Any of you old fooks having to deal with sciatica? My first ride of the the past season gave me what I thought was monkey but. Turns out I am now a sciatica sufferer. I've been seeing my usual osteotherapist and have added it to the list of complaints. Some relief has been had but I am wondering what works for other riders to avoid this. Things to work on,( bike or rider), before next spring?

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sciatica/

You probably know all this already but just in case..

I've had back trouble pretty much all my adult life - best treatment has always been regular visits to the gym and plenty of stretching etc. It may just be a personal thing but I've never found osteo or any kind of massage (except by the missus...) any use at all. At 51 I still visit the gym 2 or 3 times a week.

Yoga was brilliant for mine. As long as you don't push too hard and aggravate the back problem that is causing it in the first place.

Thank you all for taking the time to reply.

Gives me things to think about.

Wear, tear, and old injuries...

This issue is just the latest to show its head and I've had X-rays, nerve conductivity, etc for a few problems, arthrosis and carpel tunnel syndrome of late. X-rays confirmed the Neuros suspected neck issues and Osteotherapist returned range of neck motion and corrected seveveral back and thorax issues,( I feel taller too ).Tendinitis is being dealt with and has impact on reducing the carpal tunnel symptoms. Anti inflammatory as required,(often).

The Osteotherapist says that my work requires me to be in great shape to do. Apparently the decades of doing this kind of work hasn't kept me in great shape. I do the prescribed PT for the individual afflictions as long as they bother me but that is no longer sufficient. Go to the gym he says ...

I'll get on that in the new year, maybe try yoga too.

That brings me to the bike. I've been on the lookout for a heavier rear spring to deal with my rear suspension woes. I intend to have one before next riding season. Comfort gel seat has been on the bike for years. I have a few seasons with lowered and forward pegs for my bad knees. I've run a high wide bar for years. Only difference to riding position last season was the Nichols triple clamp that came with a high bar clamp that all in all might have raised bar position a little over an inch. This might be part of the issue.

Driving any time over half an hour puts me in pain. Increased lumber support helps. Osteo sayed its do to position of back and but. Told me what should relieve it and I will give it a try next time I get a chance. After thinking about it, this may be what's happening on the bike as well. If it is, it would seam that increased core strength could help fix my issue on the bike.

Having higher bars and more upright position will put greater axial compression upon your spine. Coupling that with alignment issues and you may be contributing to some factors limiting your riding tolerance

Comrade: I always found that shagging helps. It does nothing for the pain, indeed it might make it worse, but the world always seems a brighter place afterwards...

I have an old mate that was crippled by this problem for years, he couldn't even walk to the mailbox! Doctors told him to take all their drugs until his guts were fooked, then told him to go to the gym, go swimming, meditate etc etc. His life was miserable once he could not ride his bikes anymore. To cut a long story short, he was given some medical cannabis to try and he started to get better, he now self medicates with CBD oil and is back riding and living life; something all his mates thought would never happen.
It may not be for everyone but his story is amazing considering how crippled he was and how much he suffered for so many years.
He is now moving around like a 20 year old and putting all his mates to shame.
Good luck to you.

You don't need a script for it now.

Yoga has helped me tremendously. You just need to find a studio without all the woo woo crystals and hippie shit (unless you’re into woo woo crystals and hippie shit).


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk