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by abbysmum on May 29th, 2006

abbysmum

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Anyone found a good remedy for sciatic pain with muscle spasms all down the leg?

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Answers. 24 helpful answers below.

  • by Grandma Roses - my avatar is my real dog on May 29th, 2006

    Grandma Roses - my avatar is my real dog

    There is no home remedy for sciatica. It is a serious and very painful medical condition and should be treated by a medical professional. The first thing is rest - lots of it, because you will probably be unable to walk. You will probably be given pain meds such as anti-inflammatories and narcotics; you may also be advised to undertake physiotherapy.

    There are a couple of things you can do at home as well. One of them is to purchase a couple of those large soft gel-packs that you put in the freezer and apply to painful areas. Get the large size and apply it to the area of your hip or leg that is most painful - follow the instructions on the package and don't leave it on too long. The other thing you can try is to get a TENS machine; your physiotherapist can help you by telling you how to use it.

    As I said, sciatica is a painful and serious condition - it takes a long time to recover from it and you need more than just home remedies to get back to your normal life again.

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  • by clwacdc on March 19th, 2007

    clwacdc

    Hot tub.

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  • by strega on March 27th, 2007

    strega

    There are certain types of leg stretching exercises that help. Ask your doctor about them.

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  • by mrsgorgon on February 14th, 2007

    mrsgorgon

    I frequently get sciatica from herniated discs in my lower spine pressing on the nerve. My doctor put me through physical therapy, which did help, and recommended some stretches. My favorite stretches are
    -- the "Naughty Four": sit and cross your legs in an unlady-like way, with the ankle of the hurting leg on top of the other leg, placed just above the other leg's knee, so your legs form a "4". Then lean forward slowly, stretching the back of the leg.
    -- touching my toes (slowly) either standing or in bed, to stretch the back of my leg.
    Mild exercise is important to keep from getting too seized up, but it's best to get guidance from a doctor and physical therapist on the right kind of exercise for your injury. The physical therapist can also do massages and mild, tingly electrical stimulation for the tight muscles.
    Swimming helps me too, and floating on my back.

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  • by Anonymous on June 22nd, 2006

    Anonymous

    Sciatica is a symptom, not a condition, and as such can be relieved. The underlying condition causing it however (normally a herniated disk) is likely to need medical attention.
    To deal with the pain a cold compress is helpful- my other half uses those disposable cellophane ice cube bags, which he claims are very effective, but a damp towel kept in the freezer would be equally good. Avoid hot baths as they can swell the tissues around the nerve and make the pain worse.
    Most medical proffesionals will advise that you carry on your normal physical activities as far as you are able, as excessive periods of inactivity can actually prolong the effects of your condition (as with most back problems)- obviously you won't want to be jumping around like a madman, but gentle walking, normal work, and perhaps even light swimming can be helpful. If you are in so much pain that you must rest, try lying on your back and bringing your knees up to your chest, which can help to relieve some of the pressure on the nerve.

    I hope this helps

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  • by bagicide stayed 10 months too long on August 30th, 2009

    bagicide stayed 10 months too long

    This is what my PT has me doing, and its working very well for me. I know several other people that it has worked for too. http://www.mckenziemdt.org/approach.cfm?section=int

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  • by Anonymous on August 30th, 2007

    Anonymous

    Your sciatic nerve and the tissues around it are inflammed. Inflammation is a contributer to pain.

    Heat will create more inflammation - so that is out! Great for muscle cramps, not for inflammation.

    Ice for 30 minutes on and 1 hour off would be the best to help lower the inflammation.

    Drink lots of water, water helps flush out the inflammatory chemicals causing your pain.

    Take natural remedies to lower your inflammation, such as fish oil supplements (I use Rezilient) or some herbal combinations.

    Try to limit your drug use. Drugs inhibit your natural anti-inflammatory chemicals, which is not what you want long term.

    Drugs for the short term can get you out of your crisis, but is not what your body needs for long term health and vitality. Hope this helps.

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  • by Ed the Jetpacking Headbanger on March 28th, 2007

    Ed the Jetpacking Headbanger

    I needed chiropractic help. He also applied some analgesic. I was able to convince my employer to buy a special chair that you can adjust for comfort.

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  • by abbysmum on March 20th, 2007

    abbysmum

    Thank you to everyone for the answers. I have now been prescribed Pregabalin which is an epilepsy grug but which works on nerve pain. It has made a world of difference to me. I thoroughly reccommend it. It makes you sleepy at first but you need to persevere and maybe just take it at night.Be careful if you are driving and you need to cut out alcohol.
    Sue

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  • by I'm a ginger on March 19th, 2007

    I'm a ginger

    what you need is a chiropractic adjustment. I have sciatic pain every so often from a severe injury a few years ago. And after i get a chiropractic adjustment i am good for a long time. Just make sure to compare chiopractors befor eyou settle on one, as one may use the "tool" and another may be "hands on", if you are not completely satisfied with your chiropractor, take your business somewhere else, no sense paying for something if it is not helping.

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  • by Kunsman on January 29th, 2007

    Kunsman

    Now try evaluating your overall muscle tone.
    If you hold a lot of stress in your body you are what I call a hardbody. Hard bodies usually get this tingling, numbness thing in their legs and arms as a warning to soften their body. Most keep working 70 hour weeks. The next warning sign is broken veins around the ankles...worse case scenario setting in....have you looked into buying a scooter??? sorry bad idea....see my other post.

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  • by Starbright on December 9th, 2009

    Starbright

    This is a pain that brings tears, to the eyes and makes ya scream.
    First of all if a guy, get your wallet out of your pocket. A bulging billfold in your hip pocket can crimp your sciatic nerve especially if you sit on it.
    when you go to bed bend your knee on top of a pillow. Depending on the side that is painfull, bend that knee
    over the pillow.
    You can also lie on your back on the floor, and place your lower legs on the seat of the chair for 10-15 minutes.
    Make sure it is Sciatica and not a herniated disk pressing against a nerve, or some other back problem.
    These exercises could make it worse if it is.

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  • by Chicago Lady on August 30th, 2009

    Chicago Lady

    I had herniated discs with the same pain you are suffering. I saw two specialists who both said surgery was my only alternative. I have NOT had any surgery.

    Physical Therapy has worked miracles for me. The McKenzie Method (I have tried several but this worked best for me) has given me great results and the disc lifted off the nerve. It requires you lie on your stomach for many exercises (similar to some pilates stretches). It hurts unbearably at first but once the disc lifts off the nerve you will have complete relief. Please see the answer provided here by Blessed Coat of Many Colors who provides a link to McKenzie.

    Be sure to get a MRI which will show everything, and then your doctors can treat you. You also may need to see a pain doctor to get the pain under control in order to do the exercises.

    Don't give up. When they ask you your pain on a scale of 1-10 and you scream 200 just remember that others have made it through.

    Ed the Jetpacking Headbanger also suggests getting a special chair. This can help tremendously. If you can't get the chair, at least get the McKenzie Lumbar Roll (comes with elastic straps) to put behind your back in whatever chair you are using.

    I wish you the best of good health!

    +5

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  • by Anonymous on March 28th, 2007

    Anonymous

    I've had three back surgeries. had sciatic pain down both legs, with each surgery. this worked for me:

    Lay flat on the floor on your back. find a soft-seat chair. have someone place your legs on top of the chair cushion. your legs are in the cushion, back is flat on the floor.

    The relief is wonderful. it relaxes all the back muscles and help to relieve the pain down the legs. this is only temporary.

    Eventually, you are going to face surgery, after you have hurt enough.

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  • by vinc3nt on March 19th, 2007

    vinc3nt

    I pinched a sciatic nerve while working in the yard about 30 years ago. During the next 12 years I could not sleep, stand or sit from more than an hour without sever pain. The chiropractor could relieve the pain while I was on the table, but the pain returned before I could get into my car. I found that the pain was gone one day. My only change was the mode of transportation, a motorcycle. Balancing and steering a motorcycle requires use of the lower back muscles to move the upper body weight. This activity strengthened those muscles in two weeks, taking the pressure off my sciatic nerve. I have not ridden lately so when my pain returns, I simply lean left and hold that position for a time then lean right. Repeat several times and the pain is gone.

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  • by lily2247 on May 23rd, 2010

    lily2247

    • I had been Osteoarthritis for five years. I ordered 6 Whitee Patches on www.herbhealthonline.com last year. My Osteoarthritis had gone after one month. Now, I can wear skirts in the summer and winter. I tried Brown Juice to treat my fat liver II. And Xcel , MayMay to treat my female reproductive system . Every medication is good. All the problems had been gone. So, I introduce the website and medications to you. This website sells lots of herbs medications: such as Whitee Patch, Fastt Patch, LC Balancer, Soup A&B, Brown Juice ,Java Sauce, EzAir, Xcel, MayMay, and these medications can treat some problems of Respiratory &Lung, back pain &Disc problems., Arthritis, Musculoskeletal Injuries, Liver Conditions, Chronic Pain &Fatigue, Digestive Tract Condition , Endocrine Disorders, Drug Withdrawal Symptoms, Stress &Related Symptoms, Female Conditions. trust me, the medications are very useful

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  • by canbfrisky on May 5th, 2010

    canbfrisky

    In pain clinics they offer a variety of reliefs ...I have 3 bad discs in my lower back (the bottom one is in 4 pieces .)
    The can 'burn your nerves with radio waves, and the relief is around 2 to 3 years...
    Physical Therapy...which you have to really dedicate yourself to. Pain medication and the best thing of all is walking ...this strengthens your lower back,which in turn helps keep those muscles from spasming as much ...oh, and of course Muscle relaxers.
    None of what I put down should be done to excess only moderation.

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  • by Perryman on March 28th, 2007

    Perryman

    A good chiropractor and some good stretch exercises.

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  • by passerby on March 28th, 2007

    passerby

    I've suffered a lot of back problems including sciatica since a car accident. Ultimately you shoudl seek professional advise. Things I found useful include a memory foam mattress to relieve pressure points on the body at night. Non restrictive clothing, tight waistbands can put pressure on your spine and if it is sensitive or problematic you can add to your problems. Do some exercise, yoga is a good all round toner. I also found that good shoes help good posture. I know there are many excellent posture correcting shoes. I use earth shoes, but there are plenty others. Sciatica shouldn't be left untreated so go to the doc and don't be fobbed off.

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  • by NonnyMouse on August 30th, 2009

    NonnyMouse

    I learned that using a footstool or elevating my feet in a recliner was causing my sciatic pain. Do not sit bent at the waist with your legs stretched out. It was a hard habit to break, but worth it. HTH

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  • by ninjaturtle92 on August 30th, 2009

    ninjaturtle92

    I know you might not believe me, becuase im only 17. But i also suffer from severe sciatica, i have done sine i was 12. I find the best thing to do, is go to the doctor to be prescribed a strong painkiller such as co-drydomal, and physiotherapy is an absaloute wonder, another thing i find is just little exercise can help loosen up the pinching that the nerve is taking. For example, i do Korean Kickboxing, and at them moment my sciatic pain is the worse it has been. but i still go although im unable to do sit ups push ups any sort of kicks and even some types of punches etc, but i still go to do the watm up and just stretch as the instructor is also a qualififed physiotherapist and she gives me different stretches to do.

    So again go to your doctor, just as a precaution and for pain killers, as i know how painful it can be you just want to cut your leg off at times even though it aint even the source of the problem! lol. And if it fails to get better he might send you for xrays mris etc and it might be that you have a few slipped discs which can be easily sorted out with a few sessions of physiotherapy,
    Hope everything turns out ok i wouldnt wish sciatica upon anyone, until you have experienced the pain yourself there is no way to desrcibe it.

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  • by Anonymous on May 28th, 2009

    Anonymous

    I haven't found a cure but I found a doctor that put a pain pump in me that keep me from suicide. When all your pain doctor gives you is pain pills that keeps you a zoombie, you have no life. So finally ai found Dr Dean Willis in Huntsville Alabama at Alabama Pain Center. He understood that yes the weather plays a part in my pain, that stress also causes pain, no sleep, bad bosses, and that that nerve that goes from my back and around my knee and to my ankle and hurts like h..., could all be taken care of with a pain pump and some epi's. Dr Will's asked me a ? if I could give you two good days out of five bad days would that be worth it? Since I wasn't having any good days I said yes. Well I got my pump Have had it for 4 years and it has saved my life. I still take my arthritis meds take an epi every 3 yrs or so but life is good.

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  • by helpstheback on September 11th, 2008

    helpstheback

    Find someone to massage your back carefully. Avoid surgery! Be patient. I have read of a cure in the book, "Seven years in Tibet." I'm paraphrasing but it said to sit in a chair and gently roll a round stick under your foot back and forth. I guess the yogi meant your hurting foot or leg.

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  • by Bing2010 on May 5th, 2010

    Bing2010

    www.herbhealthonline.com.I used some whitee Patchs and LC Balancer.They were very good.You can try.

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