Sciatica- in pain for 4 months! Help

[sunshineinme]

Dear all

My mother in law is suffering from sciatica for over 4 months now.

She spent fortune already on physio, acupuncture, tablets etc. nothing helps!

The only thing that really helped her was when I gave her a massage but... I warned her that she will end up having a bruise but when she got it she got all panicky that I probably battered her... I am not the most favourite daughter in law

She is 75 yo and not active at all.

Could you advise what to do/ how to help her or how she can help herself!?!?!
I feel upset seeing her in pain but she doesn't trust me anymore although I had couple sciatica patients with great success..

 

[apollo_24]

May I ask please how you knew before the treatment / massage that you would end up giving her a bruise. Does this happen with all your clients that you treat for Sciatica?

 

[Dani04]

I would recommend a chiropractor-she may have slipped disks

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[gillian w]

At 75 she needs to be referred to her doctor who needs to refer her to a specialist you really can't be forcefully massaging someone that old she may have osteoporosis or any number of things.You can help her but gently,gently definately do not go deep enough to cause bruising its not ok at all on anyone.

 

[lotus blossom]

This is an osteopaths bread and butter

Ring a reputable one up and ask advise x

 

[cabby]

I have suffered from this and was very ill for 2 years. It is actually quite commen for the elderly to get it my own has and my mother in law. They do need proper help but most doctors just prescribe anti inflammatory pills xxxx it get worse if they are less active walking or swimming may help

 

[gillian w]

Please remember she is 75.you cannot treat someone this age the same as a young strong person if she has osteoporosis and has never been tested for it you could be massaging meringue.

 

[Devonnaydf]

Please send her to her doctor. She needs an Xray and MRI if her back. I suffered with these same symptoms for over a year. I had an MRI that showed a ruptured disc that was pinching my nerve. After surgery, I feel so much better. If massage, chiropractic care, anti-inflammatories, or steroids don't help, she needs to see doctor.

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[sunshineinme]

Thank you for your replies ladies! All your replies!

I massaged her very gently because any touch was too much for her. She felt AMAZING after the massage for about two days. She could walk, sit, bend etc! But because I live 220 miles away I couldn't stay any longer and help her.

I am not specialising in sciatica and those who asked me for help knew that. im not a osteopath or a doctor. It was after I helped my friend who was in agony I've realised that bruising may occur.

That's just in case someone implied that I'm not professional and all that jazz people throw here on each there

 

[Belle De Jour]

I find very firm foot massage/reflexology really helps my Sciatica but she really needs to see the doc to make sure it's nothing underlying. Hope she feels more comfortable soon it's horrible! Xx

 

[jcpark]

Sciatica is a general term given to any pain caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve. Do you know what is causing your MIL's sciatica? Do you know how to assess, have any remedial training because the
'treatment' you give (if any) will depend on the cause. There may be short term limited benefit from a general massage, but it is just that, it is not treating the condition.

That's just in case someone implied that I'm not professional and all that jazz people throw here on each there

I have been horrified in the past by posts on here from therapists asking how to treat conditions they are clearly not qualified enough to do. It is very concerning that a level 3 massage qualification appears to be considered enough to treat physical problems. It is not - it is to relax clients and has many benefits, but remedial massage to treat problems is a completely different ball game. Being professional includes knowing the limitations of your training, knowledge and abilities. It is little wonder that so many hold the industry in such low regard.

 

[Pedifan]

I just wanted to add, has your MIL been confirmed to have Sciatica?

I have had pain for nearly 20 years which started after I fell down the stairs, and until last year I had been diagnosed with every back pain problem going including Sciatica, it wasn't until I saw a new Doctor 2 years ago who sent me for an X ray that my condition was finally diagnosed as something completely different to Sciatica.

Imo your MIL should be pressing her Doctor to sort her out.