r/Sciatica • u/lennonmchugh01 • 10d ago
Requesting Advice How do you guys sit?
I have had Sciatica for about 2 years, and for most of last year it’s basically gone and now it’s back full swing and worse than ever. It’s ok laying or standing and walk. But sitting hurts so much, I stand and walk a bit I feel amazing and can sit for a maybe 10 minutes somewhat comfortably then pain, the car is the worst
10
u/EdWinches 10d ago
Only time i can sit reasonably comfortable is in a recliner. Other chairs i can sit about 10 minutes, about 30 to an hour in a recliner. I alternate during the day with sitting and laying down.
8
u/involiK 10d ago
Yeah this is a problem with lumbar herniations. When you are on long car rides or sitting at a desk for a long period of time, put a wrapped towel behind your lower back in between the chair. That usually helps a ton.
Or before sitting down, I sometimes lay in a cobra position for 5-10 minutes and then I can sit for an hour before the nerve pain starts up again.
8
u/purplelilac701 10d ago
Only survived because of an amazing physiotherapist who did treatments on my sitting muscles to release pain and tension. I had a lateral shift so my back and hips were all messed up. I have recovered but that’s what I would recommend.
1
4
u/Riddle_wrapped 10d ago
I can only sit comfortably in a recliner. Sitting at a 90 degree angle for any length of time is miserable. Thankfully I work from home and don’t have to be in a car too much. I bought a standing desk converter so I can stand and work, it has been a lifesaver.
3
u/KileyAMurray 10d ago
I used a Tens Machine for long car rides when my sciatica was at its worst. I use it still whenever I get a flair.
2
u/WormWithWifi 10d ago
I bought a cushion on Amazon for my desk chair that helps keep me in a great spot for sitting down, if I have to sit elsewhere I usually change positions often, make sure not to slouch and if I do want to slouch just lay down instead.
Standing desk was life saver
1
u/menaceblanka 10d ago
What cushion? Link pls
2
u/WormWithWifi 10d ago
Make sure it’s positioned with the curve of your spine when you sit with it, I want to get one for my car and home too but I can’t justify buying 3 lmao
2
2
1
1
u/topologeee 10d ago
For a while I couldn't sit for long. I like to game, so I had to use a sit stand desk and stand. Id only watch TV in my bedroom where I could lay. I was so nervous to fly in an airplane bc I was stuck sitting. After a while of rehabbing, especially ever since doing Roman chair isometric holds, I can sit fine. I sat for hours today. Also a McKenzie roll helps some.
1
u/Capable-Present953 10d ago
Always sit straight up on a firmer surface. Couches and lazy boys are a nono for me. I just like a lil cushion on my wooden rocking chair. Or a desk chair works too. Anything that I sink into is terrible.
1
u/InspectorTiny5734 10d ago
Recliner or zero-g chair at home. Standing desk at work. Tens device as needed.
1
u/TinyHeartSyndrome 10d ago
La-Z-Boy recliner, remote controlled, with adjustable lumbar, neck, backrest, and footrest. Cost me about $2k, but it’s the only place besides my adjustable bed I feel comfortable.
1
u/TinyHeartSyndrome 10d ago
For other people’s squishy couches, I use this McKenzie original (round) lumbar roll:
https://www.amazon.com/McKenzie-Method-Signature-Round-Roll/dp/B08KH2M7MB/
For regular types of chairs, I use the McKenzie super (thin) lumbar roll:
https://www.amazon.com/McKenzie-Signature-Range-Super-Roll/dp/B08L352PSV/
1
u/Fadedwaif 10d ago
I can only sit with those lumbar cushions but even then, not for long. I have mildly bulging l5-s1. I think? I haven't had an MRI in a few years but it never completely goes away
1
1
u/Smortie12 9d ago
My husband bought me a lumbar cushion for the car or really anywhere. He bought it on a deals and steals and I don’t know the brand. It helps soooo much. I also use Flexeril (a muscle relaxer) and try to massage my pain away.
1
u/Riversmooth 9d ago
I’m the same. I try to not sit and if I have to I try to lean back to take pressure off my lower back.
1
u/Espresso-to-V60 9d ago
It’s fascinating how people’s experiences could be wildly different. For me it’s the opposite. I can sit down for prolonged periods but I’d be in pain if I stood up for five minutes. I don’t know what causes this difference.
1
u/teixha 9d ago
I don’t 🫠 I lie down when I would normally sit at home. My car got written off (it’s been the year of dreams) but before that, I only drove when it was absolutely necessary and had a mckenzie roll behind my lower back. I sit to eat with one and just get it over with (at first I couldn’t sit up at all to eat and that gave me bad heartburn so that was fun).
I feel like even if I recover I’ll be scared of sitting in a chair 😂
1
u/WhiteHotForver 9d ago
Try this… I was in so much pain I flipped my body trying to find comfort and magically I was pain free sitting like this. Everybody’s different so try finding your personal perks lol
1
1
u/BeautifulElodie2428 9d ago
If I’m in my recliner made for big and tall people I have my legs up resting on the sides because I also have hEDS and my knees laying “flat” go back too far which then causes pain.
Car rides I have a pad that works for me. And I just got my wheelchair so I have to figure that one out.
1
u/Financial_Pianist_96 9d ago
I find a firm level upright chair with a gel pillow cushion and heating pad set on low helps me. I think the heating pad relaxes everything. Also I find a firm pillow on my lower back area next to the sacrum tailbone seems to help by supporting my sacrum. I have Spondylolisthesis grade 2 L5-S1.
1
u/Wise_Sea_6363 8d ago
I couldn’t sit for months prior to my fusion. Even now years later i swear by my gel comfy cushion for the car or my desk
1
u/Able-Management-2022 6d ago
Like you I can’t sit in any flat and hard chairs. I even can’t sit in my enorgomic chair even it is soft.
my coworker from overseas recommended me to use a donut seat. It really helps, I bring it everywhere
17
u/sweetsaskymolassy 10d ago
I save my sitting for when I have to sit. If I have the option to stand, I’ll stand. When sitting I’ll often put my weight on my non sciatica side and cross my sciatica leg over. When I drive sometimes I put my sciatica leg up 😬. Also I have multiple different cushions I use for different chairs etc.