Sciatica caused by work

[aqualiv]

I’m not sure what to do
I’m getting sciatica due to my job, I know this for certain now as I have just returned from 2 weeks off where I didn’t even have so much as a twinge and yesterday first day back it started with a vengeance 😟
My boss is aware and has said to make a doctors appointment, the thing is I know it’s from my job so not sure what the doctor can do as I don’t get it when off work
We have new office chairs on order
Any advice appreciated

[bernard301]

You say you "get it from work" but you dont say how it actually comes on? What work do you do? what activities while at work cause the onset of sciatica? You mention new ofice chairs, have you had a proper workstation assessment and correctly set up your desk and chair? With back paint here are so many factors that can cause it without knowing any more detail nobody can offer and advice

[borntoshop]

I've been told to move around at least every 45 mins. I try to sit without crossing my legs. Do stretches given to me by physio when I'm at the toilet. Goid support on chair.

My work sent me late last year to occupational health, they suggested breaks every 30 mins or a rising desk.

GP may suggest physio

[aqualiv]

I have a desk job 9-530 I go to the gym in my lunch break and walk to and from work
The pain usually starts around 3pm then gets worse
We had a guy come in to advice on workstation and I filled out a form but nothing came of it

[FlorayG]

The doctor can send you for physio and the physio can determine if it's due to posture - then you have a case to take to work. This happened to me with excruciating shoulder pain. Turned out my office chair was unsuitable ( the guy who came to measure me for a new one said it should have been put in the skip years ago) and also my desk too high so work got me an adjustable one (which I now use mostly on the highest setting so I can stand up, which I find much better and you may too)
So definitely worth pushing the doctor for more investigation

[Disneydreamer91]

Even though it may not be caused by work, your employer has a legal obligation to offer you a desk set up check. Most places do it in the form of self assessment but if you're in pain then an assessor needs to carry one out.

For us personally, I'm the assessor, but if someone comes to me with a doctors note complaining of pain, I then pay for a 3rd party assessor to come out and although i've been on a one day course, it's nothing compared to their experience.

They then write me a report and if there's any actions I carry them out. Sometimes simple things like a change in seat base on your chair can help, but the assessor will know this.

There's plenty of companies that do the assessments, such as posturite and back in action. I actually use a freelancer as I find she's less likely to recommend lots of bells and whistles as she's not on commission for products.

[bernard301]

Have you been going to the gym while you've been off for 2 weeks?

It seems odd that the sciatica would come on in the afternoons and not at a similar time in your morning session of work.

Whenever I have had flair ups of back pain at a desk it comes on after being ina seated position for a period of time and will go away after breaks etc to come back after a similar time when I return to my desk

[aqualiv]

No I haven’t been to the gym when off
I don’t go every day and will sometimes just go for a walk, it seems to start in the afternoons either way

[bernard301]

Is there anything else that you've not done in that 2 weeks? Anything you've not worn perhaps (like shoes) or carried?

[RockTheDots]

I get sciatica when I sit at my desk for long periods. The GP can suggest exercises and refer you for physio. At work, I did a workstation self assessment to flag up that I was having issues, they then arranged for an occupational therapist to come and see me. She assessed my workstation set up and advised my employer to buy me an adjustable desk so I can alternate between sitting and standing. I still get the occasional sciatic twinge but it's much better now I don't sit down all day.