Really struggling with the above, any suggestions for relieving the constant dull back ache and pain down one side?
Really making me my age!!!
Chat Forum
[closed]
Sciatica
-
Posted 3 years ago #
-
That should be "fee" my age!
Posted 3 years ago # -
my chiropractor suggested it usually a lot to do with slipped disc - a total generalization I know.
She straightened my back and in the 2/3 months since I started with her, I haven't had an attack - I usually have it down one leg once amonth.Can only recommend a chiropractor to deal with it, I use a McTimoney one, which mean they don't just attack you like a wrestler, all very subtle but effective
doesn't mean their cheap though...
Posted 3 years ago # -
sciatica is a symptom of something - in my case it was a slipped disc. My back didn't hurt at all but the sciatica was something else. Needed an MRI scan to verify the disc thing. Until you work out what's causing the sciatica then getting rid isn't going to be easy!
Posted 3 years ago # -
Yes I understand it is a sympton however given that I have had no trauma and no previous back pain and I have been able to run around 50 miles per week I was hoping it was something that may be transient.
I think i need to follow your advice and get it checked out.
ThanksPosted 3 years ago # -
i have been having crippling hip pain, sciatica and other back pain for years
recent MRI scan showed nowt so consultant said just be healthy and deal with it
i visit an osteopath and take pain killers when needed, i've given up on a medical explanation although i'm seeing an arthritis specialist in a couple of weeks
Posted 3 years ago # -
Mine is due to some arthiritis and wear and tear of my lower vertabrae. My NHS physio gave me some really useful exercises to help build up my core muscles (something I don't use often enough being desk based)..
When I did the exercises things improved massively.
Posted 3 years ago # -
My advice: see your local osteopath.
Be alot cheaper than the next 10 years with a chiropractor
Posted 3 years ago # -
I bought a wheat bag, which is popped into the micro wave, when the bag is heated, tie it around your lower back. It really helped me.
Also change you posture. I used to drive like aracing driver, but now have myself totally upright. Every little bit helps.
Visit a physio. to get some exersise's sorted out.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Bio-mechanical assessment needed? Possible leg-length discrepancy? Wedge-shaped cushion for sitting/driving?
Posted 3 years ago # -
"Can only recommend a chiropractor to deal with it, I use a McTimoney one, which mean they don't just attack you like a wrestler"
That was invented by my great, great, great, grandad's brother (not 100% sure of how many greats), John McTimoney - McTimoney is my surname. It also works on dogs and horses.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Does it kill them too then?
Posted 3 years ago # -
I had similar and was to do with two things...
1. Issue with leg being pulled into hip joint - went and saw someone and he sorted that out in one visit
2. Muscle in butt which can trap a nerve and cause such pain - need to stretch it to release it. Apparently common issue in cyclists
Did both of these and no reoccuring problem
Posted 3 years ago # -
Another osteopath vote here. My problems started gently and became crippling - slipped disc. I ignored it, allowing the disc damage to increase and now have sciatic pain every day. At it's worst I lost 40% power in my right foot and cried when co-codamol and ibuprofen cocktails couldn't touch it. Getting better (slowly).
See an osteopath. I've had an MRI and two consultants look at it, and they came up with nothing more than my osteopath did. Pilates core exercises will help stabilise the back.Posted 3 years ago # -
Surfer - where do you live? I can recommend someone who is excellent with such things.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Did have a comedy moment with the wheat bag. Being in desperate need of the loo, and in great pain, I slowly bent down to sit and the wheatbag slipped out from under the belt tied to my waist and slipped down into the pan with a huge splosh.
Posted 3 years ago # -
I'm on the Wirral near Liverpool.
I would be grateful for a recommendation.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Pop diown to Boots or Argos and get an electric heat pad, use this on the affeced part, when i got it in my twenties i was recomended hot water bottles, to warm the area up, also hot baths with a few handfulls of salt, it feels like toothache in the muscles.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Surfer - I know someone in Gloucester but not that far north.
Check out this page on stretching...
And another giving some info...
This is what was my problem and was easily resolved with some massage and a whole lot of stretching. Apparently it is common for the sciatic nerve to get trapped in the piriformis and cause sciatica.
Heat pads, chriopractors, pain killers will not cure it until the muscle is dealt with and the nerve becomes untrapped or has the pressure relieved from it.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Bushwacked - good link to the stretch, there's quite a few useful ones on that site. Ta.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Back extensions that's what you want to be trying. Get the nerve sliding.
Posted 3 years ago # -
That should be "fee" my age!
FYI you can now edit your posts to fix mistakes... (and faulty corrections
Posted 3 years ago # -
As you see from the above it could be lots of things! I started with my GP, then a sports physio who ruled out loads of things (including the piriformis), then a sports doc who recommended a MRI to see if it was a disc problem. Once slipped disc diagnosed from the scan then the doc shipped me back to the sports physio for treatment. I was lucky in that core stability work over a few months sorted me out and (touch wood) have been fine for over a year now.
I think you should consider GP first to get the ball rolling and then aim for referral.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Are your sure it's Sciatica. I thought I had that (same basic symptoms) and the doctor referred me to a private pyhsio. Turned out I'd ripped my quad muscle (mountain biking!) and that combined with a ongoing IT Band problem (from running) meant it was appearing as the symptoms - I guess arse/leg muscle problems can manifest as back problems.
So in short, go and talk to a pyhsio. It'll cost about 40 quid, but it's money very well spent in my experience.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Sitting is one of the worst things for a disc bulge (giving 'sciatic' leg pain symptoms), esp on a sofa!!
It bulges the disc further
Posted 3 years ago # -
Surfer, Bushwacked has some good advice there, considering you have not had a trauma of any sort. Start off by regularly stretching which is something that most people (including me) don't do enough of.
Try and find a good remedial/sports masage therapist first and explore the muscles....I think you will be very surprised at how effective they are but when you think about the fact that your muscles are the support for your skeleton, it is not that surprising that stretching and massage can sort a shed load of problems out!!.Posted 3 years ago # -
Thanks for all the advice.
In my experience most runners ignore stretching until it is too late. Coe on the other hand claimed it gave him an inch or two every lap, anyone who can run 1:41 for 800 metres cant be wrong.
Simon, risky business being a pedant. Remember, always close your brackets!
Posted 3 years ago # -
Clare - totally agree.
My guy in Gloucester (don't know what to call him) is an osteopath, physio, acupuncturist, joint manipulator and specialist in Chinese Medicine. He always says that Chiropractors move the bones but the muscles always pull them back afterwards, so you get some relief but the root cause - the muscle - hasn't been dealt with.
So he works the muscle, gets it all loose then manuipulates the joint to its new position and does some more muscle work to get the muscle to keep the joint in the new position. Gives you some exercises to take home and hey presto!!
I was sceptical but I have been amazed at how he has sorted some problems on one visit!!! Including my wifes back pain post pregnacy which turned out to be some hip mialignment.
Moral of the story is - try to find someone who isn't just a specialist in one field - e.g. Physio, Chiropractor or Osteopath - see if you can find someone with experience of a wide range of practices.
I've been truly surprised at the difference and would pay everytime to see him (not Bupa registered due to him having spent 25 years doing this for the forces (and various national standard sports teams whilst in the forces) and Bupa being funny about it)
Posted 3 years ago # -
Bushwacked my other half is a remedial masseur, and I am part way though training too, so it's great to hear someone foregoing the "bone cracking" option for a change!! (By the way, I'm from Churchdown YAY)
Stretching really is an issue though.........I don't think there are many sports where you would expect your body to do so much on so little maintenance!!!
I'm going to have to mention the benefits of good core strength and pilates tho........and wait for someone to shoot me down.
Posted 3 years ago # -
I think you are right about core strength - I've been getting into BMX for the past 6-9 months (I'll probably be shot down for mentioning that) and that really uses your core muscles - I've really noticed how much easier certain things are since taking it up - so there is definately something in the core strength arguement.
Although - Yoga or Pilates??? Which is best?
Posted 3 years ago # -
Pilates for core strength, yoga for your soul ;-D
Actually I can't really comment on Yoga as I have never spent enough time doing it.
When I do pilates I feel like it "resets" my body........I can tell if I haven't been for a while and I don't have any problems as such!Posted 3 years ago # -
Thanks for posting the piriformas stretch - suffering at mo from sciatica, did this stretd have already experienced some pain relief. Definitely going to use 2009 to do more stretching and core work in an attempt to sort out ITB/Sciatic/Piriformas problems
Posted 3 years ago # -
Hitman, I had ITB for 11 months. It came on suddenly and eventually disapeared in a similarly unexplainable way. It was hugely depressing and wouldnt respond to treatment.
I do think stretching paid off in the end.Good luck
Posted 3 years ago # -
surfer
cheers for the good wishes
I've had an ITB problem for over 5 years now
Came on during a triathlon 10K which led to me seeking treatment and then another reacurrence during the same triathlon the following year led me to rest ie no running for 6 months. This didn't work - sort treatment, which ended in me tearing my cartilage in my knee during stretching and strengthening exercises (possibly exacerbated by a few snowboarding misadventures!). Just had an op on my knee and undergoing rehabilitation for that.
Depressing is not the word!Posted 3 years ago # -
"sort treatment" oops, should read "sought treatment"!
Posted 3 years ago #
Topic Closed
This topic has been closed to new replies.
