gluteus max·i·mus , PITA !

[Dayvo]

@ozboz! The one thing we have in common is that we were both sitting for a 'long' period of time, stretching a part of a muscle not normally used to stretching (plus we're getting older - I'm 56, I don't know your age).

Just returned from the chiropractor. It was interesting, PAINFUL and not too expensive (about £65 for 90 mins).

He suspects I have a prolapsed disc and not piriformis syndrome, although he'll know more the next time I have treatment (twice next week and one more the week after).

He asked me a few questions, examined me, then started to push HARD in the affected area (left buttock). It hurt like fakk, but after two/three minutes I felt 'almost' pain-free in the bum (still numbness and tingling in my big toe and top of the foot/lower shin). He pulled and pushed and 'cracked' me once on each side and I felt relief (again) almost immediately.

By all accounts, the L5 nerve is the culprit (below extract is found online looking for L5 nerve):

The two nerves most commonly pinched in the lower back are L5 (lumbar 5) and S1 (sacral 1). Pinched nerve at L5. The L5 nerve supplies the nerves to the muscles that raise the foot and big toe, and consequently, impingement of this nerve may lead to weakness in these muscles.

You may have L5 problems, as I have, but read this to identify what your problem could be:
https://neckandback.com/conditions/symptoms-of-lumbar-nerve-injuries/

He did advise me not to use heat for relief (admittedly it feels great lying in a hot bath) but recommended a cold press (available in Boots - fortunately there's one close to me and I bought one for a tenner) instead.

He showed me some exercises to do - stretching the buttocks, and moving the pelvis up and down - which I will do for 5 minutes, three to four times a day. My next treatment is Tuesday so I'll report back again then.

However, don't wait too long before you get treatment. Any/most reputable chiropractor should be able to treat you.

Good luck.

 

[ozboz]

@ozboz! The one thing we have in common is that we were both sitting for a 'long' period of time, stretching a part of a muscle not normally used to stretching (plus we're getting older - I'm 56, I don't know your age).

Just returned from the chiropractor. It was interesting, PAINFUL and not too expensive (about £65 for 90 mins).

He suspects I have a prolapsed disc and not piriformis syndrome, although he'll know more the next time I have treatment (twice next week and one more the week after).

He asked me a few questions, examined me, then started to push HARD in the affected area (left buttock). It hurt like fakk, but after two/three minutes I felt 'almost' pain-free in the bum (still numbness and tingling in my big toe and top of the foot/lower shin). He pulled and pushed and 'cracked' me once on each side and I felt relief (again) almost immediately.

By all accounts, the L5 nerve is the culprit (below extract is found online looking for L5 nerve):

The two nerves most commonly pinched in the lower back are L5 (lumbar 5) and S1 (sacral 1). Pinched nerve at L5. The L5 nerve supplies the nerves to the muscles that raise the foot and big toe, and consequently, impingement of this nerve may lead to weakness in these muscles.

You may have L5 problems, as I have, but read this to identify what your problem could be:
https://neckandback.com/conditions/symptoms-of-lumbar-nerve-injuries/

He did advise me not to use heat for relief (admittedly it feels great lying in a hot bath) but recommended a cold press (available in Boots - fortunately there's one close to me and I bought one for a tenner) instead.

He showed me some exercises to do - stretching the buttocks, and moving the pelvis up and down - which I will do for 5 minutes, three to four times a day. My next treatment is Tuesday so I'll report back again then.

However, don't wait too long before you get treatment. Any/most reputable chiropractor should be able to treat you.

Good luck.

Thanks for that ! , I am almost 64 , I did have a compresed disc about 25 years ago , but it eventually disappeared, I have been using heat , mainly steam after mild gym workout , it is only the last couple of days ive had any dicomfort in lower back region, I put that down to walking with a bad leg ,
At least your on the mend !!
And yeah , 65 sobs for 90 mins !
Pretty good !! I paid that for an hour at the accu place !

 

[vickster]

Sovs sobs during a proper sports massage

 

[Dayvo]

Sovs sobs during a proper sports massage

It was my first visit to the chiropractor today, although my misses has used him for several years.

While I was being twisted and distorted and pushed and pulled, and in no small amount of agony, we were having a pleasant conversation and I said to him that it was the first time in my life that I was having an enjoyable chat whilst being tortured.

'Kin' 'ell, it hurt, and I've got at least three sessions left.

 

[ozboz]

@ozboz! The one thing we have in common is that we were both sitting for a 'long' period of time, stretching a part of a muscle not normally used to stretching (plus we're getting older - I'm 56, I don't know your age).

Just returned from the chiropractor. It was interesting, PAINFUL and not too expensive (about £65 for 90 mins).

He suspects I have a prolapsed disc and not piriformis syndrome, although he'll know more the next time I have treatment (twice next week and one more the week after).

He asked me a few questions, examined me, then started to push HARD in the affected area (left buttock). It hurt like fakk, but after two/three minutes I felt 'almost' pain-free in the bum (still numbness and tingling in my big toe and top of the foot/lower shin). He pulled and pushed and 'cracked' me once on each side and I felt relief (again) almost immediately.

By all accounts, the L5 nerve is the culprit (below extract is found online looking for L5 nerve):

The two nerves most commonly pinched in the lower back are L5 (lumbar 5) and S1 (sacral 1). Pinched nerve at L5. The L5 nerve supplies the nerves to the muscles that raise the foot and big toe, and consequently, impingement of this nerve may lead to weakness in these muscles.

You may have L5 problems, as I have, but read this to identify what your problem could be:
https://neckandback.com/conditions/symptoms-of-lumbar-nerve-injuries/

He did advise me not to use heat for relief (admittedly it feels great lying in a hot bath) but recommended a cold press (available in Boots - fortunately there's one close to me and I bought one for a tenner) instead.

He showed me some exercises to do - stretching the buttocks, and moving the pelvis up and down - which I will do for 5 minutes, three to four times a day. My next treatment is Tuesday so I'll report back again then.

However, don't wait too long before you get treatment. Any/most reputable chiropractor should be able to treat you.

Good luck.

Got an appointment tonight at 7pm @Dayvo , its all got to much , I drove to Taunton from London yesterday , left at 7-30 , got back at 18-30 , did 5 hours graft on the job , the pain was unrelenting all day , and at 1-30 now its still at it !
Thank the Lord for online booking !!

 

[Dayvo]

Got an appointment tonight at 7pm @Dayvo , its all got to much , I drove to Taunton from London yesterday , left at 7-30 , got back at 18-30 , did 5 hours graft on the job , the pain was unrelenting all day , and at 1-30 now its still at it !
Thank the Lord for online booking !!

I know what you're going through, so I share you pain, ozboz!

Relief is soon at hand (ie the chiropractor's hands). In the meantime, painkillers like paracetamol (max. two every six hours) and ibuprofen (max. one every eight hours) help, but please consult a chemist prior to buying/taking any tablets.

Good luck this evening.

 

[Dayvo]

Got an appointment tonight at 7pm @Dayvo , its all got to much , I drove to Taunton from London yesterday , left at 7-30 , got back at 18-30 , did 5 hours graft on the job , the pain was unrelenting all day , and at 1-30 now its still at it !
Thank the Lord for online booking !!

So, how did it go, @ozboz?

 

[Dogtrousers]

Couple of thoughts.

Sciatica? (nerve problem). I get that sometimes, and it manifests itself as hip pain.
Be very cautious about using chiropractors. The scientific basis for it is ... contentious to say the least. I'll leave you to do you your own research and make your own mind up. I'd see a GP too, in case it is something serious.

 

[ozboz]

So, how did it go, @ozboz?

Not to sure about it really , ive learned about the problem , herniated disc , L5 as you said , but thinking about the better way to fix it , private or NHS , main thing is its curable!

 

[vickster]

Probably depends if you have private HC to cover the cost, whether self paying and how long the NHS wait would be to see a specialist or appropriate therapist (which will depend where you live and also the urgency / risk of the condition)

You have my sympathy regarding a slipped lumbar disc causing sciatica...I needed surgery to resolve over 20 years ago!

 

[Dayvo]

You might not need surgery!

Read this:
http://www.spine-health.com/conditions/herniated-disc/lumbar-herniated-disc

Six weeks after it happened, I am much better, although I have numbness and pins and needles in my toes and across the top of my foot, and have limited upward toe movement, but the pain in my buttock, hip, thigh and calf is considerably lessened.

Try and see a registered chiropractor before thinking of surgery, which should really be a last resort.

Good luck again!

 

[roadrash]

during my ongoing saga of spinal problems i too sufferd from piriformis syndrome , the physio was kneeling on a stool while massaging my right buttock using her elbow with all her weight behind it , she told me that some people have the sciatic nerve running THROUGH the piriformis muscle rather than behind it ,
she gave me a golf ball , told me to place it on a hard surface, dining chair in my case , lower myself on to it in sitting position and roll around , ....bloody hell it hurt but its a weird . pleasant sort of pain and it certainly works the relief from doing that was unbelievable, ... may be worth a go ... but ask your physio first , obviously

 

[vickster]

You might not need surgery!

Read this:
http://www.spine-health.com/conditions/herniated-disc/lumbar-herniated-disc

Six weeks after it happened, I am much better, although I have numbness and pins and needles in my toes and across the top of my foot, and have limited upward toe movement, but the pain in my buttock, hip, thigh and calf is considerably lessened.

Try and see a registered chiropractor before thinking of surgery, which should really be a last resort.

Good luck again!

Of course not, and absolutely last resort...mine was...CT scan, concern I'd be paralysed (age 20), operated a few days later...I had barely been able to walk or do anythjing without pain for 3 months prior to that

@ozboz, a friend of mine swears by a chiro who has a practice in Guildford and New Malden, will do a thorough assessment and tell you which therapist or specialist to see if he is not the right one. He's been sorting her back etc out for years (she has an extremely poorly knee which affects everything else)

I'll PM you the details