sciatic nerve problem - Triathlon Week

bwr76f · 07-22-2003, 08:53 PM

I'm a track and field athlete who just graduated from high school and I throw the shot put and discus, over the past track season

I have been getting this pain that shoots straight to my left buttox area when I hit a certin position in my technique, its very hard to try and prevent it while I'm throwing, so pretty much every time I throw, it feels like I just got electricuted in my hip area ( about the same spot where you would get a shot )

I've read some things that say in might be piriformis syndrome, but my pain only comes when I hit that certin positon, yes it hurts after words, but as far a running and jumping it dosent seem to bother me,

I would really apreciate it if somebody out there could help me!!!

thanks !!

rob · 07-25-2003, 08:32 PM

Could be nerve root impingement, referred pain from your lower back (e.g. sciatica).

Remedy Suggestion:

Go see and orthopeadist who specializes in spines or a physcal therapist.

Good Luck!

-Rob

CajunRider · 12-04-2003, 01:14 AM

I second the recommendation to seeing a specialist.

For all younger athletes out there who compete on things that only use one side of your body: WORK ON YOUR WEAK SIDE.
As an old coach, I often received young players with asymmetrical body due to overtraining on their playing side. This often causes misalignment of the spine and result in serious injury. This is what I usually make my players do:

1. Practice 1/10 of the time with the offside. If you are right handed, play lefthanded. My players always tell me that when they practice their offside they have to focus so much on the mechanics. Believe it or not this help improve performance on the other side.
2. Use weight training to even your body development.

I have witnessed many cases, one of them included my brother, where people worked-out on their weak side and eliminated their pain without having to undergo surgery.

Think about your practices and work-outs Rob, do they cause over development on your throwing side? If they do, you need to balance them. Remember that in a throwing cycle, the throwing side is the only last part of the power delivery, the offside is also very important since it is the starting part of the power delivery cycle. A properly developed offside brings your higher torso angular velocity before your throwing side comes into the throwing cycle. The end result will be a better throw and a much healthier body.