sciatica

[robbieswife]

what is the best exercise for sciatica pain?

[beso]

Sciatica is due to injuries to the sciatic nerve most frequently due to spinal misalignment. The intervertebral discs are distorted putting pressure where the nerve exits the spinal column.

Exercise is not a treatment without getting a realignment first.

When I have had sciatica the misalignment was quite obvious by standing in front of a mirror. The imbalance in the curvature around the hip shows the direction of the problem. I went to a chiropractor to get it all put straight.

I was also prescribed a small lift in one shoe to compensate for a slightly short leg that was tilting my pelvis and my back has been great ever since.

Just as important as the treatment I learnt to understand my own body through yoga. I have performed the corrective manouvre myself. It is a great skill because it is much easier to adjust the spine immediately after it goes wrong rather than wait for a chiro appointment.

The knowledge of the body also helps recognising and communicating the nature of the problem and understanding the process of realignment. A good chiropractor will also help you implement postural corrections to avoid the ultimate cause of the pain.

A course in yoga under the supervision of a good chiropractor is probably the best solution.

[Supernick]

I had sciatica through my left buttock, and down my left thight that was agony. I tried to get it fixed by a chiropractor, who advised several yoga exercises as well as administering his own theatre of pain to me. To be fair it would work for a couple of days an then come back with a vengeance.
The only thing that worked for me was to return to normal exercise, even though it hurt to start. I cured myself through football in the end, which I'm, not sure is great advice but ultimately worked for me!

[Lil O'lady]

I found some temporary relief by getting a tennis ball, and squishing it against the wall with the buttock where the pain was - this also helps if you have pains shooting down your leg. Sort of press and roll the tennis ball around with your bottom. The problem with any effective massage is that the gluteus maximus is a big deep muscle and it's expensive to keep going back to a chiropractor to try and effect it thru massage - plus the embarrassment.

[Scarlett]

I found a TENS machine worked quite well. It didn't cure it but the pain was less noticeable.

[123everton]

I did a bit more walking the last time I had it.

[doglady]

Lie on your side, legs together and knees bent up as far towards your chest as you can get them. Lift both feet off the floor. Open up your top leg as far as you can without rolling backwards. Close it again. Repeat x 9. Turn over and do other side. Stop if it makes it worse! Get a Pilates book for more tips on doing it properly - you are looking for "The Clam".

[Dollie]

Just going through it myself at moment. The only tried and tested method I have ever come across (and I've tried a few) is 3 - 4 sessions with an accupuncturist. The one I am seeing at mo also does Chinese Cupping. I now prefer this to osteopathy, which I always used to use in the past, as this is a recurring problem for me due to an old back injury. Good luck Robbieswife. x

[robbieswife]

does anyone know the going rate for an acupunture session?

[Dollie]

Up North.... you could expect to pay between �30 and �45 per session.

[beso]

The topology of the interface between the vertebra and cartilage disks means the only fit together properly in one position. When the spine is misaligned they can be caught in a the wrong place increasing pressure in some areas, which is transferred as pressure to the nerve.

The movements required to release the disc and allow it to move back into position depend on the nature of the problem. Ensentially the positions are chosen to remove pressure from the area where the disc and cartilage are not sitting together properly allowing them to slip back into the shape formed when they grew.

In my case the release was acieved by laying face down, bending backwards and moving my legs to the side while placing pressue of tne spine just above the join with the pelvis.

[chrisignol]

think i have sciatica but had it on my left side with all the usual symptoms. now it has went to my right side shooting pains and uncomfortable. any ideas?