I never would have guessed how debilitating this condition is.

Twice daily chiropractic treatments are helpful, but it is slow going.

Glad it did not show up when I was 2 or 3 miles from nowhere out hiking. I can walk about 20 steps right now. Then I have to sit or lay down for two or three minutes.

I suffered from sciatica and lumbago for about two years. My first doc sent me to a chiropractor who did something to loosen tissue in my low back. after a few months, I had no relief. I went to a different doc who prescribed physical therapy. The PT did the trick. Strengthening the abdominals was the key. Now I make it a priority to get out and walk briskly for a couple of hours at a time, several days a week. If my wife notices I'm limping, that's a big warning sign I'm slacking off on the walking.

My sciatica virtually disappeared when I started more regular workouts. When my sedentary desk job was replaced with one more active and allowing me more time at the gym, everything got better. No chiropractor, no PT other than core training, weight training and additional cardio.

When I was 25 I was rear-ended after stopping suddenly for traffic in front of me. I was in my Chevy Blazer, and the sedan that hit me was going about 35 MPH. The car submarined under my bumper and hit the spare tire. Most of the energy of the collision was absorbed by my spare tire and by his car, which was totaled. I saw the driver with his head in the passenger footwell, apparently looking for something and put maximum force on the brake pedal to try to keep from striking the car in front of me. This may not have been the best way for me to avoid injury although it undoubtedly prevented the car in front of me from being damaged and may have prevented significant injury to its occupants.

The back problems I'd had since my early teens became dramatically worse; I was barely able to walk. I was sent for an MRI, and a top neurosurgeon told me that I had "a pretty good-looking spine for a 65 year old". I reminded him that I was 25, and he allowed as how he knew that.

Chiropractic, stretching, running, bicycling, strengthening my abdominal muscles and losing about forty pounds all seem to have contributed markedly to my improvement. The sciatica rarely returns and only does so briefly.

Even if I were some form of medical professional I wouldn't know what would work for you. Keep pressing on until you figure out what does work.

Similar history to everyone else; back injury in my 20's, 40 years later still have occasional problems. Loss of weight, exercise and walking help a lot to keep it at bay. Also, I find that many chairs simply do not support my lower back properly, and will quickly bring on the first symptoms. I find a small pillow or cushion supporting the lower part of my back will alleviate or prevent problems. Airline and car seats are the worst offenders.

When I do start having problems, I find an old fashioned heating pad helps a lot---helps relax the muscles I think.

Herniated a disc (L4/L5) three days before I turned thirty.It happened at work.Had to get a partial lamenectomy for some relief.After care was pain killers and Physical therapy.They didn't help much.Started taking karate with my daughter and it made all the difference.I feel it was the working on balance and core strength that did the trick.....

I truely feel your pain and would not wish it upon any one.May you have a speedy recovery!

BOATMAN
john

I have been flat on my back most of the time the last ten days. I am finally able to actually sit up for more than a few minutes. A major victory.

If you note the date I joined this forum (08/1807) you will know the last time I was laid up by my back. I spent a lot of time on the net, and stumbled it.

Take recovery slow, and listen to your body. Slow but steady progress is the key. All the best.

See a pattern here?

Beer gut and poor core probably contribute more to sciatica than anything. And probably 90% of patients wont't take the responsibility to lose the weight and tone up. To them, a pill is easier and more desirable.

Kudos to those who do.

That being said, sure, it flares, and hurts, etc etc. Unfortunately, pills just aren't a good answer. For that matter, surgery isn't great all the time either (though some things only surgery will cure) I've had patients get better results with steroid shots, TENS units, manipulation (chiropractor or osteopath) for the most part.

IMO pills are a good short term answer but long term masking the pain probably is not the best answer.

I looked up TENS units on the Internet. If they work that well, for $50 or so, you can't really beat it. At that price even if it does not work it is no great loss.