sciatica and back "butt" pains..

[NewStroke]

I seriously have the same issue you do. It gets so bad I am unable to walk. I keep on top of it now by stretching as much as possible. You'd be surprised how much your back relaxes after your hamstrings are stretched out. If I don't keep on top of it, I am out for at least a week after my doc gives me enough injections to get the spasms to release.

Try this and see if you feel it.

1. Lie flat on your back on the floor.
2. Try to lift one leg so that it is perpendicular to the floor.
3. Did you do it? If not, put a towel under your hamstring, grab each end of the towel and lift your leg further. How does that feel? If you have what I have, you have very tight hamstrings.

 

[NewStroke]

P.S. Unless it's going to save your life, they already know what needs to be repaired or you have a 100% guarantee surgery will fix it it will ultimately make things worse. (A piece of wisdom shared by my orthopedic surgeon).

 

[TheBook]

You ought to try working out. maybe the muscles are just getting weak.

try working your abs too. weak abs can also lead to back pain.

That is what I was going to suggest. When doing back exercises you also need to do abs. The ying yang affect. You need to balance the muscles.

The other is to have the proper shoes. You need shoes with arch supports. There is one brand called Dansko that look really uncomfortable almost resemble wooden shoes but are really great for standing and walking. I wear Red Wings. You will be surprised about the difference shoes can make.


Good luck.

 

[ShootingArts]

heel board

One thing I forgot to mention is a heel board. It is a simple wedge to stand on with the taller side facing your toes. You only stand on it. Raising up on your toes from that position can be a very bad thing with an injured back. Work up to five minutes a day just standing on it. This stretches the hamstrings and greatly reduces pain for many people. Another plus is that often people walk with a longer stride. At least one of the pro basketball teams once swore by using a heel board, no idea about now.

If you go to stand on a heel board and there is burning down the back of your legs that is a good thing. I have been so tight my heels wouldn't even touch. My introduction to a heel board came one Monday in physical therapy. I was less than impressed. As soon as I got home that Friday afternoon I built my own heel board. No way I was going two days without one! It still sits by my bed twenty years later and I use it often.

Hu

 

[Rod]

One thing I forgot to mention is a heel board. It is a simple wedge to stand on with the taller side facing your toes. You only stand on it. Raising up on your toes from that position can be a very bad thing with an injured back. Work up to five minutes a day just standing on it. This stretches the hamstrings and greatly reduces pain for many people. Another plus is that often people walk with a longer stride. At least one of the pro basketball teams once swore by using a heel board, no idea about now.

If you go to stand on a heel board and there is burning down the back of your legs that is a good thing. I have been so tight my heels wouldn't even touch. My introduction to a heel board came one Monday in physical therapy. I was less than impressed. As soon as I got home that Friday afternoon I built my own heel board. No way I was going two days without one! It still sits by my bed twenty years later and I use it often.

Hu

Hu, this thread keeps getting more interesting. Walking with a longer stride really does help and I forgot about that one. I have never hear of a heel board but it is a great idea. Care to share a pic of the one you built? I will build one just looking for a visual idea. Is yours low deflection? LOL I think Hamstrings are the single most important factor to reduce or even eliminate lower back pain.

Rod