OT: Sciatica Relief

Earlier this summer I posted here asking for suggestions for how to relieve my sciatic pain.  I got some good suggestions (the best was to sit on an ice pack) and also some responses from members who have the same problem and also want a cure.  So now I'm posting again to tell you that after months of misery, chiropractor visits, x-rays that show nothing's wrong with my back, massages, and pyraformis muscle stretching exercises, I finally went to an acupuncturist and a day later, the sciatic pain was completely GONE!

It may be a placebo effect, but I don't care.  I don't understand how it works, but it worked for me.  The needles didn't hurt going in (or coming out) and the session (about 20 minutes talking with the guy and 40 minutes of treatment) cost $50.  Not covered by my health insurance, but it was worth every penny.

Jean

That's great to hear that you are pain free now. Nothing worse than having pain that just won't go away. I think people are finding relief more and more in the old time remedies and home brews. I for one like the natural path and do some of my own "potions".

Again, glad to hear of your relief.

Jean,

That's great news!!!!  Hope your pain-free state remains for a long time.  I had accupuncture years ago for problems with dizziness/dysequilibrium.  I had several treatments and did get some relief.  My accupuncture doc said he performed surgery on someone through the use of accupuncture - interesting/puzzling isn't it??

Good luck!  YAY for you!

Jean, I am so glad that you have found relief from the pain. I have that too, so I might look into that course of action too. Keep me posted on how you are doing, will you please?

I firmly believe in accupuncture.  I know people that have used it for pain releif and it really worked.  I used it to quit smoking 21 or 22 years ago, and still haven't smoked.  One treatment is all it took.

I figure something that's been used for over 3000 years for the cures and treatments of all kinds of things has got to be more than just a placebo! My Chiropractor does acupuncture. He says if one don't fix ya the other will!

I also strongly beleive in accupuncture!

In 2001, we were rear-ended by a speeding four-wheel drive truck..the driver dropped his cellphone and was looking at the floor when we slowed down to make a left turn. He hit us going 60 MPH and totalled our big Buick Park Avenue.  I had extreme pain in my right back, hip, shoulder,arm and neck. The policed were amazed that we survived the crash.

By the time we got home from Michigan where the accident was, I had such pain that I couldnt use my right hand..I was dropping things, couldnt sign my name and I couldnt do my artwork....my right hand would curl up in spasm  and Id be paralyzed with the pain. Nothing helped..months of physio..even special deep muscle massage was only temporary relief.  Finally thr technician at the Physio Clinic used acupuncture.  The needles did NOT hurt going in or pulling out. But in ONE treatment, the pain was almsot gone..amd after the third, the pain never came back!

It was covered by the OTHER guy's car insurance. Severe pain? Thats what I would do right away...acupuncture!

Yeah, I had acupuncture done a couple times and it seemed to help my knee (pre-replacement) and back, but it's not covered by insurance and I can't afford anything not covered by insurance right now. However, it is covered under FSA (flexible spending) so after the first of the year, I may look into it and see if I can get some help with my knee/back and the swollen leg problems (because I doubt I'll get any help from my ortho doc when I see him again in December).

Thanks, Jean.  My husband I both have sciatica pain - his is from a bad back and mine is from a
fall.  I've been suggesting acupuncture to him for a while now.  I agree that for that kind of a fee,
$50, it's well worth the out of pocket expense even it may be a placebo effect. 

I'm glad you feel better,

Katherine B

PS   I  also have soft $5 bed pillows in shams on our preferred livingroom chairs, piano bench ,
car seats and work chair!  In other words, all surfaces on which we regularly sit!
Really helps.