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michael migdol
Nov 2, 2008 - 2:21PM
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I've been having lower back issues for a couple of years, but last sunday (one week ago) I hurt my lower back surfing. Throughout the day it became more stiff and that night it turned into extreme siatica pain, from my right buttock down to my right toes. Over the week this pain had developed into the most severe pain I have ever experienced. I tried acupuncture but it didn't help and so I stopped. I downloaded the LTBP system on Friday. I did the assesment that evening. I figure that I have a FTP and High right hip (though i think that it may be exaggerated due to the pain and a protective posture. From my photos it is hard to tell whether or not I have a FTP but I think it is safe to say that I do because I have a desk job which has kept me in a chair for the last 10 years 8-10hours a day.
My question is should I wait for my pain to subside before doing the treatment for FTP and HIgh Right HIp? I did the stretches and exercises yesterday and last night was a rough night for pain (though admittedly I worked in the yard a bit too much after so I am not sure if I over did it in the yard or with the LTBP system). Please advise.
Sincerely,
Michael Migdol
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Ann
Nov 2, 2008 - 4:16PM
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Re: Extreme siatica pain
Hi Michael,
I am sorry to hear of your pain. Sciatica can be very painful i know I've experienced that sort of pain. Have you sent in your photos and self assessments to Steve yet? If not I would suggest you do that as he will be able to assess them for you and it is very important to ensure you are doing the correct exercises.
When you stretch only do so to your tolerance, it shouldn't be a no pain no gain thing. Try stretching after a warm bath or shower to warm up the muscles a bit first. Also if it were me I would cease doing any yard work for a while until you are getting less pain. Give it time and go slow and steady.
You may need more advice from Steve on how you tackle the stretches for now. I was in a lot of pain when i first started the LTBP system and I just started with one stretch then as I got more comfortable i introduced another one and gradually increased it over time, but Steve i'm sure could advise you better once he has your info.
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Izabel
Nov 4, 2008 - 7:44PM
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Re: Extreme sciatica pain
Hi, Michael:
Even before you receive your assessment from LTBP there is a video on one of the many pages they have with an exercise that addresses specifically sciatica, and that can give you almost immediate relief. I am doing it every day for the last few weeks,most days I am already painfree.
I am copying the page 100 from the manual:
Begin sitting. Bring the affected leg up and over the opposite knee. Stabilize the bent leg with both hands, one on the knee, one on the foot. Push down on the knee of the bent leg while at the same time leaning your trunk forward. Only go so far as you comfortably can, come out and repeat, on the affected side.
Hold 3-5 sec., repeat 5-8 times; perform at least once a day.
Follow the advice and support that is offered by this excellent program and you will be painfree soon!
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Karl
Nov 5, 2008 - 3:43AM
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Re: Extreme siatica pain
Send your pictures into the guys here. Picking up small imbalances can be difficult to see and its worth making sure you are working on the right areas from the start.
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michael Migdol
Nov 5, 2008 - 11:36AM
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Re: Extreme siatica pain
Thanks for the responses. Much appreciated. The problem is, I can't possibly do those siatiacia stretches. It hurts way too much to get into the postures at the moment. I've been trying to work on the strengthening exercises. Abs, glutes, etc.
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Izabel
Nov 5, 2008 - 2:32PM
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Re: Extreme siatica pain
Michael, perhaps you could do what i do, rub the RELIEF before exercising and stretching, that was one of Steve's comments to me. And call Steve and discuss it with him. Bests to you!
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Charlie L
Nov 5, 2008 - 4:45PM
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Re: Extreme siatica pain
Do the exercises first week and start introducing the stretches. I did both and got into more pain, but it died down dramatically after a few day or so. It's just like exercising, if you haven't done so in a long time and you do too many sets you will get delayed onset muscle soreness. You have to ease into the stretches. Also take a hot bath or sauna as steve recommends.
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michael Migdol
Nov 5, 2008 - 6:04PM
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Re: Extreme siatica pain
Thanks everyone. Yeah I did the stretches this morning and I'm hurting pretty badly right now. Perhaps I'm worse because of it. I'll back off the stretches for sure.
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dave hutchieson
Nov 6, 2008 - 12:12PM
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Re: Extreme siatica pain
Michael
For years, schools and the military had it all wrong about stretching.
I was always taught to put as much force as I could into stretching.
What can happen is that "micro-tears" can happen in the muscle tissue without you knowing. You feel loose and great.
That night, the body puts down scar tissue to repair the tears.
This makes the muscle shorter and decreases your range of motion.
"Bouncing" whilst stretching was one of the worst.
When you stretch, do it only after you have warmed up. Concentrate on your breathing.
Only one pound of force is ever needed. If you feel too much resistance from the muscles, you must back off.
You must move very very slowly and keep breathing.
I'm certain you over did it.
Also, you need to do it ina quiet room. No kids no TV.
Try to get one of those New Age audio CD's with relaxing music. Close you eyes while you do this. It's not rubbish. It has been proven that the patterns in some of those music tracks help us relax.
Dave Hutchieson
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dave hutchieson
Nov 6, 2008 - 12:16PM
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Re: Extreme siatica pain
Michael
If you can, get to a good massage therapist or neuro uscular therapist or physical therapist.
Get them to check your IT band, Tensor Fascia Lata and piriformis muscle.
In every single case of people with tight piriformis muscles [ a muscle in the buttocks that can contribute to sciatica ] they have had tight IT bands and tight TFL muscles [ the therapists will know what these are ].
Dave Hutchieson
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michael Migdol
Nov 6, 2008 - 12:27PM
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Re: Extreme siatica pain
thanks Dave, interesting. I had recently started yoga before this injury, and the stretches were brutal. Do you think that perhaps I don't have a "slipped or heriated disk"? as I think but a performis muscle tear? This might make sense to me because after doing yoga I had hip flexor issues.
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dave hutchieson
Nov 6, 2008 - 10:19PM
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Re: Extreme siatica pain
Hi Michael
It's possible, but the first step is to get those muscles checked out.
Big tears are not that common and you would be barely able to move.
Yoga in general is very good, but there are some stretches that should be avoided.
Standing on your head is awful. Compresses the disks in the neck.
Never do that.
Pilates is much safer.