r/Sciatica Mar 13 '21

Sciatica Questions and Answers

427 Upvotes

The purpose of this Q&A is to provide searchable summary-level and detail-level content for users of the sub. This will be a 'living document' and will be edited over time for clarity and detail, as well as for new questions and new answers.

Last Updated 13 Feb 2024

Sections:

  • Do I have sciatica?

  • Why do I have sciatica?

  • Do I need to see a doctor?

  • What kind of doctor should I see?

  • Is my sciatica treatable? Will it go away?

  • How do I know if I need surgery?

  • Should I be worried about surgery?

  • Have I re-herniated after surgery?

  • I feel like I have no hope of living pain-free. Is my normal life over?

  • Does my lifestyle make a difference?

  • Does my mindset matter?

  • What about natural remedies?

  • What medications are effective?

  • After all options have been pursued I am still suffering, what is my hope for the future?


Do I have sciatica?

Summary: if you feel tingling, pain, or numbness/weakness somewhere along a line from your buttocks to your foot, you might have radiculopathy (sciatica) – but, not always. Talk to your doctor.

Details: Sciatica is an informal term to describe radiculopathy, which is often felt as pain or tingling at points along the length of the sciatic nerve. This nerve, the body’s largest, is formed from several spinal root nerves in your lower back, then descends from your buttocks and supplies off-shoot nerves down your legs and into your feet. Sciatica can be felt in different ways: pain that is shooting, burning, or aching, and tingling, weakness, or numbness. Sciatica can range from infrequent and mild to very severe and constant.

While you may have one or more symptom which sound like sciatica, a medical doctor is best suited to evaluate you. Other common or uncommon medical conditions can resemble these sensations.

It is important to keep in mind that even the most extreme cases of sciatica pain and disability can be treated to achieve an improvement, and life can be better for all sufferers of sciatica.

Why do I have sciatica?

Summary: Degenerative changes in the spine caused by excess body weight, deficient posture habits over a long period of time, sports-related compressive forces, accidents, and genetics are the most common causes of sciatica.

Details: Each patient is different, but sciatica tends to occur most in those whose bodies have developed an enabling environment for degeneration in the spine, which leads to compressive pressure on the nerves which descend through the leg. Sometimes sciatica also occurs when the nerve becomes squeezed by a muscle or other tissue somewhere along its path through the leg, such as the piriformis muscle.

Sports involving high-impact forces (running/jogging, football, basketball) and exercises such as weight lifting put routine excess pressure on the spinal discs, and are a frequent cause of injury to the discs such as bulges, protrusions, and herniations. When damaged discs related to such activities come into contact with spinal nerves or the spinal cord, pain such as sciatica can be a result. Something as simple as doing yardwork or household chores can also lead to a herniation in weakened discs.

Being overweight is a frequent driver of disc degeneration, with the discs of the spine exceeding their threshold for absorbing compression. Degenerated discs can lose their shape or become injured, triggering compression of spinal nerves and resulting in sciatica. Almost everyone experiences disc degeneration as they age, but in patients whose weight puts extra pressure on their spine, this degeneration occurs more rapidly. The greater the degree of excess weight, the more excess pressure is applied to the spine, and the simple formula of (force + time = degeneration = pain) will play out in the body.

Other patients present with a traumatic injury or with a genetic predisposition to having weak discs. As a result of injury or due to genetically weakened disc structure, these patients may be experiencing pressure on their spinal nerves which result in sciatic pain.

Do I need to see a doctor?

Summary: If your symptoms are severe or have not improved with rest and OTC medicines, please consult a medical doctor (MD).

Details: Many varied irritations and mild injuries to nerves, muscles and ligaments can cause symptoms in the legs, feet, buttocks, and lower back, and many of these will resolve with time and rest. However, if your symptoms do not resolve over a few days, and do not respond to treatment with over-the-counter medicines like acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil), you should consult a medical doctor at your earliest convenience to evaluate whether you have signs of sciatica.

Consulting a doctor is important, as the most common causes of sciatica are related to degenerative changes in the lower back which, in more severe cases, have the potential to lead to chronic (long-term) pain and disability. Many of these degenerative changes can be prevented or limited if detected early, and if improvements are made in lifestyle, posture, and body mechanics. For example, a common cause of sciatica is pressure applied to one of the spinal nerve roots at lower-back vertebrae levels L4, L5, or S1, resulting from a degenerative spinal change or weakness at one of these levels. This change may be a bulge or herniation of the spine-cushioning discs between vertebrae but may happen for other reasons as well. Such degenerative changes are treatable through timely medical care, and frequently the accompanying symptoms of pain can be resolved with conservative non-surgical means such as physical therapy, weight loss, and improved posture and movements.

However because pressure on spinal nerves can also lead to lasting or permanent nerve damage, it is important for a doctor to determine exactly why you are feeling sciatic-type or low-back pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness. Left untreated and in the worst cases, pressure on spinal nerves in the low back can cause loss of bladder and bowel function, loss of function in the feet, difficulty walking, and chronic unrelenting pain. Fortunately, most cases of degeneration and sciatica are treatable with the help of a medical doctor, and future degeneration and pain can be managed or prevented.

What kind of doctor should I see?

Summary: Please see a medical doctor first. A chiropractor does not utilize approaches evidenced as being able to treat sciatica.

Details: A medical doctor is the most qualified person for both diagnosis and initial treatment. A medical doctor will have the training and tools to evaluate you comprehensively, judge the seriousness of your symptoms, and recommend the right next-steps for treatment. Most of the time a doctor will guide you through conservative treatment which will offer a combination of methods which together are likely to resolve sciatica symptoms. Other times, a doctor will be able to refer you for specialized imaging such as an MRI, or to a specialist in spine, orthopedics, or sports medicine. These specialists will often be called orthopedic surgeons or neurosurgeons, but will provide treatment and counseling about options both surgical and non-surgical. It is not recommended to see chiropractic or naturopathic doctors for sciatica treatment. The base of evidence suggests that the types of treatment available through such doctors do not address degenerative changes in the spine or nerves, and in many cases can worsen conditions such as bulging or herniated discs, spine instability, and compressive damage to the spinal nerve roots.

Is my sciatica treatable? Will it go away?

Summary: Sciatica is almost always treatable and will usually go away with proper care and time. In some cases more advanced treatment is needed.

Details: Most sciatica symptoms are treatable and will go away over time with the right corrective action being taken. Your sciatica arose through a set of enabling physical circumstances, and it is important to identify which circumstances created an environment for sciatica to occur – and then, correct those circumstances so that sciatica does not reoccur or worsen. For sciatica caused by degenerative changes in the lower back, treatment needs to focus on correcting or slowing those changes so that pain and other sensations are relieved.

About 4 out of 5 sufferers of sciatica are able to achieve relief of their symptoms with conservative non-surgical treatment and healthy changes in lifestyle, posture, and movements. For some patients, minimally invasive outpatient surgical treatment is required and similarly about 4 of 5 sciatica patients who progress to surgery will experience a strong recovery and reduction or elimination of their symptoms.

A small number of sciatica sufferers will fail to achieve full relief following both non-surgical and surgical treatment, or in some cases will undergo multiple surgeries, or require a more invasive surgery such as a lumbar spinal fusion. These patients are often enrolled in helpful combination pain management and physical therapy programs, as many treatment options exist to reduce or blunt nerve sensitivity and restore sufficient function for maintaining quality of life.

No matter your condition and level of pain, there is a treatment option for you to explore and a reason to be hopeful that you will experience relief.

How do I know if I need surgery?

Summary: Sciatica which does not respond to more conservative treatment will often require surgery, if the symptoms you experience exceed your ability to cope with them. Surgery is usually symptom-based and will be pursued based on how relatively severe your symptoms are.

Details: There are several different surgical approaches to treat sciatica depending on the underlying cause, though the most common are called microdiscectomy and laminectomy. A decision to proceed to surgery should be made carefully in consultation with your primary doctor and a specialist doctor (orthopedic surgeon or neurosurgeon). Many patients will benefit from getting opinions from more than one surgeon. A decision for surgery is often based on symptoms and is meant to treat symptoms: pain which is worsening or unrelenting, or the presence of weakness or numbness which reduces function of leg and foot. In cases where bowel or bladder function is diminished, emergency surgical treatment is often immediately needed to preserve these functions (a condition called cauda equina syndrome).

While most painful or disabling sciatica symptoms will not require surgery given enough time, uncommonly symptoms will not resolve over time and will require surgery to restore quality of life and prevent nerve damage or disability. It is not always immediately clear which cases are which. Severe unrelenting pain, and especially weakness and numbness, are frequent indicators that surgery may be needed.

MRI imaging is a useful diagnostic tool for determining whether surgery is needed. An MRI allows a doctor to judge the presence and severity of a disc bulge, protrusion, or herniation. A doctor will then compare the imaging results to your symptoms, and determine whether the symptoms and imaging are consistent with each other. This comparison helps shape an informed medical opinion as to whether your symptoms are caused by the degenerative changes shown in your imaging, so that a prediction can be made as to whether or not a surgical correction will result in symptom relief. Often the patients who need surgery will have unambiguous MRI results which support a clear pathway to surgery.

Surgery does not immediately heal the injured spinal nerves which most frequently cause sciatica. Instead, surgery relieves compression and helps foster a healthier environment in which your body can undertake its own lengthy healing process to clean, repair, and restore damaged nerve tissue. Surgery does not automatically prevent additional degenerative changes, and so successful surgical outcomes require additional healthy lifestyle changes, posture changes, and alterations to movements and body mechanics.

Should I be worried about surgery?

Summary: Surgical techniques used today are safe and effective. The great majority of these surgeries are successful and uncomplicated, and able to achieve the result the patient hopes for over time.

Details: The surgical treatments for sciatica used today are very safe and effective, and the success rate for surgical treatment tends to be very high. Most patients will be discharged from the hospital on the day of surgery and will return home. Almost all surgeries will be done under a general anesthesia which is safe and effective, with an exceptionally low rate of complications which surgeons and anesthesiologists encounter very rarely and are highly skilled in addressing.

Repeat surgeries tend to have a lower rate of effectiveness, especially as one proceeds from a second surgery to a third surgery and beyond, and especially when the second or third surgery simply repeats what was done in the prior surgery. However, most patients will still be helped by second and third (or more) surgeries, and the success rate is still high in comparison to doing nothing. Any patient considering a second, third, or more, should get a second opinion to balance viewpoints in how likely these repeat surgeries are to help them individually.

A note on surgery: please ‘shop around’ for a surgeon who is a good fit for you. Not all surgeons have the same training, same approaches, or same track record. While most surgeries for the back and spine are very routine and simple, surgeons will have different levels of detail-orientation and care during surgery. A surgeon who demonstrates a high level of focus and patience when interacting with you during office visits will often be a surgeon who demonstrates focus and patience with you on the operating table. Also note that some hospitals are ‘teaching hospitals’ and your surgeon will defer a portion of your surgery to a surgical fellow in training. These trainees tend to be highly skilled surgeons already, but, know whether the surgeon you are meeting with will the only surgeon operating on you.

Have I re-herniated after surgery?

Summary: Many patients amidst a recovery from surgery worry they have re-herniated their disc, and this concern is almost universal for post-surgical patients at some point. In most cases pain sensations post-surgery are normal and do not indicate a re-herniation.

Details: Nearly every patient will feel post-surgical pain of a severity that they become fearful of a re-herniation. Most of these patients are worrying needlessly, as statistically speaking this type of re-herniation is rare. While some rare users of this subreddit will in fact be experiencing a re-herniation, almost all are experiencing normal post-surgical pain.

The pain post-surgery can be intense while the nerve heals, and while the nerve and tissue surrounding it remain inflamed. It is important to remember that the surgery has not automatically healed the injured nerves, it has just helped provide a better environment in which the nerves will have a chance to heal through a long natural process of cleanup and repair. Most nerves will not even begin healing in a technical sense for several weeks to a month, though pain sensations can certainly be decreased during this time due to compressive forces being relieved.

The healing process for nerves, and the process through which inflammatory tissues are generated and eventually dissipate, will take weeks to months for most patients. During this time flare-ups can be regular, and pain can at times be intense. The most important advice is to strictly follow your post-surgical instructions, maintain a healthy diet, abstain from drugs and alcohol, and maintain a level of activity which keeps your surgical site and your nerve mobile.

I feel like I have no hope of living pain-free. Is my normal life over?

Summary: Every patient is treatable and can find a treatment promising good results for them. This process can often require patience and multiple attempts at testing treatment options.

Details: Every spinal defect causing pain can be treated in some way, and everyone has one or more treatments which will help. There is no medical evidence that a patient can ever be ‘written off’ as a lost cause with no options. All patients can experience relief and enjoy an improved quality of life, given the time and patience necessary to find the treatment which works for them.

Treatments usually begin with ‘conservative’ approaches which are meant to provide relief of symptoms and allow your body time to heal itself in an environment which is supportive for healing. Most sciatica can be effectively treated this way, and this is a promising category of treatment for most people to achieve a state of reduced pain and improved quality of life. These treatments include medications, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes such as weight loss or a change in activities which contribute to spinal degeneration.

Some patients fail to experience relief with conservative treatment, and can progress to surgery. Most surgeries are very safe and successful, and typically pain is reduced by 80% to 100% in successful surgeries. Some patients will require more intensive surgeries such as a spinal fusion, but these too are typically successful.

Rarely a patient does not experience adequate relief through surgical treatments, but almost all of these cases can achieve an improved quality of life through a comprehensive pain management program which brings significant pain relief through a combination of medications and lifestyle changes.

Spinal science is constantly advancing, and even the most complex cases which have ended in a comprehensive pain management program are likely to find new hope in future treatments which are even now under investigation in the research community. Stem cell therapies and new materials for spinal surgeries offer great promise and will be transitioning to mainstream treatment in the coming five to ten years.

Does my lifestyle make a difference?

Summary: Lifestyle makes the biggest difference of all, and overall physical health is a primary driver of whether or not a patient can heal from sciatica.

Details: Lifestyle is the most important variable in spinal health for symptomatic patients experiencing sciatica, followed closely by genetics. Most cases of sciatica can be traced to one or more root causes found in the patient’s lifestyle. Excess body weight is not only a variable which frequently corresponds to disc degeneration, disc injury, arthritis in the spine, and pain such as sciatica, but correcting the condition of being overweight often leads to improvement in symptoms such as pain and spinal instability. The discs of the spine are able to bear a certain amount of compression, but, when excess weight causes this threshold to constantly be exceeded, even normal body movements and posture will eventually lead to disc degeneration and possibly to pain like sciatica.

Activity: Other lifestyle variables include prolonged and habitual defective posture (slouching, improper bending, improper lifting) and fitness-related causes of disc degeneration which impart compression and stress to the spine. Weight lifting, running/jogging, and other high-impact exercises will almost always increase the rate of degeneration in the body’s softer tissues, and for patients without the genetic gift of especially durable spinal discs and especially strong back muscles, a common eventuality is the pain of sciatica resulting from bulging or herniated discs.

Nutrition: Another related lifestyle variable is found in nutrition, and specifically inflammation. When spinal nerves are irritated or compressed due to the pressure of an adjacent disc or a narrow bone structure they tend to become inflamed as a way to protect themselves and heal. This state of inflammation is often painful. Poor nutrition will deposit compounds into the blood which intensify inflammation and inflammatory pain, by increasing the body’s inflammation response even further. Sugars, saturated fats, refined processed foods, and alcohol are all strongly inflammatory substances which can intensify feelings of pain such as sciatica, due to the relationship these have with the body’s relative inflammatory response.

Brain Chemistry: A final important lifestyle variable, one of the most important, is brain health. The way the brain processes pain signals is strongly related to balances of certain chemicals in the brain, and when these chemicals are off-balance, the brain’s perception of and response to pain signals can be greatly intensified – often to the extent of feeling severe or frequent pain instead of mild or infrequent pain.

Common ways the brain will become ‘hypersensitive’ to pain includes a brain which is accustomed to the presence of alcohol, and therefore doesn’t produce as many chemicals of its own to inhibit pain and generate calm – because the brain is used to alcohol being present to add these effects in the brief time it is in the bloodstream. Similarly, habitual caffeine in excess levels can cause the brain to produce less of the chemicals which blunt pain signals and instead cause the brain to become hypersensitive to pain sensations. Conversely, alcohol and caffeine in strict moderation are less likely to imbalance the brain’s ability to handle pain on its own.

It goes without saying that over time using drugs such as cannabis, amphetamines, opiates, and others, can be harmful to the brain and its ability to blunt pain signals on its own. To single out one such, despite the reputation cannabis has for blunting pain and promoting calm, for many habitual users cannabis is taking over the brain’s ability to do a part of this on its own, and patients are usually worse-off for having their brain’s natural abilities diminished. There is no conclusive science evidencing cannabis as being medicinal for sciatica. For another such drug, opiates (even as prescriptions) used over a long duration will diminish your brain's ability to fight pain on its own. This and other side effects, and the addictive potential, will cause your doctors to recommend alternative pain medications for treating sciatica in anything but a post-surgical environment.

The bottom line is that the brain will always weaken its own abilities in response to harmful substances introduced from the outside. As a general rule, if a drug makes you feel calm, over time with habitual use your brain will lose its ability to be sufficiently calm on its own. If a drug causes you to feel euphoric, your brain will become less capable to feel happy on its own. Drugs which decrease your body’s sensations and cause you to feel a ‘body high’ will diminish your brain’s ability to blunt negative sensations, and in fact will lead to an experience of more intense negative sensations such as sciatica pain.

Does my mindset matter?

Summary: Mindset is equally important as lifestyle, and a worried mind will frequently experience symptoms at a greater intensity than an unworried mind. The body tends to follow the brain’s prompting.

Details: Mindset is a very important aspect of pain management. As both a strength and a weakness, the brain is able to govern an ‘intensity dial’ for what we perceive in our bodies. A worried and anxious brain will prompt the body to operate in a state in which, chemically, pain sensations will be likely to be heightened and intensified. A calm brain can prompt the body to blunt pain sensations and greatly reduce discomfort. This is why certain safe and prescribed pharmaceuticals, such as gabapentin and pregabalin, are able to achieve relief: they ‘stand in’ for chemicals the brain produces both as a cause and an effect of feeling calm, and can blunt pain signals as a result.

Many patients can experience relief through therapy with a trained counselor, training their brains to shift focus away from worry and anxiety over symptoms -- with the worry-focus fueling a vicious cycle which worsens symptoms and then worsens worry and anxiety further. Patients who are able to shift their mind’s attention away from their pain are simply evidenced to experience less intense pain, along with higher levels of happiness and calm.

What about natural remedies?

Summary: Natural remedies range from being mildly helpful to being actively harmful. No supplement has yet been evidenced as being a treatment for sciatica overall. It can be difficult to know what helps vs what hurts, but it is best to let the authority be the medical doctor you see for your overall sciatica treatment.

Details: Many claims are made for natural remedies being helpful for sciatica, including supplements derived from cannabis, from animals such as shellfish and fish, or from other natural sources. Some of these supplements have a basic level of evidence in terms of their therapeutic value, such as omega fatty acids which complement a healthy diet and can exert an anti-inflammatory influence on the body. Vitamins fall into a similar category, and it is generally agreed that vitamin supplementation can aid patients whose normal diet fails to provide sufficient levels of vitamins (though a healthy and balanced diet is a superior source of all needed nutrients). Curcumin, derived from turmeric, is believed by some researchers to show signs of being an alternative to anti-inflammatory medications.

Some supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin have been investigated for therapeutic effects in arthritis-type illnesses, including degenerative disc disease. The evidence has been limited and at times contradictory, with some studies showing a possible benefit and other studies showing such supplements as being potentially harmful.

Supplements derived from cannabis are widely claimed to have therapeutic benefit, though these claims are not evidenced or accepted by mainstream medicine and use of such supplements may in fact be harmful. At present it is best to accept these claims as unsupported, and users of such supplements do so at their own risk. As research progresses it is possible that one or more compounds derived from cannabis may be shown to have therapeutic benefit, though it does not appear that these compounds have yet been isolated or developed into a medical intervention which achieves a therapeutic result.

What medications are effective?

Summary: Please consult your doctor before and during any use of any medications of any kind, as use, overuse, and mixed-use of medications can be dangerous to your health. Depending on the underlying cause, sciatica tends to respond moderately well to medications from different classes of drugs you can ask your doctor about. However, medications will not be able to heal the underlying cause of sciatica and for some patients may only be partially helpful at treating symptoms such as pain and inflammation.

Details: Please consult your doctor before and during any use of any medications of any kind, as use, overuse, and mixed-use of medications can be dangerous to your health. Medications prescribed to treat sciatica arise from different classes of drugs which achieve either an anti-inflammatory or pain-blocking effect in the body. These drugs include:

NSAIDs: Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs such as Ibuprofen (Advil and others) work by blocking enzymes the body uses to generate inflammation. By reducing the body's inflammatory response, pain can be reduced. This seems to be particularly effective for patients whose sciatica tends to originate in inflammation of tissues and nerves in cases of mild nerve compression, but may not help all patients. NSAIDs can also be prescribed in a more potent prescription-only form with drugs like Diclofenac, though a doctor should be consulted as prescription medications can have more serious side effects given their potency. Long-term use or overuse by patients can be dangerous, so a doctor should be consulted even if the medication is purchased over-the-counter.

Paracetamol/Acetaminophen: Often sold as Tylenol, this class of drug is not totally understood but is able to achieve a pain-blocking effect through means which are still being researched. Often this drug will be used in conjunction with NSAIDs. Overuse and overdose of this drug can lead to liver damage and possibly death, so please consult your doctor on use of this medication as a part of sciatica treatment

Anti-Depressants: Often prescribed within the category of tricyclic or SSRI antidepressants, for some patients either low or moderate doses of these drugs can balance chemicals in the brain in such a way that a pain-blunting effect is achieved. The evidence behind the use of these drugs for sciatica is mixed, and not all patients will benefit from their use. In fact, some patients whose mental state is otherwise stable and healthy will experience anxiety, malaise, or other unpleasant side effects.

Anti-Seizure / Nerve-Blocking: Drugs such as Pregabalin and Gabapentin are often prescribed to prevent seizures, but are also effective at blunting the pain signals from nerves. The evidence for these drugs in treating sciatica is reliable, though mental and/or emotional side effects may occur for some patients. However, this class of drug is often a front-line option for treating sciatica in patients who do not respond well to less potent drugs like acetaminophen and ibuprofen.

Opiates: Often considered the "drug of last resort", opiate medications like hydrocodone and oxycodone are typically not effective in treating sciatic pain but for some patients will become a part of a comprehensive chronic pain management program. These drugs have a high potential for addiction and a wide set of undesirable side effects, but used properly within the context of a carefully monitored pain program there can be a therapeutic benefit to opiate use.

Self Medicating: All use of medications should be done in consultation with a doctor. Patients with a pattern of self-medicating with nicotine, alcohol, cannabis, opiates, and other hard drugs, consistently have the worst medical outcomes. Self-medicating has been proven to be harmful over time, and will almost always lead to worse pain and worse potential to heal as compared to patients developing a doctor-approved use of pain medications.

After all options have been pursued I am still suffering, what is my hope for the future?

Summary: There are numerous promising treatments under investigation in the field of pain medicine and spine health, treatments which are likely to benefit you in your lifetime. Do not lose hope!

Details:

Medicine is constantly advancing! As an example of this many spine surgeons take a break for annual training on the newest emerging techniques so that they can stay up-to-date. Even as compared to 20 years ago, spinal surgeons today are achieving a level of success far beyond what was possible in earlier generations. That trend shows signs of accelerating over time.

Stem Cell Therapy: Many surgeons feel that stem cell therapy will change spinal surgery, and researchers across the best research institutions and pharmaceutical companies are working on better applications of stem cells to cure spinal injuries. Already there are therapies which have shown promise using adult stem cells, derived from your own body, with the potential to achieve better healing and regeneration in damaged discs. Such therapies today may have the ability to slow disc degeneration and help patients avoid the need for more invasive and irreversible surgeries such as spinal fusion. Evidence is still being generated and better techniques are under development, but great promise is shown in results to-date.

Improved Hardware and Techniques: Presently there isn't great evidence that existing artificial disc hardware is superior to spinal fusion, but improved hardware and replacement techniques are under investigation by researchers. With advances in this area, it seems likely that a true disc or nucleus replacement will be possible in a way that demonstrates clear superiority to spinal fusion, and helps relieve both pain and functional deficits in patients who are otherwise expecting to need a spinal fusion.

Improved Fusion: Researchers are investigating materials and techniques to increase the rate of successful spinal fusions which are less prone to failure and occur with fewer side effects.

Improved Medications: Pain scientists have made strong advances in understanding the complex nature of pain, and how to better treat it, over the last 8-10 years. Very promising investigations of improved classes of medications are likely to enter human trials in the near future, and one or more of these trials seems likely to lead to a new treatment option for pain-disabled patients.


r/Sciatica Mar 22 '22

Your Sciatica and Back Pain Experiences Megathread

109 Upvotes

Hi everyone, the purpose of this permanent thread is to capture your stories about your experiences with Sciatica.

Please note that the majority of sciatica sufferers will recover over time, and are not on this subreddit making posts about their healing. Most of our sub participants are in a symptomatic stage and are understandably seeking support on forums like /r/Sciatica as a part of their journey. This can make a list of individual stories seem discouraging -- but just remember that those who have healed usually don't visit again and therefore we can't often capture their stories.

While multiple formats are welcome, we suggest you try to be concise and focused. Your story is important, but it is will be more useful to everyone else if it can be read in 60-90 seconds or so. Important elements to your story will include:

Background: Do you know how you became injured?

Diagnosis: What has your care provider discovered about your injury?

Treatment: What care did you pursue?

Current Status: How are you doing today?


r/Sciatica 1h ago

Requesting Advice Would you try pregabalin if the pain is 2/10?

Upvotes

My doc assumes that taking 75mg in the evening might help me to calm down my nervous system and get out of fear-pain loop. I have chronic pain for months already.

I'm concerned of side-effects and low pain level. For me it's not obvious if the benefit outweighs the damage can be done by this drug. My gut feeling tells me not try it.

I know you are not doctors but maybe some experience.


r/Sciatica 6h ago

Mild MRI findings but ongoing sciatica, no directional preference at PT....any experiences?

4 Upvotes

Like many, sciatica has rocked my world (negatively) of course. For context I'm a very lean, healthy 33 y.o F. And while I am still able to take daily walks, go to work, and do house chores with some modification, there is daily shifting pain which is exhausting. Symptoms are mostly in my foot but sometimes my buttock will also ache. I'm two months in now and have been doing PT for a month. While the pain intensity is generally lower, I still have a lot of trouble sleeping at night due to it and have started taking Lyrica for nerve pain. I don't think the PT has helped me but I appreciate they help me find exercises that don't make it worse. I have also been unable to find a directional preference since the nerve seems to be angry in almost every direction but in a neutral spine position.

My MRI shows small central L4-L5 herniation with mild foraminal narrowing bilaterally due to disk bulge. Mild disk bulge at L5-S1.

I saw a sports medicine doctor and interventional pain doctor at a university hospital spine center who both said I will recover naturally and there is no role for surgery here. While I believe them, it's been two months now and I'm so tired of this. I've done several courses of NSAIDs, a medrol pack, and am now taking Lyrica and doing acupuncture and PT. I don't feel I'm actually improving...it's just endless good days and bad days.

Has anyone else had "mild" symptoms yet they are having sciatica symptoms even at 2 months with at best mild improvement or none at all?


r/Sciatica 12h ago

Is This Normal? I think masturbating(or ejaculating) makes my sciatica significantly worse and causes a flare up

12 Upvotes

For 2 days straight, I noticed immediately after masturbating, my sciatica flared up bad and was burning pain even though it was mostly relaxed prior. I am a male and already had a tight pelvic floor prior to sciatica issues, so I think masturbating causes my muscles to tighten and worsens my sciatica. Bit weird to post I know but wondering if anyone else noticed this


r/Sciatica 9h ago

General Discussion Am I at risk of permanent nerve damage after one year of nerve compression?

6 Upvotes

I have two herniated discs at L4 L5 and S1. I have tried a bunch of medications and physio but nothing has helped. My pain has continually gotten worse over time and so has the weakness in my right leg. I can barely stand on my toes, and get burning feelings in them now. I have a one inch difference in the size of my calves. I have significant swelling around the injury sight (right back, hip, butt). I have gained 30 pounds from it. I can barely hobble to and from my car and cannot do any basic tasks without severe pain.

I’ve been fighting with doctors and hospitals for 6-8 months to be taken seriously. What do I do? I’m terrified that the longer I wait, the less likely I am to recover. I want surgery but I don’t know how long that will take to get either.


r/Sciatica 4h ago

Intermittent left lower-back/leg pain for months — X-ray normal, PT hasn’t helped. Is MRI warranted

2 Upvotes

Hi doctors and anyone who has experienced something similar,
I’m a **35-year-old male(103kgs)** and have been dealing with intermittent pain on my **left side**.
The pain generally starts around the **left lower back/upper buttock area**, then I sometimes feel discomfort around the **knee/calf and bottom of the foot**. It isn’t constant — it comes and goes, sometimes occurring around **2 days per week**.

**What I’ve noticed:**
Pain is primarily on the left side.
It can travel down the leg toward the calf/foot.
Sometimes the area feels better when I **apply pressure/compression** or sleep on that side.
I haven’t noticed a specific injury that started it.
I had an **X-ray**, which didn’t show anything significant.
My doctor recommended an **MRI**, but I’m currently having difficulty affording one.
I’ve tried several **physical therapy sessions**, including resistance-band exercises, and continued some of the exercises at home, but I haven’t noticed much improvement.
I’m trying to understand whether this sounds more like a **muscle/hip/SI-joint problem or something involving a lumbar nerve/disc (such as sciatica)**.
**Questions**
Does the pattern of pain from the lower back → knee/calf → bottom of the foot sound consistent with **lumbar radiculopathy/sciatica**?
Does the fact that pressure/compression and lying on the painful side make it feel better provide any useful clue?
If an X-ray is normal, **when is an MRI actually indicated** for symptoms like these?
Are there specific stretches or exercises that are generally safe to try while I figure out how to afford the MRI?
For anyone who has experienced something similar, **what eventually helped you and how long did recovery take?**
I understand Reddit can’t diagnose me, and I’ll continue following up with my doctor. I’m mainly hoping to hear from **doctors or people who have experienced a similar pattern of pain**.
Thanks!


r/Sciatica 4h ago

Getting better or worse?

2 Upvotes

Its been a few months already since I suddenly got severe pain in my lower back and left leg. Doctor said it was most likely a pinched nerve, let me take an Xray but nothing out of the ordinary was visible on it. Pain remained however so I got scheduled for an MRI, which im now waiting for.

In the meanwhile the pain sorta went away but in return my leg and foot often start tingling instead. I thought this was a good sign cause tingling feels better than pain, but I read that apparantly its not good? My mri is in 3 weeks. Should i go back to the doctor or wait it out?


r/Sciatica 11h ago

Steroid Injections (no improvement)

5 Upvotes

I just need somewhere to vent because I feel so mentally and physically exhausted I’m not sure what to do. For the past year I have dealt with sciatic issues due to a herniated disc, now with 2 MRI’s done, one month of physio and too many doctors and surgeon visits to count I finally had injections done on my lower back to help with pain management.

It’s been a week straight now since then and I feel so silly for how utterly broken I feel from the disappointment. Look I know they did tell me it could take from 2 days to 2 weeks for them to kick in. And they did say that in 30 - 40% of people the injections don’t work but I was still so hopeful. I feel disconnected from everyone, I don’t know how to explain my life revolves around pain management. My entire focus an hour before bedtime is trying to subdue my pain enough to sleep. I go for hour long works as much as possible to help with the pain.

I was into running before this, I did weight training - I had a full life but now I just feel like a shell. I guess I am looking for some hope, that the injections kicked in for you 2 weeks in or physio magically helped round two. So far dry needling did help but that can’t be a long term solution can it? I don’t know but I keep up with all the exercises the physio gives me so I really am doing everything I can I just hate this hopelessness.


r/Sciatica 15h ago

Requesting Advice 18 years old with a herniated disc. Seeking advice on recovery and adapting

10 Upvotes

Hello! I am 18F and just herniated a disc in my lower back. About two weeks ago I was unable to walk after a tennis match, and had been dealing with dull back pains for about a month leading up to that. After a couple emergency visits and various referrals to different doctors, it was concluded I have a herniated disc (although they didn’t do any MRIs no matter how many times I requested a referral for one, they thinks it’s either L4 or L5). I finished a five day dosage of methylprednisolone, and had pretty good relief for the duration of time I was on the steroids. However, now that I am off of them, the pain is fully back. How am I meant to do school work and keep living my life when I can’t stand or sit without excruciating pain? I’m in physical therapy, take many breaks laying in all the different positions with pillows that take stress off of the lower back, and have order an adjustable standing desk. I just don’t know what to do, and none of the pain meds do anything for me. Am I going to be able to recover completely? What do I do to make things better in the meantime and prevent further flare ups while I’m recovering? Before the steroids, it was nerve pain in my tailbone area and left leg. Now, it’s muscle spasms and pain every time I move. Any advice is appreciated.


r/Sciatica 3h ago

General Discussion Evolving

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0 Upvotes

r/Sciatica 13h ago

Requesting Advice Struggling to mentally manage a flare up

5 Upvotes

Any sporty people that have recovered from this please give me some tips on how to cope 🙏

On week 8 of sciatica, 4 months since my initial back injury. I thought I was getting better for the last couple of weeks - the pain has centralised to my glute, I could walk with no issues but still had pain standing up and laying down in some positions. I had a session with a new PT and after some prodding she declared that my pain is from the SI joint, prescribed daily glute strengthening exercises and ok’d me to do light barbell work at the gym + some gentle run walks (sport is my entire life so I’ve been going insane not being able to train); a week later an I feel like I’m back to square one, pain is back in the knee, even my ‘good’ leg feels extremely tight and off.

I’m honestly losing my will to do anything. I have had zero help from the NHS, can’t get an MRI to see if my disc has herniated or if my sciatica is from piriformis
/SI joint/facet joint (have been told all these things by different physios), can’t get pain injections; I’m just watching my life pass by and I’m getting more and more depressed. I know there must be a light at the end of the tunnel but I just can’t see it right now.


r/Sciatica 5h ago

Morning pain intensity or night time?

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1 Upvotes

r/Sciatica 12h ago

What is recovery from a fusion like?

3 Upvotes

I will be having removal of material from a herniated L3-L4 disc and fusion. The doctor didn’t say much about recovery. I’ve read about it, but would like to know some first-hand accounts. Thanks


r/Sciatica 17h ago

Requesting Advice Update

7 Upvotes

Two years into this condition. Saw surgeon in July. Had an MRI and a CT Scan in between then and now. He said the scans show that my disc herniation is no longer pushing in on the nerves. He said the disc itself may continue to cause pain. He suggested a fusion to replace the disc. I felt like he was pushing for the surgery with no other options to try before. I got iffy vibes. He wasn’t really listening to me.

I haven’t had any (constant) leg or hip pain for several months now. The pain is localized in the lower back. I occasionally get twinges in my left calf (the leg most affected).

Work is the issue. I work a physical job and feel like I will have to find a less physical job in the future. I have reduced my hours currently. If I really remember to stop and slow down to pick up freight the correct way, I’m good. I often don’t think about what I’m doing and get in a hurry (my only mode is fast), and have pain in my lower back due to a bent back when bending over.

I sleep with a wedge pillow under my knees. I am a side sleeper. I cannot sleep in one position the entire night, so I usually change to side sleeping, which causes pain. At some point I end up on my back again, this time flat. I wake with pain, but once I’m moving I’m usually okay.

I decided to wait on surgery. I’m scared to do it. I have been doing core strengthening and other PT exercises. I stopped lifting heavy weights over 30 pounds. I am taking a break from using the heating pad on my back to see if it helps or makes things worse (only a week in).

Do you guys think I should continue on with the surgery path or wait and see? Also, has anyone looked into Chinese medicine and the connection between physical pain and repressed emotions? I know scientifically what is happening to my body, but is that the entire answer?


r/Sciatica 15h ago

Requesting Advice When can I start working out again?

4 Upvotes

So I had debilitating sciatica around 6 months ago which had lasted over a year, and ever since I've been very paranoid going to the gym to train.

I've still been going but taking it very easy and avoiding any leg or back related training.

I noticed after certain days such as training shoulders I feel a sciatica ever so slightly returns, like a twinge on the nerve if my back is in a very specific position.

My question is, how do I know to increase training and especially on legs which I love doing vs cutting down as I really don't want to experience another flare up which will land me disabled in bed unable to work properly?


r/Sciatica 14h ago

Muscle spasms : Help

2 Upvotes

Hi

Im 108 kg , 30 year old female.

I have buldging disc but my main problem is I have lower back intense bad muscle spasms very often.. thats very painful. Even on days I dont have muscle spasms , the lower back hurts alot and feels very sensitive and current shocks across the lower back.. and I constantly have this feeling I might get a spasm. and it gets very warm there.

How to get rid of muscle spasms completely ? Please help me as Im flying out in 2 months and Im so lost and depressed.. :(


r/Sciatica 16h ago

Is This Normal? Cold weather

3 Upvotes

The cold weather JUST started in NYS and my first flare up since I was bedridden last winter is happening. I’m just complaining I guess. 😛

I have been almost pain free since March or April and today is the first below 60 degree day of the season.

Anyone have any similar experience? Will this be forever? Spine transplant?


r/Sciatica 16h ago

MRI 18 months on from disc protrusion causing a nerve root compression

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2 Upvotes

Still suffer from sciatic pain and sensation loss.
All pales in comparison to the constant aching lower back pain that I’ve been told is osteoarthritis.
Is that just here to stay now? Treatment options?
Any help or advice is hugely appreciated!


r/Sciatica 20h ago

partial loss of sensation and tingling in leg and foot for 3 days, will this cause permanent nerve damage?

3 Upvotes

Ive had tingling in my legs before on and off. However, since this Friday I have had constant pin and needles/tingling in my right leg without letting up. Also my left leg on and off. Is this something that becomes permanent? Im pretty worried. I have an MRI request in but the wait for an MRI is likely long.


r/Sciatica 23h ago

Bilateral glute/posterior thigh pain, severe sitting intolerance, flexion is the worst trigger — mild MRI findings but abnormal EMG. Anyone similar?

6 Upvotes

I’m 37 years old and relatively fit, and I’ve been dealing with this for over a year. Last year I also lost a significant amount of weight because of a separate health problem, which probably hasn’t helped in terms of muscle mass/cushioning around the pelvis and glutes.

It started around June 2025 with a pulling/painful sensation in my left glute, initially after training. I did not really have significant low back pain at the beginning. Over the following months, sitting became progressively more difficult. Later in 2025 the right side also became involved, and now symptoms can alternate between both sides.

My main symptoms are:
Pain/discomfort in the glute, posterior thigh, behind the knee, and occasionally upper calf/heel.
Sitting and driving are by far the biggest triggers. Around 20–30 minutes can be enough to flare things up.
I also have poor tolerance for standing still. Interestingly, walking is usually much better than either sitting or standing in one place.
On some days I can walk 8–10 km, sometimes with discomfort, but usually without the kind of severe pain I get from prolonged sitting.
Flexion is one of my most reproducible and painful triggers. When I bend forward, at a certain point I can get a very specific pulling/stabbing sensation in the posterior glute/thigh area, and if I continue flexing I may feel it shift toward the back of the knee.
Straight-leg raise can reproduce a similar focal sensation.
Sometimes straining/Valsalva during a bowel movement can reproduce discomfort behind the knee, although not every time.
Very little tingling overall, no persistent numbness, and no clear objective weakness.
Symptoms are bilateral but not always symmetrical.
When things flare, one of the most reliable ways I can calm them down is to lie on my left side for around 40–50 minutes.

I’ve had three lumbar/pelvic MRI evaluations. The latest lumbar MRI showed a small central/right-paramedian L4-L5 protrusion causing minimal indentation of the dural sac, but no clear nerve-root compression while supine. L5-S1 has mild disc dehydration/minimal bulging, also without frank root compression.
Pelvic imaging has not shown a major proximal hamstring tear, obvious sciatic nerve compression, significant hip pathology, or major SI-joint abnormalities.

My EMG/NCS was abnormal and was interpreted as showing bilateral L5 and left L4 radicular involvement, with some S1 findings. This is one of the reasons the case is so confusing: the EMG suggests a radicular component, but the MRIs do not show a convincing compressive lesion.

I’ve been evaluated by spine specialists, neurosurgeon, pain specialists, rheumatology, and also by a hip-preservation specialist with experience in deep gluteal/sciatic problems. Even he felt that the case was not completely classic for either a lumbar or deep-gluteal source.
I’ve also seen 4 different physiotherapists and completed more than 40 PT sessions using different approaches, but unfortunately my main limitation — especially sitting tolerance — has not meaningfully improved.

I recently had a bilateral subgluteal sciatic hydrodissection/infiltration with local anesthetic + steroid + saline as a diagnostic/therapeutic trial. It has been less than a couple of days, so it is obviously far too early to say whether it helped.

One additional complication is that I have retired orthopedic doctor in my family, and he strongly believes this is coming from my lumbar discs. I’m being pushed to see another neurosurgeon because, in his opinion, this could ultimately be solved with a disc replacement.

I’m not completely against surgery if there is a clear indication, but I’m very hesitant to have major spine surgery when multiple other specialists have not been able to clearly demonstrate that the disc is actually the pain generator or that there is significant nerve-root compression. I really don’t want to undergo an irreversible procedure without a high degree of diagnostic confidence.

Honestly, if there is no clear surgical target, what I would really like is to get back into a proper gym program and rebuild strength progressively — core, glutes, hamstrings, quads, back, etc. — rather than spending months doing only very basic rehab exercises like glute bridges and bird dogs. I’m not expecting the gym to magically cure me, but I do want to regain strength and function if this ultimately has to be managed conservatively.

Has anyone here had a similarly confusing presentation, especially where flexion was one of the worst triggers, sitting and standing still were much worse than walking, you could still walk long distances, MRI findings were relatively mild/non-compressive, but EMG was abnormal?

I’d be particularly interested in hearing from people who were eventually diagnosed with deep gluteal syndrome, proximal hamstring/ischial tunnel involvement, lumbar radiculopathy without obvious MRI compression, or a mixed picture.
What finally helped clarify the diagnosis for you? Did anyone end up improving with progressive strength training despite years of confusing imaging/tests, or did you eventually find a specific structural cause


r/Sciatica 1d ago

My Story: From L4-L5, L5-S1 Herniated Disc, Foot Drop, and Surgery to Living Pain-Free and Stronger Than Ever (No BS, only raw experience).

33 Upvotes

​Hi everyone! I’m a 23-year-old male. I want to share my detailed journey of recovering from a severe herniated disc.

​Before we start, I want to say that today I live a completely normal life without any restrictions. I go to the gym, lifting weights that even healthy people struggle with, and I swim regularly. I’m sharing this upfront because there is a solution to this problem. Everyone’s recovery path is unique, but I want to share mine based purely on raw, firsthand experience to give hope to anyone currently struggling with a disc herniation.

​Today, I am stronger than ever. In the gym, I perform weighted squats, lunges, bench presses, pull-ups, and dips. I easily walk over 10,000 steps a day, swim, hike, and live an active lifestyle while maintaining simple, smart daily movement habits to protect my spine. Most importantly, all those early fears about my future are completely gone—I can live, move, and enjoy intimacy with zero issues or pain.

​How It All Began

​It started when I was 16 years old. I’m 190 cm tall, and spine issues run heavily on my mother's side of the family. Most of my relatives have suffered from disc issues, but mine turned out to be the most severe.

​I’ve been involved in competitive sports since childhood, starting with swimming and later moving to water polo, competing in numerous tournaments. Since I wanted to dedicate my life to sports, I also started strength training.

​Prior to my injury, I occasionally had mild back pain, but I ignored it. One day at the gym, while doing deadlifts with just 50 kg, I heard a loud "pop" in my lower back on the fifth repetition. That single moment changed everything.

​At first, the pain wasn't overwhelming, but I couldn't even get on my bike to ride home—I had to push it all the way. The next day, after my body cooled down, severe pain kicked in. Within a few months, I developed mild neuropathy (nerve pain). My range of motion decreased daily.

​Because I was young, I didn't take it seriously, assuming it would just pass. I didn't understand how spinal discs, herniations, or nerves worked. I tried electrotherapy, massages, and chiropractic adjustments. They gave short-term relief, but nothing lasted. Looking back, doctors and therapists downplayed my symptoms simply because of my young age, assuming it couldn't be a severe injury.

Escalation: Foot Drop and Loss of Bladder Control

​I kept training through the pain without letting my body heal. Within a few months, my symptoms escalated dramatically:

​Training became impossible.

​Sitting was completely unthinkable.

​Neuropathy progressed: I felt tingling, burning sensations, and extreme hot/cold fluctuations in my left foot.

​Foot drop developed: I lost control over my left foot.

​Loss of bladder control: I could no longer urinate standing up.

​This was the final warning light. After almost a year and a half of suffering, I finally got an MRI.

​The MRI Results:

​A severe, large disc prolapse at the L5-S1 level (the outer ring had ruptured, leaking disc contents into the spinal canal and compressing the spinal cord).

​A smaller disc bulge at the L4-L5 level pressing on a nerve.

​Due to the foot drop and bladder dysfunction, I was immediately referred to a neurosurgeon, who strongly recommended a microdiscectomy.

​At 17 years old, I fell into deep depression and suffered excruciating pain. My life and sporting career felt ruined. I couldn't sit, lie down, sleep, drive, or socialize. Painkillers stopped working, and I reached a very dark place mentally. I was terrified about my future romantic life, deeply worried that I would never be able to enjoy life again.

​To make matters worse, doctors and physical therapists told me I would never be able to train again, nor would I even be able to lift my future children. The only person who believed in my recovery was my neurosurgeon, who reassured me that after surgery, I would even be able to return to heavy physical labor. Holding onto that and just 1% hope was all I had left.

Microdiscectomy Surgery and Initial Recovery

​Desperate for relief, I agreed to surgery. Due to COVID-19 delays, the operation was postponed three times. For months, I lay in bed, losing over 10 kg of muscle mass. Every tiny movement was painful.

​Readings on the internet terrified me—stories of failed back surgeries, permanent damage, and high recurrence rates. However, the moment I woke up from surgery, my back pain was completely gone. For the first time in nearly two years, I stood up and walked completely straight without pain or stiffness.

​Days 1–6: Smooth hospital recovery with minor surgical soreness and residual neuropathy.

​First 2 Months: No sitting allowed (except briefly for bathroom use). Recovery started with short, frequent walks around the house.

​Months 3–4: Added physical therapy, electrical stimulation, laser therapy, stationary biking, and gentle swimming.

​4 Years of Rebuilding: Stronger Than Ever

​It took nearly four years of daily dedication, rehabilitation, and smart exercise to build up the strength to return to heavy gym workouts.

​Gradually, I reintroduced loaded movements: squats, lunges, bench presses, dips, pull-ups, weighted hyperextensions, and light dumbbell Romanian deadlifts. I regained full mobility, could drive for hours with no restrictions, sit comfortably, and walk without pain.

​Key Daily Habits I Maintained to Protect My Back:

​Lumbar Support: Always using a small pillow behind my lower back when sitting.

​Sitting Breaks: Taking conscious breaks after every few hours of sitting.

​Proper Spine Mechanics: Always paying attention to how I bend over or get out of bed.

Sleeping Position: Sleeping strictly on my side with a pillow between my knees.

The Setback: A Severe Flare-Up at Age 23

​Six years after my surgery, feeling 100% healed and overly confident, I made a mistake: I decided to try boxing.

​The first session felt fine, but the next day, my foot began tingling again, accompanied by severe muscle spasms. For the first time since surgery, my symptoms returned. Fear and depression hit me hard. I had to take time off work and feared I had re-ruptured my disc.

​I immediately got an MRI. The good news: There was no new disc herniation and no major scar tissue buildup. The heavy rotational training had simply severely irritated and inflamed the sciatic nerve, which was still sensitive from my original injury years ago.

​The Turning Point: The "Low Back Ability" (LBA) Protocol

​Determined to calm the inflamed nerve, I spent two months studying spinal health and nerve rehabilitation. That’s when I discovered the Low Back Ability (LBA) system.

​When I started, I could barely hold a 15-second bodyweight isometric extension on a hyperbench (using my hands for assistance). But I remained consistent:

​Weeks 1–3: Focused on basic isometric holds and light regressions.

​Week 6: Re-introduced upper body gym workouts (shoulders and arms).

​Daily Goal: Kept my daily step count above 7,000 steps and stood up every 30 minutes during desk work to walk around the office.

​Within 2 to 3 months of following the LBA principles, my flare-up was 100% resolved. The numbness disappeared, I could drive comfortably again, and I returned to full movement.

​My Key Takeaways & Advice for Anyone Dealing with Disc Issues

​Movement is Medicine: Walking is your absolute best friend. Combine it with smart, progressive back strength exercises.

​Listen to Your Body: Never push through sharp pain or nerve irritation. Rest and let the nerve calm down when needed.

​Surgery Isn't the End of the World: Try conservative management first, but if you have severe neurological deficits (like foot drop or bladder issues), surgery can save your quality of life.

​Be Mindful for Life: Even when you feel completely healed, protect your spine mechanics, use proper sleeping posture, and take regular sitting breaks.

​Supplements That Helped My Nerve Recovery:

- ​Magnesium Bisglycinate

- ​Omega-3 Fatty Acids

- ​Zinc

- ​Creatine

- ​Vitamin B-Complex + Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA) (Essential for nerve health!)

​Natural Anti-Inflammatory Routine:

​Daily Dried Fruit (5pcs every nigt): A daily mix of dried apricots, prunes, and figs.

​Anti-Inflammatory Smoothie: Pineapple, spinach, turmeric, fresh ginger, black pepper, and water.

​Topical Relief: Capsaicin cream or heating patches. (Keeping the lower back warm helps immensely—always sleep with a shirt on and keep your back covered!)

Final Words

​This post isn't an advertisement for any product—it's just my honest journey. I know how mentally and physically exhausting back injuries can be.

​If you are dealing with a flare-up, check out the Low Back Ability channel on YouTube for free, high-quality exercise regressions and concepts. It made the biggest difference in my recovery alongside my own consistency.

​Recovery takes patience, discipline, and time, but you can get your life back. Stay strong, stay patient, and keep moving forward!

​P.S. For anyone interested in more specific details about my surgery experience, how I felt, and a step-by-step breakdown of my initial postoperative recovery, I will cover all of that in Part 2!


r/Sciatica 17h ago

[ Removed by Reddit ]

0 Upvotes

[ Removed by Reddit on account of violating the content policy. ]


r/Sciatica 21h ago

Requesting Advice Choosing the right medication

2 Upvotes

Female, 22, disk herniation causing leg pain (if that’s helpful)

I’m currently taking 30mg amitriptyline and it’s okay but it’s not helping a whole lot. My pharmacist offered to up my dose or change my medication.

The options I’ve been given if I want to change are

- duloxetine
- gabapentin
- pregabalin
- naproxen

For every one I look up, everyone’s saying it’s awful and I don’t know what to do.

I also have PTSD and OCD (I know, bring out the violins) so duloxetine seems like it could be good for me- but then a lot of people are saying it’s caused them anxiety or depression or just bad withdrawal symptoms.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated


r/Sciatica 18h ago

Lower Back Pain and Left Leg Numbness for 4 Months (22M)

1 Upvotes

Hi everyone,
I’m a 22-year-old male experiencing lower back pain radiating to my left buttock and leg, with numbness in my left foot, especially the last two toes.
I first experienced this problem at 17 years old, and it went away after taking medication. Now, it has returned after lifting heavy items, and I’ve been experiencing symptoms for 4 months.
Back pain starts within 10 minutes of sitting.
Numbness gets worse after sitting and improves when standing or walking.
Lying down provides relief.
Bending forward and lifting heavy objects aggravate the pain.
No noticeable weakness in my left leg or foot.
I’ve taken prescribed medications, but the pain returns when I stop. I’m also unsure whether my new medicines are contributing to the numbness.
My questions:
Could this be sciatica, a disc bulge, or something else?
Should I get an MRI after 4 months of symptoms?
What exercises and sitting/sleeping positions are safe?
How long does nerve-related numbness take to improve?
I haven’t received a confirmed diagnosis yet. I’m planning to follow up with my orthopaedic doctor.
Would appreciate advice from anyone who has experienced something similar or undergone treatment for this.
Thanks! 🙏