I have had something very similar, not necessarily the sciatic nerve, but nerve pinching. I think a weekend of mtb/road riding exacerbated the issue (due to the curve in my spine). Usual recommendation is anti-inflams & pain meds if necessary, and visit a physio. Usually it is due to a weak core and can often be fixed with exercises/stretching.Does anyone have any experience with sciatic nerve pain?
I'm wondering if you think riding mtb is the cause or if it helps relieve it?
And, if you have had this pain what treatments helped you?
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In short - OP: go to someone who knows how your back and muscles actually work - an exercise physiologist... they'll sort out appropriate scientifically based exercises for you. Well I'm now 56y and have avoided surgery despite having severe back pain for the 30years from 20-50y. From 50y I started to learn how to exercise so that back pain is minimalised to the point of 'not an issue' any more. I wish knew at 20y what I now know about how backs work. (And I work in a medical field.... you'd be shocked how little some GPs know about backs. The worst thing you can do is to take some nsaid and go the downward spiral of 'rest' and lack of exercise...)When I was 14, I was tackled over during footy training. I hurt my back and they told me to "run it off". Turns out I severly ruptured 3 lower discs in my back. I can't remember which ones they were, but they run down my glutes.
I spent a year, everyday in rehab. A doctor said I'd never have any sort of labouring job, or do any sort of physical/contact sport again. I almost got referred to have surgery, but apparently I'd be one of the youngest people in Australia to have it so they didn't put me through it.
About 13-14 months after the injury, a skatepark was built down the road. After my physio sessions, I'd go skating. That lead to riding.
I'm nearly 23 now, work as a fitter which includes heavy lifting. I fought muay thai until work became too much (and an ankle injury). Go to the gym everyday. And I ride, everyday. Whether it be mountain bikes or BMX. I like to believe moving and jumping around is what got me through it.
I mean, I still get pains down my legs and every now and again my back will give up on life over nothing. I'm hoping for a miracle treatment before I'm 35. After that I'm expecting to be crippled.
In short, I'd say keep riding.
Good idea!In short - OP: go to someone who knows how your back and muscles actually work - an exercise physiologist... ...)
I like your attitude!...In short, I'd say keep riding.
I also love miracle answers that include core stability; if you are going to rubbish other peoples advice in your opening sentence, best to make sure your statements actually have some basis in evidence based practice.I love these threads and the miracle answers etc
The bottom line is you have a slipped disc or similar causing it to rub on your nerve a catscan will show this. Xrays will not.
An Xray will show the bulge, protrusion, slipped disc or other name/jargon used for the same problem.
Specific back stretches will, relieve pressure off the nerve. Helping to better manage the pain.
This will not cure the problem.
You need to work out, for yourself what caused the problem. Most commonly tight hamstrings, bad flexibility and weak core.
Address these problems. Stretch twice a day, when you can put your palms on the floor you are flexible.
Stretch your piriformas, when you legs can be pushed beyond parallel from the sitting pose you are flexible.
When you sit in your car, bend over etc get into the habit of activating your core. Don't neglect your abs
when you can plank for 3 minutes plus your getting their. Don't get complacent think your cured and stop stretching.
I did this and after 8 months the pain came back.
Back surgery has it's risks I looked into the Australian medical statistics for shaving the bone. I was alarmed at the number of failed surgeries
Failed surgery means being wheelchair bound for the rest of your life, your Doctor will simply tell you all surgery have risks and wont tell you the statistics.
I have never stopped riding. Learn to love anti-inflammatory drugs they will keep you riding. Don't slouch
I found keeping my rides shorter (less than 3 hours) when getting on top of your back, helps.
Did I say don't slouch. Slouching may feel comfortable but actually will aid (further push out) your slipped disc.
Good luck
hear hearI also love miracle answers that include core stability; if you are going to rubbish other peoples advice in your opening sentence, best to make sure your statements actually have some basis in evidence based practice.
As far as I can tell a weak core has little to nothing to do with sciatica, since not a single published study has investigated an intervention involving core stability and sciatica (CINAHL, MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library). But I can find several RCT’s and some fairly decent systematic reviews that have shown core stability exercises offer nothing in chronic LBP that conventional approaches don’t do better.
Consciously ‘activating’ your so called ‘core during activites particularly in the presence of disc herniation is considered a contraindication - it is TERRIBLE advice to tell people to do this. Co-contraction of the core muscles increases spinal compression, increasing loading onto intervertebral discs, this INCREASES herniation and all the unpleasant symptoms that go along with this.
What’s the rationale for planking for three + minutes? I’m not sure of a single exercise guideline that advocates more planking is better. I’m not sure what this is supposed to measure?
Many people will never be able to touch the floor with their palms, as many people are not responders to flexibility training and this has no effect on their musculoskeletal health. While I agree that hamstring and other flexibility exercise for around the pelvis are good, many people will not have large changes in flexibility.
While it’s not surgery I would ever want done on myself, you statement about being wheelchair bound is plain scare mongering. Fushions, Laminectomy, discectomy… have a very small complication rate, with very few people having any issues with nerve damage, more common is instability around that motion segment of the spine, which is treated in rehab with conventional exercise, not core stability.
this is what happens when hugor puts his 2 cents worth in, you get a peek into his brilliant mind in which his contribution to the pile resembles today tonight or a current affairThis is what happens when people who don't have the skills or training have access to pseudo medical literature.
They either misinterpret what they read or don't understand its limitations.
Core stability is no myth. Just cause some "Professor of Osteopathy" (haha!!) publishes his thoughts to the contrary doesn't mean that what he's saying is true.
Just because you agree with him doesn't mean its true either.
Its quite clear in this paper that he's pushing an agenda, and the fact that its published in a free open access journal is testament to the academic quality that it contains (or lack thereof).
I also disagree with you Hugor,This is what happens when people who don't have the skills or training have access to pseudo medical literature.
They either misinterpret what they read or don't understand its limitations.
Core stability is no myth. Just cause some "Professor of Osteopathy" (haha!!) publishes his thoughts to the contrary doesn't mean that what he's saying is true.
Just because you agree with him doesn't mean its true either.
Its quite clear in this paper that he's pushing an agenda, and the fact that its published in a free open access journal is testament to the academic quality that it contains (or lack thereof).
MRI is better than a catscanI love these threads and the miracle answers etc
The bottom line is you have a slipped disc or similar causing it to rub on your nerve a catscan will show this. Xrays will not.
An Xray will show the bulge, protrusion, slipped disc or other name/jargon used for the same problem.
Good luck