R44 and Sciatica nerve pain: any tip or tricks?
Joined: Sep 2001
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 2,782
Likes: 203
From: Toronto
Glider pilots often use energy absorbing foam cushions. I also use mine when I'm on a long drive. You should be able to find a European glider supply shop that carries them.
Avoid imitations
Joined: Nov 2000
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 15,110
Likes: 1,083
From: Wandering the FIR and cyberspace often at highly unsociable times
Secondly, in the helicopter, experiment with your seating position. Try setting the seat higher, lower. Seat tilted more backward or forward. Try the seat moved forward, then backward. I don't know if pedals are adjustable, but if they are try different pedal positions. Try changing your feet position on the pedals.
Yes, I do have a bad back….
Joined: Nov 2004
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 620
Likes: 136
From: UK
Secondly, in the helicopter, experiment with your seating position. Try setting the seat higher, lower. Seat tilted more backward or forward. Try the seat moved forward, then backward. I don't know if pedals are adjustable, but if they are try different pedal positions. Try changing your feet position on the pedals.
You really shouldn't add cushioning either, because the seats are designed to collapse and crumple in a controlled way to absorb energy in a vertical impact. Or worse, the cushions could move and interfere with the controls.
Probably you are pressing far too hard on both pedals, yet only the lightest of pressures is actually required, and even then only on one pedal at a time. In the cruise, only one foot is required on a pedal, and the pressure back from the pedal is really minimal.
I agree, I always had back and leg (Sciatic type) pain almost every time I flew a R44, and to a lesser extent from flying R22s too. Only by consciously minimising pedal pressure did I manage to get the discomfort under control. They certainly weren't built with comfort in mind!
Good luck. Try lifting the unnecessary foot off the pedal to shock yourself with just how light the pedal pressure actually needs to be. It is WAY less than how most people fly Robbies!
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 200
Likes: 9
From: U.K.
Fix the cause, not the symptoms.
See a Physio, this is how I cured my Sciatica.
They will give you exercises that you must do exactly as prescribed. It’s all to do with nerve impingement I’m told.
Do not see a chiropractor whatever you do
You don’t need manipulations of your bones.
by the way, it’s not just “stretches” you’ll be doing.
The “sliders and gliders” I do seem like a ridiculously simple exercise that wouldn’t be able to do anything.
Apparently it’s moving my nerve in the channel, and it makes the most difference for me.
You can even be referred to a Physio by your GP, just ask and they’ll refer you. Then do exactly what they tell you, even if it seems too noddy
“all they did was give me a bunch of exercises”
Yep, that’s right, exercises to fix YOUR body, how else you going to fix it?
You want the Sciatica understood and dealt with right?
Go see a Physio
See a Physio, this is how I cured my Sciatica.
They will give you exercises that you must do exactly as prescribed. It’s all to do with nerve impingement I’m told.
Do not see a chiropractor whatever you do
You don’t need manipulations of your bones.
by the way, it’s not just “stretches” you’ll be doing.
The “sliders and gliders” I do seem like a ridiculously simple exercise that wouldn’t be able to do anything.
Apparently it’s moving my nerve in the channel, and it makes the most difference for me.
You can even be referred to a Physio by your GP, just ask and they’ll refer you. Then do exactly what they tell you, even if it seems too noddy
“all they did was give me a bunch of exercises”
Yep, that’s right, exercises to fix YOUR body, how else you going to fix it?
You want the Sciatica understood and dealt with right?
Go see a Physio
