compression.
- Do not make sudden twists or jerks that can affect the spine.
- Adopt a good posture to relieve pressure on your lower back.
- Practice proper lifting techniques with your back straight and knees bent.
- Sleep on a mattress that is neither too firm nor too soft.
- Get regular exercise, but do not engage in intense exercise.
- Avoid cigarette smoking as it promotes disc degeneration.
- Try other herbal remedies, such as devil’s claw (1,500 to 2,000 mg twice daily). An alcohol-based extract prepared from the leaves of parijat, also called harshiangar (scientific name, Nyctanthes arbor tristis), has also been found useful in treating sciatica. These herbs have anti-inflammatory and tranquilizing properties. Devil’s claw may interfere with certain medications and may not be suitable for those suffering from peptic ulcers. Before taking an herbal remedy, check with your doctor for advice on dosage and suitability.
- Consider taking vitamin C, calcium and magnesium supplements after consulting your doctor.
- Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve) are sometimes helpful for sciatica.
- The best approach to preventing further exacerbation of pain involves preventative conditioning involving the modalities explained above. It is important to regularly perform these exercises even long after the pain has subsided.[13]
- Surgery for sciatic pain should be considered as a last resort treatment. Given the proper indications for an operation have been met, surgery can be expected to effectively treat the pain quickly. However, it is important to recognize that even without surgery, the pain is very likely to improve, over a 6-8 week period (not as quickly).[14]
Expert Answers (Q&A)
Answered by Dr. Martin M. Mortazavi, MD (Neurosurgeon)
How long does it normally take for sciatica pain to subside?
Sciatica pain is a common name for shooting pain from the back or hip down and deep in the leg to the knee, below the knee to the ankle or the toes, a result of the irritation of the sciatic nerve. The irritation usually originates from a herniated disk in the lumbar spine.
Usually, the pain subsides within 6 months. As it gives significant pain, the patient usually needs to have strong pain medication and anti-inflammatory medication and sometimes even need short term steroids. If these do not help, the patient might benefit from epidural steroid injections to the nerve root that is causing the pain.
None of these treatments are curative but palliative. Surgery is a curative treatment, which removes the herniated disk. As a majority of the sciatic cases resolve within 6 months of onset, if the pain does not resolve, or if the pain is not responding to non-surgical methods within the first 6 months, surgery is a good option. A majority of patients undergoing surgery will have their pain resolved.
Is walking beneficial for sciatica nerve pain?
Yes, unless walking worsens the symptoms. We usually recommend patients to stay mobilized. Often the pain also causes muscle spasm in the back, so walking often worsen the back pain and prevents patient from walking. In order to relieve back muscle spasm, we usually prescribe muscle relaxants.
Can sciatica affect both the legs at once?
Yes. A large, centrally located herniated disk can push both nerves of the sides. Also, a chronic disease called spinal stenosis that usually occurs with age and makes the spinal canal small can affect both sides.
Can sciatica cause bowel and bladder problems?
Yes, a large, centrally herniated disk can cause leg pain, weakness, and bowel and bladder dysfunction. This syndrome is called Cauda Equina Syndrome and is a surgical emergency.
The herniated disk needs to be removed immediately to restore function. Patient with bowel or bladder dysfunction should not wait to be treated with medicines or epidural injections.
What is tennis ball therapy for sciatica nerve pain?
There is no scientific data behind this therapy.
Can constipation lead to sciatica nerve pain?
Not directly. But theoretically, constipated people might bear down too much causing pressure on the spine. However, there is no scientific data about this.
Please provide some important care tips in regards to sciatica nerve pain for the benefit of our readers.
When the sciatic nerve is irritated, any action that can stretch it would need to be avoided. Many patients experience increased pain while sitting. Sitting stretches the nerve. I would recommend, avoid sitting for long durations and especially avoid driving.
I also recommend being active and seeing a physician, usually a neurosurgeon or an orthopedic spine surgeon for assessment and treatment. Avoid heavy lifting.
About Dr. Martin M. Mortazavi, MD: Dr. Mortazavi is the Founding Chairman of the National Skull Base Center. He is also the Founding Chairman of the California Institute of Neuroscience and the Director of its Cerebrovascular, Skull Base and Tumor program.
Dr. Mortazavi pursued a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Neurotrauma and Regeneration at Barrow Neurological Institute. In addition to treating the full panorama of Brain and Spine diseases, Dr. Mortazavi treats complex tumors and vascular lesions of the brain and the spinal cord.
Resources:
- The Johns Hopkins Medicine. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/conditions/spine_shoulder_and_pelvis_disorders/sciatica_85,P01382
- Sciatica . NHS Choices. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sciatica/. Published August 21, 2017.
- Lim K- H, Kim E- J, Choi Y- D. Effect of heating and cooling combination therapy on patients with chronic low back pain: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials. https://trialsjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13063-015-0800-4. Published June 26, 2015.
- Hernandez-Reif M, Field T, Krasnegor J, Theakston H. Lower back pain is reduced and range of motion increased after massage therapy.The International Journal of Neuroscience. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11264915. Published 2001
- Marian Majchrzycki, Piotr Kocur, and Tomasz Kotwicki. Deep Tissue Massage and Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs for Low Back Pain: A Prospective Randomized Trial. The Scientific World Journal. https://www.hindawi.com/journals/tswj/2014/287597/. Published 2014.
- Yu-Wen Chen, Yung-Tsung Li, Yu Chung Chen, Zong-Ying Li, Ching-Hsia Hung. Exercise Training Attenuates Neuropathic Pain and Cytokine Expression After Chronic Constriction Injury of Rat Sciatic Nerve. Anesthesia & Analgesia. https://journals.lww.com/anesthesia-analgesia/fulltext/2012/06000/Exercise_Training_Attenuates_Neuropathic_Pain_and.28.aspx. Published 2012
- Younghoon Jeon, Chae-Eun Kim, Dongho Jung, Kyunghwa Kwak, Sungsik Park, Donggun Lim, Sioh Kim, and WoonyiBaek. Curcumin Could Prevent the Development of Chronic Neuropathic Pain in Rats with Peripheral Nerve Injury.Current Therapeutic Research-Clinical And Experimental Journal. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3862204/. Published 2013
- Anand1,and K. Bley. Topical capsaicin for pain management: therapeutic potential and mechanisms of action of the new high-concentration capsaicin 8 percent patch. British Journal of Anaesthesia. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3169333/. Published 2011
- Mei-ren CHEN, Ping WANG, Gang CHENG, Xiang GUO, Gao-wen WEI, Xu-hui CHENG. The Warming Acupuncture for Treatment of Sciatica in 30 Cases. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0254627209600315. Published 2009
- Gordon McMorland, Esther Suter, Steve Casha, Stephan J. du Plessis, R. John Hurlbert. Manipulation or Microdiskectomy for Sciatica? A Prospective Randomized Clinical Study. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. https://www.jmptonline.org/article/S0161-4754%2810%2900211-3/abstract. Published 2010
- Chang DG, Holt JA, Sklar M. Yoga as a treatment for chronic low back pain: A systematic review of the literature. Journal of orthopedics& rheumatology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4878447/. Published January 1, 2016.
- Stafford MA, Peng P, Hill DA. Sciatica: a review of history, epidemiology, pathogenesis, and the role of epidural steroid injection in management. BJA: British Journal of Anaesthesia. https://academic.oup.com/bja/article/99/4/461/305514. Published August 17, 2007.
- Joshua DA. Effectiveness of Symptom Guided Therapeutic Approach in Treating Discogenic Pain with Radiculopathy Using a Combination of Directional Preference Exercises, Mobilisation and Neural Mobility Exercises – A Case Report. Proceedings of Singapore Healthcare. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/201010581001900313. Published September 1, 2010.
- Zaina F, Tomkins-Lane C, Carragee E, Negrini S. Surgical Versus Nonsurgical Treatment for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis. Spine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27128388. Published July 15, 2016.
Thanks for the information. My medical providers have just poo-pooed this condition. Never an explanation or info re: home management. “Just take this pill.”
Thanks to shears.
Thanks so much for the information. I’m suffering [leg inflammation down totoes] so painful can’t sleep. I do massage n use hot compress n it feels great can sleep now. God bless
All the se fantástico info are great for us thanks
Thanks guys
THANKS FOR SHARE USEFUL INFORMATION….
THANK YOU MUCH FOR THIS USEFUL INFORMATION!
Aloha is thank you very much
Hi! I have suffered for 8 months refusing to take painkillers. Then it hit me. I started to use combination of turmeric, boswellia and fish oil pills. Within days the pain faded. And within a month I was healed. I used no pharma garbage, only herbs and cold compresses. Never hot compresses as the nerve in the leg is inflamed. Heating it, will worsen the inflammation. Furthermore lie down with legs up and feet flat on the couch. It will relieve your back!
Thanks for the advice! I’m trying to help a dear friend of mine who is in continuous pain daily. He has tried heat compressions, DOESN’T work. He’s taking pain pills every night to kill the pain. My prayer is that this home remedy works for him. Thanks again for sharing your experience!
Please can you tell me which compresse weather hot or cold should be used in which situation of sciatica my dad is in severe pain.please tell some if know any.
Thanks for sharing these tips, sciatica makes me fell like end of world..
OMG..This is soo helpful. Thank you.
This sciatica pain is about to get the best of me, I’m going to try these exercises to see if they help, I pray they do. THANK You
I have been dealing with sciatica for the past few months and it can really be hard to deal with. The shooting pains into my leg make working really hard and there have been a few instances where I have had to leave early because the pain was just too much. I have been looking for some home remedies to help me cope with this so I am glad that I came across this list! I will have to test out those exercises. Thanks for sharing!
I’ve been dealing with sciatic nerve pain for over 3 weeks straight this has been the worst 3weeks ever the pain is unbareable uncomfortable to sit, lay down, stand all around annoying I’ve notice when I apply a heating pad against my back the pain shoots down to my ankle which is just excruciating I hope I find something to ease the pain
I’ll tell anyone one thing-I wouldn’t wish sciatica on an enemy. I was hit by an automobile 1996, and every year this sciatica gets worse and lasts longer. Doctors are reluctant to prescribe heavy-pain hitting medication, because they know sciatica has a way of resistance to any medication, because doctors know sciatica will soon either outlive the meds, but other than 800MG Ibuprofen, which its effects really wares off before-long anyhow. Ibuprofen along with extra strength Excedrin does good for a few days, buy have to switch back to the Aleve with Ibu, because these meds top-out within a few days-its a pain pill popping game. My inards are taking a huge beating during these sciatica episodes of spasms,
Thanks for tip i shall try them right im in alot of pain been dealing with this for 4 years
very interesting info. from where we get st. John wort oil. thanks
Thanks for the info. Although I’m not in “pain”, my symptoms are spasms, numbness and not being able to walk or stand on my left leg. It usually happens when I stand up or change positions while sitting or laying in bed. I’ve been to the emergency room 3 times in the past two weeks with no diagnosis. I truly hope the exercises and massage therapy will “fix” me. I get dizzy spells along with the spasms and it’s affecting my ability to work.
Thanks for tips
Thank you for sharing such an important and useful information. A
great service to mankind
This can be one of the worst pains to have to live with aside from the pain in my wrists from my car-pul tunnel syndrome. When they offered me the epidural to relieve the sciatica pain I figured that would be immediate relief and couldn’t wait, little did I know more often then not it doesn’t work, and I wouldn’t be able to get my injections in my wrists,which always helps. Now I have to deal with the two types of pain in the lower and upper parts of my body. I’m gonna try some of the suggestions and hopefully get some relief, although my hands hurt so bad massaging is out of the question. Thanks everyone for sharing.
Oh mine at last I read something useful about this pain that’s been irritating me for 2 weeks already. I had to cut my vacation short ’cause I didn’t no what was happening to me. Thank you for all that Info. My whole right leg hurts from my buttocks to my right foot and all my toes feels numb and the sole of my foot feel as If I had
a cut
I was just wondering if you still have the pain this is exactly how I feel right now. And wondering what you did. Thank you.
Hi! I like to thank you for this informative web sight. I’m new to this sciatic nerve pain and the systems I’m experiencing are right on. It helps to deal with conditions when your more familiar and have a better understanding of it. And thanks to those involved in the design and lay out of this sight. It was to the point that helps to start applying these suggestions promptly.
Anne July 15th, 2016, 11:09 a.m.
Hi, I also suffer with the sciatic nerve pain, My nerve pain is always in my lower back, the pain very rarely travels through my leg, the worst part of sciatic nerve pain, for me, are the constant back spasms it brings, the spasms are so strong, it takes my breath away with each explosive spasm! Does this happen to all who suffer with sciatic nerve damage? What do you suggest in using, when our back spasms, take us to our knees? These last two days, I’ve had to crawl, from one room to another, its just too painful to stand, any help, will sure be a blessing, thank you! 🙂
Thanks for the tips everyone Im new to experiencing horrible sciatic pain, and very thankful for the info, I’m trying to resist going to the hospital, this is my first time with sciatic neve pain will this be an ongoing problem.. will the pain return and is it from heavy lifting or any ideas as to how to prevent this from happining again thank you for any help.
I am facing this pain for last 3 weeks. Doing physiothrepay also taking medicines doing the above excersize but still it is there. I went to sea side and remain inside waves for around 5 hours , i went there after 2 years. so i guess something happened with my body and its still paining. is there any one who knows a quick therpay? I m 28 years old. I have to sit a lot and travel while sitting. that is my routine.
thank u ..v useful
Good info
Thank you for the info. Have bought several suggested products to try, and will do the exercises. It’s been a real pain in the butt lately and yep, legs too.
Noelle
Pain is excruiating. Have been to er twice now and drs there gave me steroid shots both times. They helped immediately but only lasted a couple of days then pain was back. Horrible pain. Ice works well and eases the pain. Also walking, if u can, seems to help. Sitting or lying down makes it worse. Good luck to anyone who is suffering from this debilitating condition.
I had it so bad it felt like hot water pouring down my leg, couldn’t sleep even on anti-inflammatory, muscle relaxer, nuerotin ! My leg was so stiff and hard from muscle spasms. I tried a remedy of just one that I had at the house- You boil milk with some water in it and put 4 or 5 cloves of garlic, I had minced garlic so I put 4 or 5 spoons of it in it. You stir and lightly boil it till it reduces down some, then I strained it and added some sugar- it took maybe 15 minutes and I could feel the fire leaving the nerve, I read to drink it 2 x day for a week or till you feel better. Thank God for something that worked, I was about to give up…
I have had sciatica, about 2 years now, but have tried many things. I find taking extra strong turmeric, from holistic store all natural, plus use real time pain relief, from Amazon, I can at least do things as natural as possible without taking drugs!
Thank u for d information 🙂 I m dealing with this from past five days .. I m having harrible pain 🙂 can’t walk ,sit ….its too paining 🙂 I m taking pain killers too with that .. As I HV small baby .. Need to tale care of her .. This I m experiencing for d first time ..
Why is it that people who leave comments cannot spell anything correctly? I have sciatic nerve “pain” which I would describe as more aggravating than excruciating. It keeps me wake at tonight because I cannot get my leg into a comfortable position .I am fine during the day when I am up and about but laying down is the trigger and I am very tired due to sleep loss.I am trying some exercises intended to relieve some of the pressure on the nerve. I can’t say they are doing much. I am seeing a spine Dr. in 8 days and hopefully he will be able to do something to alleviate this for me. Right now it is every night but it has been just on occasion that I have a bad night. I think going up and down stairs gets it flared up.I am taking advil, 2 every 4 hours : I have tried aleve, 2 over 24 hours and the past two nights I have taken 10mg ooxycodone. Has anyone had surgery and was it successful?
Sharon, I have had similar problems with bedrest and sciatic pain. When I wake up, it takes a while, but as I do some walking around the pain subsides. Night is a different story. I found that a pillow between the legs is a help, for a side sleeper like me. If you are a back sleeper, try placing the pillow under the knees. Also, the mattress you sleep on can make a big difference. I get better results with memory foam mattresses. Finally, have you given chiropractic treatments a try? I am lucky to have a very capable chiropractor who will is always willing to work with medical doctors to map out a good course of treatment. She is one of those chiropractors who does not claim miracle cures or that she can treat everything, but with spinal manipulation, massage, and electrical stimulation treatments, there has been progress. So if you go to a chiropractor, do some research, and try to find one who is reputable.
Good information for relieving pain
Good info thankx…
Thanks for this info it helps relieved the pain
A wonderful explanation…
I am unable to bend nd I have a lot of pain so what should I do of this pain
I have used accupuncture witb great success, combined with chiropractic. Within one week of onset and two treatments all of my muscle spasms were gone, pain level decreased 90% and I did not need any more meds. My insurance covered the Chiropractic but not the acupuncture and so I had to pay that myself. I’ve used a lot of ice and stretching and haven’t had any muscle spasms this for 3 years.
I should add I also work in the medical field and I would always use any kind of spinal intervention with injections surgery etc. as an absolute last resort. There can be lots of long-term side effects of those surgeries which can also be very hard to treat in and of itself.
Had sciatica flare up on 12 April 2017 and doctor prescribed pain pills and PT. PT ( physical therapy) guy had me do some 1/2 push-ups, leaving your pelvis on the mat as much as possible. At the max extension of the push-up simply exhale everything in your lungs and he would apply downward pressure in my lumbar area. Do this 10 times and rest. I repeated this 4 times in the PT area and several more times at home. Sciatic pain is gone. He explained that this forces the sciatic nerve to move and in some cases it releases the ‘pinched’ condition. Not recommended if you have obvious disk and spine issues but it sure helped me.
I received back injections for my sciatica a couple of weeks ago and since then my sciatica pain/discomfort has increased to where I can barely walk. when I talked to my doctor about this he could not give me an answer other than I guess we will have to try another injection. I told him no thanks. I still can’t walk.
Yes, injections are temporary solutions with me. My sciatica pain has bothered off and on for many years and the pain has been closer to excruciating than aggravating. For me, alternating ice pack and heating pad – ten minutes in cycles of three, lying down and elevating leg, and stretching exercises as well as hydrocodone pills helps relieve the pain.
I had one a year ago no matter how I tried to sit, walk, stand or lie down it’s so damn painful so I was rushed to the urgent care emergency that has no waiting & was given 14cc of morphine shot right away to ease the pain good for a week until I see a specialist who they referred to me. The specialist asked me to get an MRI which of course the result he read to me that there was a chipped disk on my L4 & L5. He did the procedure in the clinic then a week after he ran an acupuncture nerve test & electrical stimulation treatment on my back down to my left leg up to my toes as my lower left side was affected somewhat kind of numbness feeling that was uncomfortable. A week after that I did a physical therapy exercise in the clinic by their in house PT- it was a simple stretching & basic yoga. I was doing the therapy for one hour, twice a week for two months in the clinic. The pain was still there off & on so I was scheduled for an Epidural steroid shot the third month. Still continue with the exercise….still the off & on pain never want to leave me so the doctor scheduled me for another shot and that’s when I said enough for the shot. I will just continue doing my exercise at home and have my back and leg massaged every other night with a liniment gel topical analgesic. It works. When I wake up in the morning the feeling is so nice, so light that I can’t feel any pain or numbness on my leg….as much as possible I want to avoid pills & shots as it’s not good for our kidney & liver also….however, my brother in law had the same problem and he bought an inversion table and he’s using it once in the morning before going to work and once at night before going to bed and he claimed it really worked for him. I’m beginning to be tempted to get one and see how it works for me, too.
I have had sciatic nerve pain for over a year and it hurts so bad that I can’t walk or stand for long periods of time! Going to the Dr. and getting stretched hurts it even more! I don’t know what else to do! GRRR!
I have had sciatica for 3 weeks now and am seeing a Bowen Work Therapist. She has helped immensely with working the fascia to release the pain. It is an amazing form of therapy that I will continue to use ongoing.
I was in so much pain that I could not walk and was living on Ibuprofen and muscle relaxers. Now I am able to walk and sleep again.
I highly recommend looking into Bowen Work in your area!