I forgot to say how much I prayed yesterday morning too! Long time praying !!!

Wow, I'm really happy for you that you have found some relief!!

I suffer from constant back pain myself, so I know what a horrible thing it can be. The one thing I refuse to do is surgery -- unless I get to the point of not being able to walk or something. I did find a good doctor that does injections, and that has helped a great deal. It's called a "medial branch block", and if you Google that search term you'll find tons of useful info. They do the procedure in a clinic or hospital setting, because the injection needs to be done precisely with the aid of a microscope/x-ray. Most insurance companies cover it, which is great because it would be quite expensive otherwise.

One other thing you may want to check out is Percutaneous Laser Disc Decompression (LASE). Do a Google search, and it will turn up lots of info.

I've had sciatica for years now. There are a lot of products that proclaim healing, so be careful. I did however, with a lot of research found an all natural product that has many herbs and have absolutely no side effects, that has worked for me. The person selling it lives a few miles from me and had back pain for many years. He dosen't hide behind a p.o. box, and does infact have a store front in a plaza. I was skeptical at first, but it did work.

This blend of herbs come from around the world, and is an anti-inflammatory god send. If you want, just pm me and I'll send you more info. I'm not peddling anything believe me. I've told all my friends who have back pain about this product, and it comes with a money back gaurantee.

My sister in California has the same problem, and she goes to this oriental doctor who mashes up some herbs in bowl ,and she says it works. After a long discussion with my sister, it seemed that the ingredients were very similar.

The guy I bought this product said that he was tired of all the hype out there, and tired of having constant pain years ago, did his own extensive research and came up with the blend mentioned earlier.
He dosen't only have relief for sciatica, but for all forms of back pain that might suit your specific needs. And it's relatively cheap.

According to many sources, surgery only helps about 10 percent of those who receive it. And most of those 10 percent, after a few months have a relapse of pain. So surgery is not the answer. An holistic approach, in my opiness, is realistic.

Hope you recover soon.

Todd, do you have a slipped disc? Does the pain just center in one spot, or has it ever? Like you, I would refuse any surgery. I honestly believe the praying had more to do with it than the walking (seeing as how I have walked many times before.) I'll pray for you and you try walking until you can't walk anymore tomorrow, and sleeping with no pillows. (you have to keep your back flat) Let me know how that goes.

Pac, I have been pain free all day! I honestly feel a lot better. And I will probably NEVER sleep with more than one pillow again. That is really, really bad for your spine. I know you don't believe in God, but I'm praying for you too. You keep that in mind if you suddenly feel better for whatever reason real soon, okay? And do me a favor and just this once, be willing to accept a healing from him. Say it allowed if you have to. But receive it.

I never said I don't believe in a higher power. I just don't believe in organized religion. I don't know what that higher power is. Maybe it's just the energy in the universe.

But thanx for the concern. I need all the hepl I can get...lol

Spy, back pain is the #1 cause for disability in this country. There are so many different reasons a person has pain that it is impossible for anyone here (and most doctors) to diagnose you or give you advice without tests and X-rays. Even then, it's often a mystery unless the tests show a definitive cause for all your pain. I've had conventional treatment, acupunture, rolfing, bach flowers, shiatsu, and even went to a doctor who chanted over me and played the citar. I've had bee venom therapy. I said it's not good to give advice, but I'll take a chance & say skip the bee venom therapy! Ouch! I must have really been desperate. If I had to make a judgment, I'd swear that I would be okay had I never seen a chiropractor 3 times a week who cracked and twisted me until the sciatica began, but some people love going to them. Oh, I forgot to mention the psychics and the energy healers. I can tell you in a PM what worked, but temporarily. I know what you mean about lifting laundry or just about anything with weight. At almost every job, I've been asked to move this box or that box, because for most people it's not a problem. (what about sneezing?) In furniture I dreaded showing a sleeper and often had the client open it. (I pretended I was demonstrating it) but managers usually don't like that since they say it makes it look difficult. But being idle for me is much worse. I nice walk is very helpful, but we're all different. In fact, I think that's what I should do now! :-)

Regarding doctors, I spent weeks in a chronic pain rehab 20 years ago and most of the patients there had surgery (disc removed or fusion) and were still in pain. Many of them were hooked on painkillers too, so IMHO doctors are often clueless, but medicine has changed dramatically since then and many people find comfort in the new methods, so what Todd wrote is definitely worth looking into. However, there are also those who swear they healed 100% from surgery, so it's a gamble. It's impossible for one person to tell another the right thing to do. Like Pac, I have sciatica 24/7 and I learned to sit leaning left and I sleep on my back with a pillow under my legs, if I can get to sleep.

I am happy you found relief by exercising. I can't see how that can hurt, but don't overdo it. Do you take magnesium? If you have a few extra bucks. (I pay $15) I suggest you buy some CALM and drink it for a few weeks. It's harmless and it's one of the most important minerals in our body, but many people are lacking it. You might notice a difference immediately. All we see are ads for calcium and yet our country has so many back problems and bone density ailments. It's because we need magnesium and vitamin D to break it down in our bodies. Magnesium can stop muscle spasms. Some doctors inject it directly into the muscles. The only side effect to the liquid or powder might be lose stools at first. Pills often don't work because they go through our bodies and into the sewer system, whereas liquids and are absorbed into the bloodstream. (I think I'll also PM Pac for that herbal formula to see if it's one I've tried before)   BTW, I am sure the praying helped.

Sorry - I don't think you've gotten your answer. If you felt better after exercising, then do it, but in moderation. Have you seen a physical therapist? Most physical therapists give patients a daily routine and suggest ways to exercise. I'm happy for you and think that maybe this is the beginning of a new chapter in your life. Just don't overdo it and hurt yourself.

Okay - I tried not to make this a long comment, but instead of a PM, I will tell people here what took my insomnia and stabbing pain in my back away, but just for one night. I guess I shouldn't hide something like this, even if people laugh at me. (and they do) Even I don't believe it. There used to be a church next to Publix. One night I walked in and they were having a Wed night prayer meeting, and some women stood around me in a circle. They put their hands on my back and began praying "Thank you, Jesus" and that night I slept well and had no pain.

Sorry for the lengthy comment. I type very quickly and, since there is not edit feature on blogs, I never know how long my comment is when I write one. Then I feel a ittle embarrassed. I am very happy for you, Spy. I hope your relief continues and will be permanent.

Spy - prayer is a wondrous thing. Glad you're better.

There are so many things that can go wrong with a back it is hard to diagnose without an MRI and die solutions so they can see every detail of the injury.

I have had disks slip in and out i actually got good at doing it myself by laying in a tub of hot water. I have also had a chiropractor fix my back and it was fine for about three months. Walking is one of the best exercises for the back also keeping fat off your stomach the more you weigh the more it hurts because the fat is putting pressure on the spinal column.

Finding the right doctor can be difficult. A specialist is needed for sure.