Sciatica/Legs pains

[Cutie2001]

Hi all ! The last few days I’m having a lot of pains from my ankles, legs all the way up to my glute. I have to wear a lumbar belt so I can walk. I’m trying to stretch and exercise, also going to a Chiropractor 2x a week. My Neurologist is ordering MRI, EMG, blood work and sending me to PT. Today I increased my B1 from 500mg to 1,000mg to see if it’s going to help. Any ideas that I should do to get rid of the pains. TIA.

[docjleonard55]

I am a retired Podiatrist with an interest in alternative medicine. Many years ago a friend had given me a book on reflexology for my birthday since she was aware of my interest. When my wife got pregnant with my second son, she developed some terrible sciatica. She had terrible pain and could not find a comfortable position. I consulted my reflexology book and found the points that corresponded to treatment for sciatica. It was a miracle! within a few minutes of treating the areas her pain went away. Of course it came back, but each time I would treat the spots and her pain would disappear for an extended time. Eventually it just stopped. I have used the technique successfully on others and not so on some. It doesn't work for everyone. If you don't have someone that can do it for you, it is possible to perform it on yourself. Be aware that the procedure is painful by itself. The areas are tender and require some pressure to activate and some can not tolerate it ( the pain "proves" that the areas need attention). So check it out. If you cant find the spots to treat let me know and I will tell you. Good luck!

[Cutie2001 in reply to docjleonard55]

Thank you for the info. I do feel better for a few hours after every time I go to the Chiropractor. I have a large area, as soon as I set my foot on the ground, the pains start at my ankles, back of my legs and all the way up my butt. I appreciate any info you can provide me with.

[Cutie2001 in reply to docjleonard55]

I’m interested. Would you please tell me how to find the spot and what I need to do. Thanks

[docjleonard55 in reply to Cutie2001]

OK. So if you can imagine you foot and lower leg in a stirrup. The points run from about 1/3 of the way up the inside of the lower leg, right on the inside of the tibia, down straight to the heel, across the bottom of the heel in a continuous line from the leg, up the outside of the lower leg, right about in the middle, from the heel to about 1/3 up. The technique I use is to use pressure from the thumb to "creep" it down the inside, across the heel to up the outside. Then reverse. Down the outside across the heel to up the inside. I hold pressure for a couple of seconds on tender spots. If you find the pressure is too painful, ease up but maintain and increase pressure when you can. Good luck! I hope it helps. Let me know.

[park_bear]

Parkinson's puts extra stress on the lumbar spine due to our tendency to bend forward. Sciatica can be a result of this stress. Sciatica is caused by impingement upon the sciatic nerve, usually as a result of lumbar intervertebral disc problems. Fish oil has been shown to mitigate this kind of problem. I adopted a high fish oil diet and my sciatica is now in remission. I have written about this here:

Reaching for lumbar relief: tinyurl.com/ktv33aye

and here: Salmon – The best source of beneficial fish oils. Is it safe to eat?tinyurl.com/27b3ahw7

There are other potential causes of sciatica, bone spurs and piriformis nerve impingement, but these are less frequent.

[Cutie2001 in reply to park_bear]

I was diagnosed in 2018 with spinal stenosis L4 L5. Thank you for the info

[park_bear in reply to Cutie2001]

Stenosis is a catchall term that refers to any kind of impingement on a spinal nerve. See mayoclinic.org/diseases-con... for a list. Disc troubles are most common but not the only cause. "Stenosis" is a fancy word that sounds like a diagnosis but it is not really.

[ghoegap]

Hi! In my own experience a bio kineticist opened to way to recovery.

[HekateMoon]

Have you access to a Bowen therapist? It helps me a lot...

[rebtar]

I’m in the same boat. Anyone know about pain relievers that are not NSAID? How do you exercise with a sciatic flare up?

[Cutie2001 in reply to rebtar]

I do it sitting down. Also my sciatica doesn’t flare up, it’s 24/7

[PDWarrior1900]

i have foot and leg cramping... 1000s of internal tremors ... 95% under control using these devices:

1. for about $150.00 you pick up from Amazon a foot and calf massager and keep it where you 'sit' the most... either your office desk or kitchen table... and put it underneath that.... for me it's the kitchen table and i massage my feet and calves at least an hour daily

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2. i have two of these in my bed... $90 from Amazon and about $55 on Ebay

amazon.com/gp/product/B081G...

I rest my hands and arms on top of them because the entire unit (handle and body) -- vibrates! I fall asleep with these on... very helpful in reducing my internal tremors...

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3. buy a vibration plate machine -- you can usually find them cheapest on craigslist or amazon

a handful of times the vibration plate machine saved me from excruciating leg cramps!

i have many more home therapy devices, but they get costly -- like my home sauna... i'm in that 2-3 times a week, 90 minute sessions

best of luck!

m