Needing workouts for dealing w/ Sciatica

SErickson2018
SErickson2018 Posts: 24 Member
edited November 26 in Fitness and Exercise
About 6 weeks ago I tried a new machine at the gym. That night I got up from sitting on the couch and had instant sharp, shooting pain down my lower back into my right leg.

I went to the chiropractor.. my progress has gotten so much better. Sitting at work and sleeping is when it’s the worst. But overall I’m doing a lot better but I want to get it to a point where it has gone away completely...
But my chiropractor still tells me to stay away from lifting weights. I’m really needing though to stay on track with working out and weight loss. I’m hoping to find certain workouts that still aid in my healing process but that will still help with weightloss. Any ideas?

Replies

  • bbell1985
    bbell1985 Posts: 4,571 Member
    Is your doctor sure it is sciatica? There are a couple things that mimic it.

    I am not going to make suggestions because I'm not your doctor. I will tell you I lifted with a herniated disk. I avoided axial load and did a lot of upper body. There are ways to work around an injury but I still think you should discuss it with your chiro or a physical therapist who is a strength coach/understands lifting.
  • concordancia
    concordancia Posts: 5,320 Member
    You should consult with a sports physical therapist.
  • kastrophe
    kastrophe Posts: 4 Member
    deepwater aquafitness class
  • SErickson2018
    SErickson2018 Posts: 24 Member
    bbell1985 wrote: »
    Is your doctor sure it is sciatica? There are a couple things that mimic it.

    I am not going to make suggestions because I'm not your doctor. I will tell you I lifted with a herniated disk. I avoided axial load and did a lot of upper body. There are ways to work around an injury but I still think you should discuss it with your chiro or a physical therapist who is a strength coach/understands lifting.

    He is sure it is sciatica.
    I guess I’m just wondering more how other people’s situations that have delt with sciatica and how they keep exercising? I’ve seen my physician and the chiropractor. All they tell me is the certain stretches I’ve gotten and all the way to physical therapy.
    I just don’t want to cause more damage by not staying active. Because I’ve been told that’s what helps is keeping busy and standing but then I have to be careful at the same time not to bend or do certain activities. It’s Just frustrating!!
    #ijustneedanewback&leg
  • bbell1985
    bbell1985 Posts: 4,571 Member
    SErickson2018 wrote: »
    bbell1985 wrote: »
    Is your doctor sure it is sciatica? There are a couple things that mimic it.

    I am not going to make suggestions because I'm not your doctor. I will tell you I lifted with a herniated disk. I avoided axial load and did a lot of upper body. There are ways to work around an injury but I still think you should discuss it with your chiro or a physical therapist who is a strength coach/understands lifting.

    He is sure it is sciatica.
    I guess I’m just wondering more how other people’s situations that have delt with sciatica and how they keep exercising? I’ve seen my physician and the chiropractor. All they tell me is the certain stretches I’ve gotten and all the way to physical therapy.
    I just don’t want to cause more damage by not staying active. Because I’ve been told that’s what helps is keeping busy and standing but then I have to be careful at the same time not to bend or do certain activities. It’s Just frustrating!!
    #ijustneedanewback&leg

    I know. I got really depressed when I had my first injury because I take my training seriously. I'm sorry, I don't feel comfortable making suggestions. Put yourself out there a bit more and see if you can find someone to help you.

    When I was struggling, I started looking through my contacts and connections for people who could help me talk to physical therapists who were sports coaches as well. I eventually found a way to get better and train at the same time and a therapist I could trust.
  • SErickson2018
    SErickson2018 Posts: 24 Member

    I know. I got really depressed when I had my first injury because I take my training seriously. I'm sorry, I don't feel comfortable making suggestions. Put yourself out there a bit more and see if you can find someone to help you.

    When I was struggling, I started looking through my contacts and connections for people who could help me talk to physical therapists who were sports coaches as well. I eventually found a way to get better and train at the same time and a therapist I could trust. [/quote]

    It’s alright. Thank you for your input. I really appreciate it
  • bbell1985
    bbell1985 Posts: 4,571 Member
    SErickson2018 wrote: »
    I know. I got really depressed when I had my first injury because I take my training seriously. I'm sorry, I don't feel comfortable making suggestions. Put yourself out there a bit more and see if you can find someone to help you.

    When I was struggling, I started looking through my contacts and connections for people who could help me talk to physical therapists who were sports coaches as well. I eventually found a way to get better and train at the same time and a therapist I could trust.

    It’s alright. Thank you for your input. I really appreciate it [/quote]

    Muah. Feel better.
  • SoleTrainer60
    SoleTrainer60 Posts: 180 Member
    I had trouble with sciatica in the past, and had to go for physical therapy. The therapy was really helpful. Perhaps your doctor could refer you to a physical therapist. I was also given exercises to do at home as well. I know the pain you are going through. It is miserable. Walking at a moderate pace also helped me as well. I hope you can find some relief. :) Hang in there. I will pray that you come up with a plan to help relieve your pain.
  • Mooncakes_2
    Mooncakes_2 Posts: 2 Member
    SErickson2018 wrote: »
    About 6 weeks ago I tried a new machine at the gym. That night I got up from sitting on the couch and had instant sharp, shooting pain down my lower back into my right leg.

    I went to the chiropractor.. my progress has gotten so much better. Sitting at work and sleeping is when it’s the worst. But overall I’m doing a lot better but I want to get it to a point where it has gone away completely...
    But my chiropractor still tells me to stay away from lifting weights. I’m really needing though to stay on track with working out and weight loss. I’m hoping to find certain workouts that still aid in my healing process but that will still help with weightloss. Any ideas?
    SErickson2018 wrote: »
    About 6 weeks ago I tried a new machine at the gym. That night I got up from sitting on the couch and had instant sharp, shooting pain down my lower back into my right leg.

    I went to the chiropractor.. my progress has gotten so much better. Sitting at work and sleeping is when it’s the worst. But overall I’m doing a lot better but I want to get it to a point where it has gone away completely...
    But my chiropractor still tells me to stay away from lifting weights. I’m really needing though to stay on track with working out and weight loss. I’m hoping to find certain workouts that still aid in my healing process but that will still help with weightloss. Any ideas?

  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
    Swim.

    There's a drug called gabapentin (or neurontin) that can dramatically help nerve pain. Talk to your doctor about it.
  • gcconroy29
    gcconroy29 Posts: 85 Member
    I always recommend PT for sciatica, which I did when I was first diagnosed a decade ago. First, because my therapist knew I was working out before the pain, my exercises at PT were fairly intense. They were stretches that sort of blended in with working out (e.g. wall sits). But the best part of it was getting all those stretches that help alleviate the pain, so they're now part of my every day workout. I do yoga most mornings and a few of the PT stretches are always part of it. I've never been completely without pain, but its gotten worlds better. I lift weights now, but I'm very mindful of how I do it, I think it takes me twice as long to get through for how slow I move.

    Also, ice is your friend. If you're sitting at work, put an ice pack on your lower back for 10 minutes of every hour. Heat feels good and I used a pad to go to sleep, but ice is really the best thing for sciatica.

    Good luck
  • pfillipp
    pfillipp Posts: 101 Member
    I have sciatica, and working with a chiropractor has helped dramatically. When you are in alignment, he recommends a lot of core exercise. He has been very encouraging of Pilates and barre, because of how much core you get. He has recommended against yoga - that might be directed at me specifically because yoga is how I ended up with issues to begin with. I’m pretty flexible and tend to overextend myself without realizing in yoga. I run some too, though my chiro has recommended making sure I keep up core strength mixed in with the running.
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