chiropractors

[Harefieldfan]

has anyone tried chiropractors for sciatica? I went to one last week. Nice man but the pain is just as bad, if not worse. I know everyone is different, but what helps? Thanks.

[piglette]

I have found nothing really works well for sciatica. I find physios tend to use TENS machines which helps a bit. A friend says exercises helps but you have to tie yourself into a knot and I am not sure I can do that!

[Harefieldfan in reply to piglette]

thanks piglette. They say it goes away by itself but it is so so painful!

[piglette in reply to Harefieldfan]

It does go away eventually. The trouble is that it can come back again.

[usr2022 in reply to piglette]

Not sure I understand this:

but you have to tie yourself into a knot

[piglette in reply to usr2022]

I was exaggerating, the friend who showed me the exercises sat on the floor of the Spa where we were having coffee and seemed to move her legs into impossible positions, much to the amusement of everyone else who was there.

[usr2022]

What are your symptoms?

Do you have a herniated disc? About 90% of sciatica cases are caused by a herniated disc (most common are L5 and S1, out of all L4-S3). There are other causes too, like osteoarthritis or lumbar spine stenosis etc.

Physiotherapy is very important, the main part being exercises to strengthen the muscles that support the spine.

High intensity laser therapy (HIL), done also at physiotherapy (or chiropractors) is very helpful with both pain and healing.

spineuniverse.com/treatment...

Look here for a comparison between low level laser therapy (LLLT) and HIL; scroll down the page for the Calculator section and you will see the difference in time needed for achieving the results: high-intensity-laser.co.uk

TENS and other current therapies (like Interferential currents) provide some minimal temporary relief, lasts few hours, and could be helpful only if the pain prevents you from doing the exercises. If you can get HIL instead, then go with that, it's way more efficient. Also you would need few sessions to start feeling improvements.

In which country are you? As there may be other therapies available

[Harefieldfan in reply to usr2022]

hi! I’m in England. I have spondylosthesis (sp?) — herniated disc, spinal stenosis, arthritis. Sciatica down both legs. Am doing yoga stretches that I found on NHS website and trying to keep active despite the pain. Spend 45 minutes a day on my exercise bike; that helps. Evenings sit on a heating pad— great relief. Do you think physiotherapy is the best intervention? Tried it privately but wasn’t impressed, and very expensive. Will try to get my GP to refer me. I’m hoping spring will bring relief.

[usr2022 in reply to Harefieldfan]

My thoughts about this:

- you would need an assessment from a neurosurgeon about your spine and indications of what you are allowed to do in terms of physical exercises; since you already have the diagnosis mentioned above, you might have already done this part; I know one indication is to avoid lifting weights (as it would put even more pressure on an already damaged area) and avoiding movements such as when you get out of bed: try rolling to one side and pushing yourself up with your hands, rather than getting up from your back side.

- a physiotherapist that is experienced in spine issues can give you hints on what you should avoid and also prepare a set of exercises that fit your problems; you can learn those in few sessions and do them at home daily, no need to go to physio in clinics for those.

- in UK (and most of Europe) there is a therapy called MBST, it originates from Germany where it has been available for the past 20 years. Have a look here mbstmedical.co.uk

The german original website is mbst.de/english/advice-inte... There is a lot of medical information there, not just the page I shared.

It is same Magnetic Resonance from MRI scans, but used for therapeutical purposes. It helps with healing and regeneration of injured tissue.

- try to find a clinic that offers the High Intensity Laser therapy that I mentioned above, it shouldn't be expensive and you would feel improvements in few sessions (2-5). It is warming up the area of treatment and it is a pleasant therapy that helps with healing (so effects are not transient)

- supplements that can help nerves heal: AlphaLipoicAcid (about 600mg/day), B-complex vitamins, Magnesium (get a well absorbed form such as (bis)glycinate or citrate and dosage can be 400 mg/day of elemental magnesium), Selenium, vitamin E;

peaksupps.co.uk/products/ma...

- anti-inflammatory supplements: Omega3 (2000mg/day of EPA+DHA) , curcumin (with some form of pepper extract for absorption) 500mg up to 2000mg/day, vitamin D3 (according to blood test levels, up to 5000 IU/day)

- you could try Boron supplements for arthritis for couple months (an example product: healthleadsuk.com/boron-3mg... )

[Pixix]

Sorry for you, it’s horrible, I’ve had it since October (this time round!) There are stretching (& other) exercises that can help, look on Google. I can’t do them due to other medical issues right now, but know others that have benefitted. Sorry I don’t have a link. Mine is always worse in cold weather, & I think that’s the case for other sufferers. I haven’t heard of chiropractors being able to help.

[Harefieldfan in reply to Pixix]

I do stretches — good while I’m doing them. I’ve also had it since October! Thanks.

[Pixix in reply to Harefieldfan]

Good, think they are the best help!

[Belle11]

Sympathy! The best initial pain relief for me was low dose amitriptyline. After I had had excruciating pain for 6 weeks, a physio I saw told me to ask my GP for it - and it enabled me to sleep in bed again after 6 weeks having to sleep in a chair as the only way to reduce pain enough to sleep at all.

I think regular chiropractic helped long term with my recovery, also a particular physio that I got to see only once, helped with a wonderful lower back massage, that maybe helped to relax the muscles round the sciatic nerve.

It took 6 months for all my symptoms to go.

[Harefieldfan]

Wish I could see your physio, Belle11! What I find confusing is that some people say chiropractic helps and some say it doesn't. Guess it's all individual. Thanks.

[Alchemy8]

Just a quick addition. The diaphragm is very linked into the psoas muscle which also can have a lot to do with sciatic pain. Breathng exercises to increase the expansion of the diaphragm can help free up compression at the ribs and organs as well as help the lungs perform their task since it also acts as the major pump for the lymph - which should help inflammation. Yogic breaths are very good here which involve belly, chest and clavicular breathing and breathing through the nose. This Ayurvedic teacher has a very good website packed with free advice: lifespa.com/ayurvedic-lifes...

[Cutoff]

Hi I have just got over 4months of excruciating pain with sciatica. It was so bad that I just couldn’t stand. After 3 months I finally got to see a doctor who sent me for an x-ray . Nothing was helping in the way of pain killers so my daughter booked me up for acupuncture which at the time I didn’t believe would help but I would try anything. I had 4 sessions with a lovely lady and after the first one I felt some relief but continued going and had electrolised acupuncture and the pain has finally gone. So worth the money as I can now walk without being crippled with pain. She was a lovely lady and completely put me at ease. Her name is Kate Jackson www,kmjacupuncture.com.

I hope you find some relief soon as it is so so painful. 😘

[Harefieldfan in reply to Cutoff]

thank you! I will check it out.

[Harefieldfan]

I see she's in Kent, Cutoff. A bit too far, unfortunately, for repeat visits. I'm in London.

[LuzyCLL]

you need a chiropractor who uses massage & stretching, there are some out there who specialize is patients like us

[Harefieldfan]

thank you!

[LuzyCLL]

I do gentle yoga stretching, it helps. Also I have a wonderful chiropractor who uses TENS, massage, and traction to stretch my back (no adjusting of bones). It helps a lot.