P
Puncturevine
Guest
I've been experiencing some pain in my left leg. From the nature of the pain (buttocks and deep mid
to low thigh) I believe it is piriformis sydrome rather than sciatica. The pain is usually always
above the knee, and tends to be more severe near the end of the day, when getting up from being
seated, or when returning to a low seat from standing. Bending over to put on shoes, etc., will also
sometimes cause some pain, as will sometimes sitting (reclining) on my favorite "cushy" couch at the
end of the day.
The pain has been with me now since early December. There is no "injury event" I can think of that
would have triggered it. I have tried the Sacro-Wedgy product and stretches with little success, and
I'm thinking something in my weekly workouts might be aggravating it. I was hoping there might be
some folks out there with some suggestions on exercises to AVOID while I try to get a handle on
this. Maybe laying off a few specific exercises will reduce the inflammation, if it's truly a
piriformis problem.
Mondays I usually did squats, both traditional with barbell and with a hip-sled. Then I would work
back and biceps, with a mix of traditional barbell/dumbell exercises and some circuit room machines.
Wednesdays was a little deadlifting, chest and triceps, again with a mix of traditional free weight
and machine lifts.
Friday was a depletion workout of the same exercises done Monday and Wed but with lighter weight and
very slow, controlled reps. I will also sometimes do some indoor "gym climbing," which sometimes
involves a controlled fall (usually onto the feet) from 6-8' up onto a thick foam mat. I'm about
6'1" and 200lbs.
For aerobic training I do around 20-30 of interval training on any of the following: stairmaster
(with some deep steps now and then), treadmill (basic running), elliptical trainer, recumbent bike,
normal bike. I used to like the rowing (erg) machine, but that is too painful. And there were a
couple of weekends I'd do some extended backpacking trips and some longer bike rides on a road bike.
But generally when I'm active in these ways there isn't any notable pain.
I'm guessing the squats and deadlift should go, but perhaps not. I'm trying to think through the
condition anatomically, but perhaps a few folks out there have battled this condition and make some
suggestions. I will probably need to bite the bullet and go see a professional at some point (I live
in rural area with limited options, however), but I'd like to try a little "self help" first,
avoiding the offending behavior if that might help.
Any thoughts greatly appreciated!!!
to low thigh) I believe it is piriformis sydrome rather than sciatica. The pain is usually always
above the knee, and tends to be more severe near the end of the day, when getting up from being
seated, or when returning to a low seat from standing. Bending over to put on shoes, etc., will also
sometimes cause some pain, as will sometimes sitting (reclining) on my favorite "cushy" couch at the
end of the day.
The pain has been with me now since early December. There is no "injury event" I can think of that
would have triggered it. I have tried the Sacro-Wedgy product and stretches with little success, and
I'm thinking something in my weekly workouts might be aggravating it. I was hoping there might be
some folks out there with some suggestions on exercises to AVOID while I try to get a handle on
this. Maybe laying off a few specific exercises will reduce the inflammation, if it's truly a
piriformis problem.
Mondays I usually did squats, both traditional with barbell and with a hip-sled. Then I would work
back and biceps, with a mix of traditional barbell/dumbell exercises and some circuit room machines.
Wednesdays was a little deadlifting, chest and triceps, again with a mix of traditional free weight
and machine lifts.
Friday was a depletion workout of the same exercises done Monday and Wed but with lighter weight and
very slow, controlled reps. I will also sometimes do some indoor "gym climbing," which sometimes
involves a controlled fall (usually onto the feet) from 6-8' up onto a thick foam mat. I'm about
6'1" and 200lbs.
For aerobic training I do around 20-30 of interval training on any of the following: stairmaster
(with some deep steps now and then), treadmill (basic running), elliptical trainer, recumbent bike,
normal bike. I used to like the rowing (erg) machine, but that is too painful. And there were a
couple of weekends I'd do some extended backpacking trips and some longer bike rides on a road bike.
But generally when I'm active in these ways there isn't any notable pain.
I'm guessing the squats and deadlift should go, but perhaps not. I'm trying to think through the
condition anatomically, but perhaps a few folks out there have battled this condition and make some
suggestions. I will probably need to bite the bullet and go see a professional at some point (I live
in rural area with limited options, however), but I'd like to try a little "self help" first,
avoiding the offending behavior if that might help.
Any thoughts greatly appreciated!!!