Sciatica Support Group
Sciatica is a term meaning pain that originates from compression of the sciatic nerve, the longest and largest nerve in the body. If the sciatic nerve is pinched or compressed (perhaps by a bulging disc in the low back) a patient may experience leg pain--the classic symptom of sciatica.
I just started experiencing sciatic pain in about 3 weeks ago. After about a week I thought it was getting better, but it has definitely gotten worse and now I experience periods of numbness (especially in my butt and back of leg) between the pain. The pain in my back is dull but constant. I'm only 21, and I do yoga regularly. I've been told that sciatica can go away with time, and that the yoga will help. But at the moment I'm laying on my floor trying to do light stretches to manage this terrible pain. I'm wondering if anyone has a suggestion about whether I should see a doctor, or if you think this pain will just dissipate with time. At what point is it completely necessary to see a doctor? Thanks!
betsyjade
Hello - I know exactly what you're going through. In February I tore the ACL on my right leg and a couple of weeks after I started experiencing the sciatic pain. It's awful! I think I developed it because I stopped my cardio. I was doing yoga about 1-2 times a week before I tore my ACL and started doing it more frequently after. I can tell you that the yoga has definitely helped, but I think it's going to take more for it to fully go away. I told my orthopedic doctor about the sciatica, and he didn't really have any suggestions. My honest opinion is that physical therapy might help, but is the expensive way to do it. There are a lot of stretches and yoga videos online just for sciatica. So if you're not wanting to see a doctor, maybe refer to those first. I'm very sorry you're feeling this pain. Especially at a young age. I'm 23 if it makes you feel any better. I started sitting on an exercise ball at work to constantly be working my leg instead of sitting stagnantly and I felt some relief on the nerve. I also use this homeopathic gel from Arnicare that temporarily gives me relief. Best of luck!
Lioness666
I am also 21. This is new to me. The pain is debilitating. I am an engineering student. I can't even sit to do homework. I can't even sit three hours in class. I am very depressed about this. I am always in pain. I feel like staying in bed all the time.
Sandra72
Be careful which exercises you try, from personal experience some can actually make it a whole lot worse. I'm finding sitting with a hot water bottle behind my lower back is helping. But I'm also finding moving helps too, gentle walking is good. Best of luck, I hope you don't have it as long as have, 2 years so far! xx
raygoslin
Hi, its Ray. I am a therapist and have a free course you can follow to get tips to relieve sciatic pain. You can get it here. https://allstressmanagement.com/sciatica-tips/
raygoslin
Hi, its Ray. I am a therapist and have a free course you can follow to get tips to relieve sciatic pain. You can get it here. https://allstressmanagement.com/sciatica-tips/
Join the Conversation