Overcoming Sciatica (The Truth About Back Pain)

Overcoming Sciatica (The Truth About Back Pain)

Do you suffer from back pain?

Most of us do at one time in our lives, and it’s no laughing matter. My back pain started with sciatica which just got worse and worse. Doctors told me it would pass and to keep popping the painkillers. It didn’t!

I tried everything from hot and cold compresses to weird ointments, sticky heat pads, fish oil, yoga, the list goes on and on, but nothing helped.

I tried chiropractic and physio, pushing through the pain, complete rest, you name it. However, the spasms in my lower back got worse and that’s not to mention the red-hot poker shooting through my right leg.

This isn’t a post full of overnight miracles which will have you running a marathon by the end of the week, it just doesn’t work like that. If you’re lying flat out in agonising pain, I really know how you feel and trust me, it does get better!

The only advice I would offer is don’t allow doctors to fob you off, insist on a referral. I didn’t and it took eighteen long months to find out what was wrong with my back. During that time I felt like a complete fraud, moaning constantly and getting more dependant on family to do even the simplest things.

Back pain gets much worse if you are feeling stressed. The pain and frustration of not being listened to and conflicting advice causes tension in the body which equals only one thing….MORE PAIN!

If you have never suffered from back pain, just a few short words of advice…

TAKE CARE OF YOUR BACK

 

 

Here’s a short poem I wrote about Sciatica, it does help to have a sense of humour, but that’s easy to say with the benefit of hindsight.

Sciatica

I’m a slave to sciatica

It’s a pain in the butt

And all down my leg

And into my foot

It’s worse in winter

With the cold and the damp

It grasps my muscles

And holds like a clamp

The pins and needles

Are such a pain

And I’ll never feel

My toes again

The red-hot pokers

Shoot from the hip

I try not to scream

Just bite my lip

I’ve tried the ointments

The spray and the rub

I’ve drank tea made

from a herbal shrub

But nothing works

So I just carry on

Hoping one day

My pain will be gone

No other person

Can comprehend

How it feels

When you can’t bend

The mornings are worse

My legs are like lead

As I  try to uncurl

Like a snail from my bed

I’ll do my exercises

And keep on track

But I think I will always

Be a slave to my back.

Kate Hanford

 

sciatica

What is Sciatica?

The sciatic nerve is the longest in the body. It runs from the hip, down the leg, and into the foot. The pain appears when a  bulging or herniated disc puts pressure on the sciatic nerve.

My Tips

Don’t sit for too long, move as much as you can (even if it hurts ).

Warm baths with epsom salts are a lifesaver.

Try alternating between hot and cold compresses, changing every twenty minutes.

Helpful Products

back pain

Amazon Purchase Link

This is the only muscle rub that works for me. It has anti-inflammatories which are applied directly to the area where the pain is worst.

back pain heat pad

Amazon Purchase Link

This electric heat pad gives an instant soothing relief which works better than any painkiller.

 

Affiliate Links

If the pain persists, make an appointment with your doctor.

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