Back issue... Update

[FST4RD]

Hi all, I am having a few with my lower back/bum.
Basically when I am riding, the bone on the left side of my bum, the one that sits on the seat starts getting painful after about 10k of riding. Then eventually my left very low back starts getting sore, more of a dull pain that gets worse. That area also becomes completely numb, no feeling what so ever. I tend to get of my bike and stretch my left leg just as my bum starts to get sore and it goes away for another 10ish k's. When I get back to the car and get off the bike the feeling in my back comes back pretty quick and I stretch my left leg and the pain goes away, and I don't have a problem walking.

I ride a modern full sus, had my road bike professionally fitted so I know the seat height is correct, and it's a fairly upright riding position rather then a real bent over position. I normally ride a Ti rail prologo seat, real cut back saddle with stuff all padding.
I thought the seat was the issue as it kind of feels like a nerve or something pinching under the seat bone in my bum. So today I rode a Specialized saddle, this one had the hole cut in the middle and the padding is about 15-20mm. This actually made it worse and I had to stop earlier and more often with this seat.

Anyone know what might be causing my problem? It doesn't stop me from riding, but it's just a hassel to have to stop every 10 odd K's to stretch etc.

 

[al]

Hi,

It sounds like you may be pinching a nerve.

Do you warm up by stretching your back fully before you ride?

Is it the same pain which ever bike you ride,or does one bike feel better than the other?

al.

 

[saltyman]

Sciatic nerve has pressure on it, this runs down the spine, and down each leg.

I have a prolapsed disc thats mild, but then I'm active or bending over alot, expands and touches the nerve, sending my right leg numb, or leaving it with pins and needles.

Lying on your back helps, do does sitting on a chair or anything where you can dangle your legs, them extend each leg, straight out and curl your toes at each extension, this stretches the nerve out.

 

[not_fat_matt]

As saltyman said, sounds like Sciatic nerve related, feels like the its in your butt cheeks/bone but its actually yer back, can be severe enough to go right down the leg

I damaged my back twisting with weight years ago and never did anything about it, came and went, then about 2 years ago i aggravated it laying some blocks and it got worse and worse until i was virtually unable to move, couldn't sit for any length of time, couldn't bend down, i was in so much pain, it was a real low point.

Realised it wasnt going to get any better and fearing serious damage, went to see a chiropractor. Diagnosed with bulged disk in my lower back, had a shed load of treatment inc acupuncture as the muscles were in need a lot of help. Cost me a small fortune, but very much worth it in the end. Ironically, i was told riding bikes was a good exercise for the back problems i have.

It might be worth sounding out some local chiropractors and getting a diagnosis, you can read all the advise on the internet, no substitute for professional help. Get it checked, could save you from future problems

 

[saltyman]

My chiropractor sorted my neck but said my back had a disc problem he just couldn't get near.

Physio sessions have been rubbish, nothing new, it's all stretching, the only way my nerve isn't aggravated is when I'm not over doing it, ie working!

Cycling has eased it, but as for my disc/sciatic nerve, just taken it easy helps.

 

[not_fat_matt]

Just to add something the OP could try, i was told to use ice packs to help ease the problem. Many an half hour spent lying on my back with a bag of frozen peas under my lower back.

Was told to use heat for muscle, cold for swelling (as in disc)

Bit difficult when your out on your bike though!

 

[FST4RD]

Thanks heaps guys.
I used to get sciatic pain years ago, right down the back of my leg, but that went away...
This morning we went out riding, I changed back to my old seat, did heaps and heaps of stretching down my left side, and a little on my right before we went out. I almost managed to make it the whole way around! Had to stop about 2k from the end, quick stretch on my left leg and back on the bike!

This time no numbness in my back at all, pain was mainly concentrated to just my bum cheek, and just a little on my left lower back!

I even stretched when I got back to the car

So I think I will keep up with the stretching before and after riding and also inbetween as well and see how that goes.

Might have to go and get my discs checked out in my back as well... time to see a chiropractor

 

[Student Bob]

Sounds like you're sorted, but it probably can't hurt to throw in another opinion, especially if you're going to see a pro...

Seems to me that it's more likely a sacroiliac joint problem, possibly an downslip on the left innominate. Or, in english... your hip is basically three bones. The main hip bones (innominates) on yer left and right, and the sacrum between these two forming your lower back. Your pain sounds like your left hip bone - the bony part you sit on, has rotated forward slightly, that's what's causing the pain, you're not sitting on it right, you're kinda sat back on it, where a bunch of tendons attach - hence the pain. Now, because the right side is fine, this means that there's a shear force on the sacrum as the left pulls forward and the right stays where it is. This is the lower back pain. The numbness is either a a stretch on the piriformis muscle - but you'd expect some tingling before and after - or simply your body desensitising itself to the pain.

So, why's your hip bone moved? It could either be an upslip on the right, or a downslip on the left and it's impossible to tell without physically testing... but, if I had to take a punt, I'd go with tighter hamstrings on the left, pulling the bony bit of your bum forward. Your position on the bike, sat up, means that you'd probably get more of a stretch on with a pedalling motion than you would on a road bike or sat in a chair.

You can test this by getting a friend or significant other to try a straight leg raise on you and comparing left and right - google it. You can then see if it's a neurological problem like sciatica by tucking your head into your chest whilst the leg is raised - it'll increase/create the pain if it's a nerve thing.

You were saying that you stretch out your back pain? I'd wager you're trying to touch your toes? And that sorts you out? It's because you're putting some more length into those hamstrings and allowing the bone in your bum to move back to a more natural position.

So.... If I were you, I'd be cracking on with some hamstring stretches. They're all good, so just google some. I'd also recommend going to see a good physio and get your sacroiliac joint (SIJ) checked out (you'll be wanting a standing hip flexion test and prone extension test) 'cos everything I've written is conjecture.

 

[FST4RD]

Sounds like you're sorted, but it probably can't hurt to throw in another opinion, especially if you're going to see a pro...

Seems to me that it's more likely a sacroiliac joint problem, possibly an downslip on the left innominate. Or, in english... your hip is basically three bones. The main hip bones (innominates) on yer left and right, and the sacrum between these two forming your lower back. Your pain sounds like your left hip bone - the bony part you sit on, has rotated forward slightly, that's what's causing the pain, you're not sitting on it right, you're kinda sat back on it, where a bunch of tendons attach - hence the pain. Now, because the right side is fine, this means that there's a shear force on the sacrum as the left pulls forward and the right stays where it is. This is the lower back pain. The numbness is either a a stretch on the piriformis muscle - but you'd expect some tingling before and after - or simply your body desensitising itself to the pain.

So, why's your hip bone moved? It could either be an upslip on the right, or a downslip on the left and it's impossible to tell without physically testing... but, if I had to take a punt, I'd go with tighter hamstrings on the left, pulling the bony bit of your bum forward. Your position on the bike, sat up, means that you'd probably get more of a stretch on with a pedalling motion than you would on a road bike or sat in a chair.

You can test this by getting a friend or significant other to try a straight leg raise on you and comparing left and right - google it. You can then see if it's a neurological problem like sciatica by tucking your head into your chest whilst the leg is raised - it'll increase/create the pain if it's a nerve thing.

You were saying that you stretch out your back pain? I'd wager you're trying to touch your toes? And that sorts you out? It's because you're putting some more length into those hamstrings and allowing the bone in your bum to move back to a more natural position.

So.... If I were you, I'd be cracking on with some hamstring stretches. They're all good, so just google some. I'd also recommend going to see a good physio and get your sacroiliac joint (SIJ) checked out (you'll be wanting a standing hip flexion test and prone extension test) 'cos everything I've written is conjecture.

Thanks for that! So you would recommend out of all the professionals to see a physio?
I think your right on the money though, it does seem that the left hammy is tighter. I have been stretching quite a bit in the last couple days.
I went to a chiropractor a while back when I was having sciatic pain down the back of my leg, and the first thing he said to me was that I must be bending my toes up when I bike. I said I didn't know, however when I was concentrating on cycling method I was bending my toes up! I also found that I was pointing my toes down, which could be part of the hammy shortening? So now I concentrate on keeping my toes relaxed and dropping my heels down nice and low.

 

[FST4RD]

Now you tell me! I read all that expecting a bill.

Exactly what I was thinking!
Although it's much appreciated information! A big help!