Sciatic nerve and squats/deadlifts

[TACstrat]

The day or two after squats and deadlifts, I sometimes get a sharp pain when I'm getting in my car, getting in a chair, etc. The pain starts in my lower back and goes down my glutes and sometimes to my hamstrings. It only happens occassionally (it's not a constant pain) and it goes away completely after four or five days. From what I read so far, it sounds like my sciatic nerve.

In addition to going to a Dr, what else should I be doing? STretches? Heat/Cold? Lay off back exercises for a few weeks? etc? Anyone else have this issue?

[gogz]

I have the same issue, get it seen to NOW! mines has lasted for almost a month and a half, had to take some time off work because it hurts to walk sometimes. chiropractor says its my hip joint but when I tense my glutes (no homo) I can feel pain, maybe a nerve. Im going to a doctor soon again

havent worked out properly for 3 weeks

[Swamp Dog]

I had the same problem at one point. First lay off the heavy weights. I'm not saying stop, just go much lighter, or better yet try different execises that won't agravate your back, such as leg press over squats.
And B, lie down back to the floor. Pull your knees up to your chest as far as you can, allowing your lower back to rise off the floor. Continue to do this before bed and as you wake up. It'll stretch your back and get your sciatic nerve back in check. At one point I thought I was going to have to go to a doctor, but eventually I was back to squatting more than ever.

[TACstrat]

Thanks everyone. I haven't lifted since saturday and it still stings like a M'Fer every once in a while when I sit down or get up (particularly in the evening). I've been doing variuos stretches and holding ice on it, but so far not much improvement.

I'm going to skip a few more workouts and see how I feel Thursday. If I still feel like an old man, I'll limp my a$$ to a doctor Friday.

[Newtt]

I was diagnosed with a Herniated Disc approx 10 weeks ago which cause sciatic pain deep in my left glute. i took an 8 week layoff of all squatting/DLing, just light assistance work for 2 months, sucked balls.

Started going to the chiro and I've been feeling better and better every week, still have tightness but no more of that sharp pain when i tense up or stretch the glute. i'd deff try to find the best chiro in your area and start seeing him/her.

[2uantuM]

Continue to do this before bed and as you wake up. It'll stretch your back and get your sciatic nerve back in check. At one point I thought I was going to have to go to a doctor, but eventually I was back to squatting more than ever.

I wouldn't do this. If you have a herniated disc, it could put much more pressure in the lumbar region. I'd also lay off the squats and deads until you know what it is. If it is a disc problem, you're risking permanent nerve damage by putting direct vertical pressure on the spine.

Go to an orthopedic doctor. He will need to get an MRI to diagnose your back properly. I'd also stay away from chiros for now. They are notorious for turning bulging discs into herniated ones.

If you have any specific questions, you can PM me if you want. I have a herniated l4/l5 and am very familiar with this type of injury.

[TACstrat]

I'm really hoping I have a muscle issue and not a bone issue. Did your herniated disk hurt all the time or just a few days after you worked out? Mine usually hurts just a few days after I squat/deadlift and even then it only hurts when I go to sit down or get up.

[2uantuM]

I'm really hoping I have a muscle issue and not a bone issue. Did your herniated disk hurt all the time or just a few days after you worked out? Mine usually hurts just a few days after I squat/deadlift and even then it only hurts when I go to sit down or get up.

It comes and goes. I haven't done squats or deadlifts in some time, but yes, it does generally hurt after I lift. I take a couple Excedrin to bring the inflammation and pain down, and I really only have pain when I walk or stand. I used to have pain in bed and it would keep me up at night, but luckily that went away.

Discs are soft tissues, not bones. They sit between your vertebrae and you can think of them like gel packets that act as cushions for your spinal column. A bulge is when the membrane containing the "gel" protrudes outside of its normal position, but the membrane is still intact. A herniation occurs when that membrane breaks and the fluid inside starts protruding as well. Check these pictures out:

http://petermklara.com/casestudies/wp-content/uploads/2006/11/06-1-lumbar-disk-herniation.jpg
http://www.back-pain-online.com/mollie9.jpg

The reason these are painful in your legs is because it may be pressing against your sciatic nerve. I actually don't have any back pain, just mostly in my left calf and occasionally my left hip.

Typically you can become symptom free by physical therapy, stretching, and anti-inflammatory medication. If that doesn't work, cortisone shots into your spine are the next step and more of the PT. After that it's usually a microdisectomy (partial disc removal) or disc removal and fusion. Some new technology is coming up though for disc replacement. Since mine isn't serious and I'm young, I'm going to wait and see how that develops.

http://www.spine-health.com/Treatment/Artificial-Discs/Lumbar-Artificial-Disc/Total-Disc-Replacement-Prodisc.html

Don't start worrying yet though. It might be nothing. See a doctor and get a diagnoses.

[TACstrat]

Thanks. I'll make an appointment tomorrow instead of waiting any longer. I really appreciate the advice. Hope your back gets better too.

[TACstrat]

Just to update this injury thread ...

I took a week off from working out and did only stretching excercises each day and occassionally iced the area. The pain in my back, glutes, and hamstrings was significantly better after seven days and I was able to pick up my routine where I left off. In fact, I did heavy squats and some hanging leg raises yesterday without any pain (felt good actually).

I attribute the injury I had to improper stretching/warm-up before heavy deadlifts. I believe I pulled a muscle in my lower back and the inflammation constricted my sciatic nerve. I've learned my lesson and now make sure a stretch/warm-up adequately before working out.

Thanks for everyone's assistance and suggestions.

[nf3nf6]

hi guys, i'm having same problem. i started doing squats and deadlift 2 weeks back. but i get the same type of pain on my left leg. it starts from thigh and run down the length of the leg. i was also missing static stretches although i was doing 10 min cardio, but it didnt help.

i went to doctor today and have been recommended to a physio. from now on i will not miss static stretches, lesson learnt.