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Attack of Sciatica on holiday

(16 Posts)
Lizbethann55 Wed 25-Aug-21 13:27:15

I am on holiday and have got an attack of sciatica in my right hip and leg. I am in agony and am struggling to move. I have contacted all the local physios etc near to where we are staying but they all have long waiting lists and, besides which, I don't know if a one off treatment would work. Do any of you have any sciatica relief secrets that you could share. We are away with my DH, DS , DiL and their baby. I don't want to be the grudge who spoils it for everyone. Thanks.

MayBee70 Wed 25-Aug-21 13:42:39

Using a pillow under or between knees when lying down. Voltarol/Ibuleve gel. Could you get hold of some codeine? Make some golden paste with turmeric etc.

loopyloo Wed 25-Aug-21 13:43:58

Perhaps see a GP as a visitor and ask for a few valium tablets to take at night or a prescription for codeine?
Also rest as much as possible and apply ice.
Try to find an acupuncturist who can see you.
I had to be driven home in the end and my son took me to A&E.
All best wishes. Very unpleasant.

MerylStreep Wed 25-Aug-21 13:51:22

Lizbethanne
This video is exactly what a physio will do. I’ve done this for years and it works. I wish I’d known about years ago before I spent all that money?
What your doing is stretching that muscle out. Go for it.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UoITjubrgE

tippytipsy Wed 25-Aug-21 14:16:57

Ouch. First thing is good pain relief to get you through the holiday. Don't sit for too long, keep mobile if you can.
Try lying on your front to extend the spine.
Good luck.

Esspee Wed 25-Aug-21 14:54:46

My OH tried a course with a chiropractor which did not help then had two sessions with an osteopath and it cleared up. Perhaps a local osteopath could fit you in.
I found clutching my knees to my chest, singly then together worked for me.

Parsley3 Wed 25-Aug-21 15:15:02

My yoga teacher gave me a list of stretches when I had a bout of sciatica. They are similar to those on the video and they did work for me. I did them lying on the floor with a good view of the TV and stayed with them until I could move again without pain. Good luck.

Grannynannywanny Wed 25-Aug-21 15:20:37

I suffered an acute back injury just before the arrival of the pandemic and my physio appointment was cancelled. I had extremely painful sciatica and my GP advised me to follow these stretches on the NHS website. Once you find relief it’s advised to keep doing the stretches at least once a day to strengthen your back and keep the misery of sciatica at bay.
I hope you find relief.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/back-pain/treatment/

muse Wed 25-Aug-21 15:42:11

I’m currently getting rid of my sciatica. I’ve had 2 bad bouts over the past 10 years.

I’m assuming you can google for information. NHS sciatica page is excellent. I’ve got one YouTube vid on Pilates stretches specifically for sciatica.

Walking, slowly with short steps. Heat pack at night on worst place and ibuprofen in recommended dosage. Take last one just before bed. Paracetamol will not relieve the pain.
I saw physio years ago and the stretches they did are just like Pilates.

Don’t sit for too long. Those short slow steps really help me. I’m walking for about 10 mins. Regularly.

All the best. Such a horrible thing to happen on your hols.

muse Wed 25-Aug-21 15:44:38

Forgot the link. www.nhs.uk/conditions/sciatica/

muse Wed 25-Aug-21 15:46:01

MerylStreep

Lizbethanne
This video is exactly what a physio will do. I’ve done this for years and it works. I wish I’d known about years ago before I spent all that money?
What your doing is stretching that muscle out. Go for it.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UoITjubrgE

I use this one. It’s brilliant

Sago Wed 25-Aug-21 16:15:40

I posted a few weeks ago, exactly the same, I would have done anything!

It wasn’t sciatica but GTPS, the exercises I was doing for sciatica were making the GTPS worse.

Try standing on 1 leg for a minute, if when you have your good leg off the ground the pain is worse it could be GTPS.

Physios exercise plan has helped enormously.

Sara1954 Wed 25-Aug-21 17:53:08

Lizbethann
I really feel for you, my husband has had it for about the last month, and he’s been in agony.
It’s going at last, but twice weekly visits to the chiropractor has still only shown slow progress.
Really hope you can get sorted out.

MerylStreep Wed 25-Aug-21 17:58:53

Muse
As we know the only difference between what we do and what he/she does is that they put there body weight on that
crossed over leg thereby stretching out that muscle/ nerve even more.

timetogo2016 Thu 26-Aug-21 10:01:17

I just had my results after having an MRI scan,only to find out my sciatica isn`t sciatica after all,my spine is pushing down on two nerves at the base of my spine and it`s bloody painfull 24/7.
Awaiting a doctors appointment.

HolySox Thu 26-Aug-21 10:19:41

I found the 'slump' exercise really helpful

m.youtube.com/watch?v=BjYUkAwpRsY

The idea is it moves the sciatic nerve in it's channel to free it. Start with the toe pointing down and gently lift the lower leg up and down. If that is comfortable then bring the foot up once the lower leg is up, to increase the stretch.

I have disc problems so this might work if MerylStreep's approach doesn't help as this seems to target a muscle.

Feel for you and hope you get relief soon.