Any nurses with sciatica? Need suggestions...

andre · Jun 27, 2005

Hey all -
I'm actually an RN student, and I'm looking for a good pair of shoes to keep me out of total pain for 12 hours on clinicals and then when I get into the working world. I love Danskos, but I haven't worn them for that long a time standing and working, and I have sciatica that gets whacked out if I'm not careful. Does anyone have any suggestions? Or on the sciatica note, do any other nurses here have this? Mine has been bad since my pregnancy a year ago, and every once in awhile, something gets it out of whack and it is so painful I cannot even walk at all. I'm doing stretches, my DH says I should do acupuncture or "body work" (we live in Boulder, CO; what can I say?), but at times the pain gets so bad it runs down my rear end and the back of my thigh for hours. I'm worried that I'll get a "sciatica attack" while I'm working. Any suggestions?
Thanks, Tracy

My sciatica is helped most by chiropractic adjustments. When I was still in denial about it being sciatica, I was in pain for a good six months before I would admit I needed to go see him. I had two adjustments each of the first three weeks, then I went to q2wks, then to q3wks and now I'm on "maintenance" at q4wks. In addition to the usual adjustment, he does lots of stretching, particularly of the fascia (myofascial release). This has been a godsend to me, as I am now able to be pain-free 95% of the time. Of course, I also have insurance that will cover chiropractic as long as there's a complaint of back pain--no max # of visits per year.

I have a friend who does acupuncture for her sciatica and swears by it.

As for shoes, I highly recommend Birkenstocks. Danskos didn't work for me, but that's probably more related to my bunions rubbing against the stiff toe box.

good luck!

Andrea

Ex130Load · Jun 27, 2005

In the early stages of my diagnosis, the docs said most often it's gone or significantly reduced within two years. That held true for me, but I've had a minor relapse over the last five months. I couldn't make rhyme or reason as to events that would exacerbate or precipitate it. The docs also said deteriorating lumbar disks, which I possess, could be a contributing factor. Never tried different shoes as my symptoms seemed mostly related to bending at the hip and taking long walking strides. I minimized those actions and made it through ok.

Good luck

purplesdk · Jun 28, 2005

:crying2: I too suffer with sciatica on occasion. What helps with my pain is using a T.E.N.S. unit. I have tried all kinds of shoes, Dansko was the best shoes, but what really took the pain away was using a TENS unit. I purchased one at a local medical supply store, and wear it when I get that first tingle of pain. If I put it on right away, the pain goes away after a day or two. I usually wear it all day and night on the setting that is most comfortable to me. I let it run continuously for whatever length of time that I have it on, and then remove it to see if I can function without it. If I need it for a longer period of time, I put it back on (intermitently) until the pain is gone. This is the only thing that I have found that helps me. The TENS units come in a wide range of prices, so if you decide to try one, shop around. Many medical supply stores require an RX., but I walked into a store (when I got off from work)with my uniform (scrubs) on,

and did not have to have an RX. My unit cost about $75.00-$80.00 and it comes with everything you need. Check out the TENS units, they help, and you can wear them under your clothes without problems.

Good luck with your back!

purplesdk

CashewLPN, LPN · Jun 28, 2005

Hi... I"ve had sciatica for a few long, excruciating months, I feel and understand your pain... (initally injured myself while moving a patient... then, continually re-injured by working in a restaurant for a few months[picking up stuff from the floor became impossible so I had to leave, then now with mild/moderate pain near constantly.)

When it gets bad, after I get home, I take my flexaril, about 600mgs of Motrin, and I rest on a heating pad. If it flares at work I end up sticking an ice pack on my back (held on with my tights, or an abdominal binder)

I've been told that losing weight will help... I've tried, with little success to do so (not allowed to do impact excercize, can only swim so much before I get bored) but a good stretch, and massage always helps.

i'm sorry for not being more of a help

--Cashew