Need help w/Sciatica

[LanT]

My lower back muscle pull has developed into a nasty case of sciatica. Shooting pain from my lower back and glute into my leg even causing wrenching hip flexor spasms. I went to the chiro yesterday and he gave me an ultra sonic massage which helped relieve the pain in the back and glute area, BUT the hip flexor pain is debilitating still. I can stand and walk for
about 5 minutes before the spasms/pain make it difficult to even stand. If I sit and rest for a few minutes I can get up and walk again for 5 minutes. Stretching the flexor is very painful, not sure if I should even be doing that at this point. I don't know where to go from here and am at my wits end!

[Sarge]

I've had this happen before and it just started last friday night again.

Deep tissue massage helped tremendously before, can't get one right now yet.... so i've been pushing deep with my knuckles into my upper glute as best I can.

Stretch your glutes/hams/flexors/lower back a few times a day, it helps alot.

I'd love to hear other 'fixes' as well or solutions so it doesn't happen again. I have no clue what triggers this...?

[Sarge]

my FAVORITE stretch because my glutes are always tight as heck:
Lying Glute Stretch (http://www.exrx.net/Stretches/GluteusMaximus/Lying.html)

other stretches that will help:
Seated Glute Stretch (chair) (http://www.exrx.net/Stretches/GluteusMaximus/Seated.html)
Seated Hamstring Stretch (http://www.exrx.net/Stretches/Hamstrings/Seated.html)
Kneeling Hip Flexor Stretch (http://www.exrx.net/Stretches/HipFlexors/KneelingHipFlexor.html)
Lying (Side) Quadriceps Stretch (http://www.exrx.net/Stretches/Quadriceps/SideLying.html)
Lying Piriformis Stretch (http://www.exrx.net/Stretches/HipExternalRotators/LyingPiriformis.html)
Lying Hip Flexor Stretch (http://www.exrx.net/Stretches/HipFlexors/LyingHipFlexor.html)
Lying Crossover Stretch (http://www.exrx.net/Stretches/HipAbductors/LyingCrossover.html)

[LanT]

Thanks sarge. I'm going back to the chiro today for more ultra sonic massage. It seemed to really help Monday when I had it. The pain is in my back again today, not so much the hip flexor. FRUSTRATING!

[Sarge]

hope it works out for you bro.

it sucks, I stretched very well and even got some deep tissue last night and woke up and could put weight on my left leg because the pain would shoot into my glute again.

pain in the ass, literally. but as soon as I stretch it alleviates it so much and it's pretty much gone. WEIRD

[solidspine]

Thought I responded to you, sorry,


I recommend seeing a spine surgeon and at least getting his opinion that pain is unbearable, his perspective should be fairly accurate, but I believe better then anyone else’s.

[Killer]

Try a tennis or other small ball (soft unless you really, really like pain) on the trigger points in your hip flexor and glute/piriformis area.

After you find a trigger hold for 30 seconds or so. Hit some stretches right afterwards if you can.

[LanT]

Week four and still hampered by back, glute, and hip flexor pain. Some days are better than others. Stretching helps for a short time but it just persists day after day. Morning sucks when waking up....tight as a drum usually. Does this just go away eventually, I'm sick of being gimpy :madfawk:

[solidspine]

Week four

See a spine surgeon,


If you would like a name, I may be able to help you, just tell me the location you would want to see the surgeon.

[Sarge]

hope it goes away for you man :(

Mine worked itself out like it usually does... strange phenomena.

[jpt]

i may have missed this....but have you gotten an mri?

[LanT]

i may have missed this....but have you gotten an mri?

Well after ending up in the ER today I am being scheduled to have one. The last two days have been pure unadulterated hell, I finally had to go to the hospital ER this morning for some more potent pain meds and an IM shot of an NSAID. The pain had become so loud I couldn't even think. He said it was most likely a L4 rupture or herniation.I was told initially by my chiro and physical therapist that it was spasms but it has obviously either escalated into a disc issue or I was misdiagnosed due to the lack of MRI.
I'm hoping my ortho appt this week will get me into an MRI asap, so that I can pursue the correct course of treatment.
Anyway, looks like I'll be shrinking for a month or so - as the gym is out of the question. It was kind of funny as soon as the oxycodone kicked in at the ER I kept asking the doc if I could go to the gym and just do light workouts and he was looking at me like the junkie that I am. :dunno:
I know have to break it to my kids that we can't go on vacation to Hilton Head cause Daddy can't travel in the car. That is the part that is TRULY GOING TO SUCK. I'm still holding out hope for a miracle :dunno: I hate to disappoint them, they like my wife and I, were really looking forward to it. :(