Sciatica...what do you suggest?

ives.

Hi, I think I may have developed sciatica.

I'm going to the docs tomorrow to find out for sure:
Basically, whilst running over the winter, I thought I'd pulled a muscle in my hamstring. I ran through the discomfort and it didn't get any better nor any worse. However, the last 2 months, the discomfort has spread through my buttock and sometimes behind my knee and sometimes it feels as though its in my hip..When cycling hard, it's quite uncomfortable , normally at the bottom of the hamstring and in the buttock.

I've tried some of the streching exercises for sciatica on YouTube, but these seemed to make it worse. A guy at work said he went to visit a chiropractor and it sorted his sciatica out completely.
Does anyone have any experience or advice regarding what to do if it is sciatica?

thanks
Ives

gondwanaman

Don't take it as professional advice but 2 years ago I developed sciatica while on holiday in Morocco. I sympathise, it is murder. I figured that losing weight may help.
I found after about a mile of brisk walking I got relief so I did a 5 mile circuit each afternoon and long scenic walks each weekend. After about 45 minutes I would contract again. I had been a bike commuter for 10 years in Sydney so I started going on long rides(20-30 miles initially) and found it also helped. Ironically it's probably been beneficial.
I struggled of a night and at work for 8 months and the symptons just started to wane and finally, apart from isolated twinges when I misstep, it seems to have passed. I didn't do any stretching exercises or change footwear and consider myself lucky. Mate I hope you get over it quick, at it's worst I lay on our kitchen and cried.

ut_och_cykla

I believe there is another condition cuased by a trapped nerve under buttock muscles which gives symtoms like sciatica but strictly speaking isnt. I think its the piriformis muscle but my memeory is rubbish... try googling. I would definitley rule out spine problems tho' before engaging in any stretching /strenuous exercise. Physio might be of more help for diagnosis /treatment than GP.

ives.

gondwanaman wrote:

Don't take it as professional advice but 2 years ago I developed sciatica while on holiday in Morocco. I sympathise, it is murder. I figured that losing weight may help.
I found after about a mile of brisk walking I got relief so I did a 5 mile circuit each afternoon and long scenic walks each weekend. After about 45 minutes I would contract again. I had been a bike commuter for 10 years in Sydney so I started going on long rides(20-30 miles initially) and found it also helped. Ironically it's probably been beneficial.
I struggled of a night and at work for 8 months and the symptons just started to wane and finally, apart from isolated twinges when I misstep, it seems to have passed. I didn't do any stretching exercises or change footwear and consider myself lucky. Mate I hope you get over it quick, at it's worst I lay on our kitchen and cried.

thanks for that mate. It's good to know that it just went away on its own.

ives.

ut_och_cykla wrote:

I believe there is another condition cuased by a trapped nerve under buttock muscles which gives symtoms like sciatica but strictly speaking isnt. I think its the piriformis muscle but my memeory is rubbish... try googling. I would definitley rule out spine problems tho' before engaging in any stretching /strenuous exercise. Physio might be of more help for diagnosis /treatment than GP.

Hi and thanks.
Yes, I've researched piroformis and it could be that . I'll just have to try and get refered from my GP or find a good private physio. I think waiting for one on the NHS around where I live in SE london takes around 8 months !!

Slimbods

I think it can be caused by a bunch of things. My experience of GP's is they'll just send you home with anti inflams. Find a good sports physio, they're generally worth the dosh.

micken

+1 ^ for good sports physio

ives.

yeah...the doc was pretty rubbish but did say she didn't know what it was.
Recommended a sports physio in Crystal Palace Sports centre which she said was very good, so I'll give them a try.

HealthyBoomer

Bikers often get Sciatica and it's usually related to the Piriformis Muscle - biking and running both aggravate this. The best solution is to make sure you stretch not only your hamstrings but also your piriformis both before and after exercise. Here's a link to 10 free videos you can check out for some easy techniques to help you sleep, sit and exercise in more comfort. http://bit.ly/coCffV

tebbit

+ 1 good physio, I had problems with it after injuring myself wrestling, the stretches helped in my case, I now have to keep the muscles active or it recurrs.

Best of luck.

da goose

Posted this before but at risk of boring someone:
SACROWEDY SACROWEDGY SACROWEDGY
Look it up on the net order it @£30 kiss goodbye to back isues (make sure you do core work as well)
I had issues for months if only I found it sooner?