jetbike

I've recently developed sciatica-like pain in my left leg (yet to be officially diagnosed, but I'm a nurse and have a reasonable idea. I will visit the doctor soon).

Anyone else have this? Is cycling a cause? I've heard that the over-development of the quads (inherent in cycling) can cause this problem. Also, aggressive body positioning can be contributory.

Apart from the doctor and probable physio etc any advice?

I HATE taking time off the bike, but it might be necessary?

Cheers

Duncan

10 Wheels

Wife has it. She does not ride.
Time for a MRI. Then go from there.

Machka 

I developed a problem with my sciatic nerve back in the spring of 2004 ... at least I'm pretty sure that's what it was ... burning agonizing pain running from a point in my lower back, down my left cheek, and down the back of the thigh.

I had been riding a gel saddle, and for a while (a year) it seemed fine, but that spring I had no end of trouble every time I rode that saddle. I switched to a Brooks B-17 and haven't had a problem since. I suspect the gel was putting pressure where there shouldn't have been pressure.

Blaireau

I've had that. Ended up getting surgery. But as the first responder said: time to get an MRI. Assuming the f*&$ing insurance companies allow it. Wait, you are in Australia, not in the usa. Good move.

kayakdiver

I've had it.... But it was before picking up riding again years ago... and never since. I to this day don't really know the cause. I have a pretty bad back and if anything riding helps.

mojopt

When I suffered from sciatica the doc and I determined the wallet I was carrying was causing pressure on the nerve while driving. Moved the wallet, I do some walking and riding, all gone.

I felt your pain...

rdubbz

i have it from a herniated disc in my lower back. i will probably need surgery. cycling is still one of the few things i can do with little pain.

Spinz

Med surge? Pulling and turning too many pts with poor body mechanics ------ you know better. NSAIDS, rest, stretching HS and AM, primarily lower back, strengthen abs/core more than likely LS strain. Lp

DSchlichting

I had this 5 years ago and again this past fall. Turned out to be herniated disc, first at L5/S1 and second time at L4/L5. Cycling actually helped --neurologist said the riding action must have helped loosen up the area. Last fall, insurance first denied MRI, but relented on appeal. As soon as I had sciatic pain, I went to neurologist who immediately ordered MRI. That was probably a mistake. Demonstrate that you've tried pain killers for a couple of weeks, THEN, request MRI. Good luck

downtube42

The really unfortunate thing is that most of us don't do what we know is right until pain motivates us. When it comes to back pain, an ounce of prevention is worth a ton of cure. By the time pain comes along, you've already done some damage.

Sit and stand with proper posture. Don't sit with your legs crossed. If you work at a desk, ensure the ergonomics are correct. Stand straight. Stretch regularly. Pick things up properly. Follow a regular exercise regiment that strengthens your core. Don't allow yourself to get overweight. Nothing new or surprising, just simple truths.

I think tight hamstrings are particularly bad, and common among cyclists.

I'm guilty of breaking all this advice, and the result was a long and intimate relationship with pain. Words can't describe.

icyclist 

I'd experienced some on and off pain for a few months, then lifted some heavy items, probably not as elegantly as I should have. Subsequently, I had serious back pain, with the attendant pain running down my leg; the pain was excruciating for a few months.

I was diagnosed with a bulging disk and ag-related arthritis in my lower back. Medication helped, but couldn't knock out the pain entirely. What did help: time. It took eight months for the pain to completely disappear. On occasion, I still have pain, but it's minor and short-lived.

During the time my back was healing, I continued to ride my bike. Whether or not I rode, I still had pain, so I chose to keep riding.

RacerOne

I expected a BD thread here, the new Motobecane Sciatica

I had self diagnosed sciatica as well, I worked it out by losing 30 pounds and a lot of stretching.

diphthong

i'd gladly welcome sciatica back with open arms compared to what followed-incapacitating back spasms/pain
for up to 3 days at a time wit a bulging disc. stretching lower back, hips, hammies about 30 minutes a day
has helped considerably along with the occasional chiropractic "adjustment" and core exercises. has occasionally
struck out of the blue for no apparent reason. hope my current regimen staves it off indefinitely...otherwise,
it's back to the drawing bed...er board.

coasting 

i had it for several years but that was before i got back into cycling. docs always said it should heal over time but it never got better. finally i got it fixed at a chiropractor in just 2 half hour sessions. couple of vertebrae had been twisted out of alignment by my golf swing.

jetbike

Er..

jetbike

Nope, I'm a Mental Health Nurse Consultant, but I work in an ER. I'll have a chat with one of my medical colleagues in a day or so. Pain much better today and riding painless (hooray).

Now I'll buy that Campy Chorus group. I was a bit worried I'd have to retire and it'll just sit and get dusty forever.

Ps. I'm roadie skinny and very flexible, having done yoga for much of my life. A good stretch is part of my daily routine.

jetbike

Ps. Thanks for feedback and support. Nice community here.

Spinz

ER/MH --- me too. Lp

bidaci

I am dealing with this right now myself. Done PT, Massage, Chiro, Acupuncture and stretching. The Acupuncture seemed to help me the most. The thing is that everyone was telling me Piriformis syndrome. Never really hurt me on the bike though, maybe a little sore after if I pushed it. Now after 4 months I am going for an MRI. After resting, not overdoing it and trying everything that I could think of I've had a breakthrough. I started gently stretching my Psoas with great success and relief. Now they say the Psoas may be pulling on my Pirifomis acting up as Piriformis syndrome.

Still getting my MRI though as a precaution.


EDIT: I should never post while at work. I never finish a full thought. Where I was going with this is that it seems that it is very hard to fully diagnose the cause of this. An MRI should be able to let you know if it is something more serious as a disc, etc. That being said, one thing we can learn is the that the root cause may not be where the pain lies.

milnerpt

precautionary MRIs. yay for healthcare reform.

you do realize there is a large chance of false positives in MRIs... like to the tune of 50%

Im off for my daily body scan.

calamarichris

+1
I defy anyone to study the human spine and conclude we are the product of Intelligent Design. Mine got to the point that I couldn't ride, or:
~sit in a chair (which meant stacking books under my monitor & keyboard and standing all day, every day for 4 months)
~drive a car, sit down for a meal, or go on dates
~sleep for more than 3 hours (in any position), without having to get up and walk around for 10-15 minutes

It took two surgeries and a boatload of physical therapy, and I do yoga at home at least twice a week now, two+ years later. I still had pain after the surgeries, but at least I could sit in a chair. Being mindful of your posture is HUGE.

[Edit: the best part of the whole experience was waking up outside, because after 4 months of waking up from the pain and walking around, I'd been conditioned to sleep-walk! After getting through it, I'd wake up standing under the stars with no pain, high-five myself and go back to bed. I eventually cured myself of sleepwalking by stacking coins on the doorknob, (which would clatter whenever I tried to leave.]

jetbike

Cool. We should talk. I'll PM you.

Tunnelrat81

Try to find an experienced sports (cycling) PT if you can. I'd bet a good amount of their work is centered on similar pain. I'm currently fending off sciatic pain as well, and have seen improvements, but not yet complete success. I'm just starting to address some of the potential causes that are listed on the piriformis syndrome wiki page. i.e. strengthening other gluteus muscles and stretching not just the piriformis muscles, but hip flexors and Hamstrings etc. The improvement has been huge so far just from stretching, and I'm hoping that addressing the muscle imbalance with strengthening exercises will address the remainder of the problem. If it persists after a few more months, I'll try to get to a sports PT for some professional advice. I'm relatively young at 28, and have ridden ~2500-4000 mi. /yr. for the last 4 years.

-Jeremy

mustang1

I had a problem with it too. I stretched my hamstrings and lower back over a period of several weeks. The pain, as many of you know, is excuciating. I was half paralyzed almost, couldn't get out of the bed for 45 mins. Slowly I managed to get off. Went straight to the shed, got the bike out, hobbled over the tt and went out for a ride, absolutely determined I was gonna ride and just hoped I wouldnt fall over (clipless pedals were new to me back then). Came back, in pain, but I realized the stretching of lower back when on the drops eased the pain.

Anyway, over a few weeks, the pain disappeared. There are many causes of scaiatica, and for me, stretching out the hamstrings and lower back relieved the pain. I now no longer get this pain and hope I never do.

Nachoman

I've experienced mild low back pain and severe hamstring pain. Cycling gently always helps. Sprinting and climbing, not so much.