General Cycling Discussion - Will I be able to move tomorrow?

O.K.; Iv'e had my third case of Sciatica this summer. This new "pain in the a_ _" started Tuesday after a camping trip. I couldn't bring my bike with me on the trip so even though I could barely walk I just had to bite the bullet and get on my bike today. I rode 12 mile, avoiding hills if I could. It actually felt pretty good once I warmed up. After I finished my ride I took a walk to keep my muscles from tightening up. Then I soaked in the hot tub. My next "treatment" is a good dose of Advil and bed rest for the night.

The sciatica has been a problem since the birth of my last child 5 years ago. I don't believe in Chiroprators and the Dr. hasn't had much to offer so I have suffered and self treated. It has been really a pain this summer. I was laid up for a week after spreading mulch, then from a bowling party and now I was done in by a camping trip.:(

So how do you think I'll feel tomorrow....do I dare wake up?:confused:

Annie,
I hear you.
I had a little bout three weeks ago... something to do with swingin a sledge hammer.

anyway that weekend was the 24 hours of adrenalin, and well my back got better with each lap!!

(ok the massage helped too.... made me realax... I fell asleep :D)

Annie,
I'm not a chiropractor, nor do I play one on TV, maybe you've had a bad experience in the past, but if you can find a reputable, honest chiropractor, he / she would be worth their weight in gold.

I had heard horror stories of patients being roped in by chiropractors and having treatments that went on and on but never completely healed them.

Then one day it happened, I couldn't get off the floor, I couldn't move my head, I couldn't get dressed, I was a total basket case. I called a chiropractor's office in desperation and it took everything I had to make it the 14 blocks to his office in an hour.

I was x-rayed, adjusted and re-scheduled. After 6 visits I was feeling pretty good and starting to wonder about how long this quack was going to continue soaking me when he announced out of the blue that he had done all he could for me and if I ever needed his services again, please feel free to call on him.

That was nearly 15 years ago.

So "Yes", do get up tomorrow and search out a good chiro who will help you if he or she can or that will tell you if he / she can't help you.

If you were in anywhere near or in Michigan, I would strongly recomend Siminski Chiropratic Clinic.

Well, I can't say that I am worse, just the usual stfiiness in my lower back and pain on my right side. So I'm not any worse for the wear. At least I can ride!

Thanks for the vote of confidence re: Chiropractic Care. I actually did call once or twice but couldn't readily get in so I didn't make an appointment. I have no patience.

I too am/was leary of chiropractic medicine. I however, believe in the old moto, "Don't knock it until you try it!"

I went to a local crunchy and explained I was suffering from low back pain due to a crash on my bike. He stated I was slightly out of adjustment; crack, crunch, crack and I was done! He said, come back if it happens again!

Plus, it was covered by my insurance and I only had to pay $15 co-pay. I've got to say, it was really a good experience.

Now, one of our secretary's has problems with a sciatic nerve in her leg. To the point where she can't walk. She goes to the "Crunchy" whenever it flairs up.

I think in using the right tool for the job, and sometimes a "Crunchy" is the right tool. A readjustment from time to time is a heck of a lot better than going under the knife. However, traditional medicine (surgery) is also, sometimes the right tool for the job. Just depends on your situation!

L8R

I found a great chiro, and I swear by them.

He's got autographed photo's on his wall from a bunch of his patients, some even famous, rodeo guys. If he can straighten those guys out, I should be a piece of cake :)

Annie,

While I've not had problems with sciatica (knock wood, or
touch wood for our friends on the other side of the pond),
I might recommend an Osteopath if you really don't feel
comfortable seeing a chiropractor. Same kind of treatment
only the Osteopath is a full MD.
Congratulations on perservering, and not becoming
a lump on a couch because your back/leg hurts. Too many
folks give up for even the slightest excuse.

Just a thought,
Marty

This last May I went under the knife for sciatica. A partial diskectomy, wherein the surgeon removed a portion of the vertebra and trimmed up the disk. Absolutely painless procedure. I was pacing my hospital room one half-hour after I came out of the anesthesia. I still have weakness in the right calf and slight numbness in the outside portion of the right foot but the surgeon assured me that eventually all strength will return.

Of course surgery may not be the recommended treatment in all situations, but in my case I was warned that delay would lead to further (and quite possibly irreversible) nerve damage. Still, I hope you're able to be treated without invasive procedure. Good Luck!

-Rob