Please can anyone recommend supports and tips for preventing sciatica when getting on/off the loo and in/out of the car?

[Joanna098]

Hello,

A relative is suffering from crippling sciatica (left leg from bottom down) which she has now for a year. She tries to keep straight and not bend over, all day, to help prevent daily attacks.

The car and bathroom (especially standing up from the loo) are the worst triggers, leaving her unable to move for long periods. She can't travel because there is the constant worry of getting out and back in the car again.

It would be very helpful if anyone can please recommend tried and tested loo seat supports or general techniques or tips for sciatica.

I can't imagine the pain people have with this. Thanks so much.

Ps She does regular physio and is on medication (Gabapentin) through GP which we're not that sure how it's helping. She hasn't tried an osteopath or chiropractor.

[hypercat54]

Hi oh dear poor lady as this sounds awful. My mother had it for months but was going to see a chiropractor. It took a few session but eventually he freed the sciatic muscle and from that moment on she made a full recovery. So I recommend a chiropractor. An osteopath can do the same thing.

You can buy swivel car seats which you place on the existing seat and you can also buy toilet supports online. They should help. If she is on certain benefits she might be able to get them free.

I hope she recovers soon. x

[Joanna098 in reply to hypercat54]

Thank you very much for all this. I'm so relieved for your mother and encouraged to know she's made a full recovery.

All the best x

[Hidden]

Try this for the car, it might help.

stander.com/handy-bar

[Joanna098 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks so much

[Hidden in reply to Joanna098]

No problem.

[johnsmith]

You say: "She tries to keep straight and not bend over, all day, to help prevent daily attacks." This is the wrong approach. The spine has curves. It is important to try and allow curves back into the spine. Have a look at some anatomy books.

You say: "She does regular physio". There are physios and physios. Some are good and some are destructive. See a chiropractor. This is important. A chiropractor can give an important second opinion. A tumour pressing in the wrong place can cause the symptoms of sciatica. So you may need to fight to get an MRI scan.

You have not said how old your relative is. As we get older muscles develop the habit of over contracting causing pain issues. Referred pain like sciatica is one of them. Worth seeing an Alexander teacher for help with muscle control issues.

[Joanna098 in reply to johnsmith]

Thank you so much for this John-She is 86.

[johnsmith in reply to Joanna098]

86 is outside my range of knowledge. Worth finding a massage therapist to work over her muscles to reduce any tight muscles that she has. This will make her quality of life much better.

At that age we are looking for things that help. Pain killers are suspected as a cause for dementia type illnesses. Lack of movement will stiffen muscles. So gentle movements are helpful. Not vigorous. Experiment and see what happens. McTimony chiropractors are very gentle.

[Joanna098 in reply to johnsmith]

Such a help, much appreciated. I will pass on and look into McTimony.

All the best.

[hilary1842]

i would recommed looking at how the pelvis is tilted when sitting. I find that modern car seats do not suit my pelvis, they are too deep. Keeping the angle between the back and the thighs greater than 90 degrees helps and a slight arch in the lower back. Rolled hand towels are useful for making modifications although both my self and my husband have differnt shaped chushions for similar problems.

Good Luck finding the right solution.

[Joanna098 in reply to hilary1842]

Thank you so much for this, really helpful x