sciatica???

[Hosehead]

I had awful sciatica about 12 years ago that was a result of a herniated disc from a bad deadlift - MRI confirmed this. I too was wearing a duty belt at the time and had to sit most of shift. It was ****ing horrible. I had to eat all my meals and watch TV laying on my stomach with a pillow under my chest to keep a constant arch in my lower back. I saw a chiro who used current right on the injury itself. He'd turn the machine up all the way and I would be in tears. 15 minutes three times a week for three months. He also did some adjustments but the other big thing he go me to do was stretch for a half an hour every day. Intense stretching. A year later I had another MRI and the same physician could see ZERO evidence of a disc herniation. It completely healed . Within a few months I was squatting and deadlifting more than I ever had previously. Now and then I will get a little tingle in my foot if i sit for a few hours in a row at work without walking or moving around but I can stretch and 'pop' the tight area. I also must keep working my abs at least three times a week or I get some lingering pain. Anyhow, that worked for me. No painkillers or anti inflammatories EVER. IMO although they will reduce swelling they also mask the injury. Just my two cents. 30 lb duty belt ? Cop ? Firefighter ? Please say firefighter.

[ange_d]

Could be a form of arthiritis from the work you do.
I have the same sort of thing, I wake up so stiff and in pain and once showered and moving goes away. Rest during day and stiff and pain comes back until I move again.

I have ankylosing spondylitis, rarer form of arthirtis, I was diagnosed at 20 and thats why I started lifting weights.
Not saying you have this but inflammation and pain after resting can be a sign of an arthritic joint.

Wishing you a speedy recovery!

[ChristineD]

today was my breaking point i was almost in tears 1 hr into my shift so off to the doctor i went with WSIB forms...as i only feel this pain with my duty belt on..

doctor says most likely bursitis of the left hip..solution take the weight off my belt on the left hip - sounds like an easy solution but in reality it isnt so easy having to go to some extra steps/miles to get things changed on my belt ..... in the mean time he's prescribed me an anti-inflammtory, says ice and get the pressure off the hip joint. I have two days off work THANK GOD another day and i probably would have been on modified - which is what i am trying to avoid. i have 4 shifts then 11 days off thank god...but at the end of the day my emplyer has to work with me to help alleviate the pain...the fact doctor has filled out paper work and is on my side will help..just a matter of how long it take them to do this for me..
doctor says with proper rest and alleviating the source of pain ( belt) with time it should go away ..fingers crossed
just a real damper on training at this point..on a positive note this type of stress in the past would have lead to emotional eating/binging...my diet has remained bang on and perfect

i wouldnt wish this pain upon my worse enemy

[ChristineD]

Is the belt required for your line of work? if so do you need to wear the belt when sitting. if the belt is for exercise not try not wearing it for a while.

Sciatica is normally caused by 1 of theses four conditions, mine is caused by the first condition
http://www.vitalityclinic.ca/article..._and_treatment (site my chiropractor told me about)

Condition #1- Herniated Discs
Pressure caused by a herniated or bulging disc. A herniation is when a disc protrudes out from between the vertebrae and this can either be caused by an event like a car accident, or, by months or years of uneven pressure due to muscle imbalances. This can sometimes cause sciatic pain, but it is also important to note that many people with herniated discs don't even experience pain or symptoms, and many don't know they have the condition.

Condition #2 - Piriformis Syndrome
The most common cause of sciatic pain and is created when pressure is placed on the sciatic nerve by the piriformis muscle. Muscle imbalances pull the hip joints and pelvis out of place and this changes the positioning of the piriformis muscle, which then places pressure on the sciatic nerve.
the sciatic nerve runs under the piriformis muscle the majority of the time... however, it occasionally will run through or around the piriformis...
Whatever the case, muscle imbalances will cause major problems and are the underlying cause of piriformis syndrome.

Condition #3 - Spinal Stenosis.
Pressure caused by spinal stenosis, which is a decrease in the space between the vertebrae. This is primarily caused by uneven pressure and compression due to muscle imbalances.

Condition #4 - Isthmic Spondylolisthesis
Pressure caused by Isthmic spondylolisthesis which is simply when a vertebrae slips or moves... this can sometimes pinch the sciatic nerve but often times people who have this condition don't have any sciatic pain, symptoms, or even know they have it!

If you are not sure which one of the four is causing your sciatica, I recommend you book an appointment to allow a professional to diagnose the problem. As most cases of sciatic pain are caused by joint malpositions and muscle imbalances, we usually begin to work on correcting the joints and often the muscle imbalances decrease. You may start to see improvement right away.... and likely eliminate your sciatic pain in a few weeks or less!

Sciatica comes about either due to a traumatic event, muscle imbalances, or a combination of both...

my belt stays on me for 10 + hours a day a must...my life line......

[rickerred]

10 hrs a day, yikes. can you attach some type of suspender to the belt so the weight is on your shoulders? 11 days off should do you some good.