Sciatica - ladies who also have this - HELP!!

[HollyDay]

My physical therapist very nicely informed me that I have "aggravated my sciatic nerve, AGAIN". Aggravated is a great word isnt it?! What can I do to stop this. He said to alternate heat and ice. Take warm showers and/or baths, do the stretches, let it calm down and start again. Okay...... All I did this weekend was bike - gently - with my children. And wear dress shoes to church. And paint my bathroom. And paint some of my bedroom. Really, nothing out of the ordinary - just life in general. What can I do to stop this cycle? I need to workout to keep my blood sugar happy. They said the tread mill was strictly off limits. What else can I do when the weather is bad (as it so frequently is where I live)? A gym is out - babysitting is just too hard.

[Crissy]

I am doing therapy now to relieve an ongoing case of sciatica. I haven't been able to walk on my treadmill for months. Sitting at my desk becomes painful after about 15 minutes, and driving long distances? Forget it! This time around has been awful!
So we're working on strengthening my 'core'. I've been meaning to ask here (Jean in Wisc., maybe?) about a book that was recommended for core strengthening exercises.
Additionally, a slow walk outside has been all I can manage, or when the weather is bad, just moving around the house more. I don't count it as exercise, though, because the pace is certainly not one at which my heart rate goes up.
In the end, I guess I'm no help at all. Just know that I am commiserating with you ((Holly)).
If you do find some relief, let us know.

[HollyDay]

I am using The Core PRogram by Peggy Brill.

[Liz CA]

My physical therapist very nicely informed me that I have "aggravated my sciatic nerve, AGAIN". Aggravated is a great word isnt it?! What can I do to stop this. He said to alternate heat and ice. Take warm showers and/or baths, do the stretches, let it calm down and start again. Okay...... All I did this weekend was bike - gently - with my children. And wear dress shoes to church. And paint my bathroom. And paint some of my bedroom. Really, nothing out of the ordinary - just life in general. What can I do to stop this cycle? I need to workout to keep my blood sugar happy. They said the tread mill was strictly off limits. What else can I do when the weather is bad (as it so frequently is where I live)? A gym is out - babysitting is just too hard.

with chiropractic care and also a little device called *SacroWedgy*. You can google it, it has helped and is easy to use.
Recently, I also found out that endo can be the culprit as it can stick internally to several organs and spine.

[Jan P.]

I pulled something about three weeks ago while working with a horse. Last night I turned over in bed, and now I have pain shooting from my hip to my leg. I've had this pain before during pregnancy so I know the feeling of sciatica. I'm taking evening primrose to help with the inflammation. I probably need to do more stretching too. I've had problems with bursitis in my hips too, so that too is probably causing some of the pain. I need to pull my _Core Program_ book out and start back up. I have those big rubber bands (flex bands) that I used last year with therapy on my ankles. That would help with stretching too. I've been told that my achilles are too tight, so I do need to stretch every day.

Holly, I definitely feel your pain!!

[Suzanne in ABQ]

Yes. I highly recommend The Core Program, by physical therapist, Peggy Brill. It's a series of exercises, designed for women (so it doesn't tax the pelvic core muscles) that gently strengthen the lower back, the upper back, the abdominals, the shoulders, and the legs (sort of). There are three levels, but either routine can be done in 15 minutes. I add a few other favorite exercises (since I'm down there, on the floor). It takes me about 17 minutes.

After years of physical therapy, and chiropractic, doing these regular exercises has "cured" me. I'm not really "cured", because I still have damage to my disks, and I still have fused (from birth) L4-L5 vertebrae. But, if I'm faithful with my Core Program, I don't need any doctors, or any Motrin. If I fall off the wagon, and I start hurting, I get back on my Core exercises, and I'm fine again within a few days.

Please get this book. :)

[Heather in the Kootenays]

I spent an hour or two every day working on core strength and stretching. I'm surprised that the treadmill is off limits. I also walked every day - very slowly - but my physio recommended it.

The good news is that it passed and never came back.

[Amy from WT]

I cannot say this loudly enough: FIND A GOOD CHIROPRACTOR!!!!!

I had a horrible time with sciatic pain, but haven't had one single problem since I began regular care with a chiropractor.

If you can find one that practices the "Blair Method", even better. A gentler, more effective method of chiropractics.

www.blairchiropractic.com for more information.

HTH!

[lisa in ohio]

Waaay before I had children. I worked with people who specialized in sciatica and were able to give people relief. It can be expensive but maybe you will have some progress. L.M.T. is a massage therepist.

Lisa