November 6, 2000 wasn’t just an ordinary day. I had been on a week-long business trip with IBM to Burlington, Vermont. In fact, you might remember the big news around that time was the disputed election of George W. Bush vs. Al Gore.
But the day didn’t start like any other. Immediately when I woke up, I noticed an unusual pain in my butt, literally. Now before that point, I had never pulled a muscle, never broken more than a finger, even with playing sports all through middle school, high school, and college. I had never experienced a pain like this.
So that day at work, I spent most of my time stretching my hamstings, doing a groin stretch (I must have looked pretty funny if anyone saw me). To no avail, the pain didn’t go away. “What the heck is going on?!?!” I thought to myself.
Had I known what I know now, I would have behaved completely differently. Instead of going to see a doctor to figure out what was cauing my pain, I just tried to tough it out.
In fact, because it was just the beginning stages of my sciatica, the pain went away after a few days, and I went back to my normal activities like running, ultimate frisbee, and whatever else I could do to get outside.
I even played in a weekend ultimate frisbee tournament and I was worried that pain would come back, but it didn’t. So I forgot about it, at least until the pain returned . . .
I imagine you have a story like this as well. Maybe you woke up with the pain like I did. Or maybe you were lifting something heavy. Or maybe you were just sitting and working.
What’s your story?
Let us know by leaving a comment below…
- Bryan
Founder of the Back in Action Institute and 10-Minute Sciatica Relief Program
Well my pain in my butt came on a lot more dramatically. Oh, I’d had low back pain for several years even once had been stranded on all 4’s on the floor when my mother called and I didn’t want her to hear me trying to get up since I was in so much pain. The icing on the cake came on May 7th and June 4th, 1991 when I had 2 slip-falls at work. The first was a standing slip – where my foot went out & up; I arched way over backwards and then came forwards while grabbing a hold of the wall so I wouldn’t fall. The 2nd was more complicated. I worked in food service management. The server hadn’t placed her signage out on her hot food station. Because she had customers, as I held my lab coat in with my left hand and I reached up & over the steam table with my right hand. When I wasn’t close enough, I took a step closer…and slipped on the water the server hadn’t cleaned up from underneath her serving station. I went down but I was still stretching up so my spine exploded. After the fireworks behind my eyes subsided, I had a red-hot searing poker burning into my left butt and down my left leg. It also went into my right leg but the left leg was much worse than the right.
I’d been treated for muscle spasms previously, so they treated it non-surgically at first. Because of where the tear in my disc was it could not be seen on an MRI. Even lumbar discography was not 100% conclusive that I was a surgical candidate. They did decide to operate after almost 2 1/2 years. I have permanent nerve root damage, chronic pain and an implanted pain management pump and dorsal column stimulator for nerve pain.
So don’t ignore that pain in the butt. It can become much worse.
Ouch…I hope Pat Wilkins- Perkins feels better.
I have had recurrent “Butt Pain” treated at various times with PT, TENS, ice, etc. SAid due to weak core, weak hips. ETC has always gone aWAY
Now back and constant; when I walk, sit. Mild but noticeable discomfort. I am a runner and until 2 weeks ago I “ran through” the mild N discomfort. Then, Two weeks ago, 1.5 miles into my usual 3 mile (moderate, slow pace) I experienced sharp jaggie pain in the back upper thigh part of my leg. Could not continue running. walked home. now, cannot even comfortably run for a bus!.
Saw an orthopod on Friday who wills start conservative, move to MRI etc if physio does not help.
My question: what is the difference, if any between ” proximal (upper) hamstring strain” and Piriformis syndrome?
I think I have the latter, doc says it is hamstring. Whatever, I just want to be rid of it.
Barbara,
It’s funny, when I first started having pain, the doctors thought a pulled a muscle deep in the butt. But then it turned out to be Piriformis Syndrome. Only time will tell the difference. A muscle strain will heal without help. Piriformis syndrome won’t heal without help. I suggest trying our program free for 30 days, and if it doesn’t help, return it no questions asked! You can purchase it at http://www.10MinuteSciaticaRelief.com.
Thanks,
Bryan
Back in Action Institute
I have been in chronic pain (constant) for at least 18 months.
Pain is in glutes and hamstrings.
Thought it might be piriformis sysndrome but lower pelvic MRI (2 weeks ago) revealed bi-lateral low to moderate tear in all tendons (especially semimembranosis)at the ischial tuberosity.
Any advice for healing this injury would be most appreciated?
Thank you
All of these systems are what I have. But let me know how to get rid of this awful pain on the right side of my buttocks. I would appreciate an answer to this pain. Thank you! Gale
You can find stretches and exercises in our program that will usually get rid of your pain within just a few days. That’s why we offer all our customers a 30 day free trial to make sure it works for them.
Thanks,
Bryan