weak back and sciatica

[monica]

Hi

Just wondering if anyone has got any tips for the above. I''ve had a weak back for years and litfting my 19mth toddler has triggered it off again. It's beem playing up for about a month, but today I've been in excruciating pain (around my left hip and down my left leg?. Pain killers don't seem to work. Anyone know any exercises?

Thanks

Monica

[cheshire]

Hi Monica

Sorry to hear that you're in pain...
I'm afraid I don't know of any exercises, maybe one of the others will have some ideas?

My toddler is 17 months and boy is he heavy. I look forward to the day when I don't have to pick him up any more, lol!

Love Hopeful
Hope you're having a good weekend

[Veritee]

Hi Monica

Oh poor you - How are you today?

I had it once when I fell off a horse - most of my injuries were from horses I used to say they would be the death of me, It can be very painful while it lasts, luckily for most with rest and treatment it does go.

While Pilates would be the exercise I would recommend I do not think we should suggest any exercises unless you have the OK from a doctor as I would be worried that exercise without medical advice or supervision might make it worse and you do not say if you have been to your GP with this?

If you are really in excruciating pain I think you must see your GP - have you been yet??

Sciatica needs to be checked by a doctor as it can be caused by many things including herniated disc i.e also known as a ruptured disc, pinched nerve, slipped disk, etc. which are painful and should be treated even if only by anti inflammatories from your GP

Sciatica rarely leads to any permanent problems as this quote says

'While sciatica can be very painful, it is rare that permanent nerve damage (tissue damage) will result. Most sciatica pain syndromes result from inflammation and will get better within two weeks to a few months. Also, because the spinal cord is not present in the lower (lumbar) spine, a herniated disc in this area of the anatomy does not present a danger of paralysis'

But very very occasionally there can be a specific complication see: www.spine-health.com/topics/cd/d_sciatica/sc01.html

Personally I would go to the GP to nip it in the bud if you can and an osteopath or chiropracter is a good idea if you can afford it - I had this after the fall from the horse that caused me to have this temporarily, it was a bit costly but I never got it again to this day.

Also some GPs with prescribe phisio .

Some also will suggest Pilates classes as Pilates can really help as it stretches the joints/backbone and relives the pressure but while you can get books from the library on Pilates you really need to check with your doctor first to see if it is safe and then do Pilates in a class with a trained instructor see: www.spine-health.com/topics/conserv/pilates/pilates01.html

Anyway this is all I can think of for now - it is a painful thing to have so I hope the pain has faded a bit by now

Love Veritee

[cheshire]

Hi Monica

I hope this finds you feeling a bit better with some pain relief too

Love
Hopefulx

[alik]

Everyone's likely to think this is a bit of a mad suggestion...BUT...it worked for me and my bad back. When I was pregnant and I was about as wide as I was tall, I bought a wrap-around weightlifters support belt from Argos. Cost about £5, if I recall. Because they're for blokes, they're very long and have a velcro fastening - and I wore it to support my bump; thought it might prevent stretch marks (didn't work). I've used it subsequently for back pain - the trick is that you can 'wear' a hot water bottle on your back, wrap this belt around to keep it in place, and hey presto. Top Tip: wear it on the outside of a T-shirt because the belt's fabric makes your skin sweat - not nice - but you get some pain relieft AND can keep working/moving.