Sciatica & the pain that comes with it

[black2002ls]

Look up McKenzie maneuvers for back pain/sciatica. I battle the same issue for years due to herniated/bulging discs. Those have been the most productive exercises to get the disc off the nerve.

The biggest correction is body mechanics on a daily basis. No bending at the waist to pick things up. Squat down with a straight back. Kick one leg out behind you to reach down and pick something up. Core strength is huge... Abs and back. You should walk around with your core slightly flexed at all times and really brace every time you pick something up. I use an active release chiropractor who takes care of regular joes, ku men's basketball, and nba players.

Avoid anything that causes you to round your back forward like layng over an exercise ball on your stomach or drawing your knees up to your chest. All you are doing is pushing the disc out further. It's odd because it can provide initial sense of relief but long term is very bad. I personally would also avoid the back brace long term as it is just a bandaid and not fixing the problem. I have spent a ton of time researching and hours with my healthcare providers ad I thought it was going to end my career. It had certainly improved my quality of life

[ame]http://www.amazon.com/Treat-Your-Own-Back-802-9/dp/0987650408/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1454009993&sr=1-1&keywords=treat+your+own+back[/ame]

Pick up this book. It is written by Robin McKenzie (the McKenzie method). it is about 100 pages, read the whole book, do not skip to the exercises. Follow his guidelines and methodology. I just finished reading it a few days ago and started with the exercises as often as I can. It is helping so far.

It's a disc issue. DO NOT waste your time/money at a chiropractor.

Fill your fucking brain with as much info on discs as possible. The info is out there.

If I had done that vs. Going to a chiropractor when I first injured my disc lifting something, I would have been far better off.

The stretches you think you want to do are NOT the ones you want to do!

Piriformis stretches, pulling your knees to your chest, etc. Will cause more problems!

I had the largest L5-S1 segmentation that my quack chiropractor (after I had been reading/studying and requested an MRI!) or the sports medicine doc or the neurologist had seen. A piece 21mm long and 14mm in average diameter broken off and mingled in my sciatic nerve in the neutral canal.

It was excruciatingly painful. They all told me I needed immediate surgery. This was after almost two months of living with it and multiple reinjuries because nobody told me it was a disc.

I told them to suck my fucking dick.

I lived on the hard floor of my bedroom for two weeks. Then in bed for two weeks.

It's way better now. The numbness in my and loss of strength in my calf and foot are gone. I have slight numbness in another area of my foot after working too hard moving stuff into the new house.

I'm getting an inversion table. I may have to get a fucking fusion surgery layer in life, but I'm sure aiming to not have to. I had to completely relearn my body mechanics. Life sucks. Oh well.

Study up and heal yourself and your disc injury before you or some quack chiropractor completely destroys your back. I think I'd rather be toothless or missing a ball or something vs having a bad back because they tend to just get worse as you get older.

Mine has a dull ache constantly and I have to be very aware of my movements. I don't take pain killers because of my addictive personality, so that's fun too. Flip side is it prevents numbing the pain lest I make a wrong move that causes more damage.

Start reading and don't let anybody scare you into emergency surgery. Good luck and take care of yourself

Pick up an inversion table, you can find them on craigslist for $50-100. Or brand new as low as $150. I just started using one this week and so far, I am hopeful that it helps me long term.

I have a VERY long thread regarding back pain/surgery that I bumped yesterday or the day before, it should be easy to find. It somewhat chronicles my journey through back pain, surgery, and now a relapse. The pain you are describing is EXACTLY the pain that I had when I was referred to a specialist for my issue. 2 years later I had a discectomy/laminotamy. 5 years later, I am going through it all again, because I got lazy and did not take care of myself like I should have. When I went for my second opinion on Monday, the doctor described my herniation as MASSIVE.

I had a relapse in September last year, then in November it flared up again to the point oral medication did not help. I couldn't perform my PT exercises/stretches because the pain was so bad. Fast forward to January, I spent a week on the couch extremely sick. This rest helped give my back a break and it reduced the pain and discomfort. I have been aggressively researching alternative methods for treatment. Exercises, herbs, amino acids, ANYTHING that will keep me off of the operating table. Read my last few posts in my thread for what I have found thus far.

It is a VERY long road, one you will have to walk each and every day. Be conscious of what you do and how you do it. You MUST carve out time slots for maintenance exercises to help maintain your mobility, core strength, and ultimately quality of life.

[black2002ls]

My chiro has never once adjusted me. We stretch, core strengthen, and work on body mechanics. Your case sounds about as bad as it can get but I'm dead sold on McKenzie maneuvers and body mechanics. You can also do nerve glide exercises and for me piriformis stretches and trigger point therapy have been beneficial. Nerve glides will help lessen the leg symptoms.

Surgery shouldn't be a first line intervention. The problem with the poor mechanics is you create microscopic annular tears that lead to the big problem...bulge or herniation You can never get back to perfect but you need to heal well beyond when you are feeling good. When you begin to feel good you go back to piss poor mechanics and never get as healthy as you can. You absolutely must give up the macho/proud/stubborn attitude of not asking for help. For me that was the second hardest part behind mechanics.

I am thinking about an inversion table as I haven't found anything truly negative about them.

That first part there couldn't be more accurate. I wish that I had been more aggressive in seeking alternative treatments before I had surgery. I had surgery, did really well for the next ~12 months in taking care of myself, being mindful of what I did, and then got lazy. It was then when I started to have relapses in pain and discomfort. More trips to the specialist, more meds, more PT, more shots. I feel like if I hadn't had the surgery, I wouldn't have such a large herniation at this point.

On the inversion table. I have just started using mine this week. 30 minutes on Monday and 30 minutes last night. I only have it set on the shallowest setting right now, but I do feel some improvement. Whether that improvement will be long lasting, that has yet to be determined. I have read some stuff on line where people are adamant that it is only a short term solution and that the moment you get yourself upright your disc space returns to its compressed state. Some research has indicated that there is a chance that the decompression/recompression cycle could be conducive to water/nutrient absorption into the discs, though I haven't seen any solid studies to date.


Edited to correct first line.

[LANTIRN]

Doing some reading now. Alot of this sounds similar to the minor pain I get every day or so on my riht side when walking that is just above my butt at the joint. Bookmarked the McKenzie book and will order soon. Mine is always minor and seems to be relieved by stretching or sometimes the joint pops. Been wondering what it is so maybe this simple stuff will help it not get bad enough to need a doctor. Mine seems to fit more under the description of sacroilic joint pain, but I don't want it getting worse.

[Broncojohnny]

My shit used to flare up. I figured out that mine had to do with inflammation and weakness. I now do one core/squat/deadlift workout per week and take some aspirin any time I have any muscle pain. I never have problems, it keeps everything tight.

[mstng86]

My shit used to flare up. I figured out that mine had to do with inflammation and weakness. I now do one core/squat/deadlift workout per week and take some aspirin any time I have any muscle pain. I never have problems, it keeps everything tight.

I have come to this realization as well. My core is too weak. My core muscles aren't doing enough work when I am doing any type of physical activity.

[CWO]

I've been wanting to start a squat/deadlift routine myself. Eventually.

[black2002ls]

My shit used to flare up. I figured out that mine had to do with inflammation and weakness. I now do one core/squat/deadlift workout per week and take some aspirin any time I have any muscle pain. I never have problems, it keeps everything tight.

I have come to this realization as well. My core is too weak. My core muscles aren't doing enough work when I am doing any type of physical activity.

I've been wanting to start a squat/deadlift routine myself. Eventually.

Also check this site out: http://breakingmuscle.com/coaches/andrew-lock

Andrew Lock claims to have "fixed" disc herniations. Some of his articles present MRI proof, I haven't read through them all yet, and unfortunately there isn't really an order posted in which to read them. But he presents some good arguments. It appears that he focuses on sumo dead lift, with very proper form, to help strengthen the muscles along the spine and rebuild core stability.

[JETFAST]

I tore my back up in 2006-7 lifting 5 speed linco's over the door bars. Felt like an ice pick was in my back. so much pain, standing was the only thing i could really do. sitting or laying was so uncomfortable, i wasnt thinking straight. I was drinking a dickeys cup of Makers on the rocks, just to pass out for maybe an hour or 2 if i was lucky.

Chiropractor was no help, and made it worse if anything.

After about 2 months of no relief, and only getting worse....I turned to deep tissue message therapy. And this was the only thing that helped me with relief, and it was resolved in about three 1 hr sessions. I've heard acupuncture is good as well, but never tried it.

an inversion table helped some too, but not as much as the DTM therapy.

I haven't had anymore issue with it, and it's been almost 10 years now.

Mine was the left side as well. The therapist concentrated on my right hip socket area, put an elbow in it and started applying pressure, and that relieved the left side, It hurt so good i shed a few tears!

[black2002ls]

I tore my back up in 2006-7 lifting 5 speed linco's over the door bars. Felt like an ice pick was in my back. so much pain, standing was the only thing i could really do. sitting or laying was so uncomfortable, i wasnt thinking straight. I was drinking a dickeys cup of Makers on the rocks, just to pass out for maybe an hour or 2 if i was lucky.

Chiropractor was no help, and made it worse if anything.

After about 2 months of no relief, and only getting worse....I turned to deep tissue message therapy. And this was the only thing that helped me with relief, and it was resolved in about three 1 hr sessions. I've heard acupuncture is good as well, but never tried it.

an inversion table helped some too, but not as much as the DTM therapy.

I haven't had anymore issue with it, and it's been almost 10 years now.

Mine was the left side as well. The therapist concentrated on my right hip socket area, put an elbow in it and started applying pressure, and that relieved the left side, It hurt so good i shed a few tears!

I've heard similar things about DTM and acupuncture.

A lot of times what will happen is when the body senses that issue with the spine, the back muscles will spasm and help take that pressure off of the spine so it can try to repair the problem. I walked with my torso at about a 20 degree angle to my waist for a month and a half. I couldn't straighten my torso to save my life, no matter how hard I tried.

[akfodysvn]

That first part there couldn't be more from the truth. I wish that I had been more aggressive in seeking alternative treatments before I had surgery. I had surgery, did really well for the next ~12 months in taking care of myself, being mindful of what I did, and then got lazy. It was then when I started to have relapses in pain and discomfort. More trips to the specialist, more meds, more PT, more shots. I feel like if I hadn't had the surgery, I wouldn't have such a large herniation at this point.

On the inversion table. I have just started using mine this week. 30 minutes on Monday and 30 minutes last night. I only have it set on the shallowest setting right now, but I do feel some improvement. Whether that improvement will be long lasting, that has yet to be determined. I have read some stuff on line where people are adamant that it is only a short term solution and that the moment you get yourself upright your disc space returns to its compressed state. Some research has indicated that there is a chance that the decompression/recompression cycle could be conducive to water/nutrient absorption into the discs, though I haven't seen any solid studies to date.

We can agree to disagree. No worries there. Truthfully everyone has different injuries so there is no "one solution" for everyone. The same disc annulation or herniation may provide massively different symptoms from person to person. Most of you probably have a bulging disc or two with no symptoms... everyones nerve roots are different. There is no one step approach. I should have been clear that I am simply sharing my experience and solutions.

I'm very familiar with the McKenzie methods for a few years... I use them daily but really get after them if I have any tightness or flare ups. I still 100% believe unless you correct your core strength and body mechanics that you will never have long term relief. You still may have an episode from time to time but mine go away so much faster and I typically can nip them in the bud if I get on it early with my exercises. Thanks for the link on the book. I'll be ordering it for sure.

[akfodysvn]

I've heard similar things about DTM and acupuncture.

A lot of times what will happen is when the body senses that issue with the spine, the back muscles will spasm and help take that pressure off of the spine so it can try to repair the problem. I walked with my torso at about a 20 degree angle to my waist for a month and a half. I couldn't straighten my torso to save my life, no matter how hard I tried.

That is due to your erector spinae being locked down... extensions on my belly (push ups w/ my pelvis on the floor) done correctly and often decreased that tightness in 3 days of work when 2 months of medication, rest, bullcrap PT did nothing for me. I have the exact same symptoms. My pain is not what I would call "pain" but I cant stand upright and have ridiculous muscle spasms that knock me literally flat to the ground. Eventually it is painful but bent over at that angle I'm tight and am in tolerable pain.

[black2002ls]

We can agree to disagree. No worries there. Truthfully everyone has different injuries so there is no "one solution" for everyone. The same disc annulation or herniation may provide massively different symptoms from person to person. Most of you probably have a bulging disc or two with no symptoms... everyones nerve roots are different. There is no one step approach. I should have been clear that I am simply sharing my experience and solutions.

I'm very familiar with the McKenzie methods for a few years... I use them daily but really get after them if I have any tightness or flare ups. I still 100% believe unless you correct your core strength and body mechanics that you will never have long term relief. You still may have an episode from time to time but mine go away so much faster and I typically can nip them in the bud if I get on it early with my exercises. Thanks for the link on the book. I'll be ordering it for sure.

I screwed up my post! I didn't mean far from the truth. I should have said more dead on. No need to disagree!

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[Broncojohnny]

Also check this site out: http://breakingmuscle.com/coaches/andrew-lock

Andrew Lock claims to have "fixed" disc herniations. Some of his articles present MRI proof, I haven't read through them all yet, and unfortunately there isn't really an order posted in which to read them. But he presents some good arguments. It appears that he focuses on sumo dead lift, with very proper form, to help strengthen the muscles along the spine and rebuild core stability.

Mine was never bad enough to think I needed surgery. It would just flare up and be uncomfortable to sit or lay down. I also used to pull a muscle occasionally when reaching out far to do things like pick something off of a shelf. It would hurt so bad that I would just have to lay in the floor for a while. It would take my breath away sometimes.

Anyway, none of that happens if I keep it in my workout routine on the regular. My workout starts with five sets of weighted crunches and then alternating back extensions and crunches for another five sets. Then it is on to squat, deadlift and leg press. If you bleed out of your eyes you know you are doing some good. Seriously though, if you just get to where you can do 185 lb squats and deadlifts it will keep you in shape, there is no reason to get retarded.

[black2002ls]

Mine was never bad enough to think I needed surgery. It would just flare up and be uncomfortable to sit or lay down. I also used to pull a muscle occasionally when reaching out far to do things like pick something off of a shelf. It would hurt so bad that I would just have to lay in the floor for a while. It would take my breath away sometimes.

Anyway, none of that happens if I keep it in my workout routine on the regular. My workout starts with five sets of weighted crunches and then alternating back extensions and crunches for another five sets. Then it is on to squat, deadlift and leg press. If you bleed out of your eyes you know you are doing some good. Seriously though, if you just get to where you can do 185 lb squats and deadlifts it will keep you in shape, there is no reason to get retarded.

I spent plenty of time doing retarded lifts in High School. I won every power lifting meet I attended with my deadlift. No ome expected the kid weighing in at 110 lbs to pull 340 off the ground! I have always wondered if my power lifting in high school had something to do with it!

Right now, my primary goal is to consistently make it through the day without any pain. Once I get there, I will do more focused exercises and try to work in some weight training. The culmination of it all would be that I am back on my bicycle to get some miles in this spring and be ready for the fall rides.

My goal last year before all of this happened was to ride the hotter than hell 100 this year :/

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[Cooter]

My herniation was so bad, glides and stretches weren't doing shit... they were just squeezing the disc material out like a tube of toothpaste. The stretches felt great while I was doing them, but it would just exacerbate the problem.

After reading everything on the net for days on end, I decided to just rest and let my body heal itself. After a month I was better enough to get around ok but with a good amount of pain.

Initial injury was mid June. MRI was ~7wks later. Ability to pick something up off of the floor was probably another 1.5 months.

I'm at a dull ache now. I can dead lift a couple hundred lbs when I need to. I have to take it easy and not overdo it. I moved in Oct. I moved all of the furniture myself... As in, solo. Wife was busy boxing/unboxing shit. Thankfully we moved out of a small house!

Being down for so long and being depressed about it, I gained about 40lbs... thankfully it was coming up from my lowest at 232lbs. I was 325 a year prior to being 232... so even at 270-275 I'm better off than I could have been if I was still 300+

But I'm finally getting around well enough that I'm going to start easing into walking more and more and buck the fuck up and quit eating like shit because of the combination of sympathy weight for the wife's pregnancy and my depression.

I never ask for help, but when I did, the doctors I was asking for help were nothing but surgery pushers. The chiro wanted to see me 3 times a week for however long. The stretches he recommended were shit. I had to request the MRI. Once he saw it, he said I needed surgery. So did the other doctors. My problem with that was the fact that the worst of my pain had already happened and it was just starting to reside.

If you read back health blogs/forums/articles/etc. it's the same shit over and over. Everybody is quick to cut you open, but the recovery rate for surgery vs. non-surgery tends to be similar. Surgery just accelerates it. BUT, those who get surgery are more prone to getting it in the future.

I've read some case studies and seen some pretty nasty herniation MRI's that followed up 1-2yrs later with almost totally normal looking disc.

Oddly enough, the worse the herniation, the better the resorption by the body. People who just have severe bulges and/or minor herniations often have a hard time healing. The Aussie stretches/positions/glides/etc. are good for reducing bulges. But once you have a major blowout like I did, all that shit just makes it worse until the body has a chance to heal itself.

I guess nobody imagined how bad my shit was because I was able to get around ok. I feel like I have horrible pain tolerance, but I guess it's actually fairly high?

My chiro has never once adjusted me. We stretch, core strengthen, and work on body mechanics. Your case sounds about as bad as it can get but I'm dead sold on McKenzie maneuvers and body mechanics. You can also do nerve glide exercises and for me piriformis stretches and trigger point therapy have been beneficial. Nerve glides will help lessen the leg symptoms.

Surgery shouldn't be a first line intervention. The problem with the poor mechanics is you create microscopic annular tears that lead to the big problem...bulge or herniation You can never get back to perfect but you need to heal well beyond when you are feeling good. When you begin to feel good you go back to piss poor mechanics and never get as healthy as you can. You absolutely must give up the macho/proud/stubborn attitude of not asking for help. For me that was the second hardest part behind mechanics.

I am thinking about an inversion table as I haven't found anything truly negative about them.