pain relief w/o drugs

[skybytch 273]

After the recent death of my aunt, caused largely by the amount of pain killers she'd taken over the years (they basically killed her stomach), I'd really rather not take any more pills if I can avoid it. But I've been in sciatica hell for the past week and it doesn't seem to be improving despite doing/not doing the things that are recommended that those with sciatica do/not do (yes, a doctor visit is in my near future to determine what's causing it this time). So I have a couple questions for those who have dealt with or constantly deal with debilitating pain.

First, what, if any, non-drug methods of pain relief have you tried that work for you?

And second, without the mind numbing that comes with pain killers making it all not matter so much, how do you deal with not being able to be active?

[skymama 37]

Chiropractic manipulation and physical therapy has worked for me. I also have a couple of friends who swear by accupuncture.

She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man,
because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon

[artistcalledian 0]

i,ve had a tarpped nerve in my neck, all i did for 4 months wa take pain killers...none of them worked

i friend suggested going to see a Chiropractor, we have ones called McTimony Chiropractors over in the UK (not sure if you have them over your way) they specialise in gentle movements instead of harsh cracks and stuff... after 4 visits i was totally pain free..

i had pain constantly night and day, it was all i could think of, it effected every part of my life. No drugs took the pain away, i can only suggest treating the cause and not masking the pain

give it a go, what have you got to lose?

________________________________________
drive it like you stole it and f*ck the police

[jmpnkramer 0]

Hey girlie.

My sciatic(sp) nerve was damaged in my accident in 99.

Personally I stretch and have noticed that the more active I am the less it actually hurts.

I have thought about going for massage. Just finding the time is the trick.

I also have old pain killers from my surgery. Sometimes that helps but I know what you mean about the stomach.

I believe I have damage to mine b/c when I am in the hospital they force me to take those meds. Sometimes I get away w/o taking them though.

I am not sure if I helped but I understand what you are going through.

Laters,


K-MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


.

The REAL KRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMER!

"HESITATION CAUSES DEATH!!!"
"Be Slow to Fall into Friendship; but when Thou Art in, Continue Firm & Constant." - SOCRATES

[Ashtanga 0]

Accupuncture. Has worked for me in the past and I am going here in Atlanta on Friday.

[Darius11 12]

Depends how you feel about drugs as they are called.

I think a little bit of cannabis would take away the pain and no I am not joking.
When I get a migraine I would much rather take a puff then put some man made chemical inside my body.

I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not." - Kurt Cobain

[skybytch 273]

Having had three vertebrae fused already due to blown out discs, I'm pretty sure that this is being caused by yet another disc on it's way out. I worry that chiropractic adjustment could make things much, much worse.

What I'm looking for is short term pain relief - ie what will help me get through today (I'll deal with tomorrow when it gets here).

[skymama 37]

I don't know if it's the right thing to do for your pain, but what about alternating ice and heat?

She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man,
because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon

[skybytch 273]

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I think a little bit of cannabis would take away the pain and no I am not joking.

Not mine. It helps the mental state and provides a bit of relief from the muscle spasms (if it doesn't make them worse from coughing, that is), but it doesn't take away the pain.

[Girlfalldown 0]

Hey Lisa,

I'm sorry to hear you're in pain again. You know my history so I'm going to go out on a hippy-fied limb here and tell you about this program my fiancé got me into. It helped when I first started it but I've been a bit flakey lately and I need to go back to it. It's called "Healing Back Pain" by Dr. Sarno. It's a book and also we have a video program for it. I can't exactly go into what it's about because the first time I heard about it I thought it was just a bunch of hippy voodoo mumbo jumbo but I now believe that I was wrong. Anyway, if you're interested let me know and I'll give you some more info.

[skybytch 273]

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but what about alternating ice and heat?

That's on the do list.

• Quote

[SpeedRacer 1]

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When I get a migraine I would much rather take a puff then put some man made chemical inside my body.

I'm surprised to hear that that would work on a migraine, since pot is a vassodilator.

anyway, so-called man made chemicals are simply made from so-called natural chemicals. this whole "natural" vs "artifiicial" chemical obsession is an over-hyped distinction. Even nicotine is natural.

Speed Racer
--------------------------------------------------

[skybytch 273]

I'll gladly try hippy voodoo mumbo jumbo. Info me!

[ReBirth 0]

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called "Healing Back Pain" by Dr. Sarno.

Howard Stern has been singing the praises of this book for years and credits Sarno with elliminating what had been many years of pain for himself.

[RhondaLea 4]

There are herbal options for pain relief (such as ginger and capsaicin--1000-1500 mg. of ginger for pain relief; capsaicin comes as cream, nasal spray and capsules), but it seems that for such pain as you describe you need something more.

There are meditation techniques. I don't know how to teach them, because I happened upon them as a child entirely by accident, and I don't know how to explain what I do. Having discussed it with a therapist, however, I am aware that it can be taught, and it does provide total cessation from most pain.

Besides seeing a chiropractor, I'd also check the message board at your local health food store to see what's offered.

Hang in there.

rl

If you don't know where you're going, you should know where you came from. Gullah Proverb

[artistcalledian 0]

chinese herbal remedies, give 'em a bash, you can't go wrong

________________________________________
drive it like you stole it and f*ck the police

[Elisha 1]

Quote

After the recent death of my aunt, caused largely by the amount of pain killers she'd taken over the years (they basically killed her stomach), I'd really rather not take any more pills if I can avoid it. But I've been in sciatica hell for the past week and it doesn't seem to be improving despite doing/not doing the things that are recommended that those with sciatica do/not do (yes, a doctor visit is in my near future to determine what's causing it this time). So I have a couple questions for those who have dealt with or constantly deal with debilitating pain.

First, what, if any, non-drug methods of pain relief have you tried that work for you?

And second, without the mind numbing that comes with pain killers making it all not matter so much, how do you deal with not being able to be active?

Yes, so yoga and/or pilates. Try Bikram yoga, the hot kind - in 100+ degree heat. I'd be really surprised if there wasn't notable improvement after 3 classes.

[JankyBob 0]

If you have back pain, Dr. Sarno can change your life. I herniated 3 discs and was in excrutiating pain for years. I read one of Sarno's books and it helped a bit, but it wasn't until I watched his video that I became a true believer. After 3 years of daily pain I was relatively pain-free after two weeks and have remained that way for four years now. I still have herniated discs, but very minimal pain, and the medical MJ takes care of that . Gotta love Cali!

But seriously, if you live with pain, check out Dr. Sarno. He is a very well-respected doctor and I believe he is on the board at NYU or Harvard or something.

Oh, and here is a list of things I tried before finding out about Dr. Sarno; Chiropractor, massage, traction, drugs, herbs, accupuncture, accupressure, physical therapy and hanging from gravity boots.

[squirrel 0]

my life partner is a Bikram Yoga instructor. she has 4 fused disks, that was a treatment for her scolerosis (spelling?), but still has curvature in her upper back that is not right. the yoga takes care of the pain. however, she did not get results until she practice at least 4 times a week, just like any work out, it takes time. i can have her give you more info if you like. check bikramyoga.com for a studio in your area.

there was also a young girl in her instructor training class that suffered from extreme scoleosis, she did yoga twice a day, and is in no pain now. i'm not trying to sell you this...it works. we do yoga in our own "studio" at home, basically a very hot room. want more info?

________________________________
Where is Darwin when you need him?

[Darius11 12]

I understand that all things have a natural source, but there is a big difference in planting a seed and smoking the plant it produces then putting something in your body that was produced in a lab or factory.
That’s important to me. I really don’t care if it’s important to any one else or not.

I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not." - Kurt Cobain

[Feeblemind 1]

Lisa,

I put the tens unit in the car so i wont forget it.

Phil

Fire Safety Tip: Don't fry bacon while naked

[artistcalledian 0]

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my life partner

eh? whats one of those?

________________________________________
drive it like you stole it and f*ck the police

[Rebecca 0]

I've done Bikram, and they specifically list sciatica pain relief as one of the major benefits. Accupuncture, performed properly, eliminated tendonitis pain in my thumb in one session.

Those are the best "no medicine" fixes I've used.

you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel loquacious?' -- well do you, punk?

[missg8tordivr 0]

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Accupuncture. Has worked for me in the past and I am going here in Atlanta on Friday.

Agreed, acupuncture is a good way to go. You might want to see what a chiropractor can do for you just in case it is something that can be cured with manipulation of the spine and/or muscles around the spine where the pain is coming from.

***
F LORIDA!

[squirrel 0]

i never liked the term "wife" seems, possessive, at least to me. life partner fits us better.

________________________________
Where is Darwin when you need him?