After riding in an aero position a bit (20 m or so) I sometimes get a deep pain in my left butt cheek, running down my hamstring. It doesn’t seem to hurt when I am on the bike, but if I run afterwards it will cause me to limp for a few 100 and then works its way out. If I ride then go to work and sit at my desk, I can really feel it. Just on one side. I have a new bike that was fitted by a very reputable fitter (but my mag trainer, which was my ride for the Winter was not.)
I can’t seem to shake the problem. Have done lots of different stretching, some yoga, a very strong stretcher/massagetherapist and mostly riding on my new bike the last months.
that is a bum problem for sure. IMO, try lowering your seat a hair. also, when sitting at your desk put a tennis ball under the problem area and roll on it for up to 10:00. there are a variety of other factors that could contribute to your problem but this could be a place to start. QUESTIOn: any pain when doing fresh runs?
This might be a case of piriformis syndrome. See, your scaitic nerve goes thru a bunch a muscles before travelling down your leg. Some of those muscles get tight and put pressure on the nerve and actually scar tissue starts forming around the area. A good way to fix that is to get Active release to the involved muscles and ligaments. It is awesome and tends to work really good for these conditions. There are different sites in your “butt” where the nerve can get trapped, aside from piriformis. Are you familiar with ART?
I had a similar problem a few years back – in addition to the advice already posted I had very good luck with acupuncture. It seemed to give me much longer lasting relief than manual release techniques. And WAY less painful. I was lucky to work with a PT that went beyond the underlying problem and also helped me with some muscle imbalances probs. and core strength issues. Although I went to the PT complaining of symptoms similar to yours most of the treatment, once the pain was gone, was focused on my hip flexors and alignment. Lots of time on the wobble boards and exercise ball!
I also temporarily moved my seat a little forward (from about 77 to 80) which took a little pressure off the area. A bit of a trade off of power for comfort. Good luck.
I hope that means you have been providing ART for 3 years and not taking it. That is one thing that always worries me with the chiros, their (rumored) unoffical slogan “We have never lost a customer, but we have never completely cured on either!”
No, I am a chiro and most cases get significant results in 2-3 visits. Not that they get “fixed” completely in 2-3 but definitly should be better… that’s why I like using it… Once the injury is fixed, it is… you know what I mean? however, I have to say that a lot of my Ironman athletes and marathoner wil come in the day after their long run and have me work on them as prevention… with ART… Just try it, see what you think after 2-3 treatments, not 15-20!!! AS lot of chiros gives us a bad reputation… Like any profession, always some good one and some shady ones…
Had a similar problem last year. Diagnosed with 3 herniated discs in lower back which were impinging upon the sciatic nerve which caused numbness and pain down the hamstring and into the calf of the left leg.
Best practice i undertook was to see an ART professional on a weekly basis. Unfortunately if your circumstance is similar to mine the only cure is time. Mine lasted for about 4 months. I was able to bike, run and swim. I just occassionally had to take two days off in a week rather than one to give my body a little extra recovery time.
From what you describe it sounds like a disc alignment problem. Any activity that causes the lower spine to be in an unnatural position - aero biking, sitting - will cause a pressure on the invertebral discs which are the cushions between your vertabrae. Initially when you return the spine to a ‘natural’ curve there will a period where the discs will retract to a more neutral position due to the reduced forces from bending motions. After a few minutes the pain tends to subside as the disc tries to position itself again, hence reducing pressure on the nerve endings.
This is only a suggestion and should be carried out very gently.Either stand straight up or lie face down. Use your thumbs to slowly trace your discs in your back on your left side. Apply gentle pressure on the softer sections between your vertebrae From this side and if you start to feel a pinching sensation from the disc location, it could suggest a slipped or prolapsed disc.
If you consult a doctor and it is diagnosed as prolapse I would suggest a physiotherapist to manipulate/massage the disc and it contents back into place. From my own experience this took 4/5 sessions. I would not attend a chiropractor for this condition because - as I understand - they work the surrounding muscle structures to their maximum potential. I’ve found this alleviates the pain but does not solve the root cause of the problem.
However, if the condition is muscular, then I would swear by the abilities and results of chiropractic treatment. Having suffered an unexplained series of headaches for 4 months, out of desperation I visited a chiro on the advice of my local doctor. The result was an immediate cessation of the searing pain in the left back side of my neck. I had a contracted ligament after falling on my head one night trying to impress my friends by executing a daemon disco somersault. Luckily enough I was so pissed I managed to stay relaxed through the whole manoeuvre - otherwise I wouldn’t be here relaying my medical history to one and all
Yes, it should… I go 5-6 visits max without a significant improvement. After that, time for plan B… Now, it hurts but feels good at the same time… You know what I mean? It won’t kill you, little uncomfortable but good type of pain. it takes one time usually for my patients to come back and say now “ok, do whatever you want now…” They look at me funny the first time but once you know how much it helped, the pain takes a whole different meaning… Hope this help and if your doctor is good, he or she will take time to explain all this. i take time to show my patients all the butt muscles and how the nerve travels thru them, it really helps when I end up “poking” their butt for them to feel comfortable… Really, let me know how it goes… If you want to send me a message with who you are going to, I can see if I know them and all that…
I can’t seem to shake the problem. Have done lots of different stretching, some yoga, a very strong stretcher/massagetherapist and mostly riding on my new bike the last months.
Any ideas?
I’ve had piriformis problems crop up as well - exactly as you’re describing - a few times. Caused both by cycling and running. Had my massage therapist work on it, stretched it, took anti-inflamatories, etc. In the end, the only thing that’s ever worked is “vitamin R” (Rest).
Dude, I’m suffering the EXACT same problem at the moment. Had it diagnosed as Illio - Gluteal Bursitis. I’m about 4 hrs away from getting an Ultrasound and cortisone jab. My back is as straight as a Nullabor road and sciatica has been ruled out so this is the next port of call. I’ll get back to you as soon as I get the results
Thanks, Marisol. I am going to see Sid McCauley in Fairfiled, CT. Do you know him? Certainly it seems that this thread opens (me) up a can of worms! :-0
I had the same problem last september. My last brick workout before Kona left me limping towards home. I was hoping that it would be gone after a couple of days. Nothing changed. Got a MRI done and two doctors confirmed a herniated disc. I had a disc problem before and it felt different. Art (daily!) and PT did didn’t help either. Some research pointed me towards the piriformis syndrom. I luckily found Julie Donelly’s book “The pain free triathlete”. http://www.julstro.com . I treaded the butt cheek by rolling on a base ball, laying on my back. After that, some serious stretching of the piriformis muscle. and the hamstring. Laying on my back crossing the left leg over the right knee and pulling it towards my chin did do the trick. In retrospect, I know that I wasn’t stretching enough. Had to pass on Kona and couldn’t run for 3 months. So, stretching may be the key.
I actually have a call in to a fairly local “DC” who is listed on the ART web site…