Sciatic nerve / Achilles Pain / Pirformis Syndrome
gleechick609
Posts: 544 Member
Since the first weekend of February, I went on my scheduled 10 mile long run for my HM training. Since then, I have had tightness in my hamstrings, calves and achilles tendon. I waited it out for a couple of weeks but the pain was still there.
I saw my primary doctor and he told me I had tight hamstrings. I asked to see a podiatrist for a second opinion. The podiatrist told me I mechanically a mess! I have hyper-mobility syndrome in my legs and feet and that the pain in my calf was being caused by the L4 and L5 nerve in my spine (sciatic nerve pain). He told me to get orthodics for my pain (I think every podiatrist suggests that, LOL) and to be refitted for shoes. Apparently, who ever fitted me at a running store put me in a shoe for high arched feet. Now, I am seeing a chiropractor for the sciatic pain (because the wellness visit was free via my insurance company).
It turns out that my spine is all out of whack, hip is tilted, so on a so forth. He adjusted my hip and the pain in my leg was gone. A week after adjustments, I went for a nice, easy 2 mile jog. The pain in my calf came back (mind you, I ran in my "wrong shoes." I did get fitted for stability shoes and my Brooks Trance 11's will be here tomorrow!)
I guess I should get to the point! Does anyone else here have what I am going through? If so, what are you doing to relieve pain?
I saw my primary doctor and he told me I had tight hamstrings. I asked to see a podiatrist for a second opinion. The podiatrist told me I mechanically a mess! I have hyper-mobility syndrome in my legs and feet and that the pain in my calf was being caused by the L4 and L5 nerve in my spine (sciatic nerve pain). He told me to get orthodics for my pain (I think every podiatrist suggests that, LOL) and to be refitted for shoes. Apparently, who ever fitted me at a running store put me in a shoe for high arched feet. Now, I am seeing a chiropractor for the sciatic pain (because the wellness visit was free via my insurance company).
It turns out that my spine is all out of whack, hip is tilted, so on a so forth. He adjusted my hip and the pain in my leg was gone. A week after adjustments, I went for a nice, easy 2 mile jog. The pain in my calf came back (mind you, I ran in my "wrong shoes." I did get fitted for stability shoes and my Brooks Trance 11's will be here tomorrow!)
I guess I should get to the point! Does anyone else here have what I am going through? If so, what are you doing to relieve pain?
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So I have issues with my sciatic nerve that flare up from time to time and I have to go occasionally for an adjustment. I train for 1/2 marathons and as my runs get longer, my sciatic nerve lets me know it's there.
Things you can do to help it - sleep with a pillow between your knees, do not cross your legs, if you sit for your job then have good back support or place a small pillow at the small of your back. Also if you do a lot of your running on roads, etc that have a small slope (sidewalks have this too), then you will get issues occasionally. My chiro told me to occasionally run the other way on the sidewalk/road so that it "evens" out my body. Also trails and the track are best for your body, then roads (pavement), and last sidewalks (concrete).
I don't have your other issues, but I have had calf tightness that I have to use a massage ball on every night and I tape it. Mine is due to overpronation and I did get fitted for shoes and do wear Super Feet insoles and I still have it, but taping it and the massage ball help greatly.
Good luck!
p.s. You might want to see a physical therapist - they can tell you so much about your body and help with the calf tightness, etc. That is who I saw and they showed me how to tape and do stregthening exercises.0 -
I had something like this a few weeks ago. Pain in my butt/hip during a recovery run after a half marathon. I rested it for several days, did cross training, and stretched it out like a mofo. I still know it's there, but it's not to the same extent as before. Strength training of the core muscles, glutes and hip flexors/adductors is also recommended once the initial flare has subsided. I hope that with new shoes and some stretching and massage yours will go away soon. In talking with another runner friend of mine she got it too, but she required ultrasound therapy and PT to make it go away. Good Luck Melissa! I know not being able to run is eating away at you!0
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You have no idea, Bethany!
@mlachance: That sounds exactly what I am going through. I will give it a try! I did buy a tension pressure ball at the running store the other day. Seems to work!0 -
That sounds exactly what I am going through. I will give it a try! I did buy a tension pressure ball at the running store the other day. Seems to work!
If you do overpronate and want me to email you the exercises my physical therapist gave me. Message me your email address and I'll send them in a pdf. I do the exercises everyday as well as the massage ball and taping.0 -
I have this as well! All stems from a car accident that I had a few years ago, I have now pulled back from running for a bit- now just do two sessions a week as well as a lot of stregth and stretching at home. I am also going to try going to bikram yoga to see if that will help. When I did my half last year I also had weekly massages to help keep the pain at bay however it was still painful if I did too many miles in a week. Have you been to a good chiropractor? I know I should go to one but the cost is a factor at the moment.0
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Regular (once a month) visits with a quality chiropractor and/or PT should help tremendously. Hang in there- there is hope! I have had a couple of sciatia episodes where I couldn't walk, stand, sit or lie in any position to get comfortable. Once the nerve is pinched it takes a long time for the inflammation to go down and to heal. I run about 25-30 miles a week and it's a challenge to stay injury free (I'm a bad over pronator too). After my next race I may look into orthotics also. I'm feeling good and just want to be preventative. Training for my first full this summer and I'd like to head off any injuries.
Wishing you healing- I've been there...no fun
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