RE: [Paddlewise] Sciatica (was shoulder exercises for paddling)

From: Jennifer Pivovar <jpivovar_at_headwinds.org>
Date: Sun, 19 Feb 2012 09:36:43 -0500
Doug,

One workaround I haven't seen mentioned is this:
Be sure to support your thigh just behind the knee whenever you sit,
especially in a kayak or car.  In your kayak, if your seat is high then
a pool noodle or two (modified if need be) crammed in front of the seat
might work and is cheaper than customizing minicell.  I actually removed
my seat altogether, sit on the bottom (on a yoga mat) and support the
leg with foam.  In the car I drive with a rolled up blanket across the
front edge of the seat with the seat obnoxiously close to the pedals. 
This is present tense because I am in month 8 of my second persistent
sciatica attack.  Fortunately it seems to be on the mend.  The first
lasted >2 years :(.  No doctor, chiro, bodyworker of any stripe was able
to figure that one out either.

One thing I just discovered that also seems to help is topical
magnesium.  Go get some epsom salts and put one pound in a hot bath and
soak 2-3 times er week.  I though this was a joke until I actually
finished installing my tub and tried it.

FWIW, I attribute the healing of this attack to taking up Yin yoga,
specific series of long-held postures targeted toward feeding the joints
and ligaments below the muscular level (google it).

Aren't we a creaky bunch?  Just don't stop!!  

Jennifer

On Sat, Feb 18, 2012, at 10:41 PM, Doug Lloyd wrote:
> See doc on Monday, so far he's done nada. 
> This sciatic pain is harder to fathom and seems to affect every part of
> life, not just paddling. 
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Received on Sun Feb 19 2012 - 06:36:51 PST

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