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In fall of 2016 and well into 2017 I suffered from terminal L5 (left leg) nerve root damage which is something similar as sciatica but as mentioned it's terminal, it will never get better. I was on medical leave for almost a year. But in 2018 I still managed to walk few hundred kilometers on combination of Caminos in Spain. No baggage transport and always carrying my own food and drinks. I was 48.I completed Primitivo in June but on arriving in Santiago experienced Pain in my back and leg which doctor in UK has diagnosed as Sciatica. After some painful weeks I am recovering but am concerned as I had intended to do the Camino del Norte in 2020. Obviously will need to undergo physio and train up for this. Has anyone managed to overcome sciatica and undertake further caminos? Also how challenging is Norte in comparison to Primitivo? Would like to do further caminos
Thanks for kindly sharing your experiences.My first bout with sciatica was 6 years ago. It took about 6 weeks to feel fairly normal again. I walked the Frances from SJPP and on to Muxia/Finisterre in 2016 with no problems.
However, about 2/3 of the way through my second Camino this spring had me suddenly immersed in great pain.
I was on the Meseta when it began and struggled for a few days before I got to Leon. This forum helped me get some treatment there, I was given a big pain shot and some pain meds (OTC stuff) and told I could resume walking after 2-3 rest days.
I ended up going home early, I just could not manage walking.
While struggling along, I had googled exercises on my phone and they helped. Now, several weeks later, I am totally pain free. The best exercises I found were called piriformis stretches. I did several variations morning and night and they helped a lot.
Oh, and one more thing: the doctor in Leon said that it was a repetitive stress injury. Both of my experiences with sciatica taught me that wearing a pack was an issue (the first time I was carrying heavy books regularly every day). On the Camino my pack was relatively light, but this last time I only could do light walking when I sent my pack ahead.
You may want to talk to your regular doctor about preventative measures, get friendly with exercises, watch what you pack, and research sending your pack ahead at least some days.
Buen (pain free) Camino!
Thanks for sharing this interesting linkThis man Dr. Alan Mandell (aka MotivationalDoc) has helped me tremendously with his YouTube videos and, even once via telephone! Over 2 million followers and hundreds of self help videos.
Thank you for your reply and encouragementIn fall of 2016 and well into 2017 I suffered from terminal L5 (left leg) nerve root damage which is something similar as sciatica but as mentioned it's terminal, it will never get better. I was on medical leave for almost a year. But in 2018 I still managed few hundreds of kilometers on combination of Caminos in Spain. No baggage transport and carrying my own food and drinks all days. I was 48.
Do your physio and take off to Spain. Just listen to your body and don't over do it. Walk in snail speed if it must be
I am in sixth week and things are improving. At least I can now walk without having to stop in agony and bend forward. It's going to be slowI used to get days where I couldn't move from the floor. Then it would go. Then it would return. I have a set of stretches that I do every day. EVERY day. Been pain free for the last 3 or 4 years. But mine could well be less serious than yours. I think consult your doctor. But also a physio, those guys can work miracles with backs. Good luck OP!
Hi,I completed Primitivo in June but on arriving in Santiago experienced Pain in my back and leg which doctor in UK has diagnosed as Sciatica. After some painful weeks I am recovering but am concerned as I had intended to do the Camino del Norte in 2020. Obviously will need to undergo physio and train up for this. Has anyone managed to overcome sciatica and undertake further caminos? Also how challenging is Norte in comparison to Primitivo? Would like to do further caminos
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