[SkipNWis]

Has anybody ever had to deal with Sciatica? I recently have had an MRI and have problems of some sort with disks L1 through L5 with narrowing of the spinal column. Any help in what you did for relief?

Also if you had surgery did it help and what was the healing time?????

[Gigachip]

Originally Posted by SkipNWis

Has anybody ever had to deal with Sciatica? I recently have had an MRI and have problems of some sort with disks L1 through L5 with narrowing of the spinal column. Any help in what you did for relief?

Also if you had surgery did it help and what was the healing time?????

not laughing at you in pain, seriously laughing because I had the exact same thing happen to me. Had my MRI done late September. I now have a Dr appointment for a pain injection shot this coming December
Other than that, I now have pain meds. I do back stretches the PT told me about. Going to try and find a example picture.
PS: Thats the reason really I drive a truck now and the camaro is my wifes. She needed a car and I took the oportunity

Google search: thats basically what I did in PT. Hope this helps!

[BMR Sales]

Don't get Surgery for Sciatica - find out what is causing it and fix that!

Can be from sitting on a Fat Wallet, bad seating position for driving (happened to me in a certain car - got rid of the car & got rid of the Sciatica), bad sleeping position.

One time I was battling Sciatica ( didn't know what caused it) - I went Bowling and it went away!

[swampcritter]

I have had 3 surgeries on my neck due to disc being ruptured.3rd one was because I some how ripped out my screws and they said it could cut my jugular vein.I also have spinal stenosis and the pain sucks.Only relief I get is from Methadone 10mg 8 timesa day and I wear a Fentynal 100mgh patch.I tried injections but they did'nt help.I go to physical therapy 2 times a week and they give me a massage and those electrical shocks I think it's called (tens) which does help.

[radar1972]

I used to have frequent lower back pain until my brother told me about his 'inversion table' a few years ago. Figured it was worth a try so I bought one and tilted back on it to stretch the spine. Used to do it about three times a week. Now I only use it occasionally as needed. Best $150 I ever spent.

[kmarshall2121]

Had it once due to 2 deteriorating discs in my spine - Dr recommended a chiropractor, who after examining me put me on some all natural pills that find and rebuild lost tissue. 3 to 4 months on those, and some treatments, all cured. no more pain...

[Russell James]

For me water exercises are the best. Floating in the water takes all the weight off your joints and spine.

Whenever my back acts up, I start the stretches shown above and spend a couple hours 3-5 days a week in the pool. Just floating around with real light swimming or floating with a floaty noodle thing to hang on.

Avoid surgery until last desperate hope....even then, keep working on the stretches and swimming.

Best money spent on your back is a health club membership with a pool. Check a few out...go with the best pool.

My neighbor didn't listen to me after he hurt a vertebrae. Didn't try any rehab stretching, didn't try any swimming... now he's done one botched surgery after another and it is just getting worse.

My prob is narrowing of the openings, pinched nerves, pain, leg numbness.... pool time is a blessing for all that.

Also...build core strength. Once the pain is lessoned, get working out. Smart doc told me... your core muscles carry the spine. Most think it's the other way around. But to improve your spine...strengthen your core muscles. When you trust that fact - that the muscles carry the spine - you'll focus your efforts on improving and stretching those core muscles.

[sherob]

Originally Posted by BMR Sales

Don't get Surgery for Sciatica - find out what is causing it and fix that!

Can be from sitting on a Fat Wallet, bad seating position for driving (happened to me in a certain car - got rid of the car & got rid of the Sciatica), bad sleeping position.

One time I was battling Sciatica ( didn't know what caused it) - I went Bowling and it went away!

+1 surgery is a last ditch effort... and after you have surgery, the problem will just move up to the next weakest link, or vertebrae/disc in this case.

I had my L5/S1 fused, and now it's moved up... waiting to have a facet injection done when I get off my blood thinners in March. I have all kinds of back problems due to DDD and Spinal Stenosis... so I just try and stretch it out and use a TENS unit.

[Stingr69]

Sciatica or Spinal Stenosis? Sounds more like stenosis to me. Not a doctor here but I play one on the internet.

"Extension exercise" on the cart above is similar to what I do after muscular back injury from carrying too much or lifting too much. Push up type movement but keep pelvis on floor. Hold for a 10 count and relax, repeat 10 times. If that makes it worse, you need to stop doing that and do the "Gluteral stretch" shown in the chart above - bring ankle over knee then pull leg up to chest as far as you can and hold for a few seconds. repeat a few times for each leg. For me, its one or the other.

Visit a good chiropractor before trying these. I went twice, she showed me those exercises, no need to return for a few years until I put my spine out of alignment again and all i needed was a "tune up".

Hope this helps.

[DvKillar]

I am sure glad I'm not alone, here! got diagnosed over a year ago with DD in 3 neck disks. I visit dr. for now until I can save up enough time to get the surgery.
Lyrica is non-opioid and does wonder for the pain.

for your back issue, I have similar pain occasionally, but then I drop a couple of pounds and it goes away. Thanksgiving coming up and I have to lose weight in order to eat!

[xstuntman]

Yep, sciatic nerve lower back pain (like lightning bolts) occasionally knocks me to my knees and i also get the burning from butt to the back of my right knee. Seems to be worse in the colder months too. I've been told by several guys that surgery only helps to lighten the wallet. I have had good luck with exercises and a heating pad in the colder months for the last couple years.

My doc and i talked about the great results reported from acupuncture but no one does that here in Mayberry. Between the sciatica and heel spurs my running days are far behind me!

[jrhagen]

I fixed mine by losing roughly 20 lbs primarily around the mid section. More sex seems to help too. Losing the 20 lbs made getting more sex easier too.

Win win.

[Clarkstar]

I lost 30lbs.... no more back pain. Amazing what a difference a few pounds makes...

[sherob]

Originally Posted by jrhagen

I fixed mine by losing roughly 20 lbs primarily around the mid section. More sex seems to help too. Losing the 20 lbs made getting more sex easier too.

Win win.