Sciatica

HaX · 12 Jun 2006 at 19:00

Hi there,

I was wondering if anyone here suffers from Sciatica. I've had sciatica type symptomns for the last 10 months. I initially thought that my exertions at the gym and on my push bike were to blame, so cut them both out all together, albeit to no avail.

I went to see the doctor last week about it who recommended a book called "Mend your own back" by Robin McKenzie. I've read the book cover to cover and am doing the exercises as much as possible (It recommends 6x a day, but I can only manage 3x as I'm stuck at work all day with no where to do the type of exercises recommmended).

My Dad had sciatica years ago and was prescribed pain killers, however the doctor didn't offer me anything like that.

I think the cause of my problem is being stuck behind a desk at work all day sitting in a high backed chair which leans back slightly and offers no lower back support.

Does anyone have any recommendations for a decent chair to buy for work, or alternatively think I should go back to the quacks and get pain releif.

Cheers

HaX

Steve · 12 Jun 2006 at 19:09

maybe a medical thread?

I had it (really bad) and it was due to bad posture at my desk

get a desk assesment done as all office employees should have one by law I think

your seat pad on your chair should be at an angle poining forward and your legs virtically down, this will make you sit upright to stop yourself slipping off the seat giving you correct posture and preventing your spine pushing on your nerves.

a lumber suport may help as well.

see your health and safty rep they will sort all this out

mine has totally gone

Aruffell · 12 Jun 2006 at 19:10

Bro has it from where he is a car salesman and has to get in and out of cars all the time.

He takes lots of drugs though to stop the pain lol

Andy

kitten_caboodle · 12 Jun 2006 at 19:13

i had it when I drove a mini. Suspension wasn't great and it caused me no end of problems. Lot of drivers have it. Mine's mostly ok though it started playing up recently until we got a new mattress. Seems ok now unless I drive for long periods of time

Light exercise is excellent, as is making sure that you're comfortable when you sleep and being aware of your posture through the day.

tb2000 · 12 Jun 2006 at 19:22

I don't have it myself but I do know someone with it. He's a carpenter/joiner and has been for over forty years. So that's a lot of hammering and sawing, which has given him a bit of arthritis as well. He's on more tablets than I can remember!

Gilly · 12 Jun 2006 at 19:26

I had a bit of a problem with it as my body developed. I had to work out a way to develop my upper body quicker as my lower body had developed quickly through swimming and running a lot.

If the problem persists get back to your doc and see if he'll refer you to physio.

This is pretty much a medi thread so might get locked.

alexakasloth · 12 Jun 2006 at 19:29

HaX said:
or alternatively think I should go back to the quacks and get pain releif.

Cheers

HaX

Would that fix the problem though?

Rotty · 12 Jun 2006 at 19:58

Gilly said:
This is pretty much a medi thread so might get locked.

yup , sorry but when dealing with backs and back injuries you should take advice from qualified people not us lot