Backpain...

[thekinetic]

Ok I have a bad back, sciatica to be exact and while I do know I could go to a doctor I really know they'd just shove pills down my throat. I just want to know if any of you fine people had any homespun remedies or experiance with it.

I've seen massagers both vibrating and solid but I don't know they'd work, even though I have read they do if used regularly.

Thanks in advance, Jon.

[Jfost11]

Have you thought about seeing a chiropractor?

[thekinetic]

Well I was hoping to try and resolve this myself first is all.

[allingeneral]

I don't know about sciatica, but I know of people with disc problems who have used an inversion table with a great amount of success.

[RugerJoe]

A good massage will always help.

Secondly I'd suggest stretching each morning. Here are some examples of back stretches.

http://www.spine-health.com/wellness/ex ... ain-relief

Although I realize you don't want to be put on pain killers which is understandable, I'd consider at least consulting a doctor to ask about which stretches would be best for you.

[VBshooter]

Inversion table and Accupunture worked for me along with stretching and exercise. Other options are Chiropractors, Osteopathics, Depending on how bad your discs are most OTC meds are nnot going to work so don't rule out a Pain Management doctor when all else fails...Good Luck finding some relief, It can be a trying experience..

[thekinetic]

Thank you all for the responses! And yes if all else fails I'll go to the doctor.

For those who don't know a sciatica is a problem where pressure is being put on the sciatic nerve causing discomfort, by whatever reason. For me I know exactly what it is as I've had bad posture for a long time.

So I've been trying to correct it but it's hard. I figure if I massage my back and stretch regularly while using pain relievers as needed I should be able to work it out.

[Kreutz]

This back stretch was used heavily in physical therapy in the Army, it does a great job reducing pressure and pain in the lower back.

[thekinetic]

I recognize it, it's a yoga move. It's worth a try!

[gregj]

The stretching move above may help, but it will depend on your situation, as it could make it worse. I have Degenerative Disk Disease in most of my lumbar disks, as well as a few other issues. I saw a chiro for quite some time, had shots in the back, saw a local PT - which almost killed me. The best thing that I found to keep me going was the stretching excercises (pelvic roll) perscribed another PT I went to - Jackson Clinics. They use more european type stretches as well as core strengthening excercises. Look them up and give them a try. They worked wonders for me.

I also got an inversion table, and I think regular use from it might help as well.

[dorminWS]

I’ve been living with 2 or 3 different back problems (including sciatica) for a long time, now.
My sciatica is the result of degenerative damage to my lower spine. It comes and goes as the discs protrude against and retract from nerves in the spine. I refuse to take muscle relaxers or pain medication. But over the long period I’ve lived with it, here are the lessons I’ve learned:

1. Walking (if you can stand it) helps. Believe it or not, swinging a golf club (carefully) seems to help me more often than not.
2. I’ve been advised again and again that weight loss will help this. Unfortunately, I can’t tell you from experience if it does. Still trying, though.
3. Before you get out of bed and put any weight on your legs or back, roll over on your stomach. Push your rear end out over your heels and stretch your lower back muscles as far as you can. Do this a half-dozen times or so.
4. If you have stairs, go down them backwards. It’s much easier on your back and helps stretch the lower back muscles.
5. Get in a warm swimming pool as often as you can. Your body effectively weighs less in the water. I can actually feel my spine decompressing. The heavier you are, the more this helps. It therefore helps me A LOT.
6. Heat gives relief from the pain. I use automobile seat heaters year-round, and I keep a heating pad on my recliner in the den. It is particularly helpful first thing in the morning, when I sit there drinking coffee and watching Fox & Friends. It loosens me up enough to walk out the driveway and get the newspapers.
7. A good long soak in a very hot bath is also efficacious. Not enough water for relief from gravity, but the warmth and moisture helps.
8. While you’re soaking, if time and circumstances permit, take about four fingers of your favorite distilled spirit. Alcohol is nature’s muscle relaxer, you know. I’m partial to single-malt scotch, but I would think that whatever blows your skirt up will do just as well.
9. As soon as you finish the “soak-and-shot” therapy mentioned above, sit in an armless chair you can reach under the seat of. Reach under the seat as if you were trying to touch your buttock on the other side from the arm you are reaching with. Alternate from one arm to the other; trying to loosen up and reach a little farther on each attempt. Frequently, this will cause my problem disc to realign (or at least that is what I suppose) and the sciatica will largely disappear (for a while, at least).
10. Epidural nerve blocks can give significant relief for quite a while IF you are lucky enough to know a doctor who really knows how to do them right. I have met one such; and he was at the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville. I have had other doctors in other places attempt the same thing and about 2 times out of 3 it hurt like hell and afforded no relief.

Some of this represents doctor's advice; some of it advice from fellow sufferers, and some of it learnings from happy accidents. I'm not advising anybody to try any of it. But it represents my long and unhappy experience with sciatica. Remember: if you've got back trouble, life's a bitch and then you die. Just do the best you can.

[Reverenddel]

There are alternative medical shops located in Carytown, you can search online, and see if any can give you assistance.

Yer in my prayers brotha, I know the hesitation you have with "White Coats", and their insistence to push pills down our throats.

Keep the faith.

[thekinetic]

Well I've lost weight already, went from 360+ to less than 200. It is my thought that all the years spent over that has done it's damage and now I'm paying the price.

I'll be trying all of what has been mentioned, including the "natural" relaxer (I'm partial to vodka), as well as buying a jacknobber which is this weird little massaging device. Eh couldn't hurt, but after my latest wrenching I got to heal first. Ironically I hurt it lifting a treadmill! ....Ow it hurts to laugh.

[RugerJoe]

The treadmill thing is some cruel irony. Congrats on all that weight loss though.

[thekinetic]

Well the crueler irony is that I'm more self concious about my body now than when I was fat due to stretch marks and loose skin.

[RugerJoe]

Well, they have surgery for that from what I understand....if you have the dough....and your up for a few days of horrible pain in a hospital bed. I saw it on some Discovery channel documentary.