back problem and legs

le_boss

hiya

the past week ive not been out much on bike because i had been having some problems with lower backache. was always ok on the bike, but as soon as i got off the pain in my lower back was agony.

i double checked my position on the bike and it was fine so had a weeks rest then went out yesterday (only did 10miles) and had this dull throb at base of back and a sharp pain which ran down my left hamstring. almost felt like the hamstring was pulled, but i could actually feel it running from the base of my back down the leg.

has anyone experienced anything like this? any idea what it could be?

danowat

I sometimes have some lower back problems, and they all tend to be down to tight/short hamstrings.

le_boss

so you think it could just be a case of stretching more?

danowat

It certainly helps me, I am not saying its the sole cause of your issue, but its worth a go.

antfly

Sounds like sciatica.

Ben6899

antfly wrote:

Sounds like sciatica.

+1

Does it lead into your lower leg as well?

le_boss

it kinda stops just behind the knee.
i did think it might be sciatica, but the fact that the lower back seems to be constantly aching now i dismissed it.

how do you cure sciatica?

would that be a case of stretching as well?

Ben6899

There isn't really a cure, but stretching helps. It's worth noting that I had all the symptoms of sciatica, but the 'industry' tests carried out by my GP gave negative results. I try to stretch my hamstrings regularly and keep my core strong to keep weight off my back.

Have a look at the sciatica information on the NHS website and if you're unsure, see someone who knows what they're talking about!

Pross

Tight leg muscles are one of the biggest causes of lower back pain and even more so in cyclists where the leg muscles don't get a lot of stretching so definately worth working on flexibility and stretching after a ride. Conversely I get a lot of back pain due to a 'slipped' disc but it has been less frequent since I started riding again.

tiny_pens

As above sounds like sciatica - and I did have a sore lower back as well as the nerve problems.

Sciatica is a pain caused by the pinching of the sciatic nerve (runs from the top of yer butt down to yer knee) at the base of the spine. Worth getting an appointment with yer GP to speed up the process of getting a proper appointment. The first course of action is normally painkillers and anti inflammatories. Its worth stressing during your appointment that you don't just want a sick note when you go in because doctors are allegedly swamped with people who just want to be signed off work for the duration of the football.

There are plenty of stretches on the web but I'd recommend going to your GP as in some cases (like mine) you can end up aggravating the injury further by poor choice of stretches if you don't know what is causing the problem.

In my case it I was referred to a specialist who identified a core muscle weakness that was causing inflamation of the facet joints (bit at the bottom of the spine) and then on to a physio in a suprisingly short period of time (about 2 1/2 months from first GP appointment).

I tried going to an osteopath but didn't like it. I think I may have just had a junior or inexperienced practioner but either way I felt the NHS did a brilliant job in sorting it out and was a lot cheaper than the alternatives.

Good luck.

Headhuunter

Yep, definitely sounds likes sciatic pain. I've had some issues with my sciatic nerve, esp since my bike crash last Nov. I used to get tingling in my left big toe which largely seems to have gone away now. Have had what felt like tightness down the left side of my left leg and sometimes aching round my left bum cheek. Often feels like the ITB might be tight or something, sometimes seems to move round to the front of my shin and down the side of my knee joint. Not really pain, more like a tightness.

Had bad back ache a month or so ago, came into work, sat down and something in my back seemed to give. I could barely straighten up for about a week or so but it's back to how it was now though. Had MRI scans and I have degenerated discs in my back. I do regular stretches, at the gym and at work (I go off to a meeting room for 20 mins for a stretch sesh, very nice and relaxing actually, even without the problems I think I would keep that up).

Headhuunter

Pross wrote:

Tight leg muscles are one of the biggest causes of lower back pain and even more so in cyclists where the leg muscles don't get a lot of stretching so definitely worth working on flexibility and stretching after a ride. Conversely I get a lot of back pain due to a 'slipped' disc but it has been less frequent since I started riding again.

Yes, my physio told me that I had very tight quad muscles and gave me some stretches to do to loosen them up. He said tight quads are very common in cyclists so it's worth stretching them...

potters1863

le_boss wrote:

hiya

the past week ive not been out much on bike because i had been having some problems with lower backache. was always ok on the bike, but as soon as i got off the pain in my lower back was agony.

i double checked my position on the bike and it was fine so had a weeks rest then went out yesterday (only did 10miles) and had this dull throb at base of back and a sharp pain which ran down my left hamstring. almost felt like the hamstring was pulled, but i could actually feel it running from the base of my back down the leg.

has anyone experienced anything like this? any idea what it could be?

Sounds like sciatica to me, had it 3 years ago before I started cycling, there are different levels of this though, it sounds as though yours is at the easier end of the scale.

Well worth stretching the hamstrings following a weekend ride.

Fractured my spine many years ago and find cycling is very good at keeping the muscles in good condition at the base of my back. I make sure that I stretch my hamstrings to try to prevent any back problems due to cycling. Appears to work.

Good luck and get stretching.

slow turner

I have bad lower back pains, went to see a physico and it was tight ham strings... get some hamstring streches and do them all the time, when you wake up before and after rides befor you go to bed and when ever you remember.

Im not sure but i think you can check by trying to touch your toes, you can feel your hams pulling, im like 30 cms from touching my toes, my goal is to touch them.

Arran

danf211

Hmm, If it doesn't spread below the knee, it's not technically sciatica. Although it may well be something to do with the sciatic nerve! Definitely worth having a stretch though!

slow turner

slow turner wrote:

I have bad lower back pains, went to see a physico and it was tight ham strings... get some hamstring streches and do them all the time, when you wake up before and after rides befor you go to bed and when ever you remember.

Im not sure but i think you can check by trying to touch your toes, you can feel your hams pulling, im like 30 cms from touching my toes, my goal is to touch them.

Arran

I just touched my toes proberly for the first time in whats got to be about 7 years... :P :P :P stretches work

micken

A couple of years after a windsurfing injury I was off work for about 10 weeks nearly 10 years ago. At that point the doctor told me to swim and signed me off work, I could hardly bend at the time. I self referred to a good sports physio who diagnosed a trapped sciatic nerve due to tissue repair following the windsurfing accident.

Loads of different treatments were given and the outcome was that I learned appropriate stretches and started pilates. Key to this was lengthening the nerve and reducing the pressure of spinal tissue. When I got back to work I had lost 1/2 stone and people thought I'd been on a training regime, which in a way I had.

I've been road cycling more regularly for about two years now and given up windsurfing regularly in that time.

Two years ago I could bend with straight legs and touch the floor with the palms of my hands, now I can touch the floor with all fingertips spread out and down but not with palms. I've occasionally had twinges in my lower back, right buttock and down the back of my right leg.


So key aspects of my regime are stretches and core strength exercises (pilates).

I recommend a referral to a good sports physio either via a doctor or refer yourself.