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Sciatica

jostony

Camino del Vino
Time of past OR future Camino
Frances 2015
Portugues 2017
Primitivo 2019
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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I have had Sciatica off and on for years. It is painful and one must just bear it or stop walking.
I was given an injection in the spine in the area where the nerve is injured. It was necessary to use a "scope" type machine for the doctor to see the exact place to inject.
It did work and I have had very few (and those mild) episodes since.
I would recommend asking your doctor about this.
 
I had sciatica off and on for years, starting when I was 25. I eventually had a micro disectomy surgery to remove the disc that was bulging out and pressing on the nerve. That was about 17 years ago. I occasionally still get a "stiff" back, but I haven't had the bad sciatic pain. Exercise, especially walking, and stretching, especially yoga, are extremely helpful.
 
Very light, comfortable and compressible poncho. Specially designed for protection against water for any activity.

Our Atmospheric H30 poncho offers lightness and waterproofness. Easily compressible and made with our Waterproof fabric, its heat-sealed interior seams guarantee its waterproofness. Includes carrying bag.

€60,-
Consultant your primary care giver first. For me, at home inversion has helped greatly. Full body slant boards such as "Teeter Hang-up" for example, were never good for me. Then I tried a short Roman Chair... bingo!
60893
Also, make use of heat and cold as well as pain patches, when possible. As @trecile mentioned, incorporate exercise in various forms.
Hoping you'll come back to tell us what worked for you!
Buen Camino!
 
I planned to walk the CF May 17, but got the same problem as you and had to quit 2 weeks before starting☹️
Had some strong medication for the first days, but got physio which helped me to recover.
It never did get away 100%.
You will have good moments (no pain) and less good moments.
One thing is for sure...walking is not bad!
Better walk then do nothing.
The Camino called me again last year (planning for 19) and I did the Inglés (long tour 6d) last June and had no problems.
7,4kg backpack with some food and 1l water. This was more a test case to see if my back did hold up, which it did 😊
Like said before, first doctor or specialist and see what the outcome is. Physio or surgery..
If you need surgery look for less invasive spine surgery (no cutting, just holes).
Is healing quicker.
I hope you get well soon, so that the Camino 2020 is a fact 👍😉
Buen Camino
 
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!
 
Technical backpack for day trips with backpack cover and internal compartment for the hydration bladder. Ideal daypack for excursions where we need a medium capacity backpack. The back with Air Flow System creates large air channels that will keep our back as cool as possible.

€83,-
I 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!
 
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
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.

Do your physio and take off for Spain. Just listen to your body and don't over do it. Walk in snail speed if it must be ;)
 
Last edited:
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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 kindly sharing your experiences.
 
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 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 ;)
Thank you for your reply and encouragement
 
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I 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!
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 slow
 
Hi... have had a few back problems on and off. One thing worth remembering (frm a muscularskeletal wizard here) is always breathe out (consciously ) whenever bending - bending down breathe out, coming back up breathe out. So may people do the opposite i.e take a breath n bend. The breathing while bending ensures a soft back and hard tummy which takes the pressure off the back. Also if right handed always stand with LEFT foot forward (not side by side) or vv if left handed. This relieves the back. Cheers
 
I had sciatica problem on my right leg seven years ago, after acupuncture couple times, it recovered in a month or so. And since then I had walked seven different caminos, and only had pain coming back once when I was finishing Via de La Plata (probably I was carrying heavy load - carrying some stuff for my wife, or the walk was a bit too long).

We have just walked part of Via Podiensis from Le Puy to Moissac (in France) over 30 days as we tried to walk under 20 kms a day with couple rest days in between. I was fine and pain free!
I did have another problem from walking the camino but it was my own fault -- I developed MP meralgia parathetica? from tightening my waist belt too tight in my second camino (I thought that would transfer more weigh to my hip instead of loading my spinal cord!). Now I have to live with the MP as the doctor said it is s nuissance and not affecting muscles or health! I would have avoided the MP problem if I had listen more to my body! So enjoy your walk and listen to the body too! I am 71 and plan to walk the Aragones in September!
Buen Camino!
 
Technical backpack for day trips with backpack cover and internal compartment for the hydration bladder. Ideal daypack for excursions where we need a medium capacity backpack. The back with Air Flow System creates large air channels that will keep our back as cool as possible.

€83,-
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
Hi,

I had a lot of problems with sciatica but had to get for orthotics a few years ago and I have never been bothered with sciatica again. Sometimes the problem can be that one leg is marginally longer than the other which throws our gait out of kilter. Barbara
 
I had sciatica for two years and we had to keep delaying our first camino. The doctors kept giving me more and more pain killers. I then decided to try Pilates. I noticed an improvement straight away and after a few weeks the pain had gone.
 
Upon approval fro doctor obviously but stretching religiously, not just on the Camino, does a world of good. Make sure they are good stretches for sciatica.
 
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Regular Pilates is what enables me to cope with my sciatica. Within 2 days of my first class my pain was much improved. I have been going for 4 years but must have at least one Pilates class a week. Walking i also good for my back
 
Putting on my qualified gym trainer's hat. If you can go see a sports physiotherapist, they are great at sorting out gait and postural problems and will probably tell you to go to Pilates classes or some other form of exercise aimed at building good core strength. If there is no physical damage or deformity good core strength sorts out an awful lot of back pain. The sort of pain that grows as you walk longer distances is often due to that.
 

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