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*About Will Harlow*
Will Harlow is a physiotherapist, best-selling published author and YouTube creator who specialises in helping people over the age of fifty. Will is a fully qualified physiotherapist with a Master’s degree from Brunel University in London. His credentials include a BSc and MSc. More about Will Harlow here: https://willharlow.com/
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Thanks mate
I have to sit or sleep with a heating pad on my lower back nearly 24/7.
Ice would sent me to the moon with pain. Its the only thing helping atm. I ordered a red light map. Dunno on that tho. Praying for relief.
The therapist at Physical Therapy For Everybody is INSISTENT that people stay away from heat, that it causes more inflammation. She reacts like people are trying to saw their leg off.
No no no Do Not Use Heat. The heat make inflammation of the area including the disc worse!!!!!
Hej I would love some help please. I have worked with heavy items all my life for over 50 yrs, now it is taking its toll on my body. For the past 5 yrs i have been working with a dremel tool and different files etc as i make my own jewlery. This had let to what i think is meta carpel syndrome in my fingers, mostly in my right hand due to long term vibration and use etc. That is not a problem. The main issue is that i am permanently ice cold down the right hand side of my arm all the way down to my fingers. In the summer it is not too bad but in winter time, like it is now it cripples me with ice cold pain. I have tried rubbing my arm for a while to get the circulation going but it hardly works. I have used a hotwater bottle on my arm and this works to a degree. In the daytime i work indoors and move around so it is not a real problem but at night. Then it is crippling me all night. I wake up and try rubbing my arm, sometimes it works and others it does not. I wear extra layers of clothes at night, i usually dont wear anything, have done all my life but in the winter months i put 2 layers on my arms and body but my right arm is like nothing i have ever had before. My doctors sent me to an MRI scan but i am clostrophobic and when i went into the machine i pannicked. I wonder if you could help me or have any idea of what i could do? Please help me ? Thank you
Love this, I got Sciatica from a 90 day job trial period as housekeeping in a hotel from July-October 2023, i was bed bound for 2weeks in December, and then i was slowly able to get back to my life, going to the shops, going out in the car with a pillow, taking my daughter to the park etc.. I was no longer getting sciatic pain, (which originally went down my shin) but came back up to my butt and partially the back of my leg.
I've had sciatica for pretty much 12 months now and just this last week and a half, i haven't been able to shower, do dishes, make tea or do daily tasks without having to sit down and rest, i cant walk past my garden gate. i haven't been able to leave my house.
person by person basis, i believe Heat will help, im over being vulnerable (as when i was getting out of the house i could run or job in any way. I want my mobility and my life back (i know your not saying this will fix me) but this has given me a boost of positivity, hope)
I got sciatica from a back ache problem, i dont have back pain anymore its all in my butt (this last 2 weeks its been a bit of both but) Im optimistic, so thank you.
Thanks for your explanation which makes much more sense to me than other advice from bloggers, medical professionals about the hot versus cold remedies. It’s not all set in stone , though.
Cheers mate
From Oz.
recent injury with pain in back and foot/ankle numbness (no pain going down legs but some weakness) . would I ice feet or heat?
Another superb well presented informative video, iv learned so much from all your videos, i only wished i could shake your hand and buy you a couple of drinks Will, because of your seniors sciatica video exercises I’m enjoying a pain free life, all my relatives and friends can’t believe I’m cured after 9 agonising weeks, I tell them all it’s down to one guy, always in your debt Will! Best wishes from the West Midlands!
It’s no longer a hypothesis for me now. The heat option is pretty much it for me. Ice causes tightness for me. Wealth of information here.
If you just exercised and need to reduce inflammation, can we do ice and then alternate with hot?
How long should we apply the heat to our bum cheeks
Hi there what about you stiff in the ankle and knee from two bulged disks sceatica ice or heat
Thank you..
Thank you
I just noticed that when I have cold water my pain is less
The only person I’ve found that says Heat and Ice!
I was injured at work 6 months ago and have been in pain ever since. Two bulging discs and torn hamstring.. the combo of ice and heat has saved me! Thanks Brotha!
Thank you Will
Thanks
When it’s sunny and hot
my sciatica goes away right away.
Thank you Will . Your videos are very helpful. I have been trying to find some help for my sciatica and back pain. I will try your advice .
Hi ive been suffering from sciatica leg pain for 13 months. I attend pilates and visit a physiotherapist, recently tried acupuncture which showed some benefit. Thanks for your great videos, ive been applying ice to my leg but will also start using heat on my lower back as you suggested in this video.
SO helpful!
Wheatbags are heaven! Can't live without them !
When my sciatica in my back flares up, I can not move, whatsoever. The pain is excruciating. For me, Ice on the lower back is the ONLY way. I have to numb it for about a day (or two), and then I can move it little by little. Then some pressure with a tennis ball on the floor. Heat is horrible. It just makes it worse. And for me, massage is horrible. I think that's what gives me the flare ups to begin with.
Thank you very much for this video I am dealing with two herniated discs that's radiating down my buttocks it seems like heat relaxes my back but I don't know if it's good for the inflammation so I do ice also ice seems to numb the pain
Great advice, Will, thank you
I really do enjoy these videos, very well presented and explained methods.
Could you advise on how long we should keep the ice pack or heat on the area please for example: 20 minutes 3 times a day ?
My sciatica increases when im out cold for long time
Ice around the lumbar ( works wonders on all other parts of the body when injured ! ) during a sciatica episode knocked me out for 3 weeks, nerve pathways seem to hate it….
Gran used to tell me when I was a little boy,,: "Don't sit on concrete or your back will catch a cold.. " How true!
I have lumbago. My chiropractor once made me put ice on my left bollocks, repeatedly for 5 days.
Why?
In my experience a good ice pack wrapped to lower back is good for immediate relief.
Cheers and thank you. I used to have severe pain down the back of my leg and lower back, attributed to sciatica. I noticed that it became chronic when I was over a certain weight. I was able to drop below that certain number on the scale and and no more pain. I still pay attention to tips for managing sciatica even though I haven't been troubled by it for a decade or so.
A slim plastic freezer block works very well for me combatting sciatic pain.
Hello Will,
My back is sore after long duration exercise. I believe it to be inflammation from exercise. In my case, is ice best for my situation? I do feel better after doing that.
Thanks you for sharing
Wow! as if you have heard me
I was trying to find a proper explanation about it. Very helpful! Thanks!
Thank you for your advice and amazing precise information regarding application of ice or heat for sciatica treatment
If you check comments, I am over 70 years old and have two problems. Please point me to your videos that will help me strengthen my muscles. And a second video that will help me maintain better balance when walking or jogging. Very grateful for your video that helped me reduce the swelling around my lower legs and ankles.
Thank you Will. This information is so helpful.