Sciatica/trapped nerve

If you have a properly qualified Pilates instructor who is trained in back / leg problems s/he is the 'go to' person. As I've mentioned on other threads I had severe sciatica and it was the Pilates instructor who is an injuries specialist - who discovered (a) that I had a curved spine and (b) that I had one leg shorter than the other. The exercises I've been given are individual [no one person does the same in our group of 6] and have helped tremendously. The main thing for me is to keep moving when I get the occasional flare up and that is SO difficult when all I want to do is lie or sit down. To help me my instructor vertically taped my spine with strips of what looked like sticky plaster and that helped too. It boils down to finding the cause. I've never found a doctor who has the time to source the problem. I've suffered back problems since my twenties and was in a corset with steel bones for 2 years which in the end didn't do me any favours! Sciatica is incredibly painful and I have every sympathy with anyone who has it.

Poor you. Sciatica is so painful.

I agree with all of the above especially trying to keep moving.

I found simple yoga stretches helped first thing in the morning and still do them when I stiffen up. I can't tolerate strong painkillers but somebody recommended magnesium tablets to improve muscle function.

Drink plenty of fluids because dehydrated muscles make everything worse. I agree about acupuncture and I found alternating sitting on an icepack and leaning against a heated wheat bag very comforting while I was reading or watching TV.

Hope you feel better soon.

Physio will teach you the correct stretches to help with sciatica. Strong painkillers and acupuncture help with the pain. When you have sciatica, you often have a very tight piriformis muscle which is near the sciatic nerve and can cause the pain. Massage to relieve this helps.
I had over one year off work with sciatica and have had it for long periods at other times. Getting advice from physio helped me most.

Some years ago I had a trapped nerve which effected my right leg and foot.
I couldn't physically lift the leg even over a pavement, hubby had to help me with everything.
A&E did some tests and just said it would go in time.
Seven days later it went as quickly as it appeared and I've never had the problem again. Thank goodness.

I found physiotherapy helped a little.

Don't rest too much . Keep gently on the move. Are you able to sleep at night? Doctor might give you a few doses of valium which relaxes the muscles.
Try sitting on a special cushion that lifts you off that area.
Try ice packs. Take Vitamin c.
Try to find a good osteo path. And try Acupuncture. I found that very helpful.
Usually after 6 to 8 weeks the body heals.

Has your Doctor told you the cause of your Sciatica? Mine was a herniated disc, after an MRI I had a period of bed rest, which made the pain go away, then I had physio, but I ended up with an emergency op.
All went well and after 2 years I got the feeling back in my right leg and foot!
Seriously, I went to hell and back with the pain. If your Doctor tells you to rest then please do. And take the analgesics they reduce inflammation as well as pain. Hopefully your Sciatica won’t progress. Hope you feel better very soon.