OT: Sciatica anyone?? Suggestions on fashionable orthopaedic shoes?

A while back  I had gotten these flare ups of pain that run down my right buttock, back of my thigh and  the heel of my foot. Then (usually at night) I would get shocks, almost like bolts of lightning on the heel of my foot. Sometimes there would be tingling, sometimes a numbing sensation, but all on my right leg/foot. I would get them about once every couple of months or so but I hadn't thought about it for a while because my fiancee had convinced me on getting some orthopeadic shoes over a year ago; and after I rarely got any more flare ups since I always wore the shoes to work. Well... these shoes are a little granny looking, not suitable for my cute summer dresses so I stopped wearing them for over a week to wear my flats instead. BIG mistake. Now I am in pain again, it all started yesterday and gradually got worse until I had the "lightning bolts" last night. Today I sucked it up, put on the regular slacks and granny shoes. I feel better (at least my leg does).

I did my research online and saw that my symptoms match what is referred to as sciatica. I think my damage might have come from not wearing the shoes for so long, at least that is the only time I have noticed that I get the flare ups. If I don't wear my granny shoes for about a week, it seems to happen. Yes, its happened before but I am not a fast learner, lol.

What I am curious about is... is there any way other than wearing granny shoes all the time that I can prevent these episodes from happening. Evidently I must be doing something wrong to be causing this. Maybe my posture? balance?

What type of doctor handles this? Orthopeadic surgeon? chiropractor? Is there even a treatment? I was reading up on it and I kept reading that it goes away on its own. Yeah, my flares up do, but it would be nice if it would completely go away and I wouldn't have to worry about flare ups. I wonder if this is possible.

Finally... if I am destined to wear orthopaedic shoes the rest of my life... does anyone know of cute ones??? I just want some decent flats to go with my dresses!

Thanks!!

ETA: Just needed to elaborate on my post title.

I had problems when I was pregnant. I went to physical therapy 3 times a week and once the baby came, I was fine. It was soooooooooooooo painful. I hate it for you. I just did the pt and had the biofreeze roller to put on the spot.

fashionable-orthopaedic

I think that is an oxy-moron!

But you might want to talk to an orthopedist about nerve blocks. They really helped me.

Red

I wear custom orthotics made to fit into Naot shoes.  They're not high-fashion 5" heels but some of the sandals are kinda cute (and can be expensive).  On days when my feet or back really hurt I'm glad I have them.

I've had sciatica ever since I was a kid. Chiropractic and physical therapy help immensely.

Piriformis stretches help me a lot, as do hamstring stretches. Here's a video of piriformis stretching that looks pretty good: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qZ517Rw7ME

Another link for some exercises to relieve back pain: http://spinecurencare.com/html/exercise_relieving.html

Watching this kind of thing and doing it on your own does not replace PT, though. A good physical therapist can work wonders for this kind of thing. Plus you'll get lots of education about how to stretch and do other exercises the RIGHT way.

I am making an appointment with a chiropractor tomorrow and I will take it from there. Hopefully he can recommend a good therapist if I need one. I will ask about the stretches too. Thanks for the advice! At least now I know where to start. I figured if I went to my PCP all she would do is refer me to someone and I can do it myself. Saves me my copay.

As you lose weight, the problem should get better.  I started seeing my chiropractor when pregnant with my last child for the same thing you are describing.  It's a very simple chiropractic adjustment that you need done, with maybe one or two follow-up appts about 4 days and then a week later.  The adjustment will leave you feeling like dancing.  Then the Chiropractor should also give you exercises to keep your back in alignment. 

It comes from standing on one foot more than the other.  Women do this when carrying a purse or a child, throwing one hip farther out than the other, and favoring one foot when standing for long periods of time.

Find yourself a good chiropractor.  It shouldn't cost more than $50 per visit, after the initial appt., where they might want to do an x-ray.  You won't believe how much better you feel.  I double-dog dare ya.

Well I will take your dare! Especially now that I found a good chiropractor that takes my insurance. My friend recommended him so I am making my appointment first thing in the morning. I would just love to not have to wear my orthopaedics all the time. By the way, I just noticed my ankle is a little swollen too. I wonder if it is related or maybe I am walking wrong because of the pain on my heel and now I hurt it.

It's probably all snowballing.  I used to have yearly bouts with foot pain from switching shoes in the spring.  Then I found Clarks sandals, which don't make my feet hurt. 

Post back and let me know how your chiropractor visit goes.  Both my sons (19 and 25) recently went to my chiropractor and raved about the results.  My husband, however, can't be adjusted due to a bulging disc.