The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Blackstrap Molasses
Posted by Jimverwey2007 (Houston, Tx) on 05/01/2012
01/24/2010: Cristi from Tucson, Arizona, United States: "I cured sciatica in my right leg using blackstrap molassas. I read in the book The Ultimate Healing System by Donald Lepore, N. D. That sciatica in the right leg is caused by a potassium deficiency. Since I always seek out food sources over supplements I started the black strap molassas and have never had pain again.
FYI, the book says sciatica in the left leg is a sodium defiency.
Things that deplete potassium and sodium are drinking alchohol, processed foods, sweating/exercising, and being sick, to name a few."
Bullion cubes or salt in warm water will stop the pain. Look up sciatic pain, etiologies, mineral deficiencies.
Candied Ginger Slices
Posted by Danamarie (San Marcos, Ca) on 04/28/2012
★★★★★
I was reading the comments on candied ginger for sciatica as well as the other comments regarding potassium rich foods. I did an internet search on the potassium content of ginger and it turns out that ginger is very high in potassium. The ginger has helped aleviate my sciatica pain and so has the tennis shoe tip. I also saw a video online about stretching the "piriformis muscle" which is the muscle the sciatica nerve runs through. Learning how to stretch this muscle has helped. I saw a video on YouTube video that was simple and it didn't hurt me. Anyway, I'm on the road to recovery thanks to all the Earth Clinic people with the willingness to research what is out there and to separate the good from the not so good.
Candied Ginger Slices
Posted by Monica (Singapore) on 03/06/2012
★★★★★
A chinese osteopath I went to see for my sciatica suggested that I take ginger. I bought some this morning and ate a few pieces. It helped relieve the pain and I have greater mobility and am able to get in and out of bed easier. He also mentioned to avoid all vinegar and anything which has vinegar, all citrus fruits (oranges, lemons etc), all beans and products made from beans including coffee, soy and barley. Also to avoid prawns, spicy foods, beer and milk until the problem goes away.
Candied Ginger Slices
Posted by Dina (Webster, Fl) on 02/29/2012
★★★★★
I was on here Friday night because my husband has suffered from sciatica for more than a month he has been going to the Dr and no relief he has not been able to walk without severe pain. I bought fresh ginger and candied it myself and he has been eating 3 pieces 4 times a day and he is able to walk again. His pain level has dropped drastically and he has only been taking for 4 days. I really appreciate the info that I got from here I was really worried that he was not going to get better. Thank you
Vitamin C
Posted by Missy (Toronto, Ont, Canada.) on 01/21/2012
Reply to 12/18/2011: Tony from Feltham, Middlesex.
You are correct to ask what type of Vitamin C to mega dose with. I almost called 911 when I mega dosed with "L-ascorbic acid or L-ascorbate" Vitamin C.
It's much safer to mega dose with "Calcium Ascorbate" Powder Vitamin C. Especially if one suffers from IBS, Crohns, intestinal or stomach problems.
Having said that, keep in mind that it's calcium rich & could lead to other problems, IF mega dosing for extremely long periods of time. Perhaps Magnesium would off set the calcium mega dose.
Then there is "Sodium Ascorbate" Vitamin C. (I have not tried this one). It's sodium rich which also could lead to problems, IF mega dosing for extremely long periods of time.
Either way, both the Calcium & Sodium Ascorbate are much easier on the stomach & intestines.
Talk to your local health food store to confirm.
MSM, Cabbage
Posted by Mike (Montreal, Quebec) on 12/18/2011
★★★★★
Last summer I made quite a remarkable discovery about getting rid of a major back pain that affected my left leg. It was later determined that I was suffering from sciatica. In my case the problem was chronic and seem to get worse over time. Then the unthinkable happened to me. It got so bad that one morning I was not able to get out of bed and at that point experienced a major panic attack thinking I had contracted some sort of a disease related to the nervous system. That's how bad it really was!!
The pain was felt constantly in my left leg and would keep me up most of the night for at least a whole week. Even the strong anti inflammatory and pain killer drugs that my doctor would prescribe was having no more effect on me and as a result I had to live with the constant pain. I even went to a chiropractor as an act of desperation and she made it much worse because the slightest pressure applied on my back would cause severe pain mostly in my left leg.
IT IS ONLY BECAUSE OF THIS SITE AND WITH A BIT OF LUCK THAT I FOUND A COMPLETE CURE TO MY BACK PROBLEM. Its now been 5 months since I last had my awful back pains so my self treatment must certainly have worked!!!!
Especially with the fact that in the past 15 years I would not go through a single year without experiencing some degree of chronic back pains.
When I had gone through some unrelated tests using the MRI scanner, I remember the nurse noticing something odd about my back. At that time I decided not to further pursuit this by not asking her what she had noticed about it. To this day I regret I never asked her anything about what she had found.
I now realize that the real problem with back aches is simply the bodies inability to naturally heal itself because of a severe lack of sulfur. IN MY CASE THAT'S ALL IT WAS!!
When I increase my sulfur consumption using supplements and natural food, it took only about 3 complete days before I noticed significant results.
I was shocked when one morning I felt that all the sudden I HAD AN URGE TO STRETCH MY BACK and was even able to lift my left leg up at least 3 feet above the ground.
It seems that what has worked for me is by taking large amount of MSM and RAW RED CABBAGE for a period of 3-4 days.
One of the main reasons I used to keep getting sore back is because of bad sitting posture over very long periods of a time in front of my computer. Also it was because I would stoop often over my car engine for very long periods at a time.
When I hear people experiencing very bad back problems especially related to sciatica then I feel so compelled to tell my incredible story.
I am so happy that my back is now completely cured and can now lead a normal life all thanks to this wonderful site. We are simply just not getting enough sulfur in our diet because as pointed out by many scientists, we tend to overcook our food and furthermore, sulfur is becoming more and more depleted mainly because of our overuse of chemicals.
Tennis Shoe Technique
Posted by Tony (Feltham, Middlesex) on 12/18/2011
Can you please explain how you sit on the tennis shoe. I understand you place the shoe on the chair with the back of the shoe facing towards the front of the chair. Does the shoe sit between your buttocks or do you just sit the affected buttock on the shoe? Are you actually sitting on the back of the shoe. I don't really understand, please can you help?
Vitamin C
Posted by Tony (Feltham, Middlesex) on 12/18/2011
Since discectomy/laminectomy procedure 1994 I have suffered terribly with back pain. Mainly now I am suffering with severe sciatic pain. I so wish this website was available to me in 1994. I feel sure I could have cured myself. Unfortunately I trusted the butcher who told me I needed surgery. My disc only showed a slight bulge. These butchers will tell you anything to make some money. Never again will I trust the opinion of a back surgeon. Just wondered if you could share which vitamin C you used to cure your back pain? Taking that amount of vitamin C would surely cause stomach problems? Apparently with normal vitamin C tablets you only absorb about 12%. I've just purchased some vitamin C. It takes sixteen 500mg Vitamin C tablets to equal just one of my 1000mg Vitamin C packets. The technology works so you absorb between 95-98%. I've only been using it a few days and will let you know if it works. Good luck to everyone on this site.
Chair Exercise
Posted by Ledtocrowe (The Plains, Ohio) on 11/02/2011
★★★★★
thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you
Pain Caused by the Piriformis Muscle
Posted by Marie (Philly, Pa) on 10/15/2011
★★★★★
Thank you for this info. I googled piriformis muscle and there was a number of videos on how to stretch the muscle. I have been in pain for a number of days. I knew it was my sciatic nerve but not the piriformis muscle. I am sitting here now after I did the stretching from two of the videos on youtube and I feel better. I will do the exercises everyday now that I know what is really affecting my sciatic nerve. My pain was from the lower back, pain especially in my hip, and down to my ankle. My knee was swelling up also. Everything feels calmer now. Thanks again!
Stretching
Posted by Jana (Bountiful, Utah Usa) on 06/24/2011
★★★★★
For sciatica, try crossing your legs while standing up and then bend over. This action stretches your hamstring and helps with the sciatica. Hold for about 10 seconds and then repeat with other leg.
Candied Ginger Slices
Posted by Francisca (Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France) on 05/11/2011
I don't know how you can candy ginger without sugar, maybe dried ginger? In order to solve the problem I soak them in water.
Candied Ginger Slices
Posted by Brenda (Page, Az, Usa) on 05/10/2011
Anyone know of a sugarfree version?
B-12
Posted by Marykaylady (Tempe, Az, Usa) on 04/15/2011
★★★★★
I AM CURED OF SCIATICA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nothing on this thread helped me but B-12. So many medications deplete B-12 and old age too. My friend told me to get this and in 7 days that sciatica was gone. You can do what you want. I have been meaning to come here for a month now because it is sad for so many to be hurting when all they have to do is buy this product. Get the one that dissolves under your tongue.
Thanks JO in AZ
Candied Ginger Slices
Posted by Hope (Sacramento, California) on 04/06/2011
★★★★★
I had a bad case of sciatica for about 2 weeks and tried everything and then remembered reading a long while ago about crystalized ginger ( on Earth Clinic, of course! ) I bought some from the bulk section at the food co-op and lo and behold, after eating 6 pieces, the pain was GONE! Not only is it delicious, but it works!
Candied Ginger Slices
Posted by Patti (Jamestown, Ohio) on 04/05/2011
★★★★★
Update:
So good to know others tried the ginger and it worked for them.
My husband is still using it, just a piece or two everyday. He still have that back pain but never has the scatica pain unless he goes several days without eating any ginger. I have told many people and those who really gave it a good try got alot of pain relief. It really is amazing. My hubby kept saying "I don't believe how much better my leg is, can it really be the ginger"? Earth Clinic has been a lifesaver more than once for us. Thanks to everyone who keeps it up and running and prayers to Ted.
Candied Ginger Slices
Posted by Elaine (Fairfield, Ct) on 04/03/2011
★★★★★
I've been dealing with horrible Sciatic pain and muscle spasms in my back. I've been to doctors and a chiropractor. They gave me pain meds and gave me stretching exercises to do. I've gotten adjusted and acupuncture and massage therapy. The pain persisted. The pain was so horrible sometimes and annoying. I didn't want to keep taking pain medication, so I started looking for natural cures.
I read how Ginger is a great anti-inflammatory and thought I would give it a try. I was going to look for Ginger supplements at a health food store, but then thought I would first try the ginger slices. I started eating small pieces throughout the day. After two days, I started feeling better and by the third day the pain was almost completely gone. I couldn't believe it. I feel like I'm dreaming. Nothing was helping me and I was becoming so depressed. It's amazing how the ginger has helped me. I was so skeptical when I first started taking it, but I was so tired of the pain and not getting relief from doctors that at this point I thought I will give it a try. It really helps. It's amazing. I feel so wonderful today. This is the first week that I haven't felt awful and didn't have pain. It's almost unreal. If you are having a lot of pain, give it a try it worked for me.
Tennis Shoe Technique
Posted by Rspdx (Portland, Usa) on 03/28/2011
★★★★☆
Thank you so much. I have been bothered with sciatica for the first time ever - a horrible pain going from my buttocks through my ankle - mostly on the right, but some times also on the left. It has been going on for days. It felt like an electrical shock and I was afraid my legs would go out from under me. I tried sitting on the shoe and after only even 10 mins., it was much better. Now I've been sitting on the shoe for close to an hour. I've gotten up and walked around several times and although I can generate a version of the pain if I bend over, it is almost completely gone. Must have something to do with realignment. I am so relieved to find something that helped.
Chair Exercise
Posted by Mesem (Toulon, France) on 03/24/2011
Swimming (over arm and backstroke) and cycling up a good steep hill several times do the same thing and gets your circulation going more than a stretch. You may hurt directly after but the next day you will be fine.
Chair Exercise
Posted by Realeone2 (Ssi, Ga) on 03/22/2011
★★★★★
This works wonders like the chair exercise, I read this awhile back for sciatica, on Dear Abby I think it was-this helped me too. Lie on your back, stretch your toes, pointed as far as you can while stretching your arms over your head as far as you can, release, then stretch again, arms upward and pulling your toes inward. Do this BEFORE you get out of bed in the morning. Also, lie on your back, cross ankle to your knee, push down on knee while pulling in opposite leg, you can feel the burn/pull/release of the buttock area, hence sciatica release!
Candied Ginger Slices
Posted by Oliver (New York, Ny/ Usa) on 03/03/2011
★★★★☆
I had terrible Sciatica brought on by a new running regime. I tried (I thought) everything- Acupuncture, Chiropractor and was running out of hope. It went on for 2 months plus and would get to the point where my leg would completely seize up. I then did 3 things and within a couple of days I was seeing results and by 2 weeks totally fine.
1- Ginger Slices, this really seemed to help reduce swelling in my lower back
2- Yoga ( I went twice and had great results) I was then able to use the techniques at home- It takes a tiny amount of work compared to the agony of Sciatica
3- Removed my wallet from back pocket when sitting!
I am not sure if all 3 or just 1 cured me, but combined I went from having no hope of cure to complete cure in days.
Everyone will be different, but don't lose hope and try not to spend too much money on treatments when you have some simple options you can try first.
Good Luck everyone, it really sucks.
Blackstrap Molasses
Posted by Marykaylady (Tempe, Az, Usa) on 01/18/2011
★★★★☆
You are right on about this being from a potassium deficiency. Some drugs like Metformin or Lisinipril cause a potassium deficiency then we get sciatica pain. Molasses is high in potassium and it is easier than all the others to incorporate into one's diet daily but you didn't say how much you take? I will probably do this remedy because it is so easy and quick to take.
I was eating avocado, peanuts, potatoes, lima's, apricots and pears and a lot of other things that have potassium but the avocado gave me more relief than anything within 1 hour--(1 whole avocado). Also B Complex.... Like breads and Brewers yeast etc. Brewers yeast is the best one in the B's. So for me it is potassium and B complex. These are the two that I work on. May my prayers be with all sciatica pain sufferers. By the way Ibuprofin 800 mg is the only thing that will eliminate the pain completely temporarily while nothing else really will. Icy Hot spray and stick (both) work pretty good. I use them both at the same time.... Spray and then stick. I also take baths with Epsom and Lavender, I buy it at Walgreens in a bag. I get the water very hot or sit in it before the tub fills up because I want it very hot. Then when I am done I drain the tub and turn on the cold water. So it is a hot and cold bath... This works for me. I think that is about my take on this mess and I just wonder if I will ever! Get rid of this without surgery. Anyone ever used a Ten's unit? JO in Phoenix
Tennis Shoe Technique
Posted by Marie (Philadelphia, Pa) on 01/12/2011
★★★★★
This worked for me. I wasn't sure what was going on, if it was sciatica or something else. The pain was from my lower back down my right leg. My knee was swollen and pain down the side of my calf. I looked on this site and saw the tennis show technique. Found a sneaker and sat on it. I felt better in 20 minutes. The swelling went down but still feel achey. I can't believe some of the things on this site that really work without paying a dime.
Shea Butter
Posted by Jeweline (San Antonio, Tx) on 01/05/2011
★★★★★
I have sciatica, my husband has had 4 back surgeries. We've tried everything--finally tried shea butter used it liberally on areas of concern. Shared some with others--and all want to purchase. Give it a shot--at the very least, your skin will be healthy!
Stretching
Posted by Elle (Traverse City, Mi) on 12/23/2010
★★★★★
Thank you so much, I've had sciatica on and off frequently for several years. It would just pop up and sometimes it would last a few days, sometimes weeks. Well, I've been dealing with it for a couple days now, so sore it was painful to walk. And I just tried the plank and upward facing dog stretch and it was immediately gone! Thank you thank you thank you! I'm so excited that I don't have to deal with it anymore! I just did each position 4 times alternating back and forth and then a second set and it was 95% better after that!
Chair Exercise
Posted by Nikki Jean (Philadelphia, Pa) on 09/15/2010
★★★★★
I want to register a huge YEA for the chair exercise to help ease sciatica pain. It literally took me from excruciating pain to relative comfort in about 10 minutes. THANK YOU. I use this site for everything, but this is the first time I just HAD to write in, because the difference felt miraculous. I'm on a long road trip and not being able to sit was just not an option, thank you again.
Tennis Shoe Technique
Posted by Katie (Ann Arbor, Mi) on 09/04/2010
★★★★★
Wow, I just read this and tried it right away because my sciatica was on fire (it felt that way anyway) and I did get instant relief in my back, it took a little longer for the leg and foot (my sciatica effects my foot really bad) but definitely cut the pain by 75% or more. Thanks for the tip. I love this site, it is filled with a wealth of information. What works for one person doesn't necessarily works for someone else and here you get several suggestions you can try. Beats what the doc's are doing for people.
Tennis Shoe Technique
Posted by Nancy (La Honda, California) on 08/17/2010
★★★★★
I haven't been able to sit up for 3 days now due to sciatica and I just tried the tennis shoe technique- works *great*!! Like a slender bicycle seat- takes the pressure off the usual sitting areas. THANKS!! And, have tried a host of other remedies from this site, always so many wonderful suggestions. LOVE earthclinic!
