Sciatic Back Pain

I and my sister are going through the same thing. You have a few choices. Visit the Pain Clinic, Go get some physical therapy, As the Dr. for some oxycodone, it's the only pain medicine tht has worked for me, and warm water therapy. let me know which you choose

It's good to know that this is a common problem. I've had the same type of pain off and on since I was pregnant and I had the baby when I was only 20. It makes me feel so old and decrepit because it tends to get worse on heavy housework days and I should be able to handle that. I'll have to try some of the advice you got.

When I was in massage school my instructor had the same problem the only thing that seemed to help him was Tai Chi. Hope this helps
K.

Jen,

I had terrible sciatic nerve pain at the end of my first two pregnancies and again after my second child was born... I have it intermittently now when I pick up my son wrong or over-exert myself. The pain and spasms are so bad that I sometimes feel like I am going to drop my 15 month old... so, I know what you are going through.

I have found the best things to do for it are:

1. Keep moving. My back always tightens up the more I sit or lie around. I have to be up and around for it to loosen up and feel better.

2. Use a percussion massager on the very low portion of your back and top of the buttocks. If you don't have one, these are a godsend for people with back problems and it will help loosen the tensed muscles and increase circulation to the part of your back that is injured.

3. Try alternating ice and heat for a day or so. 20-30 minutes of ice, 30 minutes of rest, 20-30 minutes of heat... continue... my husband has been down in the back a LOT lately and this regimen helps him markedly. He says the ice helps more than anything... I think that is because it reduces swelling which in turn takes pressure off that nerve...

I hope this helps. I think back pain is the worst of all pains and the feelings of helplessness when you can't do anything because of the pain can be such a downer. I hope you get to feeling better soon!

J.

(37 year old mother of 3 boys... 11, 5 and 15 mo.)

Ditto the others on seeing a chiro. In the meantime, you might find some relief in using an exercise ball (what doula's call a "birth ball"). You can find them at Walmart near the hand weights and other exercise equipment, for about $10.

J.,

My name is T. I know how you feel with lower back pain. I have dealt with it for years. Mine started after I had my son. I had it before I had him but got worse after I had him and had my Eppy. and got Micro-plasic menengitus. Mine would hurt so bad I couldn't move. Two years after I moved her from Tennessee I pulled my back out again and ended up haveing to go to a Chiroprator that was the only I was able to get rid of the pain. I still to this day go once a month and it really helps.

T.

Hello: I am a RN and a Lymph Therapist! I have a BSN and over 300 hours from the Upledger Institute in the Lymph Therapy.
This therapy can assist you in aleviation of sciatica pain and low back pain. However, if you are drinking soda, it would be a good idea to quit, as this helps the kidneys congest which may contribute to back pain.
P. D.
###-###-####
7249 S. Braden Ave
Tulsa,OK

I definitely agree with seeing a chiropractor and working those muscles. I sleep with a pillow between my knees when mine is hurting. It really eases the pressure! Good luck!

I agree with everyone else, go see a good Chiropractor!! Also, some yoga stretches may help (for ex: lay on your back and gently pull your knees to your chest, circle them around one way and then the opposite way). Heating pads may also help.

A. L

My husband had great luck with simple stretching similar to what is shown here (http://www.spine-health.com/topics/conserv/sciaex/sciaex0.... He did this every day morning and evening and saw significant relief within a week. Hope it works for you!

Hi J.,

I had the same thing and it especially got bad after I had my son. I thought it was just from being pregnant and it would pass after giving birth but it got much worse and I was in tears just trying to walk. I went to my doctor who did an adjustment which did help some. Then I went to my chiropractor who explained that I needed to strengthen those muscles and showed my an exercise to do. Within a month after giving birth I was back to running so it definately helped. The exercise was to lie on your stomach and lift your leg, bent up and down several times but keep your pelvis flat on the floor. Do it several times with each leg. I do hope this helps and the exercise works.
Take care,
E. T.

Hi J., I agree with all of the other posts. As far as pain relief, Aleve(naproxin sodium) works wonders. I was in so much pain after having all of my children, and the narcotics didn't work. There is this great nurse in L&D that has saved my life each time with aleve. Now I swear by it for all kinds of pain relief. You might also try sitting in a Hot tub and letting the jets aim right at your back. Another thing no one has mentioned is massages. My mom was in a horrible car wreck a few years back, and she goes once a week. It has seemed to ease her back pain. Good luck

Hi J., It sounds like what you have is sciatica, which is inflammation of the sciatic nerve which runs down the back of your leg. I have battled with it on and off especially after I had my third, large baby 9lbs 13oz.I'm 5' 2 and not meant to carry one that big (whew!) The thing that healped me most was physical therapy for six weeks 2-3 times a week. I discovered all those core muscles that help support you have been way stretched out and weakened. Lots of little repetitive exercises helped and I lost some babyfat weight around the middle too!! I live in Topeka and went to a place called Rebound Physical Therapy and they were wonderful. I went to my Dr. first and told him of my problem and he wrote me a RX for physical therapy and ins. paid for part of my therapy. I don't think it's too expensive but it can add up. I was to the point of crying at the sink while doing dishes and when I had to sit for periods of time it hurt bad as well. Good Luck!!!!!!!
M. B.

Hi J.,
I had this same pain, only severe, that was job related about 5 years ago. I went to physical therapy. Basically what they did was a deep heat massage first, then had me excercise. I sat on one of those big bouncy exercise balls and did figure 8's in both directions, walked on a treadmill, and just did some basic stretching exercises like we did in high school p.e.
The stretching really does help it. Sitting around seemed to make it worse. When it acted up a few years later, I took a pain reliever at night and slept on a heating pad. That also worked well for me. Good luck, I know how painful this can be.
L.

I totally agree - Chiropractic can help... of course I would recommend my husband, Mike Spiess... ###-###-####... he is in Lenexa, like 95th and Pflumm.

Good Luck... and know this can be relieved!

I am a chiropractor and I see people with this problem every day. You should see a chiropractor as soon as possible.

Hi J.-

My husband and I are a chiropractic team in OP (119th & Quivira). I am currently on maternity leave, but my husband is available and does great things with sciatic pain. He has a special table and technique that is very gentle and feels great. If you're interested, you can call us at ###-###-#### or check out our website at www.first-choice-chiro.com. We offer free consultation, so if you have any questions, please feel free to call or set up an in-person appointment.

Yours in health-
Dr. Alyssa

i had the same problem after my first was born. after trying to live with it for several months i ended up going to a chiroprator (sp?). he told me it was my sacro-illiac joint (sp?). i had to go several times so don't expect a quick fix. he taught me some stretches and also advised me on proper posture and even told me to get a different chair at work. all of which helped. the stretch i remember helping the most was to lay on your back on the floor (not a soft surface like a bed) and pull your left leg over your right leg, left knee bent. try to keep you shoulders and upper back as flat as possible on the floor, it also helps to keep your arms straight out (like wings). hope this helps.

ok this may sound really strange but you can try getting your husband to massage the outside lower part of your foot. It is called reflexology and you may want to check into it more. You can probably find some books on it in your local library. I do have a book on it and it helps with lots of things from headaches to menstral cramp to sinus problems...good luck

My sciatic nerve was pinched right after I gave birth. The only thing that helped was a strong anti-inflammatory...which they have now taken off the market and I can't remember the name...but you can ask your doctor for a current one.

I had the same thing happen and I am dealing with it still a little it is getting better and what helps is Chiropractics, massage, and Yoga! You need to do things to help your psoas muscle, also another thing is try to carry you child on your other hip! I am a massage theropist and my husband is going to Logan to become a Chiropractor. I have found that this helps a lot! if you have any other questions please ask I have more things that I do but these are starting points!

I had this also when I was pregnant and occasionally now as well. I've noticed the best thing for me is doing yoga or pilate style exercises. There's dvd from Crunch Fitness for pregnant moms and I use that. It's not that hard (now that I'm not pregnant) and the exercises seem to help realign my back to ease the discomfort. Hope this helps!

I still have this and my younger boys are almost 6 and 3.

I have found that a pilates stretch really helps. get down on the floor on your hands and knees, sit back with your tush on your heels, fold your torso over your lap, laying you head on the floor, stretching your hands way out in front of you. Once you are all folded up inhale as deeply as possible. This gives you a great gentle stretch.

When you get back onto all fours arch your back being sure to hold your belly in.

While standing lean against a wall, door or counter and bend in half letting your head and arms dangle as low as they will go. Exhale to let your top droop lower. carefully stand back up.

These all work for me. The other thing to do is carry the baby on the other hip or stop carrying the baby especially in the house. If he wants to keep up then he just needs to crawl behind you.

I know what you're talking about, after my second child who is now 7 1/2 months was born, I had back pain, I know it's hard to find time, but whenever you can relax, use a heating pad on your sore areas, also they have mobile heat pads you can stick on yourself. My husband also said it was the way I was bending down to pick up my son, you need to use your knees, not your back, that was my biggest problem. If the heating pad doesn't work, go to a chiropractor or doctor. Now that you're a mom, your health is just as precious as your little one's.

See a Chiropractor. Its possible that you just have something out of place putting pressure on that nerve. I had horrible pain when I was pregnant because of where my son was wedged and still do, the only thing that relieves it..is a chiropractic adjustment. Since your in Olathe, I'd like to suggest Dr. Jason Pickel in Shawnee Mission 7313 W 79th St
(79th&Metcalf). I saw him for about 2 1/2 yrs and he's fantastic!! (if you decide to see someone).
Hope your able to get some relief soon.

You should definitely stretch. Take up Yoga (go rent a video from the library or something...) You will most certainly benefit from it and feel much better physically and mentally! Take it real slow at the beginning and then once the pain subsides you can move up to harder positions. Just dont push your body too hard... if you do it could hurt you more than help you. Good Luck!!

So great to see that so many of us recommend chiropractic as the answer. It definately is. I'm not in your area, but I know chiropractic can help! Also, it would be in your best interest to act somewhat quickly. After the baby is born, a woman has relaxin (hormone) in her system that makes all the ligaments and muscles more elastic for about three months. The longer you wait to correct a problem following the birth, the more difficult it can be. Definately talk to your local chiropractor. If the first one cannot help....go to the next one. Just remember not all chiropractors are created the same...just keep trying until you find one you like!

Dear J.:
I have had problems off and on with my back for years (I'm twice your age), due to weak muscles and lack of specific exercise in that area, though I always walked a lot. What finally helped, was, a year ago when I developed such a painful lower back spasm that I could barely walk, I ended up consulting an excellent orthopedic doctor (Dr. Fotopoulous, Dickson-Diveley Orthopedic Clinic, they have an office out by College and Roe, and one down on the Plaza, and getting physical therapy at Kansas City Physical Therapy, they have an office in Mission and one on the Missouri side north of the Missouri River. I know neither of these facilities is close to you, but they really did help me a lot. Not only did the physical therapists show me specific exercises to do, they made me be accountable to someone besides myself to set up a regular home exercise routine, they also do ultrasound treatments and some other different things, according to what your doctor prescribes. The nicest thing the therapists did was lower back massage, and they were really good at finding those tense, sore areas and working out the pain. Once or twice I would go in feeling very sore on one side, but, oddly enough, it turned out, once the therapist started massaging, that it was actually the other side that was pulling and causing the problem. These are things that you could never do for yourself on your own at home. I am so glad that I finally got treatment, and I wish I'd done it years ago.
Good Luck,
J. H.

I totally agree w/ most of the responses...CHIROPRACTOR!!! Stretches aren't going to help if you're out of alignment, have a bulging disk, or worse. I would get it checked out by a good Chiropractor!

OMG! I have the exact same thing and evidently you and I are not alone! I'm gonna try some of this advice, hopefully it will work. My back just hasn't been the same since pregnancy, and the rest of my body is pretty much the same way lol! Good luck, I hope your pain gets better and mine too :)

i had the same problem after both of my kiddos. its horrible. i went to a chiropractor for a couple of months and it really helped ease the pain and get things back in allighnment. good luck! K.

Sounds like you have a pinched nerve. I went through this while pregnant also. I started sleeping with a pillow between my knee's, taking the pressure off my hips.
If you are not breast feeding, it wouldn't hurt to take an anti-inflamatory a couple of times a day. Either Aspirin, Ibuprofen (Advil) or Naproxin (Aleve). Naproxin is easiest on the stomach. And you don't have to take it as often.
If after about a week you don't notice a differece, I'd see a doctor.
Hope this helps you out.
Take care,
A.