Sciatica Tips Anyone

[HappyHiker]

DH has come down with his first sciatica attack after a lengthy car trip (did sitting on his wallet contribute?) Anyhow, I haven't yet convinced him to go to the doctor, though he's getting closer, so he's doing a lot of standing up the last week or so since sitting on his right buttock causes a world of pain.

Until he gets to the doctor, does anyone have any tips/advice on what helped you alleviate the pain or get over your attack? I've been giving him an OTC night-time pain medication anti-inflammatory that lets him sleep okay.

He's doing some stretching, knees to chest kind of exercises in bed.

Thanks!

[janharker]

Find stretches to address the piriformis muscle that's just below the buttocks. For instance, lie on the ground on your back, leave one leg bent with foot flat on the ground. Bring the other leg up, turn the lower leg perpendicular to the body, gently pull toward the head. Or find your local yoga instructor to teach you the Pigeon Pose. Or take a look at this: "http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/flexibilityandstretching/qt/Lying-Piriformis-str.htm" You'll note that the directions tell you to lift your good leg; try it that way and my way of leaving the good leg on the floor. See what works best.

[Sad Eyed Lady]

MY DH has suffered with this for years and years. Sometimes he can go long stretches of time with no flare-up, then it might happen. I can across something recommended to help and it actually does - not a cure as in "it's going away", but it does bring relief. I believe it works on the same basis as accupressure. Take a tennis ball and while lying on the floor (or other hard surface) roll to one side and place the tennis ball on the affected side just where you back pocket would be, then roll back onto the ball. Lay on this for a few minutes, move off the ball for awhile, then back on the ball. This really does help. Please let me know if this works for your DH if he chooses to try it.

[HappyHiker]

Thanks for both your tips--I'm passing them on to DH...will report back with results--will have to ask a tennis-playing friend for a ball...

[H-work]

Walking, when able. Don't keep wallet in back pocket anymore. For flare ups, freeze water in dixie cups and use those to massage the area. You can peel off the paper as needed. Ibuprofin (large doses) were my drug of choice. Other anti-inflammatories caused too bad of side effects but the ibu seemed to work the best and with the least amount of side effects.

[Tradd]

H-work, thanks for the tip about freezing water in dixie cups. I'll have to try that on my piriformis syndrome.

If you don't have a tennis ball, but have a wooden rolling pin, try that! I've tried that for my piriformis and it worked well. I just covered my rolling pin in plastic wrap to keep it clean and not come into contact with the floor since use it for baking at least once a month.

[Tradd]

Also, something that really helped me when I was suffering terribly from my piriformis syndrome several winters ago before I moved closer to work (in stop and go traffic for up to two hours every weekday evening) - take a long hot bath, as hot as you can stand. The ibruprofen didn't do much for me, but the baths helped immensely.

[Rosemary]

what works for me: stretching everything. Think about the muscles that are not stretching when you are sitting. I stretch hamstrings, piriformis, and my entire back. I find that extended child's pose is very helpful for 'unlocking' the pain initially and allowing me to do more stretching.

[libby]

Chiropractic treatments are what keep me on track alog with working on strengthening my core muscles. When I do have a flare up I will alternate moist heat with ice packs. Twenty minutes each two times then take about an hour break and repeat.

[frmeital]

This is a link to a video demonstrating a very good stretch for sciatica, hope it helps:

Exercises for sciatica (http://natural-alternative-therapies.com/sciatica-stretch/)

[mm1970]

For me it's stretching, sitting on a tennis ball, regular exercise (swim, bike, run, walk - I tend to have more pain if I skip a day).

[wallydraigle]

Yes, piriformis stretch! You can do it lying down or sitting in a chair. It's the only thing that alleviated mine during pregnancy. I also found the leaning with my palms flat against the wall (like I was about to do a push-up off the wall), then extending one leg behind me at a time and holding (knee straight) for a couple of seconds would help.

[pony mom]

Check out my very lengthy massage technique on Page 2 of this Health forum under Piriformis Syndrome. Or see a massage therapist who does Pin & Stretch techniques.