Desperately seeking sciatica solution...

This is why you stretch dummies, so you can avoid problems like this.

http://www.letsrun.com/forum/flat_read.php?board=1&id=571412&thread=570770

I have piriformis tightness and pain on my RIGHT hip, but it is my LEFT leg that becomes "dead". Sometimes I notice it on regular training runs, but usually it is only happens when I'm doing a quality session with faster turnover. I have had this problem off and on for two years and used to attribute it to really tight hamstrings. I thought that maybe my left hamstring was just so tight perhaps it couldn't handle the same workload as the right (even though it was tight too, but not as bad), that it became fatigued, and stopped "working" so that it felt like my leg fell asleep and I was just dragging it. However, for the past 10 weeks I've been working with an athletic trainer/PT/massage person who is great and has eliminated tightness in my left hamstring. No hamstring pain or tightness, but the dead leg feeling is STILL happening. So, it must be something else? But could it really be a sciatica problem if, again, I have pain on the right, but the dead leg problem on the left?

I feel like my foot is just slapping the ground and I'm not able to control it. I end up running with a hitch in my stride. I'm limping not because of pain, but because I can't control my stride out on my left leg.

Is this similar to your problem?

I had it and I got rid of it by doing hamstring stretches. I stretched many many times a day. I had pain in my butt, all the way down my leg and even into my foot.

i had periodic sciatica for years... the solution that worked for me:

1) much more stretching... especially hamstrings

2) build up abdominal muscles (to help balance skeletal support and not have it all lie on the lower back

3) chiropractic adjustments of SI joint when it flares up

4) massage therapy

5) ibuprofin during outbreaks...

haven't had a problem in over 2 years now, knock on wood.

good luck

I am very glad to hear this.

Jezzusfreakinchrist already! Stop with the freakin stretching! You're only aggravating it.

4 or 5 weeks off will do the trick.

Pete, rethink running the race this weekend. Why? If you think there's a possibility that racing on it will make your problem worse, don't race. Racing has a way of setting off an ache and making things 5 times worse...and recovery taking 5-10 times longer.

My .02 worth is a variation on malmo's theme of taking time off.

Malmo, your advice to not stretch seems to contradict everything else that I have read on the subject. Do you give this advice from a personal experience? Also, from people who have been through this, will sciatica worsen with racing and hard efforts?

Blu Suit wrote:

Malmo, your advice to not stretch seems to contradict everything else that I have read on the subject. Do you give this advice from a personal experience? Also, from people who have been through this, will sciatica worsen with racing and hard efforts?

Experience (many times). Yes it will worsen to the point that walking will become difficult. Stretching only aggravates the inflammation. And inflamation of the nerve begats more inflammation. Time off is the only solution. Sorry, Pete, there's no gimmick or quick fix for you to buy. The physical therapist will most likely recommend strengthening exercises.

Pete's symptoms are classic: 1) loss of feeling and power in the leg. 2) dull (or sharp) ache or pain. 3) the sensation of "numbness" and "coldness" in the leg.

I should add there are "some" good stretches. Lay flat on the back and pull the knee up to the chest, hold, then straighten back out, preferably with resistance.

Stay away from hurdlers stretches and toe touches - nothing but trouble.

Pete, to get any tightness out of your butt, hamstrings, adductors etc, you have to have very deep painful massage. You may even need hours of it.

When the muscle fibres stick together, this causes the hardness and tightness. To unstick them you have to really dig your fingers into the tightness. This is hard work. If you do it yourself, then it is more tiring than painful. It will also save you a lot of money..... if you really are a tightass.

This has done wonders for me!

Good luck

http://www.rice.edu/~jenky/sports/piri.2.html

Ibuprofen = 2400 mg a day for 3 days & rest.

800mg 3 x day or 600mg 4 x day.

Seriously....works wonders

PS: Get the liquid caps....easier on the gut.

Have had mine off and on for 7 years - sometimes completely gone and other times pain from my butt and down into my hamstring. Was diagnosed as SI joint problem, but finally went to a good massage guy who reamed on my piriformis muscle and that gave me some relief. Finally diagnosed myself with Piriformis Syndrome and had a cortisone shot right in the muscle and in the SI joint. Was able to race and train almost like new again. The shot was about 10 months ago, and I am having trouble again off and on. May get another shot, but have also begun stretching alot. Good luck!

Had the same problem. After giving up on anti-inflammatories and what local sports medicine had to offer, I got relief through a chiro. trained in Active Release. This involves no bone-cracking, but loosening of the muscles. I am not a fan of chiropractors in general, but this worked for me.