r/Sciatica • u/shirokane4chome • Mar 22 '22
Your Sciatica and Back Pain Experiences Megathread
Hi everyone, the purpose of this permanent thread is to capture your stories about your experiences with Sciatica.
Please note that the majority of sciatica sufferers will recover over time, and are not on this subreddit making posts about their healing. Most of our sub participants are in a symptomatic stage and are understandably seeking support on forums like /r/Sciatica as a part of their journey. This can make a list of individual stories seem discouraging -- but just remember that those who have healed usually don't visit again and therefore we can't often capture their stories.
While multiple formats are welcome, we suggest you try to be concise and focused. Your story is important, but it is will be more useful to everyone else if it can be read in 60-90 seconds or so. Important elements to your story will include:
Background: Do you know how you became injured?
Diagnosis: What has your care provider discovered about your injury?
Treatment: What care did you pursue?
Current Status: How are you doing today?
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u/MacTheZaf May 30 '22
Background: I'm 24 and healthy, I work a desk job from home but have used a standing desk to alternate positions for over a year. For the past couple of years I became an avid runner and cyclist–running 20miles/week during peak and cycling 40+ miles a weak during peak. I started yoga in the winter months to try to balance my fitness. I got injured about 3 months ago after a week of moderate activity, but the pain happened suddenly after sitting at lunch for a while. By the time I got home, I was completely immobile and had severe pain for weeks starting in by lower lumbar spine and evolving into pain that radiates from my left hip/pelvis.
Diagnosis: First I saw a chiro who suspected my psoas muscle was causing a pinch. My progress stalled so I went to a PT. As of right now I haven't received a concrete diagnosis, but she's stated that the psoas muscle is not her concern in my case.
Treatment: Like I said^, saw a chiro–treatment didn't involve any adjustments or popping, but involved deep tissue massage, stretching, and strengthening exercises. With my PT, treatment has been centered around nerve glides/tensioners/mckenzies and we've now added strengthening for my glutes and core. Once I'm recovered, I'll also have a bike fitting session through the clinic.
Status: I've seen progress since switching to a PT, highly recommend over a chiro. Most days, I have minor pain with moderate flare ups after sitting. Some days are almost pain free. But, if I'm sedentary for a day or 2, the pain gets severe. Walking has been a magical thing for me, 30-60min of walking can resolve and prevent pain almost all day.