sciatica... to exercise or not...

[heathermc]

I have had sciatica on and off for 4 years and have usually managed with physio to overcome it, My last attack started in May and is now in both legs. Ive had MRI scan and confirms l5 disc has small bulge , with right side eccentricity hitting s1 nerve and minimal narrowing on l4,

I have a very active job which im finding very hard to keep up with. I am active I go to pilates I do gentle exercise and go to physio, I am on medication co coadamol and been prescricribed gabapentin.

I just need some advice as Im still in pain and when I bend down pain shoots up my leg and straight into my lower back. Is it sensible for me to start running, interval training or not. some say yes others no. I worry about doing more damage . I have done light jogging but I need to improve my fitness . Im 52 and reasonably active just fed up of pain.

I ve come to the opinion I need to adjust my lifestyle and learn to adapt to this pain as I think it may be with me for some time. I got told by one boss that its just a pain and to learn to live with it. T hat annoyed me as I haven't even gone sick from work with the pain. Bearing in mind my foot goes numb and I cant bend down very much .I get confused and fed up

[earthwitch]

Exercise is always recommended, however I'm not sure I'd want to be doing any kind of impact exercise (like running) with spine problems. It would just be far too easy for something to move even further out of place and cause more problems. What about swimming, cycling, tai chi, or other low impact exercise?

[Calceolaria]

What does your physio say? Personally, I would not be doing repetitive exercises if nerves are irritated. I would probably be discussing with my doctor, about having the nerve endings singed off in a simple neural ablation procedure.

[Lizziebets in reply to Calceolaria]

I have similar diagnosis and not sure you can have nerve ablation for the sciatic nerve?

[Calceolaria in reply to Lizziebets]

Apparently, you can.

[Calceolaria in reply to Lizziebets]

Dr Google says you can have both ablation or analgesia.

[deejames]

I agree with earthwitch that running or any other high impact exercise is not a good idea.7 years ago I tried to resume running with a"grumbling" sciatic nerve problem and ended up in hospital and barely able to walk for weeks.

You are doing the correct sort of exercise but if you need cardio I'd suggest cycling.

Good luck

[Sazntef]

High impact like running should be in the maintenance phase after you have the pain controlled. Never use the rowing machine as it's the worst possible thing to do. Cycling and cross-trainers a are ideal for building up activity in a low impact way. Swimming is also helpful. Build up of a weight routine to strengthen muscles and core will also help take the pressure off and reduce pain. Good luck x

[johnsmith]

You need to study posture and spinal reflexes. It is very easy to move the wrong way as one does things by habit rather than in a way which complements the way the body is designed to move.

There are neck reflexes which are dependant on the orientation of the head which have an input into issues of sciatica via spinal reflexes.

With the damage you have you have less room for various types of movements so you need to study and change the way you move.

Worth seeing an Alexander Teacher for guidance on this issue. Also worth seeing a McTimony chiropractor to see if there are any muscles spasms which are causing pressure to be applied in the wrong places.

Hope this helps.

[Coastwalker]

It might not be applicable to you heathermc, but vitamin D deficiency can be one cause of sciatica and leg pains.

Even low 'within range' vitamin D bloods can cause symptoms.

[Hidden]

hi their now you have sciatica trouble sorry for this but the pain does increase i've trapped my now for 6 years and now winter is on its way you will need to keep warm, i'm 48 years old the tablets i'm on are called nefopam 30mg tablets 3x 2 a day hope this helps bigalan

[heathermc]

thanks everyone. im continuing with my pilates and some light cross training tomorrow. Il see the physio next week and try some cycling I think. here goes!

[Palioly]

I had a bout 4 years back easily fixed by using Diclofenac. However my next bout this summer I am now not able to use any NSAIDs for heart reasons, so pain control was eventually achieved by lo-dose, slow release, Morphine 30 mg. capsules, but at a hideous cost of terrible constipation.

Eventually I opted to have a Facet Jpint and Nerve Block injection which has substantially decreased my pain level to going back to the occassional Paracetamol for the residual pain relief.

And I was/am a Running Club runner of 5K distance (about 32/33 minutes), who needs to get, as I think you do, proper (Consultant level ?) advice on continuing to run - bear in mind that running puts twice the stress on spinal components as walking !

Let us know what advice you get.

[Palioly]

Re: above - let us know if you get any advice, please !

[heathermc]

Still got sciatica. Both legs. Don't need surgery but pain won't go. Hasn't got worse. I'm doing pilates. Swimming and Tai chee. Mild aerobics but no running. I'm off gabapentin and the pain is no worse. Chiropracttioner here I come. Worth a try. Still working. Fed up of endless apps. Doing light jogging on advice of physio .

[stiffy in reply to heathermc]

A good aromatherapist stretched my sciatica away in one session. The chiropractor didn't pull hard enough ! £300 for that disappointment.

[stiffy]

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