lower back pain and butt numbness

[short cut sally]

After reading the most hated/loved saddle debate, I know you either love the Terry butterfly saddle or don't. Here is my problem/question. I have a new bike, straight tube with a fixed stem. Have had 3 new stems on this bike to raise the handlebars and shorten the distance. Problem was, I had this lower sacral pain that would set in around mile 20 and just wouldn't leave, unless I got off the bike frequently. After all the stem changing, rode again for 50 miles, still have that sacral pain and now my butt muscles are becoming almost numb. I am at a loss here! I am thinking it could now be my saddle, which is the butterfly, which is also new for this bike. I've also had my saddle readjusted too. I have the liberator on my old bike, loved that, rode for miles but the only problem was I had terrible chaffing at the folds and I wanted something that I thought was comparible. I don't get chaffing on this but after the back pain, I am thinking chaffing would be beautiful. So, i see that Terry also makes a Liberator race saddle. That will be my next purchase. BUT my question has anyone ever experienced this back pain and butt muscle numbness and what helped or what did you change? I am at a loss here, any advice, suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[KnottedYet]

Sounds like a low back issue, more than a saddle issue.

Low back pain coupled with numbness going into the buttocks or legs is a pretty good sign that you might want to contact your doctor. (it might be something in your back that only flares up on the bike, but it should definitely get checked out because if it is a back problem it could get worse down the road. Checking it out now could save you big trouble later.)

[indysteel]

After doing a hilly century over Memorial Day followed a week later by a flat metric, I had a couple bad weeks of pain and numbness in the left side of my butt and upper thigh. I would describe the pain as burning followed by numbness. It hurt to sit for long stretches of time, and it would get particularly bad about 10-15 miles into most, though not all, rides. I assumed that my sciatic nerve was involved in some way, which of course worried me. Before I had a chance to go to the doctor, I found relief by stretching my piriformis muscle. I concentrated on it during my regular yoga classes and did a lot of stretching before, during and after rides. The worst of the pain is now gone. I would note, ironically, that I have a Terry Butterfly Tri Gel saddle. I've been riding it w/o incident for about a year now, so I think my pain was caused by doing a ride that was hard on my back followed by a ride where I sat in a static position on my bike for long stretches of time. I need to remember to move around a bit more during long, flat rides.

I found the following site to be helpful for understanding what can cause sciatic nerve issues and for a list of stretches/exercises: http://www.spine-health.com.


Kate

[coyote]

I have cronic sciatic nerve problems. I don't bike much yet but it is good to know that it may be a problem and to remember to stretch. A good Chiroprator got me thru my intial onset. I think yoga is the only thing that keeps it at bay.

Thanks for posting.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

The only time I've ever had horrible painful butt followed by total butt numbness was once when I borrowed a girlfriend's bike for a 20 mile ride and she had a big soft cushy foam saddle on it. Oh, the AGONY!!!!!! I had to finish the last few miles riding standing up as much as possible, thanks to this "comfort" saddle.

[RoadRaven]

Sounds like more than a saddle issue...

Get your back checked out Shelly... and whenthats got the all clear, think about the bike fit... but you shouldn't be numb in such significantly extended areas...

[short cut sally]

Hi Ladies. Thanks for the replies. I did fail to mention that I have been seeing my chiropractor lately, also thinking that maybe this was the cause for me also. He stated that I need to do more stretching, simple range of motion stuff. Which I've started just doing simple toe touches so far and I have another follow up appt. I am going to try and give it a few more weeks and see if I can tolerate it or notice any difference, if not then I am off to the LBS to see what they could suggest also. I've been riding seriously for 3 years now and none of this happened until a new bike, saddle, etc. Riding seriously does not mean that I am a professional, SO thats why I came to you ladies of great knowledge to assist me in the right direction. If my back still flares up, I will suggest further treatment, xrays or something, which I had never given this concern as a back issue, I assumed it was more of a saddle or fit issue. Thanks for opening a new door and option for me. Again, another reason why I am appreciative of this site and all you ladies, . Thanks.

[KnottedYet]

"toe-touches" are very hard on a dysfunctional back, and will actually push a bulged disc out farther. Since you know being in lumbar flexion on the bike is putting pressure on the nerves coming off your spinal cord, going into lumbar flexion as an exercise before addressing the nerve compression doesn't sound like a groovy idea to me.

Did your chiro suggest any lumbar extension exercises? Or at least some NON-weightbearing lumbar flexion exercises?

Do you have a primary care physician who can get you into some medical care for your back?

[short cut sally]

Thanks for your concerns, I've opted to do stretches to upper body and am thinking about changing my dr. to one that is more sports oriented and whom participates as an md for sporting events to see if there will be any new doors opened for me. I am toying with also taking my bike to another LBS for a fitting or tweaking. hopefully things will work out..