Pain Relief

[Kiya]

My b/f is suffering badly from a long-standing problem with his back. He has sciatica, and suffers from pain, and hot and cold sensations down his leg. When it is really bad, he can't bear for the skin to be touched.

Wonderful people of MW, I'm asking for some help here. He has asked me to help him in any way I can. We find that massaging his back works well to relax him enough to sleep (out go the sleeping pills!) but I'd like any input you can give me on how to help the pain. Painkillers and anti-inflammatories are causing him some stomach problems, so he only takes them when it's REALLY bad.

Brightest blessings to all of you

[Emy]

I am not so sure I know what sciatica is, but if you tell me, I'll dig some in my books, BoS etc and see what I can find, if I can find something...

Blessings

[Kiya]

The sciatic nerve splits off at the base of the spine and runs down each leg. When it is inflamed or trapped, it causes sensations of pain or hot/cold/pinpricks along the length of the nerve. My b/f ruptured a disc in his back three years ago, and it pressed on the nerve, damaging it permanently. We've been told it can't be cured, but we need to find some way to live with the pain.

The pain is really bad at the moment, but sometimes it does go away completely - for months at a time.

Hope that explains a bit more!

[Emy]

aha I think I know what you mean now, we have a different name in Sweden... I'll see what I can find for you... :)

Blessings

[sherry]

This is a common problem among Nurses that I used to work with in Ohio. They told me that chiropractors do help even with a blown disc. You might try this I do go to chiropractor regularly it always helps me!!

[Kiya]

Just rung the other half at home. He's going to check out some numbers of chiropractors in our area. He said one thing though - "Do they use needles and how much will it hurt?"

He's a big baby but I love him!

I've always been really lucky with my back, I rarely get even the smallest ache. Knees, on the other hand...ohhhh, painful sometimes!

Thanks for the advice!

And congrats to you and Blue! I think it's sooo lovely. I'm going all romantic and dreamy (I'm a Pisces, I'm allowed to!!!!). I saw the pics of where you will be getting hitched - it looks lovely.

Kiya

[Lavender]

There are herbal remedies for sciatica. Before trying any of them, you might want to check with a certified herbalist about them.

One that I've heard a lot about & people say works (no first hand experience here) is stinging nettles. You take sprigs of the young plants & slap it against the painful area. It will sting & cause a rash but that's what you want. The stinging causes minor pain & fools the nervous system into disregarding the deeper pain. As well, chemicals in the stinger, that causes the rash, will trigger your body's natural anti-inflamatory chemicals...which helps with the pain of the sciatica. Don't forget to wear gloves when handling stinging nettles. You don't want the stings to go off in your hand.

That's the only one I can think of now...I know there are lots of herbal poultices & baths you can try. I'll check through my notes.

[Kiya]

...well, I was willing to give it a try, but my partner didn't seem to be so keen. :D

He went to the hospital yesterday and they are trying some ultrasound treatment (he's refusing the epidural route - petrified of needles) which is not doing any harm.

We had a lovely evening last night with lots of laughs, and he felt a lot better this morning, so the old saying about laughter being the best medicine may not be just an old wives tale!

[Jewlz]

My Mum has a nerve pinching in her neck that causes her severe neck problems and pain. She has tried several treatments and found the only thing that works for her is Tilcotil this wee painkiller. Its worrying though, because it is bad for you to take continually like she has to. But nothing else seems to work.
I have heard that Marajuana is a good pain releif, but I dont think its very suitable!
The thing I find interesting is my Mum has this necklace with magnets on it that she has around her neck. She wears it 24 hours a day and says it helps alot with the pain. Maybe you could research into gemstone healing? (I dont know that much about it sorry)
Best of luck for you and I hope you dont have to go to the extent my Mother has to go to releave her pain.
I hope your BF gets better soon!
Jewlz

[Yvonne Belisle]

PM Tanna if you want info on magnet healing. Her Mother is a dealer and has the latest info. No she won't push you to buy but she can give information to any who seek. :)

[EasternPriest]

If you want to steer away from alopathic medicine (which include epidurals, etc...) Then a combination of heat, as in ye old heating pad or jacuzzi; herb teas to calm the nervous system, such as camomile or mint; and a calcium/magnesium/zinc suppliment may help.

One thing to consider before you engage a chiropractor. In most people, the spine is 2-3 inches deep in the back, despite being able to "feel" it, and doesn't manipulate quite as easily as they would like you to think. Also, if the nerve pinch is at the spinal root, you don't want to risk increased nerve damage which is a potential side effect of manipulation.

If you end up going the alopathic route, and would like questions answered before you see a doctor, I would be happy to help. Although my role on Sunday's is that of an ordained minister, my Monday-Friday has been spent as an anesthesia technician for the past 21 years.

Blessings......

[Lavender]

I found my info on poultices for sciatica...

A poultice is when you mash up the herbs/plants & apply to the area needed.

Hayseed poultice - mash & wrap in cheesecloth or cloth bag & apply hot (but not burning) to the painful area. Can also be used as a bath soak too. There is a compound in the hayseed that is like a camphorlike substance that will increase the blood flow & help with the pain. There are prepackaged remedies of hayseeds for back pains. Check at your local herb or health food stores.

Nettle leaves mushed up in a cheesecloth can be used also...if he didn't like the stinging part. :p

Willow bark tea is another one...but if you have asprin allergies, skip this one. 1 tsp of willow bark, simmered in 1 & 1/2 cup water for 15-20 mins, strain, & add honey if you like, & drink.

Wintergreen used externally in a bath or poultice is good for sciatica & other back pains.

For the bath, the cleanest way is to make an infusion first. Use ~cup of herbs & steep in ~ 4 cups water. Steep ~ 15-20 mins & strain. Pour infusion into your bath. That way, you don't have to pick out the herbs out of your hair or clean the tub later.

As Easternpriest had pointed out in another thread, let your dr know about what herbal treatments you're thinking of trying first. As well, if you've decided to go to a herbalist, let him/her know what conventional meds you're on.

[idusty88]

There is a book that could be helpful, "The Sciatica Relief Handbook" by by Chet Cunningham, Mary Ann Castor (Paperback - April 1998). I looked it up at amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1887053093/qid=992888159/sr=1-4/ref=sc_b_4/102-9877832-8985750

[Kiya]

We've just moved, which is why I haven't said thank you before for everyones concern and help.

The pain he has is lessening, and he is sleeping much better - less hours, but not waking up several times in the night.

He had one sip of camomile tea and refused any more!

Thanks again, all!