Sciatica

[steveng]

Hi my name is Steven, I'm currently 19 years old turning 20 in a week. I'm not quite sure if this is the correct place i should be posting this. Please let me know if i've made a mistake.

I've had sciatica, officially for a year but have had nerve pain because of compressed lumbar discs for over 2 years. The pain happens when i sit for too long or when i bend over and i get a shooting pain into my left leg.

I've been referred for treatment chiropractor (i think thats the title) who gave me message therapy and heat therapy. That only worked in the short run and the pain came back quickly.

Then I saw a specialist who told me surgery wasn't recommended for me.

Then I saw a physiotherapist for awhile who gave me some exercises to alleviate the pain. It didnt help with the cause though.

And just a few days ago i noticed when i bend my neck i get a shooting pain in my left arm, so now I am really worried.

I guess I'm just seeking some opinions from people who have/had sciatica and how they went about treating/managing it. Thanks everyone.

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[karen.hankey]

Hi Steven,

Do you actually get back pain with this, or is it just the shooting down your leg? And how far down the leg does it go?

Also can you try adn describe the exercises the physio gave you.

Might give me an idea of what to try next.

[Vlemire]

Hi Steven!

Did you do the exercises properly? Did the therapist told you about posture...especially about the importance of sitting posture?

How did your problem start?


I understand that you can be worried, but they are lot of things that you can do about it...

Maybe you could reconsider seeking help from a physiotherapist.

[linbin]

hi friend
i think you should better consult a good physiotherapist.a detailed assessment is needed.you should undergo a core strengthening programme.core muscles are the deep muscles that provide stability to your spine.let the physio check your back in detail.associated tightness of lower limb musculature if present should be taken care of.he will definitely help you with a back care programme

[alophysio]

Hi - i am from australia - where are you from?

It sounds like you have nerual issues from scarring onto the spinal cord. Having said that, we only have limited i nformation!

[steveng]

Thanks to everyone who replied!

There is no longer any pain in my arm so once again its just pain going down my leg.

I was asked to elaborate on the pain, as well as to elaborate on the exercises i have been given.

So firstly the pain occurs when i bend over, and the pain starts from my lower back and extends no further than my knee. The pain is also at the back of my leg. In addition my lower back gets aggravated and starts getting dull pain if i sit for prolonged periods.

My physio gave me this exercise to do where its sort of like a push up but the aim is so that you bend your body backwards and hence relieving the pressure in your lower back. I do those regularly and theyre good at keeping pain away.

I guess right now im not in any urgent pain or seeking immediate attention but i would feel safer knowing what my options are at this point.

Thanks to all the knowledgeable people out there!

P.S oh and also my pain didnt suddenly start from any injuries or anything like that. It was a gradual thing, but i do take care of my posture now especially when sitting and exercising.

[karen.hankey]

Hi Steve,

When you sit, do you sit with your bum in the back of your seat? It could be that you have a sacro-iliac joint problem that is causing spasm of the gluteal (buttock) muscles and threfore impinging the sciatic nerve giving you the pain down the leg.

Although you say it is not sever, I would still seek advice from a physio because if you don't get it sorted now by strengthening the area up, then your are likely to have the same problem in the future.