Treatment for Sciatic Nerve Pain?

I was having lower back problems when my daughter was almost two. A friend of mine is a physical therapist and she had me do a few things to see if she could help me figure out what might be causing my problems. She then measured from my hip bone to my ankle and figured out my right leg was about a half inch shorter than my left, not enough to be able to notice when I walked and such, but with lifting my daughter and carrying her around was enough to aggravate it to where sometimes I couldn't stand up straight.

She gave me a list of stretches and told me to get a heel lift to put in my right shoe. It worked! The heel lift only cost about $10. I need to wear shoes that will accommodate a heel lift at least half the day (no flip flops or open backed shoes). Or you could permanently affix a lift inside your shoe with glue if it is open backed.

I'm sure any doctor would have noticed this, but maybe ask them if they did check for it.

I had tremendous sciatic pain when I was pregnant 8 years ago and was going to my chiropractor multiple times a week. At one point, I had a mini breakdown and said through tears and gritted teeth, "I have never had so many treatments with so little effect in my life!!"

Shortly thereafter a friend recommended that I see her acupuncturist. After a 45-minute session, I walked out of there pain-free! I doubt that your long-term problem would be taken care of so quickly, but I do think that a good acupuncturist could provide some much-needed relief.

P.S. The acupuncturist I went to is no longer here and I don't know any others. I suggest you call the Omaha Healing Arts Center to see who they might recommend.

if it's true sciatica a chiropractor should be able to help. If it's not and just feels that way, you should try a massage therapist. Sometimes our gluteal muscles can constrict around the sciatic nerve and give you lots of pain and all that needs to happen is to loosen up those muscles. you'd be amazed at how much that can help.
hope that helps and good luck
A.

I had the same problem 10 years ago in college and didn't go to a doctor...I didn't want to miss playing my freshman year of softball. I finally woke up one day and it took me 20 minutes to walk up the stairs...and I couldn't walk, I actually had to crawl. My dad had to carry me to a doctor. We did the physical therapy, but when I stopped doing that, the pain came back. They finally gave me an MRI and found that I had a herniated disc that was pinching my sciatic. That was my first thought when I read what you wrote. I'm very surprised the MRI didn't show anything. Have they tried a cortisone(sp?) shot in your spine? Or steriods? Those are the first 2 things they tried on me, but neither worked and I ended up having to have back surgery. Check on the shot and steroids. And if those don't work, maybe get a second opinion on the MRI. I just can't believe you would be having the exact same symptoms I had with nothing on the MRI!

Good luck!!!! And trust me, I know the pain you are going thru...just be stong! K.

Please, Please, please, try massage therapy, not just one relaxation massage either. actual regular treatment. you will save your body and money in the long run. If you had natural child bith or an epidural, it is possible that your sacram and pelvic ligiments need realignment. more than just getting an adjustment at the chiropractors. try diffrent therapist untill you find one that will truly work with your body. trust me it will save you alot of pain!

I have similar pain. Befor and during my first pregnancy my sciatia was horrible down the left side of my leg. Then for no seeming reason it was completely gone after the birth until now-13 weeks into being pregnant for the 2nd time.

I've wondered if it wasn't because i was a little overweight before the preg and then of course gained more..and then I lost it got better...?

I've also noticed it is MUCH worse depending on the shoes i wear-if they have little support by the end of the day it's excrutiating. Yesterday I wore my dansko's and it was a mostly pain free day. My son is also 30 pounds and carrying him definately aggravates it.

I've tried the chiro, deep tissue massage, heating pads, etc. Usually for me the massage helps the most-at least for a bit.

I really think a lot has to do with posture-especially if nothing is coming up on the mri. I know my posture is not ideal and then you add the carrying a child and wearing the flip flops-it adds up. Excercises to strengthen the gluts also help.

Good luck-I literally feel you pain!

Have you tried chiropractors? If you go to one and don't get better after several treatments, try another one or two before you give up. They all do things a little differently and have different focuses.

Have you tried a TENS unit for it?

Hi T O,

I too have this but mine is from a previous surgery. I have seen a physical therapist and she gave me a sciatic belt to ware and exercises. This seemed to help me. There is also acupuncture you could try.

Oh how I know your pain. I found a doctor in the Dells who has help me out of this pain...between Doctor Moran and Doctor Waters..I can't say enough. their websit is www.watershealthcenter.com or -800-200-7178 I hope this helps...D.

Hello, My Name Is K.

I've had sciatic pain ever since I was in a auto accident in 1987. I have tried everything under the moon and nothing worked. Then a Neurologist put me on 75Mg of Nortriptylin.
It took about 3 weeks to a month to get into my system but I tell you what It took the edge off of the pain. If I were you I would tell my doctor about it, because It really helps sciatic pain. I Hope this helps you.

K.

I too suffer with an irritated sciatic nerve issue and the only way I find relief is pain relievers and plenty of walking exercise. It may worsen when you start your exercising walking program but as time has gone on it has definately helped.

Hi T O
You may find it hard to believe (like most people) but your body can heal itself if given the right nutrition. If you want to learn more just email me and I can share with you.
Blessings,
L.

Try Hyjek Chiropractic Care in Uptown. They use a machine to adjust called the Pro Adjuster and they also do extensive thermal readings on your spine, etc. They are excellent. Their # is ###-###-####. Tell them A. Mason referred you.

the only thing that has helped me is chiropractor, stretching,deep tissue massage and warm baths. I started playing on a soccer team along with my kicboxing and I have been really messing my back up bad-I also have prescription orthodic inserts.

Exercise and stretches. It helped me (51, running every day, had problems for many years, they were gone after I practiced focused stretches). It helped my mom (75, she was already on injections and pain killers, couldn't walk across the airport when traveling). Unless your problem is something else, believe me you can get it under control within a copule of weeks. But you will have to stick to thee exercises for the rest of your life. Which will do you good, anyway!
J.