Possible sciatica issues. Lower back hurts when I walk a lot. In China.

[fuzzybabybunny]

As some may know I've got sciatica issues from improperly deadlifting 2 years ago. Its gotten better but it never completely goes away. I just did a long plane ride to china where I spent much of it curled up trying to be comfortable in the seat. I felt OK after getting off the pane but when I woke up the next morning it was really painful to stand. It can be hard to get out of bed. I can't do any kind of a sitting up motion. When I walk for a couple miles or more sightseeing I get this ache in my lower back and I have to rest.

Should I spend just an entire day laying in bed? I've spent the last couple days walking around and being active and that hasn't seemed to help. Maybe I just need a day off to rest?

 

[SociallyChallenged]

With all this dysfunction, have you ever considered something like a microdiscectomy? Has that ever been proposed to you by your physician(s)? Living like this is not normal and you shouldn't have to be in pain every few months. There are treatments for stuff like this.

And to answer your question - nobody can really answer a specific question about your pathology because none of us have evaluated you. It could be disc, neural entrapment due to decreased lumbar spine ROM, stenosis, peripheral nerve entrapment, etc. As I'm hinting in my first paragraph, I think you need to get to a healthcare professional when you get back in the states. Right now, do what you can. Keep moving, but take frequent breaks. Find what relieves your pain and use that position/movement frequently.