sciatica pain
Hi again KC,
I, myself get the occasional sciatic pain probably attributed to 12 years of lifting heavy patients. I think working out for so long has kept my back in good shape so that my only problem is sciatica once in a blue moon. It was also aggravated during my pregnancy, anyway what isn't aggravated during pregnancy. What worked for me when i felt the onset of this familiar pain shooting down the back of my leg, was to take some Aspirin (not Tylenol or ibuprofen), i found aspirin worked best for me. Then i would usually take one day off from working out. The next day i would go for a long fast walk, because i think being completely inactive isn't good either especially if you are accustomed to working out. On the 3rd day i might do some step, maybe Step Fit or one of the easier tapes. I would not attempt MIC, BodyMax or Interval Max.
Don't run, much too much impact for the spine.
Then on the 4th day i would do some weight training, but if doing something like PS strong legs would avoid the quarter dead lifts, front lunges (if Right leg sciatica pain, don't do R front lunges or static lunges) same thing if left leg pain, i would also avoid doing reverse crunches. Once again i am speaking from my own experience. I found that any movement that stretched the gluteal or hamstring muscle aggravated the problem and would cause some pain. Please listen to your body if it hurts don't do it. I was like you, i did not want to sacrifice my workouts, so i would do some serious modifications til i felt better. I think over the years i've really kept the problem under control. But by all means, i'm not a neurosurgeon, if you are still experiencing pain have a doctor take a look, go see a physiotherapist. Anyway good luck, Lyanne