1 post tagged “sciatica”

Maxicam_Leg_and_Calf_Press_Professional_Gym_Equipment_II

When my last major symptoms of Sciatica occurred in October of 2003 my right thigh was in a great deal of pain. I was having difficulty standing and walking. Within several weeks my right thigh had lost muscle mass and had visibly shrunk. After months of ineffective treatment I changed doctors. My new doctor sent me to a physical therapist to treat my Sciatica. This was July 2004. The PT gave me stretching exercises and advised me to join a gym.  Well after about 15 months I finally started weight training at an L A Fitness club near my home. 

The picture above is similar to the Seated Leg Press that I use on a weekly basis.  When I started using this machine in September of 2006 I could only press 90 pounds with both legs. Presently I can press 160 pounds with both legs and 70 pounds with my right leg only.  From inspection my right thigh is still smaller than the left and still weaker but slowly the right leg is gaining on the left. I am really encouraged by the fact that my right leg is near the capacity where both were in September of 2006.

I still must be mindful of my posture and can’t lift heavy loads especially in an awkward or off balance position. I can run now when before I had difficulty walking and have fewer instances of back pain.