<p>Does any one have any good anecdotal ideas to help some one through the crisis period of “my back went out” sciatica- the kind were the victim cannot be moved even a millimeter without pain.</p>
<p>There are pain pill to makes it, muscle relaxants to try to break up the cycle of spasm, rest- none of these have worked yet, it is worse not better after a week!! And the victim has/had a really busy life which is being neglected.</p>
<p>I have heard of heat/massage/acupuncture/etc.</p>
<p>I know there are lots of long term core strengthening’s to be done to help long-term, right now I am looking at finding a way for her to function again. Any past experience, no matter how creative, would be appreciated.</p>
<p>I have no words of wisdom, but will watch this thread closely as I have suffered from what they think is sciatica for years. The only thing that has consistently helped me is yoga–I guess it is the stretching. Most times mine is low grade pain aggravated by certain activities, sitting/sleeping positions and in my case weight :(.</p>
<p>years ago my husband had great success for his aching back with a home-traction system. I can’t remember the name and it may not be made anymore, but it involved him lying on the floor on a booster, his legs on a bench at a 90-degree angle and hoisting himself up in a harness. I’m not describing it very well, but the basic idea was that his own body weight was providing the traction. best of luck to you – it’s no fun.</p>
<p>I know someone with a similar problem - he has had great success with stretching exercises that he learned in physical therapy. They seem to actually provide pretty quick pain relief, not just long-term benefits.</p>
<p>Accupuncture/Chinese medicine. My ex’s back went out in HK when we were en route to our month of backpacking around China. He had a great time with that tennis game, but oh, the after effects…After a week of bedrest and muscle relaxants which didn’t help, the MD suggested accupuncture or chiropractic. My dad found a traditional Chinese Dr. who spoke English, and we went daily for 2 weeks. The taxi ride to the office for the first appointment was excruciating for him. After 2 days we could go out to lunch afterwards. In two weeks, we were off with our backpacks and some intermittent back pain, traveling China on trains. The Dr. used electrical stimulation with accupuncture needles, tiger bone plasters (yes, 25 years ago, some minute amount of real tiger bone in topical pads for the lower spine) and some exercises that I still do when I feel my lower back a bit. The treatment seemed miraculous at the time, and still does. I’d hope they no longer sell tiger plasters in China. Luckily accupuncture is available in this country, and there are some good practitioners. </p>
<p>I tend towards back pain, especially if I’m not careful with my yoga, stretching and abdominal exercises. Prevention is the key.</p>
<p>Are they sure it is sciatica? I have had success alleviating low back and radiating hip pain by having my psoas muscle released.
The release plus stretching has helped me.</p>
<p>Make sure you know what is going on with this before trying anything recommended over the internet! An MRI is probably necessary, but the doc will make that call.</p>
<p>I had similar symptoms quite a few years ago and had a disc which had ruptured and a large piece of disc material was literally compressing the sciatic nerve. A partial laminectomy/micro discotomy immediately remedied the pain. I mean absolutely I felt 100% better upon awakening form the surgery after weeks of non-stop agony. </p>
<p>8 years later I required surgical fusion in that area of my back but am doing great now.</p>
<p>Best of luck with this. It really stinks to be so incapacitated!</p>
<p>Basically, there is no quick fix, just rest. Take it easy. take anti inflamatories. Having dealt with this a while back, my ortho gave me naprocen and the command to take it easy. A little ice and a little heat. Then after it felt better, still take it easy…</p>
<p>You definately don’t want to mask this pain too much. You can seriously mess yourslef up (loss of bodily functions eww, loss of feeling in legs, arms) the pain is there to tell you to rest… Time is the best treatment for this situation.</p>
<p>As chruchmom noted, surgery is an option but… just as she noted, the tendency is within 5 years additional spinal surgery may be needed. This is why my surgeon talked me out of it a decade ago… I would skip chriopractic or any manipualtion right now until the swelling goes down around the afflicted area. rest, mostly ice, a little heat and lay down. </p>
<p>And if you haven’t doneso yet, go to the doc…</p>
<p>When my husband’s back spasmed for the first time in Germany, doctor made a house call and gave him a painkiller shot in the back. Then he got taught a bunch of back exercises which he has done religiously ever since. He’s gone to a chiropractor off and on, and still considers his back somewhat delicate, but he’s never had a major problem again.</p>
<p>I’m not sure the I can’t move is actually sciatica. Sciatica involves compression of the sciatic nerve (largest in your body…apparently as large as a finger) as it comes through the spinal column and heads down the leg.
Normally sciatica feels like a pulled hamstring, and the pain radiates down the leg. Classic symptom the discomfort worsens when extending the leg to drive a car. </p>
<p>So much for the lesson. Any back pain is excruciating. See a doctor for special anti inflamatories.</p>
<p>I would look into getting an epidural shot–given by doctors who specialize in pain management. The shot works for about 70 percent of people, and you can take as many as 3 over a 4 to 6 week period. I have had these shots 2 different times about 8 years apart.</p>
<p>Afterwards, have physical therapy and do strenghtening exercises religiously. I also visit a chiropractor every once in a while at the point when my lower back feels achy, and that takes care of the problem BEFORE we get to the “pain radiating down the outside of the left leg” stage. Good luck.</p>
which is being neglected.</p>