I cured my Sciatica with a rowing plan on the Concept 2 - here's the details in case you also suffer

dazkeirle

Hi, I've no other reason to post this other than hoping somebody else with Sciatica can get the same relief I have had.

A little history, I used to suffer crippling week long disabling sciatic episodes once or twice (four times was max) a year. They were the most painful thing ever, it hurt to breath and I would scream to get myself to the loo. It was the worst thing ever.

Sometimes these episodes would be prompted by overcooking back in the gym, sometimes from bending over incorrectly. When it was gym related I usually knew before that something had gone wrong, the times I left immediately it would last 2-3 days, the times I pushed through It would be 5x worse and would last 1 week (with a kind of sciatic hangover for up to 3 weeks). Don't do this...

Anyhow, I digress. I hate cardio and everything about it. I'm gangly and I sweat a lot. I look like a fleeing giraffe when running. However, my build was just right for rowing.

I researched properly how to row on a ergo, THE SLIDE ON THE SIDE IS NOT DIFFICULTY, YOU CREATE THE DIFFICULTY. So set it something low and sensible and up it as and when you can't get a good enough workout.

Remember a stroke is probably 60% legs, 20 % core and 20 % arms.

Push with your legs with your back straight and head slightly in front of waist, at full leg extension (almost) push you top half back, almost pushing you hips out and lean back slightly, then finally bring the handle to your chest.

Then reverse all of that, no stopping, everything is continuous motion. Not a janking push pull but a continuous motion, like a cam being worked.

At no point arch your back, at no point start treating it as a bicep workout.

Keep the rope as parrallel to the floor as you can, just clearing your knees with the handle, that should be almost chest when you reach the full extension because you're lying back a bit.

Anyway, doing this for 1k once a week, then 1k 3x, then 2k 3 times then u to as much as 5k 3x keeps my core strong and back literally fine.

I've been about 3 years now with not a single issue. There are large periods with no rowing at all. It doesn't matter, I built up the core required and now I don't strain and overcompensate with the bad form that used to cause these episodes.

If you are having issues, please try this. Don't overcook it and think of it as therapy.

bklynite

Thanks. I have been diagnosed with this issue. It flared up again because I had abdominal surgery and I had to rest for a few months. When I started working out again I had issue because I had no core support. I am working to build my core now and my gym has a rowing machine too. I will start in it soon, nice and slow and then see how it goes. Thanks for sharing