05/01/2012: Jimverwey2007 from Houston, Tx: "01/24/2010: Cristi from Tucson, Arizona, United States: "I cured sciatica in my right leg using blackstrap molassas. I read in the book The Ultimate Healing System by Donald Lepore, N. D. That sciatica in the right leg is caused by a potassium deficiency. Since I always seek out food sources over supplements I started the black strap molassas and have never had pain again.

FYI, the book says sciatica in the left leg is a sodium defiency.

Things that deplete potassium and sodium are drinking alchohol, processed foods, sweating/exercising, and being sick, to name a few."

Bullion cubes or salt in warm water will stop the pain. Look up sciatic pain, etiologies, mineral deficiencies."

[BETTER BUT NOT CURED]  01/18/2011: Marykaylady from Tempe, Az, Usa replies: "You are right on about this being from a potassium deficiency. Some drugs like Metformin or Lisinipril cause a potassium deficiency then we get sciatica pain. Molasses is high in potassium and it is easier than all the others to incorporate into one's diet daily but you didn't say how much you take? I will probably do this remedy because it is so easy and quick to take.

I was eating avocado, peanuts, potatoes, lima's, apricots and pears and a lot of other things that have potassium but the avocado gave me more relief than anything within 1 hour--(1 whole avocado). Also B Complex.... Like breads and Brewers yeast etc. Brewers yeast is the best one in the B's. So for me it is potassium and B complex. These are the two that I work on. May my prayers be with all sciatica pain sufferers. By the way Ibuprofin 800 mg is the only thing that will eliminate the pain completely temporarily while nothing else really will. Icy Hot spray and stick (both) work pretty good. I use them both at the same time.... Spray and then stick. I also take baths with Epsom and Lavender, I buy it at Walgreens in a bag. I get the water very hot or sit in it before the tub fills up because I want it very hot. Then when I am done I drain the tub and turn on the cold water. So it is a hot and cold bath... This works for me. I think that is about my take on this mess and I just wonder if I will ever! Get rid of this without surgery. Anyone ever used a Ten's unit? Â Â JO in Phoenix"

[YEA]  04/15/2011: Marykaylady from Tempe, Az, Usa replies: "I AM CURED OF SCIATICA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nothing on this thread helped me but B-12. So many medications deplete B-12 and old age too. My friend told me to get this and in 7 days that sciatica was gone. You can do what you want. I have been meaning to come here for a month now because it is sad for so many to be hurting when all they have to do is buy this product. Get the one that dissolves under your tongue.

Thanks JO in AZ"

04/20/2012: Laura from Newport Beach, Ca replies: "I eat alot of unrefined salt, so I should have enough sodium, but I still have pain on my left side, I just tried 5 Hour Energy, and it had such positive effect, I looked up the ingredients. It seems that the amino acid L-Phenylanine is a natural painkiller. It also has B-12, which someone else on this thread mentioned."

Candied Ginger Slices

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Candied Ginger to Treat Sciatica

Home Remedy Ingredients:

• Candied Ginger Pieces

Eat a couple of pieces a day, maybe more on the first day, of candied ginger or crystallized ginger. This can be an easy and tasty remedy for sciatic pain and may offer lasting relief.

05/10/2011: Brenda from Page, Az, Usa replies: "Anyone know of a sugarfree version?"

05/11/2011: Francisca from Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France replies: "I don't know how you can candy ginger without sugar, maybe dried ginger? In order to solve the problem I soak them in water."

[YEA]  02/29/2012: Dina from Webster, Fl replies: "I was on here Friday night because my husband has suffered from sciatica for more than a month he has been going to the Dr and no relief he has not been able to walk without severe pain. I bought fresh ginger and candied it myself and he has been eating 3 pieces 4 times a day and he is able to walk again. His pain level has dropped drastically and he has only been taking for 4 days. I really appreciate the info that I got from here I was really worried that he was not going to get better. Thank you"

11/24/2012: Sunshine from Dana Point, Ca replies: "I'm not clear. Does candied ginger work for sciatica in general, or only on left-leg-sufferers? I read here that sciatica in the left leg is different than right. If the left leg is a deficiency of sodium and not potassium, will the ginger still help? Has anyone with sciatica in their left leg been helped by candied ginger? Please, my husband has terrible pain on his left side and I don't want to waste any time or money. Should we use the epsom salts for sodium deficiency?"

11/24/2012: Tina from Houston, Usa replies: "Sunshine from Dana Point, CA: Please google helichrysum essential oil. It is exceptional for sciatica nerve pain, as well as other forms of muscle pain as well. Buy *therapeutic grade essential oil and apply liberally to area of pain every few hours, and the patient will find relief. Good luck, Tina"

[YEA]  12/13/2012: Kami from Ravenna, Oh, Usa replies: "I have suffered with sciatica on and off for years, and after finding this site and thread, I want to say THANK YOU!! I was in the midst of a three-week bout of unrelenting pain when I read this thread. Shortly after, I ran out out and bought the ginger slices. I used that (ate about six or seven yesterday) along with 15 minutes of icing my back twice yesterday and the pain was gone in hours. I kid you not, and I am both incredulous and extremely grateful. I seriously didn't think that anything was ever going to work for me. While I am sure that I will have another episode of sciatica (or another 50 episodes of it), I feel that I have options now. Eager to try to other methods as well (well, not too eager, if you get my drift).... I have tried meds, chiropractic, exercises (which I am sure are essential for building strength), but nothing has ever helped me this quickly. Thank you!!!!!!!!"

[YEA]  04/03/2011: Elaine from Fairfield, Ct replies: "I've been dealing with horrible Sciatic pain and muscle spasms in my back. I've been to doctors and a chiropractor. They gave me pain meds and gave me stretching exercises to do. I've gotten adjusted and acupuncture and massage therapy. The pain persisted. The pain was so horrible sometimes and annoying. I didn't want to keep taking pain medication, so I started looking for natural cures.

I read how Ginger is a great anti-inflammatory and thought I would give it a try. I was going to look for Ginger supplements at a health food store, but then thought I would first try the ginger slices. I started eating small pieces throughout the day. After two days, I started feeling better and by the third day the pain was almost completely gone. I couldn't believe it. I feel like I'm dreaming. Nothing was helping me and I was becoming so depressed. It's amazing how the ginger has helped me. I was so skeptical when I first started taking it, but I was so tired of the pain and not getting relief from doctors that at this point I thought I will give it a try. It really helps. It's amazing. I feel so wonderful today. This is the first week that I haven't felt awful and didn't have pain. It's almost unreal. If you are having a lot of pain, give it a try it worked for me."

04/05/2011: Patti from Jamestown, Ohio replies: "Elaine, So good to know someone else tried the ginger and it worked for them. My husband is still using it, just a piece or two everyday. He still have that back pain but never has the scatica pain unless he goes several days without eating any ginger. I have told many people and those who really gave it a good try got alot of pain relief. It really is amazing. My hubby kept saying "I don't believe how much better my leg is, can it really be the ginger"? Earth Clinic has been a lifesaver more than once for us. Thanks to everyone who keeps it up and running and prayers to Ted."

07/13/2009: NN from Utica, Ny replies: "Regarding candied ginger root for sciatica pain: will un-candied ginger root work? Has anyone tried that?"

06/28/2012: Ann from Waihi 3610, New Zealand replies: "Candied ginger-can you use uncandied ginger and what is the recipe for the syrup?"

07/31/2008: Joyce from bonifay, Fl. replies: "Candied ginger slices for sciatica. what is the recipe for the candied ginger slices? I can't find it anywhere."

EC: You can buy candied ginger in Asian Markets.. Also possibly Trader Joes and Whole Foods...

08/22/2008: Elaine from Butler, N.J. replies: "is crystallized ginger the same as candied ginger? I want to try it for sciatica pain but your post did not say how much to use. thanks for your help."

EC: Probably the same. Cystallized ginger has 2 ingredients: ginger and cane sugar.

[YEA]  08/27/2008: Elaine from Butler, NJ replies: "Iv'e been eating the slices for about a week now, I don't know how it works, but it is working. The pain is almost all gone. It's nice not to be taking excederin every four hours. I snack on about 5 or 6 slices a day. Thanks for the tip!!!"

[YEA]  09/12/2008: Anna from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania replies: "Candied ginger slices for scatica:

My husband suffers from sciatica for weeks in a stretch about four times a year. It started hurting him really bad (not able to function without OTC painkillers) few days ago. Two days ago I read here about candied ginger. Yesterday he snack on it- about 10-12 slices which is a lot but he found 1. he likes the taste 2.everybody in his work seems to like it too and wants to have some! It was his first night without painkiller! The pain is gone! Early morning, which used to be worst, he sensed "something" along the nerve, but it even wasn't painful or lasting. It is so hard to believe - but IT IS A FACT. (I learned meanwhile that ginger works against inflammotion; whatever the reason-it has worked!)"

09/23/2008: Mariana from San Pablo, Ca. replies: "I was wondering if it also works with powdered ginger? I used 1 tablespoon with water. I guess I am hoping this also works."

[YEA]  11/17/2008: Angela from Antioch, California replies: "Amazing, the spasm on my leg from the my sciatica pain have improved after the 3rd day on eating the ginger slices along with some yoga exercise. I eat about 5 to 10 slices a day and I am feeling much better after a week. My last sciatica pain last nearly 2 months which was 2 years ago. It is definitely worth of trying."

07/11/2009: Linda from San Diego, Ca replies: "what about using plain ginger or ginger root tea? For those of us that don't want all the sugar. Is it the ginger or the combination of?"

08/06/2009: Moondancer from Gaffney, Sc replies: "I thought I stumbled across this site by accident, but now I'm not so sure. I've been dealing with pain in my hips and back for years now and nothing seems to help it. Here lately it has gotten worse. I hurt all the time and I can hardly walk without a limp. I was literally at the end of my rope when I stumbled across this site. With nothing to lose I thought I would give the ginger a try so I bought some today. I don't know why, but I have a strong belief that this will work. The true test will be in my martial arts classes....it would be so nice to be able to participate again."

08/07/2009: Lisa from Thousand Oaks, Ca replies: "I would also highly suggest you try oil pulling. I have been in excruciating pain of my hips for 3 years now and within 3 days of oil pulling twice a day I found incredible relief! Also read the oil pulling section."

[YEA]  04/21/2010: Ethel from Prescott Valley, Az replies: "I had extreme sciatica pain. Best I could do for myself was walk because sitting was sooo painful and lying down didn't help much either. I came across this site by accident, thank God. I read about using ginger so I bought some candied ginger and ate about a tblspn size and went to lie down. I was up in 15 minutes and I just wanted to cry! The pain was all but gone for the first time in months!!! Please, if you have sciatica pain, eat ginger! It will help get you through!!!"

[YEA]  03/03/2011: Oliver from New York, Ny/ Usa replies: "I had terrible Sciatica brought on by a new running regime. I tried (I thought) everything- Acupuncture, Chiropractor and was running out of hope. It went on for 2 months plus and would get to the point where my leg would completely seize up. I then did 3 things and within a couple of days I was seeing results and by 2 weeks totally fine.

1- Ginger Slices, this really seemed to help reduce swelling in my lower back

2- Yoga ( I went twice and had great results) I was then able to use the techniques at home- It takes a tiny amount of work compared to the agony of Sciatica

3- Removed my wallet from back pocket when sitting!

I am not sure if all 3 or just 1 cured me, but combined I went from having no hope of cure to complete cure in days.

Everyone will be different, but don't lose hope and try not to spend too much money on treatments when you have some simple options you can try first.

Good Luck everyone, it really sucks."

03/06/2012: Rachael from Orlando, Fl replies: "Just purchased some crystalized ginger to treat some extreme sciatica and lower back pain. I was not at all prepared for how spicy it would be. I was thinking that it was candied and wasn't expecting it to burn a whole in my tongue. Oh well, small price to pay for pain relief, I hope it works. I will post an update in a few days and let you all know how it worked."

[YEA]  04/28/2012: Danamarie from San Marcos, Ca replies: "I was reading the comments on candied ginger for sciatica as well as the other comments regarding potassium rich foods. I did an internet search on the potassium content of ginger and it turns out that ginger is very high in potassium. The ginger has helped aleviate my sciatica pain and so has the tennis shoe tip. I also saw a video online about stretching the "piriformis muscle" which is the muscle the sciatica nerve runs through. Learning how to stretch this muscle has helped. I saw a video on YouTube video that was simple and it didn't hurt me. Anyway, I'm on the road to recovery thanks to all the Earth Clinic people with the willingness to research what is out there and to separate the good from the not so good."

[YEA]  07/30/2008: Helen from Austin, Texas: "I get minor sciatic nerve pinches regularly. A woman at a conference showed me a simple exercise, and a massage friend later said that's the exercise he teaches to everyone.

Sit in a firm chair. Cross your knees. Clasp both hands outside the knee and pull it towards it's opposite shoulder (right knee towards left shoulder.) Won't move more than an inch, but you should feel the pull on the side-near back buttocks area.

Do this for 20 seconds every time you sit down, and the pain should be gone in less than a week.

Keep doing it once daily to prevent recurrence.

Actually, doesn't have to be a real firm chair but starting that way helps you feel where the pull should be.

Also, massage guy said, stop sitting so much! And when you sit be sure to get up and move significantly every 45 minutes or so. Chiropractor said "Get a stand-up desk, sitting is unhealthy."

Build times of standing into your day. I made a habit of standing up when talking in the phone. At conferences and friendly meetings I often get up and stand in the back of the room for a while, especially if I had to drive an hour to get there."

[YEA]  11/03/2009: Kim from Coast, Oregon replies: "I've recently suffered from a week of extreme muscle spasms in my back. Upon reading this recommendation, I began the stretching exercises and IMMEDIATE relief was felt after the first stretch. Sit in a firm chair with a straight back (concentrating on proper alignment & posture) and enjoy the benefits of this stretch. This is the first thing to bring relief in almost of week of pure, unrelenting pain.

I knew there had to be more options than massage and bed rest!

Thank you so much for sharing your "effectual" experience!"

[YEA]  09/15/2010: Nikki Jean from Philadelphia, Pa replies: "I want to register a huge YEA for the chair exercise to help ease sciatica pain. It literally took me from excruciating pain to relative comfort in about 10 minutes. THANK YOU. I use this site for everything, but this is the first time I just HAD to write in, because the difference felt miraculous. I'm on a long road trip and not being able to sit was just not an option, thank you again."

[YEA]  03/22/2011: Realeone2 from Ssi, Ga replies: "This works wonders like the chair exercise, I read this awhile back for sciatica, on Dear Abby I think it was-this helped me too. Lie on your back, stretch your toes, pointed as far as you can while stretching your arms over your head as far as you can, release, then stretch again, arms upward and pulling your toes inward. Do this BEFORE you get out of bed in the morning. Also, lie on your back, cross ankle to your knee, push down on knee while pulling in opposite leg, you can feel the burn/pull/release of the buttock area, hence sciatica release! "

03/24/2011: Mesem from Toulon, France replies: "Swimming (over arm and backstroke) and cycling up a good steep hill several times do the same thing and gets your circulation going more than a stretch. You may hurt directly after but the next day you will be fine."

11/02/2011: Ledtocrowe from The Plains, Ohio replies: "thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you"

[YEA]  Burness Speakman from Fredericktown , MO: "I read about the cold showers here 3 days ago. I have experienced whole body pain for as long as I can remember. Recently it has become unbearable to try and sleep without double doses of over the counter pain killers. The legs throbbed, prickley needles in the soles of the feet, leg muscle pain, skin pain, hip pain, numbness in the shin area. It was building up for years. I was ready to check myself in somewhere but I do not go to doctors. Anyway to continue. After reading the messages, I went and took a cold shower. This was the afternoon. Just before retiring I took another. This one really affected my body. Gasping and panting but not painful I stayed in the shower. For the first time since I could remember I had a peaceful night sleep. No pain in the legs at all, no numbness, no prickleys. I took three the next day with the same good results at night but with one more added strangeness. My Bowel Movement turned green. Not a dark green a kackie green and I was not constipated as usual. I gathered my bile was flowing. I had come to think I had a gallblader problem years ago but never associated the whole body aches with it. There might be some siatic nerve situation involved also, but I don't know. All I do now is that this seems just short of a miracle for me. I certainly hope it continues, because I don't know if I ever want to take another hot bath again as long as I live. Oh, the energy and high spirits are there too as others reported. Bless you all."

EC: Read more about Cold Showers here.

[YEA]  06/04/2009: Aldo from Brisbane, Australia: "Epsom Salts Worked for Sciatica!

My mother came down with sciatica last week. Immediately she went to see my brother, who is a chiropractor. That helped her a lot but the pain and discomfort was still there for her. Since then she was resting her leg as often as she could and taking pain killers when needing to walk on it for any extended period of time. When I heard about it, I had a look on this site and noticed the epsom salts testimonials. I suggested that she try having an epsom salt bath and to drink a couple of teaspoons of it with a glass of water also.

Well, I called her this morning and my mother was so excited! She said that she had a bath for about 30 minutes (and read a magazine!) with 2 cups of epsom salts on Wednesday night before going to bed. She also drank a glass of water with 2 teaspoons of epsom salts with some honey to improve the taste. She said that she slept so peacefully that night and woke up in the morning with NO PAIN! She was over the moon!

On Thursday, she drank a couple more glasses of water, epsom salts and honey and she plans to have another bath tonight (Friday). There has been no sciatica pain since waking up Thursday morning.

Thank you to Jean and Gwen for posting your results, the good news has now spread to our family too and we are passing it on to others. God Bless."

[YEA]  12/02/2008: Lorraine from Derby, Kansas: "Sciatica: Using a Precor stretch trainer does wonders for me. These seem to be available at many gyms including the YMCA. Too much sitting causes flare-ups for me. Getting regular exercise and stretching allows me to do my work (which is sedentary) without pain. My pain used to be so bad that doctors prescribed painkillers. As long as I stretch and exercise regularly, I find that I am pain free."

03/02/2013: Chuck from Cape Coral, Florida, United States: "Sciatica: I have been plagued with this for many years and have thought that it was due to something lacking in my diet. I will certainly try this. I was diagnosed with cancer eight years ago and have had great success against it by using only holistic methods!!!"

03/01/2013: Namiyah from Westport, Or replies: "I've had sciatica since the mid-nineties and tried everything from herbal supplements, acupuncture and chiropractic treatments but the pain remained constant, especially on cold, wet, rainy days. Then I purchased some Magnesium oil and placed some in a roll-on bottle of Vitamin E leaving about 1/3rd Vitamin E in the roll-on. The strategic area that I applied it was upon my tail-bone from 1L to 5L. It took about several weeks and I noticed a 75% reduction in pain. I've been using it daily for 6 months and notice a tremendous difference. Good luck!"

03/01/2013: Steve from Las Vegas, Nv Nevada replies: "I have found using a laser therapy pen helpful for relieving sciatica pain. I apply the laser to all the painful points on my lower back for a few minutes and can feel the muscles releasing as I laser them. Sometimes it takes a few days to get everything to release but it always helps."

03/02/2013: Wellspruce from Juneau, Ak, Usa replies: "Thank you Namiyah from Westport, OR so much for the magnesium oil with vit E in rollon remmendation. I'm adding that to my list of remedies. I MUST TELL YOU ALL, I "tentatively" testify that I DO BELIEVE the ginger, both ground and raw, I've been taking since night before last is HELPING me. I have slept through most of the night the last two nights which is first for me in months, and though I did wake once or twice with horrific pain, that's usual, that first night I began the ginger I didn't wake with severe pain last night.

Last night before bed I spent about a half hour, 1. Rubbing my L's and lower S's and the entire siatic nerve path down leg to just below the knee where the pain ends, with cream methyl silicylate 17% with menthol USP 12% (probably 12-15 min. ),

2. Doing the exercises recommended on this site where you cross your ankle over knee then pull knee toward opposite shoulder and hold 20 or 30 seconds; doing both sides. This feels GREAT and I highly recommend for anyone not just siatic sufferers. I also did this as recommended every time I sat down yesterday and again today.

3. I also developed and performed other joint stretches in lower back and hip joints I thought would help, I did them GENTLY. Be careful.

4. I increased my B12 intake to 2000 mg morning, and an additional B12 2000 mb at evening (began the increase last night). B12 was reported on the Earthclinic under the siatica site to have cured someone's siatica.

5. The last thing I did was take about a half teaspoon of ground ginger in a finger of water before bed along with 800 mg ibuprophen. I had taken the ground or raw every three or four hrs during the day.

I don't like taking ibuporphen so will probably not take it tonight. Hoping for at least similar experience of last night.

Still awaiting the sacral wedge I ordered.

Will continue to report back. Thank you all so much for input."

03/02/2013: Sue from Fairfax, Va Usa replies: "I sympathize about sciatica pain and found help by using enzymes such as bromelain. I took one 500 mg pill or capsule of it on an empty stomach, first thing in the morning, and just before bed, or during the day 2 hrs after eating and. 5 hour before eating. With food it acts as digestive enzyme; without, it reduces inflammation. Also, turmeric capsules or pills (450-500 mg), with meals that contain fat and black pepper. Both of these supplements are available at health food stores, relatively cheap, with no side effects for me. Best of luck."

03/11/2013: Wellspruce from Juneau, Ak, Usa replies: "SUCCESS!! I'm pain free.

I pray all siatica sufferers read this. After trying several suggestions on earthclinic for siatica pain the two that healed me are: taking the ginger in both raw root (minced into tiny pieces and eaten throughout the day) and ground (about a teaspoon couple or three times a day) for only three or four days the hot and cold pain that was shooting down the siatic nerve path from back, over hip and to just below my right knee has stopped totally and I believe the numbness is improved. However I believe the recommended exercises that came with the sacral wedge I ordered from Amazon.com has done the most to heal me. I've never even used the sacral wedge as I was healed doing just the exercises. I'll try to describe the exercises, the one I do in chair and, and the two I do about three minutes on bed on waking and before I fall asleep at night.

The three exercises:

1. Sitting in chair, cross ankle at knee, with both hands pull knee toward head while back is straight. Hold 20-30 seconds. Do other leg. I do this a couple times a day. You will feel the tug over your butt muscles and into your hip and down leg. This feels marvelous and I highly recommend for anyone who wants to remain or become more limber. In the deep reading I've been doing to understand siatica, I've learned that done daily this keeps the muscle relaxed over the siatic nerve.

2. Lay flat on back; I do have my head on a pillow. Maybe you could try with then without pillow. Draw knees up with feet flat on bed (the literature recommended floor or table, but my bed is hard). Tilt pelvic area toward your head, rock your pelvis like this intermittently for a minute or so, occasionally hold the tilt for a few seconds.

3. After the above, feet still flat on bed knees together, back remaining flat on bed, roll knees to the left until they lay on bed, then rock them to the right. Rock them back and forth for a minute or two.

I was waking many times during the night with severe pain radiating from back into right hip socket and down my leg to knee; and now I have none of that pain waking me nor none of the pain at any time.

I've had no waking pain the last six or seven nights. I've noticed that doing the exercises and taking the ginger also has my other joints limber now.

I do hope so much this helps other sufferers and that they read this."