Can Athletes Get Sciatica? Cyclists And Sciatic Nerve Pain

Athletes And Sciatica

Anyone who has experienced sciatic nerve pain knows the condition is both painful and uncomfortable. Sciatica refers to pain of the sciatic nerve, which starts at the lower back. The nerve runs down each leg through the buttocks, all the way to the heel. Should this nerve become aggravated in any way, the result can be painful. Sciatica is a condition that many athletes, like cyclists, deal with more often than the general public.

How athletes and cyclists develop sciatica

Most cases of sciatica start from the spine. The spine is made up of bones called vertebrae with discs in between. These discs can sometimes degenerate or bulge due to injury or wear and tear. Damaged discs press on the sciatic nerve, which creates sciatica. However, for athletes like cyclists, there is a second reason. Cycling requires the legs to move away from the body. This constant movement places a strain on the piriformis muscle. The piriformis is located in the buttocks behind the glutes and is close to the sciatic nerve. If this muscle becomes inflamed, athletes can also experience sciatica-like symptoms.

Signs and symptoms of sciatica

Athletes with sciatica will feel tingling, pain, and numbness in the back, butt, and thigh. In some cases, the problem can even reach the lower leg. If left untreated, other symptoms include weakness, numbness, and reduced mobility. Athletes must be aware of lifting heavy loads and overexerting the body as these actions can cause sciatic nerve pain.

Helping athletes treat sciatica

The goal is first to confirm if sciatic nerve pain is indeed the cause of pain. A wrong diagnosis can mean performing treatment in the wrong way, which can exacerbate the issue. Speak with a doctor for a full assessment, including an X-ray or MRI. These steps can help with determining the type of sciatica. Spinal sciatica needs additional treatment compared to the pseudo-sciatica caused by the piriformis. Sciatica treatment for athletes can be especially tricky. Athletes hope to get back in the game as soon as possible, but treatment can be a lengthy process.

Start with the right equipment

For athletes, including cyclists, the right equipment can reduce the pressure on the spine and back muscles. For example, the proper footwear can keep the foot in the best position to prevent undue stress on the back. Cyclists often practice poor posture by rounding the back during intense sessions. The right seat and bike height can prevent poor posture as well as more mindfulness about posture.

Try lighter exercises and more recovery

Cyclists with sciatica will benefit from physical therapy, rest, and more recovery exercises. If the pain is acute, make sure to stop physical activity and rest. Speak with a doctor or conditioning specialist to decide on the best recovery exercises. Activities like aqua aerobics, stretching, yoga, and Pilates can improve flexibility, circulation, and reduce pain.

Focus on treatment

While exercises and other non-surgical treatments can manage pain, the athlete must dig deeper. There could be an underlying issue with the spine that should be addressed. For disc issues, a combination of hot and cold therapy, medication, spinal injections, and even surgery may be needed. With surgery, the doctor will remove a bone spur or disc that’s pressing on the nerve. Surgery will have a considerable recovery time, so this should be considered during an offseason. Surgery carries some risk, but statistics show a 90% success rate.

Treat sciatica seriously

Without a doubt, athletes can get sciatica, often more so than non-athletes. Sciatic nerve pain can reduce performance and even movement. As athletes need to recover quickly, the focus should be placed on posture, physical therapy, rest, and recovery. These consistent actions can significantly reduce pain, allowing athletes to perform again. If there is visible damage to the spinal discs, further treatment, including surgery, will be necessary. Speak with a doctor or specialist for a full assessment.