[LaFish]

I am experiencing lower back pain. I went to my PCP and he suggested PT. I start next week.
Anyone with sciatic pain? What did you do? Any recommendations if PT does not help?
TIA

[MayCee]

Stretch! I stretch using a towel before I get out of bed. I use the towel to pull my leg as far toward me as I can. I stretch it to all sides. My chiropractor recommended I do this every morning. It helps a lot! I also go to my chiropractor and use the decompression machine. I also ice it if it gets really bad.

[Tori58]

I had sciatic pain when I was pregnant. My aunt, who had experienced the same with all three of her pregnancies, recommended this low-tech remedy: find an empty glass soda bottle and, as you're seated doing something like watching TV or reading, roll it back and forth with your foot as far as you can. It worked for me.

[WordFountain]

I’m so sorry. Sciatic pain is awful. Mine flares up when my hip flexors are tight. I agree with PP: Stretch. For me that’s the only thing that works. PT can probably help teach you stretches to do long after you go in person.

[Sam5]

I just finished PT for lower back pain. It really helped. I now have a specific list of stretching exercises I do everyday that help relieve the pain.

[NJ Teacher]

I did a lot of Pahla B’s workouts during the lockdown. She has many designed for sciatica. Here is one. https://youtu.be/Up3KKi7YyxE

[PPCDTeacher]

My sciatica can get really bad at times. The chiropractor helps some. Also i stretch a LOT, especially before I get out of bed.

[eagles23]

I have had it off and on since my 4th pregnancy (many years ago) and the only thing that usually helps is a visit to the chiropractor. PT never really did much for me, and I can do certain exercises/stretches that will relieve the pain temporarily, but an adjustment is always needed to fix the current issue.

[Teach 5]

Stretch, stretch, stretch. Wear good shoes/sandals. Massage helped me the most. PT should teach you some good stretching exercises.

[WalkDontRun]

Last year I aggravated my sciatica by over stretching my hamstrings. I did a google search and found that over stretching often will make sciatica worse—not always, of course. My search led me to Stuart McGill a well-renowned back doctor. He has some videos of alternatives to standard stretching that I found very helpful.

[Song of Joy]

I just came off a horrible time with sciatica so I joined a couple of Facebook support groups. A summary is:

* Don't do anything to further aggravate the nerve. If something, even stretches, starts to hurt, then stop.
* Try these 2 exercises: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OTVahoa_
* Ice
* Decompression. I "dangled" from a kitchen county.
* Decrease inflammation with extra water, turmeric/ginger tea, and other anti-inflammatory measures.
* Water aerobics or water exercise
* McKenzie Exercises

For me, chiro helped but massage did not. I really hope you find some relief. The pain can be crazy.

[Ruby tunes]

I recently completed eight sessions of physical therapy for back pain, and the therapy was enormously helpful. The therapist gave me basic exercises to do which strengthen my core. I have always walked for exercise but that’s not enough and only targets my legs. I will do these new core exercises the rest of my life!

I hope you see a physical therapist and get helpful solutions for your pain.

[eeza]

I'm so glad you posted this! I have lower back pain and was wondering what it might be. I'll do some stretches, but if it continues, I may contact my doctor to see what some good next steps could be.

[klarabelle]

While I was sick I had an awful bout of sciatica, I could not even put weight on my foot without pain. The doctor in the hospital prescribed Gabapentin for pain. In the past I have taken 3 tylenol and 2 motrin at the same time to help with the pain. I also found using a heating pad and finding the "sweet"spot to sit in.

With PT the pain did go away.