sciatica

[ingram]

Hi,does anyone no how long sciatica last?been having ache in my lower back and pain down the back of my thigh and lower leg,thankyou for all your answers.

[WendyS]

Sciatica is an indication of pressure on nerves caused by discs bulging or other parts of your spine out of alignment and in some way and the pain will continue until this situation is rectified. Painkillers can temporarily ease the pain but do not clear up the problem. One self-help exercise you can try is lying on the floor, face downwards for a couple of minutes, letting your back muscles relax. and keeping your body straight. Then slowly lift your upper body up with your arms to curve your back as far as it will go and hold for a minute. Do 10 repetitions, two or three times a day. You may have a bulging disc and this gentle exercise can often help straighten out the kink. If the pain is down one side only, move your legs slightly off centre to the opposite side to the pain. If sciatica is a regular problem for you, get a good book on back care and start doing regular floor exercises to strengthen your back muscles. Treat your Own Back by Robin McKenzie (ISBN 0-9597746-6-1 is an excellent little book with illustrated exercises

[cascarelli]

Mine was due to a muscle in my back which was swollen (doesnt have to be as major as a disc problem) and the muscle was pressing on the nerve. Try taking some anti inflammatory pain killers. Mine took a couple of weeks to disappear. Good luck

[Siamsal]

As is often said, and I agree, try yoga.

[TEKOIS]

I'm afraid it's something your going to have to live with,keep taking the inflamatorys like bruphin and just take care of yourself.

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[Amber1571]

Hi Ingram,

Mine was due to bad posture over the years. It is very painful and I sympathise with you. I was advised to roll up a towel and place it in the small of my back when driving or sitting watching tv, for instance. It really helped. Also exercise, gentle exercise as WendyS has described. I am afraid you will be plagued with a delicate back forever now.

x

[les saisies]

About 6 weeks of agony and a lifetime of being careful in my opinion.

Ibuprofen does help but time is the only real answer.

[Siamsal]

Someone has mentioned posture, and I'd agree with that. I'm sure mine was made far worse as a result of my job, sitting at a workstation all day.

Yoga does strengthen your core and back muscles and helps your posture.