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Click to view dadoftwo's profile Amateur 8 posts since
Jul 19, 2004

Jan 17, 2007 1:55 PM

Pain in the Butt

I've been running for almost 10 years, without an injury. A few months ago I developed a pain in what I thought was my sciatic nerve on my left side. It started in my butt, but never traveled down my leg. I could target the pain a certain way that I stretched. I took almost a month off from running (that killed me) and I've been back now about 2 weeks. Today the pain is back and bothering me quite a bit. I'm not certain it's sciatic pain, but don't know what else it could be. I feel it when I sit down for any length of time, and I sit at a desk all day at work. I don't want to give up the running...Any suggestions?

Thanks.
Click to view crunningman's profile Community Moderator 950 posts since
Jun 7, 2002
1. Jan 17, 2007 2:06 PM in response to: dadoftwo
My pain in the butt was a stress fracture of the Sacrum. Although not common in men, it does happen. I thought it was muscular from the get go and refused to quit running until I couldn't take it anymore. Then I got an MRI. The result was 7 weeks no running. I took a few weeks off here and there before the MRI, but all that did was heel the fracture on the left side and then when I ran again it fractured on the right.

I'm not saying this is what you have, but from my experience I'd probably take the time to get the MRI.

And I've been back to running now since 01/31/2006 with minimal problems and quite a few races as well.
Click to view trifecta082's profile Expert 57 posts since
Nov 6, 2006
3. Jan 17, 2007 4:34 PM in response to: dadoftwo
Look up "piriformis syndrome". There's actually another thread about it just south of here in this forum. It's pretty common and I think tends to respond well to stretch/massage/physio. I mention it because it's often worse after sitting. Good luck.
Click to view jellie's profile Pro 81 posts since
Aug 3, 2006
4. Jan 18, 2007 6:43 AM in response to: dadoftwo
I have had ITBS and it traveled up the knee into my butt. The pain would burn and stretching just didn't help. I went in for massage and when she dug into hip butt area with her elbow it hurt like the dickens. I felt relief right away!! The next day I had my dh do what she had done and the pain is so much better. Even the ITBS is much better.
I don't know that this is your problem butt massage could be worth a try.
Click to view hellnotholy's profile Amateur 19 posts since
Dec 14, 2007
5. Jan 18, 2007 7:37 AM in response to: dadoftwo
Over the years I've had a number of butt problems. The only time that rest helped me (and by "rest" I mean switching from running to walking) was when the problem involved the tendon that attaches to the hamstring. Recent issues I've had with this area have been significantly aided by using some of these exercises:
http://www.bodyresults.com/E2gluteusMedius.asp[/URL" target="_blank">
and by going to the gym and religiously working out on the machines that work the adductors and the abductors. I also bought somthing that looks kind of like this for my office chair
(
http://www.sitincomfort.com/risecu16fori.html) except it was cheaper and I bought it at Walmart. Not only do I run with minimal discomfort in the butt, I am usually able to sit comfortably anywhere. Good luck!