Hi everyone, 3 months ago I had a sciatic episode while windsurfing, and haven't windsurfed since. I had a similar event 3 years ago but recovered fairly quickly. I did it up-hauling in low winds with the wind passing from leach to mast, the worst possible geometry. I felt this electric flash of pain up my left leg and , recognising it for what is was, came straight in and derigged. Even with physiotherapy I still have difficulty reaching down to lace up my shoes, and sometimes I get a sudden flash of pain which paralyses me when I stand after sitting for a while. I had a CT scan which shows the expected age related degeneration (I am 64) and one protruding disc, but there is no rupture. I haven't been back to the GP yet, I just read the report. I am worried about returning to windsurfing which I dearly love, because I don't want to be invalided like this again. I have had pain every day for the last 3 months so its no joke . I am expecting not to be able to return until end of winter at the latest. My Question: has anyone had similar experiences and survived to sail another day? Does any one have any advice?

Hi Bob, I'm pretty sure we met at the Guy Cribb clinic at the lake, can't believe how long ago that was now .

i injured my back about 16 years ago lifting and twisting and throwing 25 kg lucerne bales on to the back of a truck. Result was a bulging disc. Was extremely painful and I was immobilised for a couple of weeks. Had physio sessions but what really helped recovery was getting into water and, not swimming, but just gently kicking. It really worked a treat. I haven't had any trouble with it at all since then and I windsurf as often as I can but I do try to avoid up hauling. When windsurfing it is only really up hauling that puts your back in that outward arch, while sailing your back is arched the other way.

Hope this is some help and good luck.

Whilst not sciatica I have to manage a dodgy back. Similar treatment

regular Physio. Pilates. Yoga. Keep sailing

Sciatica , is the worst pain i have ever had.
Broken leg, pain lasts for 2 days or so , then you get over it.
Broken finger hurts for weeks, then you get over it.
Sciatica is so debilitating , you get so low that it makes you cry literally.
Just to take a wee or a poo , just doesn't work, so much pain.
You will come right in the end .
Probably a week or three but keep positive.
It took me a month and a half before i could walk properly, if not longer, being able to put my heel fully to the ground and walk like a human.
The drugs helped me for the first week or so, until the pain was bearable.
After that ,stretching really helped and mind set made a difference .
Had it twice in two years , i feel for you.
Stretching your knee diagonally across your chest , on both legs will help your glutes and lower back feel better.
My leg muscles,ass muscles and foot were in spasms ,and could not walk properly for months, but then all of a sudden i was right .
Takes time ,deal with the pain, laugh about it latter.
Surgery is a no no.
Deal with it , smile at the world, and wella walla bing bam, your body will sort it .
Cheers from Tassie, and get a map on your tongue. hope this helps mentally.

I don't walk as symmetrically as I did before my back issue. I walk purposely every day for around an hour as the physio at the time told me all I could do was try and stay as fit as possible to reduce future issues. Hence I wear a hole in the toe section of my right shoe from walking.

I have had periods Sciatica on and off for many years and just had one session before Christmas from up hauling a bit to many one day in light wind. I I find relief and ultimately a return to no pain through heat packs applied to the area for as long as possible and that means all day and night which may last a few weeks. I use one of those small seed heat packs placed in the microwave for a minute that lasts for half hour. I don't think my Sciatica is that bad although when I get it can leave me unable to walk or get into a car some days but the heat packs do return me to pain free after a few weeks.

I remember having terrible back pain the day after sailing in a seat harness.Every day after I hardly could sit on the bed in the morning.Since changed harness to waist harness never had a similar episode. So my advice would be: try waist harness.

Had an episode of lower left back pain extending down hip and into let thigh, last October. Physio diagnosis was lower back muscle (can't recall which) injury impacting on femoral nerve. But sure how it happened as I don't recall an acute injury, although it might have been windsurfing. Was quite debilitating, could not walk more than 50 metres without excruciating pain in the left thigh forcing me to stop. No WAS our other tell physical activity for about two months. Anti inflammatory drugs, regular stretches prescribed by physio, core strength exercises, and sports massage have got me back on the water. First few times out brought on a bit of a relapse, which was depressing, but each time the set back was less bad, I'm almost back to normal now. The stretching and core strength work is probably what helped the most. Good luck

Yep, about 4-5 years ago, seemed to be worse after light wind windsurfing or running.
After an MRI ended up have 2 cortisone shots in my spine, physio with lots of stretching, core exercises and walking. This really helped.
Continued to windsurf (and mountain biking/cycle) after the initial recovery when I could in between life and learnt to live with it.
When I felt is starting to come back I would ramp up the stretching routine I got from the physio which would really help it go away.
I also felt it got much better after a mountain bike session.

A year ago I joined a gym and have been doing Tabata sessions twice a week, plus signed up for 1-on-1 PT weight training session once a week for the first 6 months. Haven't had any problems since, which I think might be to do with strengthening my core and supporting my spine a lot better (of course there was a lot of other pain from weight training over that year, but the good pain).
Also been windsurfing, cycling and swimming during that time, and have recently started running again and haven't had any problems

Hope this helps.

When you get back into it (no pun intended) get an Easy Uphaul if you don't use one already.

Have had re-occurring pain in lower back and glutes/hips on and off for decades. Then one day I stumbled across the 'psoas muscle' which controls lower back and pelvis alignment and stability. Learnt how to stretch it and my issues came under control.
Do a Google and YouTube search and see if it hits a chord with you.

Try bike riding.

I have a genetic pass down in my lower back and a twisted pelvis.
Supposed to stretch my hammy's each day but get slack. It seems a waist of a few minutes when there is so much else to do.
Anyway my right hammy was getting tight from lack of stretching/sailing plus adding a few kilo's.
I started riding my bike to work again a few days a week. An 18km round trip.
My hammy feels good which has helped any niggly lower back pain as well.

Keep your hamstrings stretched and in good shape and will help your back out.

I hope you get better soon.

Thanks everyone for your advice. I went to the gym today and gave myself a good workout including some moves the physio probably wouldn't recommend. All is well and I think I will be seaworthy an a couple more months. Concentrating on improving core strength as some of you have mentioned.

An extra one that helps me that a physio taught me was to do the equivalent of that female exercise for after having a baby... pelvic floor I think. Takes a bit of practice but try to tense inner muscles near bladder. Doesn't have to be too hard as you want to turn on deeper smaller muscles so it's not trying to get the useless 6 pack abs thing going. A guide is when your balls go up. Instant relief at any time especially when going to loo or anything that requires bending. Good luck I feel for you. Ps I have made quite a few comebacks from back issues don't give up and yes pilates yoga and a change to a seat harness have helped too.