I’m going to have to try this. I had a bout for several weeks in the spring when I thought I was having hip problems on the left side, but I’m pretty sure it was just nerve issues. It cleared up finally, but I wake up with a sore and stiff lower back every morning, despite a newish mattress, and I had some twinges on the right side a few days ago.
7 thoughts on “Sciatica”
Comments are closed.
I only get it when I lose weight YMMV.
If you get it again, ask your doctor for a medrol dosepak (methylprednisolone). You’ll feel better in nothing flat. I’ve even had it for cough, and it alleviated the pain in my knees (from patellofemoral syndrome) for weeks.
Walking and weight lifting have helped my lower back tremendously. For bonus points, the weight lifting helped a knee issue.
You can try doing pull ups with an exercise bar. If you access to a gym you can try using the rowing machine. Those are the best exercises to the lower back in my opinion. I also do stretches over an exercise mat I keep tucked under my bed. When that does not work I go for lower back acupuncture treatments.
The exercises in this video seemed ok to me:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2GLPMkPzYk
Those look good. I used most of them when I had problems with my lateral cutaneous nerve. They left off a really good stretch though, the warrior pose. There are several variations.
I did the one where you start with one arm stretched out front and the other behind, then you raise the front arm up while dropping the other arm down reaching toward your theigh. Have to have your legs in the right position too. Lots of videos on this.
Other is similar where you stand straight up and reach down toward your knee palm toward your body. With your other hand you reach up with your palm facing the body and reach over your head like an arc. I’m sure this one has a name too.
These ones are great for the lower back.
There are also a bunch of things you can do laying on a pilates ball.
I recommend getting an air mattress that allows you to dial the firmness up and down. We’ve had ours for almost a year and I’ve found my number. If it’s too firm I wake up with a stiff and sore lower back. Soften it a little and I don’t. It’s as simple as that. They can be pricey but if you get just the basic air mattress and platform they’re not too bad.