Sciatica/L Back Pain..Help!?

BgDog18 · 04-28-2009, 08:31 AM

O.K. some Background;
So, I am no rookie to Deads, straight leg-deads, bent over rows, squats etc. Randomly, about 3 weeks ago...I did something bad to my lower back????

The only new thing I have done is go to a driving range and hit about 100 balls about 5 hours after a heavy back day.

What is wrong with me?
I am 25 years old! I have pain radiating down my left leg and my lower back hurts like whoaa when I get up in the morning, and as the day progresses. Heat helps, stretching helps, but my lower back still feels vulnerable when I used to have a really strong lower back.

I do not think it is a herniation, because I have 100% flexibility, and have been stretching like a mad man. Sitting hurts, and I have not worked out legs for 2 weeks as a result of it. What then is it? Muscular? Bulge? Something else all together?

It has been 3 weeks, I may just take 2 weeks off of doing anything, is that a good idea? Anyone else get lower back pain from straight leg deads? (I have been doing them for 3-4 years!)

Frankly, I am frustrated, If I get out of this with a clean bill of health I probably will no longer do deads or Straight leg deads, I am pissed. I have been busting my ass in the gym for 5 years to be healthy, and the very thing I am doing to stay healthy, causes this!! (Unless it was the golf??)

Any help, advice?
I will probably schedule an app with an orthopedist, but I know what he will do.."Drugs and don't do anything for 4 weeks"...

Ironman1981 · 04-29-2009, 05:09 AM

Sound like you have the symptoms of Sciatica fo sure however I would go and see your doctor then he can get some X-rays/ MRI scn done on your lower back. Following the conclusion of your sypmtoms and his diagnosis, you will then need to see a physiotherapist (only if you have Sciaticato) to ease the pain and then you will be asked to carry out certin stretches and excersices for avoiding any shootng pain through your torso/leg.

Any questions of this topic please feel free to ask.

Rishi

x10fire · 04-29-2009, 07:03 AM

Dont get frustrated, with your age and health you should recover from this. But you need to rest, ice and go see your Doc. Get a pro opinion and if needed an MRI to see whats really going on in there. But for now just rest that thing no undo stress on your lower back or legs, and perhaps an NSAID. Good luck and again stay positive!!!!!!!!!!! When you heal you might not have to adjust your program too much, maybe no deads or go lighter on both deads and stiff legs?????

x10fire

BgDog18 · 04-30-2009, 10:50 AM

Made an appointment at a spine specialist for tomorrow..

Have not been to the gym since sunday (5 days)

I have been kinda treating everything I can think of.
1. Sleeping on harder surface (spine alignment)
2. Heat and Stretch twice a days (hamstring tightness/muscular issue)
3. Piriformis stretch (apparently this can cause sciatica if it overlaps)

Other then that, I can safely say that I feel vulnerable and in a much more weakened state (relative to my back). Trying my best to stay positive, I just want the Dr. to say, "you will be fine, just give it a few more days!"

I have no problem cutting out straight leg deads...**** em if they do this, I can do hamstring curls!! I just want to be able to squat!

urgh..

Thanks guys,

marblehead · 04-30-2009, 12:18 PM

Don't forget about ice.
Ice is more beneficial that heat. Heat feels better but doesn't have positive effects of ice.
You may be 25 but you have learned habits from people around you lift improperly, twist at the spine, and sit with bad posture.

I recommend the following things.

1. Sitting posture
2. Lifting Mechanics
3. Core Strength
4. Stretch

1. Sitting Posture/Workstation Set up
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/health...lthy_Back.aspx

http://www.safety.uwa.edu.au/policie...ion_ergonomics

Dude with epic Jawline shows you how to sit

Workstation set up

2. Proper lifting mechanics. AT GYM OR AT HOME

http://www.spineuniverse.com/display...ticle1935.html
Epic Jaw guy makes an apperance ^^^

3. Your core, abs and back muscles are instrumental in eliminating back pain
1st article google produced there are literally a billion out there
http://backandneck.about.com/od/exer...hexercises.htm

4. Stretch the living piss out of your hamstrings/hip flexors. They can actual rotate the pelvis to cause the spine to be out of alignment

http://www.healthline.com/hlbook/dia...body-stretches

Excellent read for core strength and stretching
http://www.bigbackpain.com/back_exercises.html

Sciatica

Stretches
http://www.jaxmed.com/massage/pirformis_stretches.htm

Treatment info
If you have a herniated disk, physical therapy can play a vital role in your recovery. Once acute pain improves, your doctor or a physical therapist can design a rehabilitation program to help prevent recurrent injuries.

Rehabilitation typically includes exercises to help correct your posture, strengthen the muscles supporting your back and improve your flexibility. Your doctor will have you start physical therapy, exercise or both as early as possible. It's the cornerstone of your treatment program and should become part of your permanent routine at home.

vtmichael1 · 05-01-2009, 09:23 AM

How did the doc go? I met with the surgeon last week! I had a large herniated disk and could not walk for two weeks. I have been out for 10 weeks and had the sciatic pain I am having a discectomy in a few weeks.

Pain relivers don't help with nerve pain I am taking Lyrica for the pain and motrin for the inflamation.

Ice, Ice, Ice.. I would not use heat at all unless the actual back muscles are sore.

highlight · 05-02-2009, 01:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BgDog18

O.K. some Background;
So, I am no rookie to Deads, straight leg-deads, bent over rows, squats etc. Randomly, about 3 weeks ago...I did something bad to my lower back????

The only new thing I have done is go to a driving range and hit about 100 balls about 5 hours after a heavy back day.

What is wrong with me?
I am 25 years old! I have pain radiating down my left leg and my lower back hurts like whoaa when I get up in the morning, and as the day progresses. Heat helps, stretching helps, but my lower back still feels vulnerable when I used to have a really strong lower back.

I do not think it is a herniation, because I have 100% flexibility, and have been stretching like a mad man. Sitting hurts, and I have not worked out legs for 2 weeks as a result of it. What then is it? Muscular? Bulge? Something else all together?

It has been 3 weeks, I may just take 2 weeks off of doing anything, is that a good idea? Anyone else get lower back pain from straight leg deads? (I have been doing them for 3-4 years!)

Frankly, I am frustrated, If I get out of this with a clean bill of health I probably will no longer do deads or Straight leg deads, I am pissed. I have been busting my ass in the gym for 5 years to be healthy, and the very thing I am doing to stay healthy, causes this!! (Unless it was the golf??)

Any help, advice?
I will probably schedule an app with an orthopedist, but I know what he will do.."Drugs and don't do anything for 4 weeks"...

Your exercise routine includes two exercises that put a ton of stress on your discs, especially if your core is not up to snuff... Ditch bent rows, can think of much better functional exercises.

BgDog18 · 05-02-2009, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vtmichael1

How did the doc go? I met with the surgeon last week! I had a large herniated disk and could not walk for two weeks. I have been out for 10 weeks and had the sciatic pain I am having a discectomy in a few weeks.

Pain relivers don't help with nerve pain I am taking Lyrica for the pain and motrin for the inflamation.

Ice, Ice, Ice.. I would not use heat at all unless the actual back muscles are sore.

App was un-helpfull, X-Ray came back fine, he suspect a bulge/herniation but said it might not be and could simply be inflamation (whatever that means). He gave me some NAID, and I have to schedule an MRI appointment.

Highlight: I know it puts stress on the lower back, but I don't go super heavy, and I have been doing them for years. Like I said, I know what I am doing workout-wise. If I make it through this without a severe injury, I will ditch both the bent over rows and straight leg deads. No reason to put all that stress on my back to hit hamstrings and upper back.

As for the ICING, I have yet to do that..I might try that out. Heat feels godo though!

Hellfirex · 05-02-2009, 06:28 PM

I had sciatic nerve pain for almost 4 months. Pain from my right lowerback through my ass, my hip and quad. If it really is just an inflamed sciatic nerve, it will heal over time with proper stretching. The doctor prescribed a muscle relaxer and a corticosteroid, after 3 of the steroid packs i was back to heavy lifting. Aside from medication and stretching i iced and heated as well.. There are these bean bag type packs, you can throw em in the microwave and they stay hot for a while. Hope you heal up soon.

Giznad · 05-02-2009, 06:55 PM

An MRI will let you know if you have an actual injury. Lets hope you don't. If it turns out to be a sciatic issue only, try some massage. Don't and I repeat don't get deep tissue work done. You could potentially bruise the muscles and create a larger set back. Request an aggressive swedish massage. And be sure to specify where you want your work done. It may take a couple of sessions, but it will be worth it. If I had to guess I would say your Piriformis muscle is agrivated or locked up. And be sure to stretch a couple times a day.

Good luck and let us know what you find out.

Giz

BgDog18 · 05-04-2009, 02:12 PM

Got an MRI done today: Doctor called me back (4 hours later), and No Herniation/Disc Bulge....Suspects I somehow aggravated the sciatic nerve from overuse/golfing? If it still hurts in 3-4 weeks, he said it could be the result of Limes disease, which would be ummm weird!

In Closing: Wow, I think I got away with that one!

Like I promised myself: I am no longer going to do bent over rows and never going to do a straight leg dead lift again....no point in risking the actual injury.

Also: I cannot believe how awesome my healthcare was. Friday I called, made an appointment for friday where they did an X-ray in the office to make sure the spine was O.K. Then first thing Monday I call to get an app for an MRI, and I get the results just 4 hours later. Thank god for good health insurance and awesome doc's.

Gonna just "take it easy" in the gym for the next few weeks until all symptoms go away, stick to the stretching heat/ice. Because me and the Doc still have NO IDEA what is causing the sciatic pain.

Thanks guy for the advice!