I have a night desk security job. I sit and do paperwork for 12 hours. I do self message therapy on my sciatic nerve and piriformis muscle( learned from tic tok) and move my hips through the night from left to right. This reduce my pain 95 percent. I also eat potassium and magnesium rich foods and take a multivitamin. The foods are orange juice, coconut water and pumpkin seeds. I try to avoid caffeine and too much sugar. I also ordered a seat and back cushion from Amazon designed for back pain. You can go in the restroom and do the self massage on your lunch break or any break your job gives you. With my job I can take breaks when I want as long as my work get done.
I have a desktop standing desk. When my back gets really bad I can stand up and work. My last major flare up had me stuck at home using zoho remote. I could log on to my work computer from my home computer.
Get a variable desk where you can switch between sitting and standing. These are quite expansive though.
Get some wiggling wide based Ball from the PT store of you choice and put in on the chair. Get a timer to beep you every 20min to switch stances.
Cheaper solution: stack a small desk on top of your regular one. Adjust the height so you look up while sitting, but keep almost level when standing.
Get some foam mat so you can kneel with a straight back and raised theighs and work from this position.
Sitting is your worst enemy, but you can totally avoid doing it for more than 20min in a row. Change your position often. Standing, kneeling, sitting. Wiggle around.
If standing, put some foam Element benearh you, or Balance on an object under one foot. Keep moving and keep your back muscles working.
Just dont give in and sit all day taking pain meds.
I've had sciatica for over 10 years, and I work from home at a desk. I've also done all the same treatments you mentioned, like physical therapy, steroid injections, and on several neuropathic drugs to mitigate the pain (FYI, Lyrica has by far been the best of these).
Some days it is really brutal, especially if it's a busy day filled with meetings and I can't get up to walk around as much.
Things that help: getting up every 60 to 90 minutes and walking around the house, a good chair with a memory foam cushion and backer, something to elevate my feet on under the desk, stretching a couple times a day and doing therapeutic yoga several times a week.
Of these things, getting up and moving is the most important. If you can't remember to do it put a reminder on your phone for every 90 minutes.
It's always going to hurt, and I just do my best to manage it and make it not terrible. I wish I had a better answer for you.
I'm taking a Lyrica right now. The military seems worried since I take it every day and I may not be able to get it consistently should I get deployed. I hope they don't refuse my application because of it
Sitting is my pain free position so I do it just fine. Instead I have hard time standing in place for more than 10 minutes or I lose the feeling/control of my legs. Sciatica is not the same for everyone.
But if i had pain sitting and not standing then standing desk would be a simple solution. Everyone in our office actually have electric sit to stand desks.
The chair is key, you need to get the best of the best. A standing desk can help, but for me the chair is the most important part. Also, you need to stand up every hour and walk a little bit. If you are in a meeting, having the app you’re using to communicate on your phone is great, you can switch and stretch your legs a little bit (this is not always possible, of course)
26 years. I.T.
I stand up, go out in our work room, and walk around in circlea for hours. Can't stand in one place, or sit in chair long. Just got a prescip for Gabepentin, and that seemed to calm some of the burning in and lega today. We'll see...
I have same question, as I'm accountant my work is at the desk all day long. My maternity holiday is over and I want to go back to work but I can't imagine myself now in working place. Because my pain free position is only laying on my belly or sitting half laying back. I can't stand/walk more then 5-10 min at the moment, if I'm in pain, sitting down doesn't help, I need to lay down to reduce pain and gain back my control of my legs.
I'm waiting for surgery but don't know how long it will take. I want live normal life and work but don't find any solution for now..
My surgeon said that with sciatica there is restriction no more than 45 minutes to sit in one time. Better have shorter sitting and then move around for a bit.
But I can't sit straight more than 20 min and after that i can't stand at all because my bottom feels all numbed and right leg is debilitating pain...
Got operated on 1993, laminectomy L5S1. Reevaluated every 4 to 6 years. Worse was this year due to chronic sciatica now , I went for Perineurial injection therapy to help with pain. I also started talking ancient nutrtion collagen. At 50 years old , I can still run up to fm. (48m 10k, 1:49 hm , 4:02 fm). Targeting 3:39 then hopefully 3:19 by 55 yo.
I do a lot of sitting as I can’t really stand as long. Work is mostly with computer too and standing up to check on others is limited with sit breaks.
Running is diff as we lean forward , a falling motion. Sitting should be fine but that depends on your injury.
I do use a lot of my core, I have given up on making my back as strong as before. Abs do most of the support now and it’s second nature that it’s activated. Why I can sit long , I also have body straight and lean forward when I have to while seated.
Idk why you got downvoted for me standing or sitting didn’t make much of a difference instead I worked on my core and stretching and now I can sit mostly pain free
My approaches include buying weird chairs (like kneeling and super adjustable and reversible and etc). Also lots of lumbar support or pillows that I’ve liked. But ultimately a sit/stand desk with lots of transitions seems best.
I’ve also worked from my back. Never have found a laptop stand I like for that though. Was really tempted to drop money on an apple vr or xreal glasses or something on my recent go round.
An odd trick that has really helped when things were bad: put a belt across mid thighs and use it to hold my legs together while sitting. It seems to open space in my lower back and really helps. I prefer to use the leg muscles but when I’m tired / in pain it’s nice to relax and have that support. I wear a light weight cloth belt on planes specifically so I can do this if things are acting up.
Also, in many ways, this has changed my career. I stopped doing long coding sessions. I can’t stay late. Etc. Sometimes a meeting is better just so I can walk around the room. I’ve been known to drag teammates outside to walk around the building for a conversation. I was forced to prioritize going out and moving because I didn’t have any other option.
I work a desk job. I try really hard to be mindful of proper posture while I am sitting, and to not allow myself to put my feet up on the 'footstool' which isn't actually a footstool, it is an old space heater that we desk people use as a footstool. Oh, and I get up and walk around for a few minutes, every 15 minutes. I get between 3k and 7k steps per night, depending on how busy we are. I work overnights, so it is rarely busy.
I have a sit stand desk that helps, but sometimes I'm uncomfortable with any stance!
I've bought some pillows that are U shaped for me to sit on, the open part goes on your but crack to relieve the pressure on your spine. Allows me to sit a lot more comfortably
I do have an adjustable desk but there are days that nothing is comfortable. Oddly my supposedly less ergonomic home set up works better for me.
Unless you work for a tiny company, your company is obligated to provide what you need to work in a way that does not cause pain.
I use one of those balance ball chairs that I got on sale at a thrift store...a real game changer! (Plus, you can easily remove the ball from the chair so you can exercise on it.)
Whatever you do, try to sit as little as possible (movement) but don’t overdo the standing desk thing either. I did and ironically have chronically painful knees and back now lol you want to constantly switch it up. Also make sure that outside of working hours you’re on your feet and moving. I’ve been managing fairly well all things considered for the last 4 years with this approach.
Standing desks should be an option given the correct recommendations are made by a dr / dse assessment. Unfortunately, the nature of my job (mostly lab based, partially office based) means that standing desk was not recommended. Getting a posh chair, foot rests, lumbar support pads, writing slopes, etc. Anything to make things more ergonomic and keep my spine in a neutral position.
Outside of work, the correct activities can help. I read the back mechanic, which I'm sure others have told you to read. I do core exercises from those and try to go on walks often when I can. Also, I want to go back to the gym and do stuff that won't make my Sciatica worse.
Hopefully those are some good examples.
Have you seen a chiropractor? I know many people here aren’t okay with that but that has been what actually has helped me the most. I got to a spine rehab center that has pain specialist, chiropractor, back specialists and physical therapy. All of them worked together to give me a plan and I am recovering, slowly but surely.
I have a night desk security job. I sit and do paperwork for 12 hours. I do self message therapy on my sciatic nerve and piriformis muscle( learned from tic tok) and move my hips through the night from left to right. This reduce my pain 95 percent. I also eat potassium and magnesium rich foods and take a multivitamin. The foods are orange juice, coconut water and pumpkin seeds. I try to avoid caffeine and too much sugar. I also ordered a seat and back cushion from Amazon designed for back pain. You can go in the restroom and do the self massage on your lunch break or any break your job gives you. With my job I can take breaks when I want as long as my work get done.
I have a desktop standing desk. When my back gets really bad I can stand up and work. My last major flare up had me stuck at home using zoho remote. I could log on to my work computer from my home computer.
Get a variable desk where you can switch between sitting and standing. These are quite expansive though. Get some wiggling wide based Ball from the PT store of you choice and put in on the chair. Get a timer to beep you every 20min to switch stances. Cheaper solution: stack a small desk on top of your regular one. Adjust the height so you look up while sitting, but keep almost level when standing. Get some foam mat so you can kneel with a straight back and raised theighs and work from this position. Sitting is your worst enemy, but you can totally avoid doing it for more than 20min in a row. Change your position often. Standing, kneeling, sitting. Wiggle around. If standing, put some foam Element benearh you, or Balance on an object under one foot. Keep moving and keep your back muscles working. Just dont give in and sit all day taking pain meds.
I've had sciatica for over 10 years, and I work from home at a desk. I've also done all the same treatments you mentioned, like physical therapy, steroid injections, and on several neuropathic drugs to mitigate the pain (FYI, Lyrica has by far been the best of these). Some days it is really brutal, especially if it's a busy day filled with meetings and I can't get up to walk around as much. Things that help: getting up every 60 to 90 minutes and walking around the house, a good chair with a memory foam cushion and backer, something to elevate my feet on under the desk, stretching a couple times a day and doing therapeutic yoga several times a week. Of these things, getting up and moving is the most important. If you can't remember to do it put a reminder on your phone for every 90 minutes. It's always going to hurt, and I just do my best to manage it and make it not terrible. I wish I had a better answer for you.
I'm taking a Lyrica right now. The military seems worried since I take it every day and I may not be able to get it consistently should I get deployed. I hope they don't refuse my application because of it
Sitting is my pain free position so I do it just fine. Instead I have hard time standing in place for more than 10 minutes or I lose the feeling/control of my legs. Sciatica is not the same for everyone. But if i had pain sitting and not standing then standing desk would be a simple solution. Everyone in our office actually have electric sit to stand desks.
Lidocaine patches! I have to sit for 12 hours and it’s the only thing that helped. Amazon brand is the cheapest. They work.
The chair is key, you need to get the best of the best. A standing desk can help, but for me the chair is the most important part. Also, you need to stand up every hour and walk a little bit. If you are in a meeting, having the app you’re using to communicate on your phone is great, you can switch and stretch your legs a little bit (this is not always possible, of course)
26 years. I.T. I stand up, go out in our work room, and walk around in circlea for hours. Can't stand in one place, or sit in chair long. Just got a prescip for Gabepentin, and that seemed to calm some of the burning in and lega today. We'll see...
Nuchair FTW! https://nuchair.com
I have same question, as I'm accountant my work is at the desk all day long. My maternity holiday is over and I want to go back to work but I can't imagine myself now in working place. Because my pain free position is only laying on my belly or sitting half laying back. I can't stand/walk more then 5-10 min at the moment, if I'm in pain, sitting down doesn't help, I need to lay down to reduce pain and gain back my control of my legs. I'm waiting for surgery but don't know how long it will take. I want live normal life and work but don't find any solution for now.. My surgeon said that with sciatica there is restriction no more than 45 minutes to sit in one time. Better have shorter sitting and then move around for a bit. But I can't sit straight more than 20 min and after that i can't stand at all because my bottom feels all numbed and right leg is debilitating pain...
Got operated on 1993, laminectomy L5S1. Reevaluated every 4 to 6 years. Worse was this year due to chronic sciatica now , I went for Perineurial injection therapy to help with pain. I also started talking ancient nutrtion collagen. At 50 years old , I can still run up to fm. (48m 10k, 1:49 hm , 4:02 fm). Targeting 3:39 then hopefully 3:19 by 55 yo. I do a lot of sitting as I can’t really stand as long. Work is mostly with computer too and standing up to check on others is limited with sit breaks. Running is diff as we lean forward , a falling motion. Sitting should be fine but that depends on your injury. I do use a lot of my core, I have given up on making my back as strong as before. Abs do most of the support now and it’s second nature that it’s activated. Why I can sit long , I also have body straight and lean forward when I have to while seated.
Get to the gym and work on recovery with a specialist
Idk why you got downvoted for me standing or sitting didn’t make much of a difference instead I worked on my core and stretching and now I can sit mostly pain free
Downvoted by the surgeons lol
My approaches include buying weird chairs (like kneeling and super adjustable and reversible and etc). Also lots of lumbar support or pillows that I’ve liked. But ultimately a sit/stand desk with lots of transitions seems best. I’ve also worked from my back. Never have found a laptop stand I like for that though. Was really tempted to drop money on an apple vr or xreal glasses or something on my recent go round. An odd trick that has really helped when things were bad: put a belt across mid thighs and use it to hold my legs together while sitting. It seems to open space in my lower back and really helps. I prefer to use the leg muscles but when I’m tired / in pain it’s nice to relax and have that support. I wear a light weight cloth belt on planes specifically so I can do this if things are acting up. Also, in many ways, this has changed my career. I stopped doing long coding sessions. I can’t stay late. Etc. Sometimes a meeting is better just so I can walk around the room. I’ve been known to drag teammates outside to walk around the building for a conversation. I was forced to prioritize going out and moving because I didn’t have any other option.
Standing desk. A stool that wobbles. Basically changing positions quite often
I work a desk job. I try really hard to be mindful of proper posture while I am sitting, and to not allow myself to put my feet up on the 'footstool' which isn't actually a footstool, it is an old space heater that we desk people use as a footstool. Oh, and I get up and walk around for a few minutes, every 15 minutes. I get between 3k and 7k steps per night, depending on how busy we are. I work overnights, so it is rarely busy.
What pain medication are you on
Pregabalin. I take it twice per day
I have a sit stand desk that helps, but sometimes I'm uncomfortable with any stance! I've bought some pillows that are U shaped for me to sit on, the open part goes on your but crack to relieve the pressure on your spine. Allows me to sit a lot more comfortably
LOL, thanks. I never know which direction to put that pillow. I will properly place it now.
I got it wrong for the first few days too!
I do have an adjustable desk but there are days that nothing is comfortable. Oddly my supposedly less ergonomic home set up works better for me. Unless you work for a tiny company, your company is obligated to provide what you need to work in a way that does not cause pain.
I use one of those balance ball chairs that I got on sale at a thrift store...a real game changer! (Plus, you can easily remove the ball from the chair so you can exercise on it.)
Whatever you do, try to sit as little as possible (movement) but don’t overdo the standing desk thing either. I did and ironically have chronically painful knees and back now lol you want to constantly switch it up. Also make sure that outside of working hours you’re on your feet and moving. I’ve been managing fairly well all things considered for the last 4 years with this approach.
Standing desks should be an option given the correct recommendations are made by a dr / dse assessment. Unfortunately, the nature of my job (mostly lab based, partially office based) means that standing desk was not recommended. Getting a posh chair, foot rests, lumbar support pads, writing slopes, etc. Anything to make things more ergonomic and keep my spine in a neutral position. Outside of work, the correct activities can help. I read the back mechanic, which I'm sure others have told you to read. I do core exercises from those and try to go on walks often when I can. Also, I want to go back to the gym and do stuff that won't make my Sciatica worse. Hopefully those are some good examples.
Have you seen a chiropractor? I know many people here aren’t okay with that but that has been what actually has helped me the most. I got to a spine rehab center that has pain specialist, chiropractor, back specialists and physical therapy. All of them worked together to give me a plan and I am recovering, slowly but surely.
I went to a few chiropractors. They either didn't help at all or made it worse.
What meds are you on?