From personal experience, I can tell you as a writer with a desk job, and especially today, sciatica pain during my workday is extremely difficult to manage. Not only that, but it is becoming ever more challenging to drive, too. Distances longer than ten minutes without a break are excruciating to bear. Although I will continue to trudge this road to a pain-free workday, I’m getting exhausted and need some accommodations to adjust to my work situation.
Furthermore, as chronic pain affects my work life, it causes concern for affordable medications that help me to continue to be productive at my desk job. Personally, I am not a fan of habit-forming medications, but I have been willing to take my healthcare team’s suggestions of implementing the following regimen with non-addictive medication and movement:
- Gabapentin (for the sciatica nerve pain)
- Flexeril (for relaxing tight and spasming muscles)
- Naproxen (for inflammation)
- Acetaminophen (for pain)
- Cannabis edibles with THCA, CBD, and THC (for inflammation – I prefer this holistic approach as it doesn’t upset my stomach or cause chronic heartburn)
- Muscle pain patches and creams
- Epsom salt baths (when I can get my teenagers to clean the tub!)
- Icing
- Heat
- Gentle stretching
- Simple walking
- Rest
- Easy does it!
Harvard Health Publishing of Harvard Medical School suggests the following tips, “Increase exercise… Strengthen your core…yoga and Pilates…Avoid sitting for long periods…Manage your weight…Practice good posture,”.
Does walking help sciatica?
As mentioned above, some simple, easygoing walks are helpful. Walking is surprisingly effective for relieving sciatica pain because regular walking spurs the release of pain-fighting endorphins and reduces inflammation.
For example, I recently implored taking slow strolls around my almost one-acre lot. As I get stronger, I am going to add my dog to the walks and retrain her on the leash with some basic commands.
Eventually, over time, as I continue to make this a daily practice, I will venture out into the world of our neighborhood. As time goes on even further, we shall attempt to cross the street and explore that neighborhood because it follows the shoreline of our private lake. It’s a beautiful walk and does not have a lot of bumpy terrain, so I look forward to getting my strength back.
Additionally, practicing mindfulness and deep breathing exercises during these yoga sessions has helped me manage both the physical and emotional toll of living with chronic pain.
Furthermore, I have discovered the benefits of using a standing desk intermittently throughout my workday. Alternating between sitting and standing not only helps reduce the pressure on my lower back but also promotes better circulation and overall health. Finding the right balance between seated work and standing breaks has been vital in preventing stiffness and discomfort during long hours at the desk.
Exploring different forms of therapy, such as acupuncture and massage, has also been essential in my pain management journey. Acupuncture can help stimulate specific points in the body to alleviate pain and promote healing, while massage therapy can target tight muscles and improve circulation. Incorporating these therapies into my wellness routine has provided me with additional tools to address my sciatica pain from multiple angles.
Lastly, seeking support from a therapist or counselor to address the emotional impact of living with chronic pain has been beneficial for me. Managing the stress, anxiety, and frustration that often accompany ongoing pain can significantly improve my overall quality of life and ability to cope with my condition.
Is sciatica a reason to miss work?
Yes! Unfortunately, I have sciatica pain flare-ups that require me to work from home by any means necessary. Furthermore, as mentioned above, I cannot drive for more than ten minutes when the pain is intense. Thankfully, because I am a writer in the digital marketing realm, I am able to work wherever I am. When the pain is so great that I can’t sit down, I prop up my laptop on my sofa, with an ice pack under my bottom and a heating pad on my lower back, and I get to work.
According to Harvard Health, “If the pain is excruciating, lying down for short periods can help, but prolonged bed rest does not. So, once the pain becomes manageable, it’s important to get up and start walking short distances. Since sitting increases pressure on the discs in the lower back, avoid prolonged sitting or driving. Many people try treatments like physical therapy, massage, acupuncture, and chiropractic manipulation, but evidence suggests that while these approaches may help typical low back pain, they are less helpful for sciatica,”.
In the last stages of sciatica, chronic sciatica symptoms are more pronounced. Patients may experience severe pain that can hinder mobility, alongside other symptoms such as numbness, tingling, and weakness in the affected leg. Based on this, I am in the last stages of sciatica. Literally yesterday, I was hunched over, couldn’t stand upright, and could barely put any pressure, let alone stand, on my right leg.
Managing sciatica at work can be challenging, especially during intense pain flare-ups like the one I am currently enduring. I have learned to communicate effectively with my employer about my condition and the accommodations I may need. This open dialogue has been crucial in ensuring that I can still fulfill my job responsibilities while taking care of myself.
Despite the challenges that come with sciatica, I have not let it hold me back in my career. I have learned to listen to my body, prioritize self-care, and seek medical help when needed. By implementing these strategies, I have been able to continue working and pursuing my professional goals, even with the limitations imposed by sciatica.
Sciatica desk job
In conclusion, navigating a desk job with sciatica pain is undoubtedly challenging. Still, with a comprehensive approach that includes medication, movement, ergonomic adjustments, alternative remedies, and emotional support, it is possible to find relief and continue to thrive in the workplace. By prioritizing self-care, seeking appropriate treatment, and making necessary lifestyle changes, individuals like me can effectively manage their sciatica pain and reclaim a sense of well-being amidst the demands of a sedentary job.