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sciatica
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 2005-10-04 1:41 PM |
Master  1472   |  Subject: sciaticaI suffer from chronic sciatica, left side. The pain extends at times down into my hamstring. Sitting in a chair or driving is torture. Standing, walking running, riding my bike, swimming.... no pain at all. I have had x rays which show no degeneration of disks (spacing is good). Anti inflamitories seem to have no affect on the pain, yet muscle relaxers do. Tried physical therapy for 3 weeks but at $20 a visit, 3 times a week it started to get expensive and there seemed to be no marked difference in the quality of pain. Does anyone know (or had experience) if muscles can cause sciatica? It seems possible that a muscle could irritate the sciatic nerve as much as anything. Stretching my glutes (left side) seems to aleviate my pain. Maybe I should just forget about ever sitting down and train all the time? |
| 2005-10-04 2:02 PM in reply to: #259248 |
Master 1506  Minnesota | Subject: RE: sciatica Usually it's due to pressure put on the sciatic nerve by the glutes. Lots and lots of stretching to increase your flexibility should take care of the problem. |
| 2005-10-04 2:14 PM in reply to: #259248 |
Elite Veteran 831 Northern Va/Metro D.C. | Subject: RE: sciatica I've had sciatica in the past due to my glute muscles placing pressure on the nerve. I noticed it particularly if I did not stretch adaquately after cycling. Have you tried ART therapy?-Many triathletes SWEAR by it (essentially an amalgamation of techniques used by a certified ART specialist in breaking down scar tissue over a problematic area). One stretch that I feel has helped me tremedously requires you to lay down, and simply grabbing your knee to your chest-you shoudl feel a DEEP stretch in your glutes (I hold for 40 seconds). Good luck! |
| 2005-10-04 2:51 PM in reply to: #259248 |
Member 414 | Subject: RE: sciatica I also have suffered from sciatica. Mine was due to a condition called spondylolisis (sp?) where basically a small crack in a vertebrae causes an irritation of the sciatic nerve. One thing I can say for sure though, stretch and then lots of core work (don't neglect your back as well). A strong back and abdomen will help keep everything in the correct position. |
| 2005-10-04 3:36 PM in reply to: #259248 |
Extreme Veteran 724 Delray Beach, FL | Subject: RE: sciatica My ex had a sciatica problem. He had X-rays done, nothing showed. After all tratments failed he got a MRI and they found out a herniated disk that was putting preassure on the nerve. He used muscle relaxers and applied heat (he has to use a wet towel with the hot water bag). I hope yours is not the same problem, he had surgery, recovery was slow. Ask for a second opinion. Good Luck |
| 2005-10-04 4:16 PM in reply to: #259248 |
Expert 1207 Liberty Lake, WA | Subject: RE: sciatica I've had problems in the past, it can be a real pain in the ass (sorry). Stretching has helped. Do you carry a wallet in your back pocket? I found that sitting on my wallet really caused the sciatica to flare up. |
| 2005-10-04 4:31 PM in reply to: #259248 |
Member 24 Muscle Shoals, AL / Navarre Beach, FL | Subject: RE: sciatica I'm either sitting at my desk most of the day or in an airplane, so mine acts up quite a bit. If you do have to carry a wallet get a small one with a money clip that you can keep in you front pocket. Worked wonders for me. |
| 2005-10-04 5:11 PM in reply to: #259248 |
Expert 900 Austin, TX | Subject: RE: sciatica I started running because of a back injury. When I first started, my whole right leg would go completely numb and I'd limp along. After a few months, my back muscles strengthened and I started to feel much better. Two years later, my back is fully functional. I had been through PT and was pretty close to resigned that I'd be on drugs the rest of my life to manage the pain. It's amazing what a little exercise can do for you  |
| 2005-10-06 4:56 PM in reply to: #259248 |
| Veteran 210 | Subject: RE: sciatica First I am sorry to hear about your pain. Mine is a little different as I had a herniation which caused bad sciatica. The piriformis (sp) muscle can cause sciatic pain. Might want to look up some piriformis stretching online. If you sit a lot you might want to try sitting on an exercise ball. I sit all day at work and now use one at work. At first it was a big joke but now even our CEO likes it. Hope you find some relief. |
| 2005-10-07 12:06 AM in reply to: #259248 |
Elite 2468 Racine, WI | Subject: RE: sciatica sciatica sucks. Be glad it doesn't affect you when you run...that's when mine is at it's worst. Sitting in the car is next on the list. I hope you find something that works for you |
| 2005-10-10 1:59 PM in reply to: #259248 |
Extreme Veteran 492 Home port | Subject: RE: sciatica idahodan - 2005-10-04 1:41 PM I suffer from chronic sciatica, left side. The pain extends at times down into my hamstring. Sitting in a chair or driving is torture. Standing, walking running, riding my bike, swimming.... no pain at all. I have had x rays which show no degeneration of disks (spacing is good). Anti inflamitories seem to have no affect on the pain, yet muscle relaxers do. Tried physical therapy for 3 weeks but at $20 a visit, 3 times a week it started to get expensive and there seemed to be no marked difference in the quality of pain. Does anyone know (or had experience) if muscles can cause sciatica? It seems possible that a muscle could irritate the sciatic nerve as much as anything. Stretching my glutes (left side) seems to aleviate my pain. Maybe I should just forget about ever sitting down and train all the time? Since you ruled out all serious injuries, I can tell you from experience, that you probably have a simple overuse injury called piriformis sydrome. I know this because I had the same problem as you for 6-9 mths. I thought I had arthritis in my hips, and I was about to give up triathlons forever. I was nearly ready to get surgery. I tried every therapy and every pill out there. A freind of mine told me about the following website www.tpmassageball.com I purchased their massage products, and I have been injury free for 8 months. I use the products religiously, and I have treated outher athletes at the Boston marathon and Ironman Lake Placid. Go to the website and learn more about your problem. You can use this discount code mac05 to order products. Feel free to pm me with any questions. Bryan |
| 2005-10-10 2:56 PM in reply to: #259248 |
Elite Veteran 748 northern Illinois | Subject: RE: sciatica Once you've ruled out something potentially dangerous like a herniated disc, then I'd recommend yoga, yoga, and more yoga. Of course, I ALWAYS recommend that, but really this time  Try this link: http://www.womenfitness.net/top10_yoga_exercises.htm. You don't have to go to all that trouble -especially the covering the eyes bit- in savasana, unless you just want to. I'd put downward dog before savasana. But other than that, the modifications they show are pretty good for a beginner and, if done regularly, really do help with sciatica. Andrea |
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