Author Topic: HELP!! Who else suffers from lower Back pain/Sciatica?  (Read 5313 times)

Offline Mark McGrade

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HELP!! Who else suffers from lower Back pain/Sciatica?
« on: November 30, 2012, 03:30:42 PM »
 2 weeks ago I woke up one morning with tremendous pain in my left leg, the pain was shooting down from my lower back and into my left Hamstring.
Mind you this occurred after a 2 hour session the day before of doing nothing but Karl Cruiser Turbines on my left leg.
I called my doctor and had some X-Rays done and they told me I have some Degenerative disc’s, 2 in fact. They also told me just about everybody after the age of 21 (I’m 40) starts to develop some sort of Disc Degeneration. Turns out one of my discs is pinching a nerve and most likely causing this pain.
I then made an appointment with a back specialist but they can’t see me till the end of December, so in the meantime I’ve been going to a Chiropractor.
I’ve already had 5 appointments with them and if anything the pain is even worse?!! They’ve been using electroshock & spinal decompression therapy on me, and the Chiropractor swears it will work and to hang in there.
I was also instructed to start taking Glucosamine, Fish Oil tablets & Vitamin D to help with my joints & pain. Along with stretching and taking Advil every 6 hours……….
I also have a prescription of Percocet from my Doctor that I refuse to take.
My question is does anybody else suffer from Sciatica? And what have you done to stop the pain? I just want to ride again!! L
-Mark
« Last Edit: November 30, 2012, 03:42:29 PM by VerticalSmile »

Offline OldYeller

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Re: HELP!! Who else suffers from lower Back pain/Sciatica?
« Reply #1 on: November 30, 2012, 04:28:18 PM »
I've had some severe back problems in the past, now they are just mild and infrequent.


I'd go see a sports specialist.  They are used to getting people back into competitive shape, not just getting the pain under control without being sued.


When I was riding ramp heavily, I went 12 feet flat onto my back, messed up all kinds of stuff. Concussion,  pissing and coughing blood, hands went numb, couldn't even crawl away.  My wife finally talked me into calling an ambulance.


The doctors at the hospital said I'd have a bad back from then on and it might take 3 months to walk.  Bruised kidneys and lungs, swollen nerves, pinched nerves and some damage to some disks.  After about a week of being bed ridden, a friend talked me into seeing a sports specialist.


He give me some pills and an exercise routine, which sounds crazy considering how bad off I was.  He had me stretching and moving my muscles in specific ways that supposedly were to keep it from tightening up.  It would hurt, but he said do it anyway.  It was in 95 and I was heavily drugged, so I don't fully remember the details.


A month from the day I got hurt, I dropped back in very carefully.  I was still walking with a cane, but the bike wasn't too bad.  After another month, I was riding 80% and almost all the feeling in my hands had gradually returned.  After about 4 months I was 100% on riding and after a couple of years there was no sign anything was ever wrong.


Today I just get a sore lower back from sitting badly, no long term problems.


Sports specialist, without a doubt.  There is a reason athletes who make millions go to them.

Offline tod miller

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Re: HELP!! Who else suffers from lower Back pain/Sciatica?
« Reply #2 on: November 30, 2012, 05:14:41 PM »
+1 on the Sports Specialist.  Back pain is no joke, and you should get another opinion.  As said, you don't just want pain management, you want to get back into "fighting" shape.   Take care Mark, hope you get this sorted.  Maybe talk to Adam DiClaudio and Rad Dad, both have had back issues. 
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Offline Mark McGrade

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Re: HELP!! Who else suffers from lower Back pain/Sciatica?
« Reply #3 on: November 30, 2012, 05:23:06 PM »
 Thanks guys, and I’ll look into that. You’re right! I DON’T want pain management, I want this sh*t GONE! I refuse to take the Percocet, not to mention how many friends I lost hooked on that sh*t.
The pain gets so bad I want to hack my Leg off. I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy, hope none of you ever have to go through this.

Offline cunners

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Re: HELP!! Who else suffers from lower Back pain/Sciatica?
« Reply #4 on: November 30, 2012, 06:14:05 PM »
i have sciatica , so bad sometimes my legs would give way completely,  i have had physio and done lots of stretching / strenghening exercises for the best part of six years and its managable now, you just have to keep going and never stop doing stretches, never!

Offline Mark McGrade

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Re: HELP!! Who else suffers from lower Back pain/Sciatica?
« Reply #5 on: November 30, 2012, 07:07:49 PM »
Do you still ride alot Cunners?
I have been stretching 3 times a day now (Morning, noon & night), something I negleted to do before. ::)

Offline Chris@BHB

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Re: HELP!! Who else suffers from lower Back pain/Sciatica?
« Reply #6 on: November 30, 2012, 07:50:07 PM »
Hey there.   
I had sciatica a few years ago.    I went to a sports physical therapist who helped me cure it.   The reason I had it was that my lower abs were not strong enough and that was allowing my pelvis tilt out of alignment causing a pinched nerve in my lower back.     What I had to do  (and still do)  was lie on my back with my knees bent.    Then you isometrically contract your lower abs and pelvic floor muscles and hard as you can.  You have to sink them in as deep as you can and hold it.    Then you alternate lift one foot, then the other off the floor.    You only have to lift an couple of inches.
Do 3 set of 15 like 3 times a day.... or more..
It took a few weeks but I eventually got it under control.    Later on I took some Pilates classes too.    It something I have to keep after too.    It tries to come back from time to time.  But now I have the tools to fight it off.


If you can do go to a Physical therapist... dump that Chiropractor!


I hope this helps.
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Offline cunners

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Re: HELP!! Who else suffers from lower Back pain/Sciatica?
« Reply #7 on: November 30, 2012, 09:04:57 PM »
i ride as much as possible although i have problems with my feet as well, mine was caused by lots of heavy lifting in my job which gave me big back muscles but not very big abs , so by strengthing my abs and stretching my back it kinda sorted itself out, you really need to have a good balance of both front and back muscles , but over streching can be bad as well , so deffo speak to a physio

Offline twotires

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Re: HELP!! Who else suffers from lower Back pain/Sciatica?
« Reply #8 on: December 01, 2012, 03:41:42 PM »
i had terrible back pain and started doing yoga slowly. Downward dog is a key back healing post as is the plank. These poses stretch and work the core helping your back keep everything together. Look up some yoga videos online and do them every day before bed for a week and see how you feel.

Offline Bri-jon

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Re: HELP!! Who else suffers from lower Back pain/Sciatica?
« Reply #9 on: December 01, 2012, 10:32:22 PM »
I had back pain and I always did stretches. I found out that my frame was to small and ever since I went to a larger frame I have been ok.
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Offline Bryansyodaddy

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Re: HELP!! Who else suffers from lower Back pain/Sciatica?
« Reply #10 on: December 01, 2012, 10:34:41 PM »
I have annoying back pain. Sometimes it hurts more than other days.  I usually take ibuprofen before riding.  It tends to hurt more during extreme weather.  Sucks. I just carry a couple advils in a little case about .1in diameter in my pocket.
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Offline Ante

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Re: HELP!! Who else suffers from lower Back pain/Sciatica?
« Reply #11 on: December 01, 2012, 11:04:29 PM »
I had back pain problems for a few years. First it was pain in the lower back, later pain in the left leg and in the end there was a time when I had no feeling in my left foot. I could poke myself with a needle and wouldn't feel it. I would wake up in the middle of the night from pain.
Several doctors looked at me and said I needed a few months of therapy to strengthen the lower back but I didn't have time for that.
I went to an amazing masseur for a few therapies with massages and hot mud to pop everything back in place and that relived the pain. After that I started doing lower back exercizes and got a new mattress so my spine stays in a natural position while I sleep. Since then I have not had any problems but most important thing is to stretch and warm up really good before the session.

Offline SurfonFlatland

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Re: HELP!! Who else suffers from lower Back pain/Sciatica?
« Reply #12 on: December 02, 2012, 11:06:44 PM »
Look for a structural integration therapist, aka Rolf therapist, or a therapist specializing in Myofascial Release.  Also, make sure to really stretch your legs, especially your quads and hip flexor muscles.  You may consider looking into purchasing a foam roller to help you with this.
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Offline Mark McGrade

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Re: HELP!! Who else suffers from lower Back pain/Sciatica?
« Reply #13 on: December 03, 2012, 02:13:45 AM »
Thanks guys I appreciate all the feedback and I'm looking into everyone's considerations. I've been experiencing some relief over the last few days. I've been taking the Advil every 6 hours or so, sometimes I push that to 8 hours. I've been doing stretching exercises 3 times a day and resting on a firm gym mat in between. I also haven't gave up on my chiropractor and have been going every other day. I had my appointment with the back specialist moved up to the 13th, hopefully I'll be feeling pretty good by then. I'm also researching Sports Physical therapists in my area and will pursue that direction. In fact I plan on visiting a Sports PT regularly even after I start to feel better.

Offline sakis

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Re: HELP!! Who else suffers from lower Back pain/Sciatica?
« Reply #14 on: December 06, 2012, 01:29:11 PM »
i have the problem too for 4 years now,i went to chiropractors,and i had good feedback on my body,but i believe it is not good to go there often.
anyway,swimming in regular basis works very good also,and i am doing some yoga and stretching too,yoga is very good,for your back,but if some excersice start to have pain on your body you should stop.
if your muschles are in good condition so it will be with the back.cheers