Piriformis Syndrome or sciatica

K

ksandvoss

Cathlete
Hi,

Has anyone had this or sciatica? I have had piriformis syndrome for several years and need some relief. It was caused by 15 years of running, so I stopped running. But I find that Cathe's videos, particularly the videos with lots of squats, aggravate the condition. I went to physical therapy, but that only worked a little. I also started taking vioxx, which helped with the pain, but it caused incredible swelling. Aside from stopping working out, did anyone find help somewhere else. I am trying to get in to see a sports doctor.

Thanks,

Kathy
 
Yes. I developed piriformis from marathon running (all that training). I stopped running and then tried a variety of things: nordic track (no go, too much stress on lower back); stationary bike (yes!); rowing (no problems); and finally, hi/lo, step, and kickbox (yes!). I didn't go the medicine route and I had PT for awhile, but that didn't help much. What I worked on STRETCHING my bum. Lie down flat on your back. Grab your left knee with your right hand and GENTLY pull it down towards your body. Your left leg will be bent and a person standing above you would think you look like the number 4, sort of. You'll feel a nice stretch in the piriformis area. Get a good chair for lumbar support at work and sit up straight. I found that strengthening my hips, legs, lower back and abs has helped, too. That said, a sports doctor is someone good to consult. Time took care of it more than anything for me, I suspect. Good luck and think positive. It can go away or be managed. Suzanne
 
A video to check out is Charlene Prickett's Critical Strength. It has two 10-12 minute sections for hips that include strengthening exercises, interesting range-of-motion exercises and stretches, specifically designed for sciatic nerve and hip health. I got the video for other reasons, so I can't comment on the effectiveness of the sciatic nerve exercises, but I've never seen some of them in the (many) other videos I've done.

Of course, she stresses that the routines are intended for maintaining, not correcting, sciatic nerve health, and you should see you doctor if you already have problems....

reviews:
http://www.videofitness.com/reviews/prickett-cs.php

website:
http://www.charleneprickett.com/2k/weight2k.htm

Bev
 
Hi Kathy,
Last year I had very bad sciatica down the right leg, and I could not walk without
extreme pain going down that leg. I never take days off from work, and I
had to actually take two days off. I thought I would never be able to even walk
to the subway again. But I had to see someone, and the chiropractor was the answer
for me. I had to totally stop all exercise for
the lower body for a couple of weeks. By the
third week, I was able to do very low impact (Leslie Sansone). By the fourth week, I was
doing Christi's hi/lo with no jumping, and doing step with 4" only. I gradually got back to doing
Cathe but still stick with 4" and it took me a few months to attempt any jumping. I have to
still modify Cathe's tapes (especially the Intensity series), but I am happy that I can keep up even with
modifications. This past week I did attempt some major jumping and feel okay. Sciatica will
always be a problem for me. I have to learn to do more stetching and icing the back after exercise.
At 57, I know I will never be able to do what I did in the past (as far as working out), but
I am content with what I am now doing. I cannot do any leg presses or squats with heavy
weights. I am just now attempting squats with only 3 lb weights and I don't want to even
attempt to go higher. Forget lunges all together. I think all the years of high impact (20 years)
aerobics and using the 8" step, then adding some of the Firm tapes like Core Cardio I and II with
all the plyo jacks, etc. did me in. I learned my lesson and just enjoy what I can do with a happy
and smiling attitude. MaryAnn
 
I've had this for about 7 years and what finally worked was going to a chiropracter and getting electrical acupuncture. I had some partial relief with deep tissue massage therapy, but then it started to aggravate it again. The acupuncture was very successful and I only occasionally have to go back in for another treatment. By the way, I had already failed traditional medicine such as NSAIDs, physical therapy, TENS unit, pain clinic center, multiple other medications, and even epidural sterioids were tried in case it was due to a disc that just wasn't showing on the MRI. It is a frustrating condition. Doing yoga has also helped keep the muscle stretched out. I was unable to do any squats, lunges or tall box step ups during that time. Now I can do them with no problems as long as I'm careful with the weight (I don't go over a 20 pound barbell or 2 ten pound dumbells.)
Beth
 
Beth,

Thank you. And thanks to the others. Beth, I am glad
that you told me about this alternative because I need to know what else to consider. I've tried Vioxx, ice packs, massage, and physical therapy. Of course it improved when I stopped running, but I don't want to give up all exercise. Even yoga can aggravate the condition. I am going to see a Sports Medicine doctor in 2 weeks. I'll email back to tell you what he says.

I am curios. How did you realize you needed to see a chiropractor and use acupuncture? Also, were the treatments in the same office or with different therapists. How many treatments did you receive. Did you have piriformis syndrome?

Thanks again to all

Kathy
 
I went to a chiropracter because that was the only thing I hadn't yet tried and I was so frustrated with the failure of all other therapies. She suggested the acupuncture as well as adjustments, and did all the therapy in her office. She had recieved training in both needle and electrical acupuncture. I think I had a series of 10 treatments intially spaced at 2-3 per week. After that I just went back as needed, maybe every 3-4 months for 2-3 sessions only the first year, and maybe 1 or 2 treatments in year 2. Now I'm pretty much cured and haven't had any treatment for over a year. I was very surpised that electronic acupuncture worked so well. I've since read that both needle and electric acupuncture are being studied extensively for help with chronic pain syndromes. I'm sure there are bad and good chiropracters out there so it's difficult to know who to go to. I have had minor back problems, and the adjustments helped that, but my sciatica is due primarily to piriformis syndrome and not back issues. I was diagnosed by a sprots medicine doc who treats professional atheletes and felt very comfortable that he made the right diagnsosis. He just didn't have a lot to offer me treatment wise that worked. I know that most professional atheletes use chiropractic therapy in addition to their team doctors and trainers.
Beth
 
.
Beth,

Thanks again. I have an apt to see sports medicine doctor. I am not sure if he will recommend someone for this, but I will mention that I have heard some people have had success with chiropractors and acupuncture

Kathy
 
Hi Kathy:
I'm sorry to hear about your pain. I'd like to add another plug for the chiropractic route. I had terrible sciatica all through high school and college, my husband literally brought me to his chiropractor and she "fixed" it. I can't explain it any other way - I went in in terrible pain and came out with almost none. I continued to go for months and months and have continued to do the exercises to this day (21 years later). I hope that your pain goes away as completely as mine did. Good luck and tell us how you're doing!
 
I can also vouch for a chiropracter for sciatic problems. I've had this for a long time and I'll never forget the first time it hit, I thought I would die from the pain!!

It took 3 treatments from my chiro and a good solid 2wks to heal up, but I learned how to keep it at bay by doing some of the things the others said above, like icing my back and stretching at the first twinge. I've also worked on strengthening my back w/pilates too, meaning I've worked on core strength. I had weak back muscles and I also have scoliosis which hasn't helped. But since I've done that I can now even do some of Cathe's quarter deadlifts and deadlifts w/light weights.

Find a reputable chiropracter and give her/him a nice retainer. LOL They'll be your best friend if you have chronic sciatica!

I hope you feel better soon.
 
Barbie and Mindi,

Thanks again. I have always been skeptical of chiropractors because one misdiagnosed my father, but I know there are some good ones out there. I will find one to look my piriformis syndrome.

I'll post my results.

Kathy
 
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