gentle yoga pose that's helpful for sciatic pain.

https://www.styleoga.it/en/balasana-childs-pose/

Balasana child’s pose......So far this is the only thing that has really helped me as far as stretching goes. I think it is easy to do and may be helpful. It really has helped me these past few days.

So glad you are getting some kind of relief!!!

Here's to better days.

-RST

That will be because it creates traction.

You can do another version in a Downward Dog if you can get into it.

You put anchor a strap to a door or rail or something and put it around your hips to add traction.

If you look up traction exercises for sciatica you will find it.

I haven't checked this thread in a while. I talked to a physical therapist. Actually, I got a free consultation. Basically, I just wanted more input on how to heal this. She said I was on the right track. Stretching is the first step she said. Strengthening the muscles is the only way to heal she said. Especially around the hip area. I told her I don't have money for PT but she said she can teach me everything I need to know in two sessions. I'm healing so I don't think I will need PT. I mean I am doing PT, just by myself.

I didn't start healing until I started doing the stretches though. I discovered that tossing and turning while I sleep may have caused my hip to tilt. I sleep on my back but toward the end of the sleep cycle I transition to the side in an awkward position which can cause a pelvic tilt. A pelvic tilt can cause the piriformis muscle to spasm and irritate the sciatic nerve I think. But I do have some mild degeneration in my back. Not sure what is the exact cause but I'm dealing with it the best I can. The sciatica started full force around 3/20/18 and I think it is 80-90% healed.

What has helped alot is soaking in warm water before stretching in the morning. I also have this hand held Wahl massager which takes the knots out of my legs by gently vibrating. It also has a heating mechanism. I'm pretty sure being on gabapentin and baclofen makes my muscles more likely to spasm. Especially if I'm tapering. Not sure how much of a factor it is but it is slowing my taper progress substantially. Hopefully, it won't be a problem for me soon.

I hope you can sort it.

Since withdrawal my muscles simply won’t release and stretch properly.

No amount of trying to strengthen, stretch or massage them seems to make a difference.

I had terrible sciatica for 3 years before having to have surgery because a piece of disc broke off and got in the spinal canal. It was so painful I was peeing myself in bed because Zi couldn’t move.

The same pain returned once I was off the diazepam and I ended up in A&E.

So I really sympathise.

I was very unlucky. Most sciatica can be managed with the measures you are taking.