Tips for flight with sciatica or back pain

[macy]

Originally Posted by PPM

Macy

I just now checked my “ high strength” tube and it is in fact a type that lasts all day, as opposed to just a few hours, so perhaps my initial description is misleading. Still it works well for me.

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Thanks for confirming, I checked ours and it is a lower dose and you are right if you go to a pharmacy they do keep the all day gel behind the counter. It is stronger but a sensible option far better than messing around with it on a flight.

[WhereIBelong]

Originally Posted by macy

I had thought about moving our seats to the back, as they were still empty. Personally I think anyone suffering from health issues and real discomfort they should be able to put their seats back without worrying about the person behind.We are lucky as one of our daughters and her husband are right behind us with an empty seat next to them. Hoping that seat remains empty too. I'd imagine those who complain have never experienced back pain, if they had I'm certain they would have more empathy.

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Trouble is you do have to worry about the person behind - what if they have a baby on their lap and you cannot recline. Good to choose to have family behind where you can - we do that - sit in pairs so that we can swap about if needed.

[scojos]

i have sponylosis so feel your pain.
can i suggest you invest in an actipatch? its a small loop system that you attach to skin and it "blocks" the messages to brain similar to a TENS machine but it doesnt hurt like a tens.
i love mine and for £20 from boots might be worth a punt.
other than that CBD balm from holland and barrett is amazing stuff... icy gel from pound shop and tiger balm etc.
GPs can also give capsicum cream which heats on contact with skin and is a god send and an amazing invention lol.

there s not much i havent tried tbf. xx

[macy]

Originally Posted by WhereIBelong

Trouble is you do have to worry about the person behind - what if they have a baby on their lap and you cannot recline. Good to choose to have family behind where you can - we do that - sit in pairs so that we can swap about if needed.

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I do appreciate that consideration needs to be given to all passengers, having travelled with babies myself for years realise too. This is when people need to co-operate and be considerate towards each others needs. Compromise and there is usually a solution, but sadly not everyone can always manage to achieve that. Thankfully a majority of people are understanding and happy to work together. Makes this a nicer place too.

[THOR1]

Something I suffer from on and off but I can usually fix mine in about 3 days by going back and doing my exercises of which there are 3:

Kneel down and slide back as far back and forward as you can

Lie on back with hands under top of buttocks and try and push back through them into floor underneath

Lie on front with pelvis touching floor and try and get upper body as vertical as possible without moving pelvis off floor

Always works for me but we are all different

Hope this helps

The answer for me would be to do these exercises continuously and not just when sciatica strikes ………

Best of luck

[lam]

I forgot to mention a tens machine (theres 1 online at argos) if the back 'cramps' or goes into a spasm,this can really help and it works off a battery not electrical.
I also use pillows and the donut type neck cushion to support my back whilst in bed on holiday as I have a board at home which is under part of my mattress and it has hinges so as it can slide on and off the bed.
Obviously you won't have this on holiday but the pillows and the cushion do work for me when trying to sleep! good luck to your DH.

[macy]

Originally Posted by lam

I forgot to mention a tens machine (theres 1 online at argos) if the back 'cramps' or goes into a spasm,this can really help and it works off a battery not electrical.
I also use pillows and the donut type neck cushion to support my back whilst in bed on holiday as I have a board at home which is under part of my mattress and it has hinges so as it can slide on and off the bed.
Obviously you won't have this on holiday but the pillows and the cushion do work for me when trying to sleep! good luck to your DH.

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We already have a tens machine , thanks to a post today recommending a memory foam sciatica seat cushion. That is something that might help his current symptoms . GP increased his meds today as physio suggested. Going to be a bagful of things for him, usually it is a golf magazine and that's it. Roll reversal this time, gonna be an interesting time. Just as well our daughters are adults now, they will keep me right. They usually do anyway - haha Thank you for the idea's.

[macy]

Originally Posted by THOR1

Something I suffer from on and off but I can usually fix mine in about 3 days by going back and doing my exercises of which there are 3:

Kneel down and slide back as far back and forward as you can

Lie on back with hands under top of buttocks and try and push back through them into floor underneath

Lie on front with pelvis touching floor and try and get upper body as vertical as possible without moving pelvis off floor

Always works for me but we are all different

Hope this helps

The answer for me would be to do these exercises continuously and not just when sciatica strikes ………

Best of luck

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Thank you ! it sounds horrendous dealing with this for years as most people seem too. I'll mention the exercises too, he is a regular golfer so open to exercise. Think once he is sorted it will be on the list with golf as a priority for him soon. Hope you don't have any flare ups and manage to keep them all at bay.

[aqualiv]

Great tips on here
Me and dh both get sciatica on and off

[macy]

Originally Posted by scojos

i have sponylosis so feel your pain.
can i suggest you invest in an actipatch? its a small loop system that you attach to skin and it "blocks" the messages to brain similar to a TENS machine but it doesnt hurt like a tens.
i love mine and for £20 from boots might be worth a punt.
other than that CBD balm from holland and barrett is amazing stuff... icy gel from pound shop and tiger balm etc.
GPs can also give capsicum cream which heats on contact with skin and is a god send and an amazing invention lol.

there s not much i havent tried tbf. xx

See more...

Thanks so much, this is strange because I was actually reading about it yesterday. Something I can add to the list, we have friends who have had varying back problems for many years. A couple started in their 30's and they are always open to new products, so will mention it to them as well. It's always helpful when someone knows from experience, so thanks again.