Hi Elaine
How have you treated the condition and has the root cause been defined?
I have been suffering from sciatic pain for just over four months, although for the first 2 months it was treated as a hamstring injury!
To be fair, it wasn't until I had an MRI that the condition was more accurately diagnosed as a bulging disc L5 S1 but even the MRI has caused conflict in terms of the interaction of the disc and the sciatic nerve.
In terms of my treatment, physio offered nothing but an increase in pain and the only relief has been sought via an osteopath and I have recently had a spinal injection through a referral.
I have researched the matter in detail as the condition has stopped me from working and obviously running.
In terms of returning to running, there is no doubt, subject to accurate diagnosis and correct treatment that you can return to running but be very careful, be fully clear of any smptoms and take it really steady.
I have swapped emails with many people and it can be done.
I have already tried to return to running to quickly on two occasions and I am back at square one and the disc has flared up again....my fault no one else's.
The problem is that the running can make you feel better in the short term as the endorphins and adrenalin rush will give you the high and mask the pain for longer than you would guess but cumulatively the high is replaced by intense pain in the long run.
I think I am trying to say just be really careful, get the best diagnosis you can and be clear of all symptoms for a period of time before returning. You are better off out for a period of months even a year or so, trust me, I am currently repenting at my leisure as every time I get a brief respite from the pain then I am back out pounding the road.
Ice is good, applied to the lower back (if lower back is the source) for 5-10 mins.
Pain killers - osteo recommends course of ibuprofen and paracetamol which work well together as anti inflammatory and pain killer.
Posture and length of time sat down has a massive effect as sitting is extremely load bearing on the discs.
Recommend Osteo as they may improve some bio mechanical issues such as pelvic conditions which can be part of the problem and hamper recovery.
Push for the MRI and then when you get the results make sure you track down the disk with the images of the scan as they belong to you.
Best of luck and if you want any more feedback or can offer me any feedback, trust me it is useful as the most frustrating thing of all is the lack of clarity and agreement of diagnosis across all medical professions on the source, diagnosis and treatment of the condition.
Martin
