chronic low back

[chandy460]

my friend is suffering from low back ache radiating to rt thigh.done almost all investigation.mri shows a disc bulge L3 L4 level.not asignificant finding.sheis 32 year old.she is also suffering from irritable bowel syndrome taking mebaverine and on ocp for contraception.is there any criteria for a diagnosis of sciatica in this patient

[moomanoo]

I suffer from sciatica, and it is really painful in my left butt cheek and goes right down my left leg to my ankle, causing alot of pain. I had scans, and have no disc problems that cause it. I have a very firm massage every 3 weeks to keep it in check. I don't think this would be a good idea if yours is caused by a disc, so maybe something like accpuncture.

[aldunn72023]

i would agree it is sciatica.  If it is radiating down her back, to her buttock and down to the knee, this is usually sciatica.  It could be caused by the bulging disc.  Unfortunately, there is not much that can be done for sciatica.  I have accupuncture done for my sciatica.  It really does help, although not everyone receives the same result.  You can also look in to spinal decompression to help remove the stress from the bulging disc and hopefully put it back in its place.  Its a safe and less painful alternative to surgery.  Its actually totally painless.  You might want to look for a clinic in your area that does this.  Hope she gets better soon.

[skmedlin27703]

From what I understood... which may be incorrect... sciatica usually runs down the back of the leg, from the middle of the butt to the knee or foot... I used to experience numbness in my big toe during painful episodes when the sciatica would flare down my the back of my leg and stop at my knee. Has she gone to physical therapy or tired any PT on her own at home?  From my experience the McKenzie PT works well.  You can find alot about it online just by searching via Google.  Hope she feels better soon!