Lower back pain

Question:

In training for the Soweto marathon, after a long run (34km) I experienced severe pain just below my lower back towards my right buttock.

My sports physician diagnosed that I was suffering from a “buttock strain”. I was limping for a couple of weeks, and after much physio and stretching I am able to walk.

Now I wish to run, but after taking a few steps, I still feel pain in the right buttock. I understand this is due to the piriformus muscle putting pressure on my sciatic nerve. It has been 8 weeks now and I am feeling discouraged, I eat running, sleep running, dream running, am obsessed with reading about running, but I just can’t do it…

Are you familiar with the condition and the time it takes to fully recover so that I can resume my running again? - Eunice Cross

The Coach’s Answer:

Sciatic nerve irritation from the Piriformis muscle is a fairly common injury. The problem is that in a percentage of the population the sciatic nerve runs through the Piriformis and when the Piriformis is in spasm it causes irritation and referred pain.

The treatment of this injury is done through very painful physiotherapy to ease the tightness in the glute and Piriformis muscle, stretching of the Piriformis (a physio can show you stretches for this) as well as strengthening of the muscles in the pelvic region. Consult a Biokineticist for a rehab program.

You need to treat the injury from all angles to prevent frequent recurrence.