Lower Back Pain

outlaw777

How long does Sciatica last for as this is the 1st time Ive ever had it, pain go away after 6 weeks?

cestlavie

Find yourself a teacher of the Alexander Technique at https://www.stat.org.uk - You can find a video on it here which came after a major study published in the British Medical Journal which found AT fantastically beneficial. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GbwzqT9piU
It cured me and I avoided back surgery..

angela110660

GlynD wrote: »

Sciatica is nerve pain and this can indicate a problem with the lower spine. I would echo others' advice. Ask your GP for a scan referral.

A couple of years ago I had a prolapsed disc which gave me shooting pains from my buttock down to my ankle. I decided to see a chiro every few days initially until over several weeks, the appointments became fewer. If I had waited for a doctors referral, my back would have been siezed up. Had simple exercises to do at home in between the apptmts as well as taking pain killers, a muscle relaxant for night time and cold gel rub. I would sit with an ice pack pressed on the sore area and then swap it for a hot water bottle doing this several times in an hour and repeating at intervals during the day and evening. I also had to put a tennis ball on the sore point and press against it on the wall a few times which hurt like hell but gave massive relief!
It was a very difficult time and I am so glad that when I had an MRi they said that it had repaired itself. Since then have lost nearly 1.5 stones in weight, have been using the gym to do aqua classes and I find the static bike And treadmill are very good. Am now trying to do some additional gentle exercise classes to add strength and mobility. I now have a check up and clicking session with the chiro every 3 months or so and it helps no end to keep things on track. God bless you Mark and thanks.

angela110660

outlaw777 wrote: »

How long does Sciatica last for as this is the 1st time Ive ever had it, pain go away after 6 weeks

Time is the healer and probably at least six weeks but try to have a little mobility when you feel up to it - don't just sit or lie all the time. I used to lie on the bed or floor with a pillow under my back and do gentle rolling from side to side with knees bent and feet together for mobility.

barbiedoll

Anyone who has constant pain, be it in their lower back or anywhere else, for more than couple of weeks, should see their GP. Chiropractors, accupuncturists and oesteopaths are not qualified to diagnose all medical ailments, not all back pains are caused by spinal problems, kidney infections for example, can cause horrible back pain.

For back pain sufferers, if you really are in constant pain and you aren't overweight, and are relying on painkillers to get you through the day, ask for a referral to a specialist pain clinic. With regards to the sciatica sufferers, yes, it mostly goes by itself within 4-6 weeks, if it doesn't, keep hassling your GP for physio in the first instance, a decent NHS physiotherapist will be able to recommend scans, x-rays etc, if necessary.

floss2

JoolzS wrote: »

Stop spending money on quacks. Chiropractic and acupuncture have been proven to be either placebos or actually dangerous.....

JoolzS wrote: »

Of course they are trained - just as acupuncturists are "trained"....

I don't think I would like to say that to the team of fully trained & qualified physiotherapists in my local NHS hospital who offer acupuncture as a treatment, or to those people I know who have had acupuncture and experienced permanent or long-lasting relief from pain as a result.

NSAIDs can be dangerous to those who take them - particularly for those who are on other medication or who have other conditions. They certainly aren't recommended for long-term use unless under medical supervision.

outlaw777

Thanks everyone, pain has now turned into numbness....

Bitsy_Beans

I've been to see osteopath as well as physio when I was unable to lie flat on my back without discomfort. Physio told me it was because the way my back was, osteopath had me lying pain free within a few sessions. Alternative therapies are not all placebo's. the osteo my mum was seeing recognised that my mum had a condition she couldn't help her with and referred her back to her GP and she ended up having spinal surgery. Not all complementary medicine practitioners are quacks.

I would recommend you speak to your GP. My experience is they don't always take back pain very seriously but I hope yours does.
My recurring back pain is due to tight hamstrings which can make your discs more likely to bulge.
You could try looking for any stretches to alleviate sciatica via the net but exercise caution when attempting anything.

Oh and I've had the numbness, it's awful

Jane2112

outlaw777 wrote: »

Thanks everyone, pain has now turned into numbness....

Where is the numbness? And have you been to your GP?

Skymist

Hi Folks,

I've posted about this before....The Alexander Technique, and specifically the Semi-Supine position:-

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=alexander+technique+++semi-supine+position&page=1

(lots of videos there), and a written version here:-

http://www.wholisticresearch.com/info/artshow.php3?artid=194

I have used this on any occaision where I've had a back problem/ache...I did an evening class course about it...and have shown it to any friends with back problems, including my partner who suffered from sciatica. It really does work, and we always finished the class by doing this position, which is SOOO relaxing that you can drift off to sleep while in it!!!

It is soo simple and effective.....and FREE:T!
HTH

S