<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> My, many of us suffer with the same difficulty, for I must have received about 50 responses! There were some very helpful suggestions, and I thank all of you for taking the time to respond. There were many who suggested physical therapy, massage, yoga, chiropractic and acupuncture as well as MD homeopathy as well as exercise. Several suggested epidural, and another has had her first epidural and will follow with two more. Many just wrote to say, "Me, too!" so I'm summarizing at length, in hope that others of you will find the help you need. The following exercises were suggested: I am a Physical Educator for 57 years; my suggestion for you is to sit on the floor with legs extended; then slowly cross ankles--right over left hold 20 seconds;then cross left ankle over right, hold. If that is easy then do the same and lean trunk forward, hold 20 seconds. Then reverse ankles. Relax into the hamstring without causing pain. The pain is caused by the inflamation, as you know; this stretch will slowly work it out hopefully. Do several times a day. .................................... I know this may be too simplistic for the level of difficulty you are experiencing, but it works for me and may for others. If your knees will bear the stress, hold to a counter of wall with your left hand (for the right sciatica), cross you right ankle over your slightly bent left knee and rotate your right knee outward. Then do a sitting type motion, stretching the area of your lower back. If my sciatica gets pinched, this seems to release it everytime. ....................................... One respondent sent two recent articles, one (May 30, HealthDay News) stating how surgery can quickly relieve back pain and one from medicinet.com stating how back pain can often end w/o surgery but discusses both options. If anyone wants those articles, I'll gladly forward. .................................................................. Some suggestions: allergy testing and avoiding carbs, citrus, nightshades, etc. Search for hidden gluten or cross contamination. One suggested taking 3 MSM daily. One told the success of herniated disc surgery some years previous. One told of unsuccessful back surgery and now relies on massage/PT. Hot baths, ice treatments, sleeping on the floor, various vitamin combinations and swimming (flotation) were also mentioned. ............................................................................. One had several suggestions for general inflammation: "Here's what I'd try: ~Large doses of high quality fish oil supplements at least 1000 of DHA a day. ~Vitamin B6, 500 mg per day. ~Vitamin B12, 1000 mcg per day. ~No vegetable oils except olive, palm, coconut & flax seed oil. ~No sesame seeds, margarine, fried foods, oily nuts, peanut butter, or commercially prepared salad dressings until you are ALL better. ~1000 mg of vitamin C daily I don't know if this will work, but these are the all purpose anti-inflammatory things that have helped me overcome carpel tunnel syndrome & thoracic outlet syndrome. They are not exactly the same thing as sciatica, but they are similar conditions because they involve inflamed nerves." ....................................................................... ................................... Several books were mentioned: Get this book by Robin McKenzie http://amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/104-8344282-5317544?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=treat+your+own+back&Go.x=8&Go.y=15 ......................................... Get the book, Strong Women, Strong Backs by Miriam E. Nelson, Ph.D. ........................................................... She is an exercise physiologist and is an associate professor at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy and director of the Center of Physical Activity at Tufts University. ...................................................... Schatz, Mary Pullig Title Back care basics : a doctor's gentle yoga program for back and neck pain relief / Mary Pullig Schatz ; foreword by William Connor ; preface by B.K.S. Iyengar ............................................................. I have also read that sciatica is due to a trigger point (= myofacial pain). You can read all about this in “The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook“ by Clair Davies. ............................................................ There are also other techniques that I play around with using books on Somatics (by Hana) and Fenderkrais method, which have increased my body awareness in which I discovered how I was compensating and clenching various parts of my body and posture that made the pain worse. ....................................... I also do alot of core work - suggest buying the book "The core program" by Peggy Brill ........................................ One, who is a PT, suggested visiting the American Physical Therapy Association web page at www.apta.org to search for a therapist in my area, which is what I did. Surprisingly, I found a friend, not in my county, but in the next county. I had forgotten about his being there, so got a referral, and have two appointments thus far and have already experienced some relief. He said he thought he could resolve it in about 3 weeks and after he resolves some of the pain, he will help me develop strengthening exercises to help in the long run. Thanks again to all who responded. This is indeed a unique group! JJ *Support summarization of posts, reply to the SENDER not the CELIAC List* ******* To unsubscribe, email: mailto:[log in to unmask] *******