Any home remedy, stretches, etc for sciatica?

[heatherrae]

I have it so bad that I can't even walk. I wake up several times in the night because lifting my knee or rolling over or just any little thing pinches the nerve even more.

For those who don't know, it is a condition where your sciatic nerve is pinched. Lots of pregnant women get it because the uterus sits on top of the nerve. It causes pain in the lower back that shoots down the buttock and into the leg.

I seriously am having a hard time even taking my dog to go pee.

I have to wait and see if my insurance will pay for a chiropractor or pt. If not, I can't afford to pay extra medical bills on my own now. So, I'm hoping there are some things I can do to alleviate it.

 

[ortiz34]

I have it so bad that I can't even walk. I wake up several times in the night because lifting my knee or rolling over or just any little thing pinches the nerve even more.

For those who don't know, it is a condition where your sciatic nerve is pinched. Lots of pregnant women get it because the uterus sits on top of the nerve. It causes pain in the lower back that shoots down the buttock and into the leg.

I seriously am having a hard time even taking my dog to go pee.

I have to wait and see if my insurance will pay for a chiropractor or pt. If not, I can't afford to pay extra medical bills on my own now. So, I'm hoping there are some things I can do to alleviate it.

I have battled sciatic nerve problems for years, hence the reason I got hooked on narcotics. It is very common with pregnant women, stretching sometimes helps. Hope it gets better for you.

 

[superqt4u2nv]

I have tons of stuff I got from my chiro but not sure how much you can do as your preggers he gave me stretches and exercise to strengthin the area.

 

[WODIN]

I have it so bad that I can't even walk. I wake up several times in the night because lifting my knee or rolling over or just any little thing pinches the nerve even more.

For those who don't know, it is a condition where your sciatic nerve is pinched. Lots of pregnant women get it because the uterus sits on top of the nerve. It causes pain in the lower back that shoots down the buttock and into the leg.

I seriously am having a hard time even taking my dog to go pee.

I have to wait and see if my insurance will pay for a chiropractor or pt. If not, I can't afford to pay extra medical bills on my own now. So, I'm hoping there are some things I can do to alleviate it.

Get on the edge or your couch laying on the side that isn't hurting, the side you are laying on, bend your knee slightly. The other leg, drape it over the knee and put pressure towards the floor with this leg, at the same time pull your upper body back to the couch. This will relieve the pressure on the nerve.

 

[heatherrae]

I have battled sciatic nerve problems for years, hence the reason I got hooked on narcotics. It is very common with pregnant women, stretching sometimes helps. Hope it gets better for you.

Oh, I feel for you. It hurts pretty bad!

 

[heatherrae]

Get on the edge or your couch laying on the side that isn't hurting, the side you are laying on, bend your knee slightly. The other leg, drape it over the knee and put pressure towards the floor with this leg, at the same time pull your upper body back to the couch. This will relieve the pressure on the nerve.

OHHHHH>.....thank you!!!!!

I'm going to drop you 1000 k bud!

 

[heatherrae]

I have tons of stuff I got from my chiro but not sure how much you can do as your preggers he gave me stretches and exercise to strengthin the area.

I dont' want you to have to type a book but any suggestions are appreciated greatly. I don't want to be bedridden and it is getting that bad.

 

[superqt4u2nv]

I dont' want you to have to type a book but any suggestions are appreciated greatly. I don't want to be bedridden and it is getting that bad.

I am crap at explaining things but I will try. My pain was on my right side so if it is your left do the opposite. LOL

Lay on your back in bed put your left leg on a 45 degree angle cross your right leg over it clasp your hands below the knee and pull your leg in to your chest. Not sure if that is possible cause the belly.

 

[heatherrae]

I am crap at explaining things but I will try. My pain was on my right side so if it is your left do the opposite. LOL

Lay on your back in bed put your left leg on a 45 degree angle cross your right leg over it clasp your hands below the knee and pull your leg in to your chest. Not sure if that is possible cause the belly.

Oh yeah, I think I can still do that. I will definitely try it!

 

[seaking420]

Try myofacia(SP?) release with a foam roller, that helps me out often. It helps temporarily, but at least it helps. My girl got that during pregnancy and still gets if every so often since, she uses this for about 10 min and she has relief for at least the day or more. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT!

 

[ponyfitness]

If you have any hard round object, even a softball will do, sit on it and release the trigger point - it will often help relieve the problem. It can be quite painful but after you're done it will feel better. You'll find a spot in your glute like a little ball when you roll around with the object underneath you - find it and push on it hard.

The crossing knee thing is good, sometimes it's your piriformis too so you can lie on your back, bring your knee up to about 45-60 degrees and then pull it straight across your body until you feel a pull in your butt.

 

[jack sparrow]

If you have any hard round object, even a softball will do, sit on it and release the trigger point - it will often help relieve the problem. It can be quite painful but after you're done it will feel better. You'll find a spot in your glute like a little ball when you roll around with the object underneath you - find it and push on it hard.

The crossing knee thing is good, sometimes it's your piriformis too so you can lie on your back, bring your knee up to about 45-60 degrees and then pull it straight across your body until you feel a pull in your butt.

Did I read this correctly?

 

[musclemom]

What kind of bed do you have and how old is it?

 

[gotmojo]

I have it so bad that I can't even walk. I wake up several times in the night because lifting my knee or rolling over or just any little thing pinches the nerve even more.

For those who don't know, it is a condition where your sciatic nerve is pinched. Lots of pregnant women get it because the uterus sits on top of the nerve. It causes pain in the lower back that shoots down the buttock and into the leg.

I seriously am having a hard time even taking my dog to go pee.

I have to wait and see if my insurance will pay for a chiropractor or pt. If not, I can't afford to pay extra medical bills on my own now. So, I'm hoping there are some things I can do to alleviate it.

 

[heatherrae]

What kind of bed do you have and how old is it?

Just a regular inner spring mattress. It's about 8 years old Simmons pillow top.

 

[heatherrae]

If I thought that would work, I would try it.

 

[musclemom]

Just a regular inner spring mattress. It's about 8 years old Simmons pillow top.

Okay, honestly, most beds say they have a 20 year warranty but IMO that only holds unless you're talking upper end mattresses. If you've got a bed that cost under $500 you're doing good if you get much more than 5 years out of it.

The single most important factor that contributes to back pain is your bed. Believe me when I tell you I speak from experience here, I have literally gone through three beds since August 1998 at a total cost of over $3,500. Hopefully this last one, a Tempurpedic, is my last.

The vast, vast majority of pain is exacerbated (or even caused) by a bed being too soft. Particularly considering you're pregnant, I'll bet you've got insufficient support and your ass is dropping too far down when you sleep. The only thing that's really going to help you is getting a new bed. As an interim measure you can try putting a sheet of plywood between the mattress and boxspring. What I would consider is first trying it at the midpoint, so the support is increased from about the waist down. I did that for many years. I eventually needed to move the plywood all the way up so that my half of the bed was harder than my husband's half.

You've probably always had something wrong in the lumbosacral region, but with the changed geometry of your spine and some added bodyweight you've got impinging of the nerve root.

The stretches SuperQT suggested should help. Anti-inflammatories will help if your OB/GYN permits them. Laying on the floor with your feet elevated should give you some relief.

 

[Daisy_Girl]

foam roller, foam roller, foam roller.

That thing is the only reason I can bend my left knee and can squat down to get something off the floor. It is amazing.

 

[superqt4u2nv]

foam roller, foam roller, foam roller.

That thing is the only reason I can bend my left knee and can squat down to get something off the floor. It is amazing.

Oh yeah I got a half foam roller and use it when mine is acting up like self admistered ART. It really helps I haven't seen my chiro/ART guy in over a year no need to.

 

[heatherrae]

Okay, honestly, most beds say they have a 20 year warranty but IMO that only holds unless you're talking upper end mattresses. If you've got a bed that cost under $500 you're doing good if you get much more than 5 years out of it.

The single most important factor that contributes to back pain is your bed. Believe me when I tell you I speak from experience here, I have literally gone through three beds since August 1998 at a total cost of over $3,500. Hopefully this last one, a Tempurpedic, is my last.

The vast, vast majority of pain is exacerbated (or even caused) by a bed being too soft. Particularly considering you're pregnant, I'll bet you've got insufficient support and your ass is dropping too far down when you sleep. The only thing that's really going to help you is getting a new bed. As an interim measure you can try putting a sheet of plywood between the mattress and boxspring. What I would consider is first trying it at the midpoint, so the support is increased from about the waist down. I did that for many years. I eventually needed to move the plywood all the way up so that my half of the bed was harder than my husband's half.

You've probably always had something wrong in the lumbosacral region, but with the changed geometry of your spine and some added bodyweight you've got impinging of the nerve root.

The stretches SuperQT suggested should help. Anti-inflammatories will help if your OB/GYN permits them. Laying on the floor with your feet elevated should give you some relief.

Thanks MM. I'll try those things. I have a very highly arched back and always have. It drove my ballet instructors crazy...lol.

My matress was about $1500 and was very comfortable when I first got it. Now it isn't at all. I know I need a new one. I'll have to save up and in the interim try the plywood.

 

[heatherrae]

Oh yeah I got a half foam roller and use it when mine is acting up like self admistered ART. It really helps I haven't seen my chiro/ART guy in over a year no need to.

foam rollers? what is that? where do you buy one?

 

[heatherrae]

Thank you for all the great advice everyone. I've given out all my k hits for the day, but will hit all of you up tomorrow.

 

[Daisy_Girl]

Buy them at any back store - ya know ... the ones with the cheesy names? The Healthy Back, Relax the Back, etc.

The long one is about 3 ft long and well worth the extra $. It is about $40. Mine is 36" long and 6" diameter (I think). It rocks.

 

[heatherrae]

Buy them at any back store - ya know ... the ones with the cheesy names? The Healthy Back, Relax the Back, etc.

The long one is about 3 ft long and well worth the extra $. It is about $40. Mine is 36" long and 6" diameter (I think). It rocks.

Thank you! I'll definitely get one of those.

 

[stilleto]

i saw a chiropractor when i was pregnant. it helped, but not much. i have the opposite back from you, HR.. i have no arch, but i had horrible back pains.

do all the stretching mentioned here, plus getting on all fours and arching your back, then rounding it.

how are you getting to the hospital when you're in labor btw? you shouldn't count on being able to drive yourself.

 

[heatherrae]

i saw a chiropractor when i was pregnant. it helped, but not much. i have the opposite back from you, HR.. i have no arch, but i had horrible back pains.

do all the stretching mentioned here, plus getting on all fours and arching your back, then rounding it.

how are you getting to the hospital when you're in labor btw? you shouldn't count on being able to drive yourself.

My dad is going to drive me. He doesn't live too far from me. If he is somehow unavailable, I will take a cab. I'm only about 3 miles from the hospital, if that.

 

[heatherrae]

I tried those stretches last night before I went to sleep. They REALLY helped! This morning I could walk around and took Corky for a long walk. I started cleaning things up because it was the first time in forever that I could do it and it started hurting a little more but not like it has been! I decided I had done enough and am relaxing again.

Thanks for all the ideas. They really have helped.

 

[jnevin]

You can lie on a softball if you have one. It hurts so bad, but it does work.

 

[gotmojo]

I tried those stretches last night before I went to sleep. They REALLY helped! This morning I could walk around and took Corky for a long walk. I started cleaning things up because it was the first time in forever that I could do it and it started hurting a little more but not like it has been! I decided I had done enough and am relaxing again.

Thanks for all the ideas. They really have helped.

Glad you're feeling better toots!

 

[guest username]

Often rest (not bedrest though, just light duty) is all that can be done. Some people get relief from chiropractic manipulation. Non-steroidals (ibuprofen, naproxen) help some people.

Unfortunately, there isn't much you can do to specifically treat it. Just make sure you go to an emergency room immediately if you develop signs of cauda equina syndrome, where the nerve roots get entrapped. That usually occurs when you have trouble walking, loss of sensation around your rectum, loss of control of your bowels, and feeling as if you need to urinate more at the end of urination but can't (urinary retention). No, I'm not joking about these symptoms. If you develop anything remotely like this, you need to go to an ER immediately to have an MRI to see if you have CES.