The most important thing is to have a proper diagnosis for any and all orthopedic problems. Physical therapy can help, but if the exercises are treating the wrong problem, then they can make things far worse than they already are. The same goes for a chiropracter especially. Manipulations of the spine or any joint that are done without the proper diagnosis can do serious harm, especially if there is any osteoporosis going on or displaced joints. Please see an ortho doc that specializes in your specific problems and they will send you for the proper tests, usually MRIs to determine the problem. Then, together, you can formulate a treatment plan. Just swallowing pain pills will not resolve the underlying problem. Catherinet, you need a new PT person. The best would be physical therapists who are sports medicine ones. They are well trained in all kinds of PT as well as new techniques and fibromyalgia as well. As for how a knee can cause all kinds of problems and pain elsewhere, it's simple. If you think of your body standing up to start with and look at it that way, you will see that the pressure on your body, goes from the feet up to the ankles, the legs, the knees, thighs, hips, spine, neck to your head. Any one of those pressure points, when not moving or functioning correctly can and will throw the entire body off and cause pain both below and above it. For example, if you have a problem with your knee, then you are not standing on the affected leg, ankle, knee and foot. You put pressure incorrectly on the hip, all the way down to your foot. By doing that, you then put strain on all those joints, tendons, muscles, ligaments. At the same time you are pulling the spine and neck on that side off as well. As you do this to the affected side of your body, you start putting strain on the opposite side and you start pulling everything out of wack. Sometimes, what you are feeling a permenent pulled muscles and joint irritation from what is going on and sometimes it will create further medical problems from long standing problems with one joint. The other big issue is the spine. As we age, the spine starts to wear down, and though we may think that the pain in the knee or the hip is directly from those joints, the real problem is with the spine. Don't be sorry that the pain is getting to you. I've been there and no what that is like. I've had several orthopedic issues for the past 10 years and found out last year, that everyone of them was stemming from spinal stenosis in my lower back. When that was fixed, oh, the pain was completely gone, until my feet decided that they like my back the way it was before and created ortho problems for me. Got that taken care of and the ankles got pissed at both the spine and the feet. So took care of that, all with custom orthotics, good shoes and Pt. I just have to remember that I can't over do or I really get screwed. Like now. Really over did it last weak and tore a muscle in the lower back that needs big time PT and pain meds. If not healed in 4 weeks the muscle wil have to be stitched. Anyway, get the proper diagnosis for what is going on before you head off to a PT and if you are suffering from any kind of osteoporosis, a good doc will tell you to never go near one ans the manipulations will break bones on you. Try seeing a sports medicine orthopedic doc that specializes in spines. And below is a great link to a spine forum with lots of support and helpfull info. My doc thinks it's one of the best locals on the web for info and support. Click on the link and when the page comes up, go to the left side of the page and click on discussion forums. You have to register to post on the forums and use the live chat. same kind of thing as with GW, but its a wonderful site to be part of. I joined and love it there. Good luck and e-mail me if you want any further info or help or someone to vent to. Fran Here is a link that might be useful: spine-health.com

"And if you google pilates for sciatica you can find exercises to try at home." "Another important factor is getting or keeping weight off the stomach, and strengthening the stomach muscles. A big belly with weak muscles can put a lot of stress on the spine." I have had one bout of sciatica that came on suddenly and was incredibly painful-quoted the above insights because what has worked for me is Pilates. I was taking group lessons and when the trainer went out on her own I followed her. She is very good at getting me to move and stretch past what I would do on my own without straining or overdoing it; Pilates of course is also all about strengthening one's core muscles and I've not had any more sciatic problems. Thank goodness for that, it was one of the most excruciating pains I've ever experienced. Ann

I just experienced the same thing, minus the bladder control issues, in May right before we left on our cruise. It was so bad I thought we'd have to cancel. Doctor took X-rays and said there was no bulging disk so I was told mine was caused by the muscles in the sciatic nerve area on my right side were tight and pressing on the nerve. Incredible pain and mobility issues. Never felt anything like it. Completely debilitating when I stood up from a sitting position. Once I was standing straight up, I was much better. Doc put me on prednisone and gave me stretching exercises. I was also told to take Senecote to regulate my bowels. Helped a lot. All pain was gone in about three weeks. And I hope it never returns! Jodi-

Joann, the tennis ball therapy should be pretty easy to do, my husband is a high school tennis coach and there are always a hundred or so tennis balls around on any given day. :-) I hike/walk several times a week so got the walking part down but in reality, I never knew the pain of sciatica until I started hiking. Supposedly the muscles in my gluteus maximus are so tight they are pinching the sciatica nerve which to me means I'm buff but I can assure you, I am not. :-) My husband sent me an email yesterday about using heat on the area so last night, even though it was hot, I slept with a heating pad on low under me. Bounced out of bed no problem today. Have not started the prednisone or ginger. Perhaps heat is the answer. Jodi-