Expert Column
Ernest Rosenbaum, MD, is Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of California, San...read more
Articles In This Column
- How to Prevent a Stroke
- The Legacy Project: What is It & How It Can Help
- The 5 Steps to Creating Your Legacy Project
- Symbolic Immortality: Thoughts About the Future
- Writing Your Ethical Will
- Creating a Family Tree
- Scrapbooking
- Recording the Family History: A Legacy Project Interview
- Legacy of Love: Making Your Wishes Known
- How to Deal with Emergencies at Home: Part 1 of 2
- How to Deal with Emergencies at Home: Part 2 of 2
- Going Home from the Hospital: Part 1 of 2
- Going Home from the Hospital: Part 2 of 2
- Exercises for People with Limited Mobility: Part 1 of 2
- Exercises for People with Limited Mobility: Part 2 of 2
- Bed Positioning: Part 1 of 2
- Bed Positioning: Part 2 of 2
- Care of Colostomies & Ileal Conduits: Part 1 of 3
- Care of Colostomies & Ileal Conduits: Part 2 of 3
- Care of Colostomies & Ileal Conduits: Part 3 of 3
- Home Safety Solutions
- How to Administer the Heimlich Maneuver for Choking
- How to Administer CPR
- Emergency Situation: Difficulty Breathing
- Emergency Situation: Severe Bleeding
- Emergency Situation: Broken Bones or Falls
- Before Hospital Discharge—Evaluating Your Homecare Needs
- Bathroom Aids
- Skin Care Treatments and Solutions
- Massage Therapy Techniques
- Pain Medication at Home—Top Do’s and Don’ts
- Pain Medication at Home—The Steps of Giving an Injection
- Pain Medication at Home—Side Effects from Pain Medication
- Pain Medication at Home—Intramuscular and Subcutaneous Injections
- Pain Medication at Home—Controlling Pain
- Housework Tips
- Mouth Care for Cancer Patients
- Eating and Drinking Aids
- Dressing Tips
- Cooking Tips
- Bowel and Bladder Care
- Administering Pain Medication at Home
- Activities and Aids to Daily Living Overview
Supportive Homecare
Comments For "Bed Positioning: Part 2 of 2"
My father in law at 92 has sciatica and he is suffering great pain in his lower back and legs in the mornings. He has a misconception that the foot of his bed has to be raised by 8 or more inches which he has done now for several weeks. I say this is really not good for his legs am I right or wrong? Thank you for an early response to this request. Charles Churches
Thank you for a reply. Charles
Dear Charles,
The pain you describe with your father-in-law should really be addressed by his physician. Sciatica is a very painful condition that seems to benefit greatly from rest (if the body is in good alignment). If your father-in-law is trying to alleviate some of his pain with “elevating the foot of the bed”, he might try to also slightly elevate the knee area (with a pillow under/between his knees, and to also elevate his head with one or two pillows also. In other words, all body parts need to be properly supported for good body alignment. If he continues to just elevate the feet only, and the rest of his body is straight, flat, and taut, he might be making matters worse by placing too much stress on the spine.
I would suggest you recognize his need for independence, but also to advise him to check with his doctor who would know best how to treat his sciatica—in bed and out.
Celebrating Life!
Audrey Wuerl, RN, BSN
Hospice of San Joaquin
Education Coordinator
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