Here is my biased take on some treatments for sciatica.

• Physical therapy. If you go to a doctor for sciatica, he will probably give you a pain killer and then suggest that you see a physical therapist. They are very well trained to help you change the physical habits that may be causing the pain. If your insurance pays for it, go.

• Chiropractic manipulation aligns the spine. You hear your vertebrae popping into place. My experience is that I felt great for five minutes after the treatment, and then the pain came back. But it is still valuable to learn how a properly aligned spine feels. Here are a few websites where you can find out more about chiropractic and find a local chiropractor.

www.amerchiro.org is the American Chiropractic Assoc. website

www.chiropractic.org is the International Chiropractic Assoc website

www.calchiro.org is the California Chiropractic Assoc website

• Acupuncturists will put needles into you like you are a pin cushion. They are trying to direct the flow of chi in the subtle channels of the body. I am agnostic on the existence of these channels. But, I let student acupuncturists practice once a week on me for a few months, to see if it would help my back pain. I didn’t feel much effect. Also, it doesn’t hurt at all, I used to cry when the doctor would give me shots, so I am no hero when it comes to needles. If you want to try go to www.AcuFinder.com to search for a local licensed acupuncturist. There were four in my neighborhood.

I went to a guy who did what I call electrical acupuncture. He hooked up current to acupuncture needles so that current flowing to the muscles would exercise the muscles and make them tired so that they would relax. Eh. I tried a lot of crazy things.

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• Massage releases muscle tightness or spasm and is very relaxing. This teaches you how it feels to be relaxed, you are training your muscle memory. There are many types of massage, Swedish massage has long strokes and some kneading. Rolfing is intense, even bruising deep tissue massage. Barefoot massage has small women walking up and down your back. A Japanese acupressure masseuse will press with the thumbs along certain meridians where they believe the life force is blocked. It is acupuncture without the needles.

Find a masseur or masseuse at www.amtamassage.org American Massage Therapy Assoc.

At www.massagetherapy.com you can find the type of massage therapist near you.