General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Sciatic nerve problems Rss Feed  
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2004-05-20 2:34 PM

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Master
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Dayton, Minnesota
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Subject: Sciatic nerve problems
Well, I have apparently ticked off whatever higher being doles out the chronic training injuries, because in addition to my PFS and IT band knee issues, I suspect I'm now also having sciatic nerve problems.

Tues. pm I went for a 50 minute bike ride and noticed my left foot was going numb by the end. Didn't think too much of it at the time (shoe tied too tight maybe?) and it got better after I got off the bike. Yesterday, my low back/upper butt was aching all day on the left side, and was much worse when I sat down. A constant ache, and I would also feel pain in the back of my left leg. This continues today, and the tingling in my left foot is also back, intermittently. I finally put together that this is likely a sciatic nerve issue, and have an appt. at the chiro tomorrow afternoon (not open today).

So, the question is, does anyone have any other great stretches or other suggestions for helping this? Does icing help? I understand that this is usually caused by a subluxation and that the chiro will (hopefully) provide the most relief. I'm just wondering if there is anything else I can do to assist. I'll continue to search the ever-helpful internet, but if anyone has any tips that have worked well for them, I'd really appreciate the input.

Thanks!
Kelly


2004-05-20 2:55 PM
in reply to: #26185

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Regular
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Subject: RE: Sciatic nerve problems
Wow Kelly you sound like me! I started have s. nerve problems and PFS at the age of 13 (I was a field hockey player). In the past 3 years I have had IT Band Issues, S. nerve, and PFS all at the same time. there are a ton of great stretchs for S. Nerve - i never iced b/c it seemed to irriate it more. I did super man streches, and back extensions, and had a physical therapist for the S. Nerve. It still flares up every once in awhile however I do a quick glute strech and I am usually good to go.
I know injuries are frustrating - i've spent a portion of every training season out, but just remember that injuries build character, determination, and a stronger body.
2004-05-20 3:00 PM
in reply to: #26185

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Master
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Subject: RE: Sciatic nerve problems
I have had this problem as well. Truthfully, once I started exercising and lost weight the discomfort became negligible and sporadic. It does flare up though. I went to the doc for it a while back, who sent me to PT. There I was given a series of stretches to improve it (and told to lose weight and exercise).

I would advise seeing a real doc besides the chiro for this. If it is something serious like a compressed disk chiro care may make it worse.

All of that being said the stretch that seems to help me ths most: Lay flat on your stomach and push up with your arms so that your back arches. (Keep your legs flat on the ground) Hold for 10-15 seconds and repeat. 5 or 6 of these usually helps me.

But I can't stress enough that back pain is not something to screw around with. Get thee to a doctor!

Bill
2004-05-20 5:06 PM
in reply to: #26185

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Elite
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Subject: RE: Sciatic nerve problems
Physical therapy is the way to go! I struggled since January with a hip problem only to get into the doc and physical therapist to find out it is a back problem and pinched nerve...... a week of therapy and I am finally actually running, not just pretending on the elliptical.


good luck

2004-05-21 9:28 AM
in reply to: #26185

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Master
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Subject: RE: Sciatic nerve problems
Thanks to all for your input. It feels better today, and my short run last night was pretty good, so I'm hopeful that it will be no big deal. Thanks again.

Kelly
2004-05-21 12:16 PM
in reply to: #26185

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Subject: RE: Sciatic nerve problems


2004-05-22 4:38 PM
in reply to: #26185


7

Subject: RE: Sciatic nerve problems
I'm a chiropractor and I can tell you that there are many stretches that you should be doing regularly. Sometimes a sciatic nerve will be aggravated due to imbalances that your own personal chiropractor can help you with. But buy any book on back pain and they all have the same stretches and exercises. It doesn't matter whether the book was written by a D.C., M.D. M.D./Ph.D or therapist. The stretches vary very little. Do them regularly and utilize chiropractic adjustments as a preventative basis.
2004-08-03 5:31 PM
in reply to: #26185

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Subject: RE: Sciatic nerve problems
I am coming to this thread rather late....

My husband is having a flare up of sciatic. He is a competitive mountain biker (2nd in Sport Class for Maine last season). He had a problem with sciatic about 2 years ago, but it finally seemed to be under control. Now, it is back with a vengeance. He is very depressed and wondering if he will have to live the rest of his life with this problem.

Last time, he had back x-rayed to check for herniated disk and everything was fine. He went to a chiropractor that helped minimally. He went to an orthapaedic sports doctor that told him time was the only cure. He did lots of stretching which seemed like it helped the most. He is back doing his stretches.

My question is if you have sciatic pain once, are you always more susceptible to it?

He is doing the Great Glen 24 hour race in 10 days, and he has really been looking forward to this.

Any other ideas/advice? Oh, he is 43 years old, 5'10" and 150 pounds.
2004-08-03 8:54 PM
in reply to: #43241

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Got Wahoo?
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Subject: RE: Sciatic nerve problems
I used to suffer from this quite a bit.  The greatest thing I ever did was arobic classes.  K-boxing, step, whatever.  All body workouts.  I would barely be able to walk and sometimes not be able to get up, but If I could hobble my pain drenched ass into the class, by the end of it I would be almost pain free.  It was magical...  I am not a doctor, but for me, activity made it go away....
2004-08-04 8:00 AM
in reply to: #26185

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Ashland, Ma
Subject: RE: Sciatic nerve problems
I had pretty severe lower back pain and pain radiating down thru hip into leg (sciatic) after an injury and I saw docs,Chiro but after a length of time the Chiro sent me to a chronic pain specialist who used accupuncture (TCM) with a series of followup treatment of inter muscular stimulation with needles and electricity, PT stretching and exercise after four months I was the best I had ever been in years and continue to feel good...........he is located in Framingham Massachusetts and I have sent several friends with long term pain issues to him with similar excellent results.................anyone want his name drop me a PM perhaps he has associates or other docs he could refer some people to...................
2004-12-05 10:06 PM
in reply to: #26185

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Elite
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Racine, WI
Subject: RE: Sciatic nerve problems

Kelly did you ever find out if it was sciatic nerve?  B/C I am having the same problem.  My Dr  (internist) thinks it could be my sacroiliac joint because I have very specific point tenderness just medial to the dead center of my left butt cheek (now doesn't THAT sound scientific) along with pain radiating down the back of my left leg and now tingling also.

X-Rays were negative, bone scan this week.  And NO running



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