The Big SCIATIC Post

I didn't even know that sciatic was a nerve, or where it was. I mean, I've seen people grab the back of their hip and complain about sciatica, but that was it. Unfortunately I am now much more educated with it.

The stuff I found online doesn't seem to apply to me though. Much of the sciatic issues mentioned stem from lower back problems and disc issues, which I have none. I think it's possible that I might be able to help someone out there by sharing what happened and how I'm dealing with it.

"The sciatic nerve is a large nerve fiber in humans and other animals. It begins in the lower back and runs through the buttock and down the lower limb. It is the longest and widest single nerve in the human body." [wikipedia.com]

After going through this pain, reaching out to my doctors, and getting nothing that has actually helped me, I was forced to take matters into my own hands. ("I" even had to ask to be sent to physical therapy.)

My online search and my doctors had advised the following exercises. However, they only gave me very temporary relief. I always ended up back at square one within a few hours.

I thought I had hit the jackpot with this one,
but it offered no permanent or growing relief.

This did nothing for my sciatic nerve. It helped stretch my heel cord (tendon)
which I need too but nothing for my sciatic pain

After weeks of no help, I started to pray. It then dawned on me that perhaps it's the way in which I'd been sitting that was aggravating the nerve. I had a congestion issue in my leg and was sitting in a position that helped that issue (A). I began to sit up (B). While I had to deal with the congestion in my leg (it was better that 3 months ago), I started to feel relief of the sciatic pain.

So it seems to me that my sciatic problem happened because of the way I was sitting for 3.5 months. (update: as time passed I realized the nerve must have been aggravated during surgery.) It put pressure on my nerve for an extended period of time. Sitting up began to help, but did not solve all of the pain. 

I kept praying. The following two exercises came to me out of nowhere and have been offering me growing relief at a slow pace.

I do these without the band

This one was on my mind for a long time.
But I was afraid it would aggravate the nerve. It's helping though.

I'm now taking either ibuprofen or naproxen twice a day to keep both pain and inflammation, if indeed it's an issue, at bay.

After being able to start getting relief I canceled my physical therapy appointment because I asked Dr. Yes if physical therapy would make me do stretches I'm already doing. He said that was probable. ;o/

However, I'm going out soon for surgery on my right foot. I'm curious to know if they have anything further to offer. So I will be going to at least one physical therapy appointment to see if they can lend anything additional that will help me RECOVER from this and not just manage it.

I'll keep you posted.