Thanks for watching! Still trying to "figure out" what's causing your back, butt, or sciatica pain? 🔥Grab my FREE “Better Than an MRI DIY Diagnostic Guide” here 👉 www.drcharliejohnsonpt.com/diyguide
WOW….Dr.Charlie you are a godsend ,🙏🏽🙏🏽I’ve been having this pain in my butt/hip , for almost 1 1/2 years , I stumbled upon your videos , 1 week later my pain is diminishing , I don’t know if it’s your voice ,but I do know it’s the video where you showed not to stretch the muscle but to shorten it (clam video) , I’ve been doing for 1 week , and it’s been truly remarkable, I am truly from the bottom of my heart ❤️ so thankful for your words of wisdom , and this video about pain being imbedded in my brain , please don’t stop what your doing because your wisdom and your teachings have finally put me on a path of feeling like my old self again , I started feeling pain after I turned 50 I’m 52 and yesterday for the first time after listening to your advice I’m feeling a whole lot better , thanks so much and may god bless you , on your journey to helping so many of us that suffer from this horrible pain .❤❤ Don’t ever stop what you are doing we truly need a voice of hope , THANK YOU 🙏🏽….
Hey Jesse! Thanks for sharing your story! And so glad we crossed paths- appreciate your support! Keep up the great work and let me know if ya get stuck!
Building disc between L5/S1 extreme sciatica. I found a video on here that said to work through the pain. But there are levels to pain you must listen to your body. Saved my butt. You must open those joints up to get the blood and nutrients to disc to heal. Spine movement is the only way that happens. But I get it, in the beginning it was just too painful and laying on my back is all I could do and forcing myself to walk was a real win. I wish the best to anyone dealing with this god awful 10/10 pain. You can do it! Keep watching these UA-cam videos.
This video is brilliant. Having had pain in my butt/piriformis for over 2 years I can understand how the brain can trick you with the danger of pain which is now not a threat. Thanks for the clear and positive info ... this is worth so much! 😊
I've always been very sporty and loved exercise even tho I'm now 64!. The last 2 years Ive had lots of physio and chiro sessions and an mri for my butt/periformis/spine (which showed nothing amiss) I've never given up on exercise whilst having the pain but I'm now planning to do longer running sessions than i have been doing and I try to swim 4 times a week too. I have a half marathon in Munich in October and it would be great to get a good time, for my age anyway! I've watched a number of your videos over the last year and your knowledge and advice is brilliant. (The best actually of all of the PT's👌 ) I live in England and i am so grateful for your down to earth, passionate and easy to understand expert advice. Thank you again 😁
@@angelabritton9335 I have to second that about this Doc. I am 70 and love to excercise and I am still running marathons even with sciatica but now I can only do 5K
I do this with gardening: I can take 10-15 minutes; then the pain starts in my hip or back & I go inside. RECENTLY, I have decided to use my heating pad on that hip and then after 10 to 15 minutes, I'll go back out YOU have given me a framework and logical template for what I'm doing so I'm going to carry on and I thank you a lot. AND of course I'm going to incorporate walking in my neighborhood --a brand new development-- but nobody walks😢 In college, I remember walking in a neighborhood with unique houses-- each one was different tho all middle class-- but it was very interesting. PEOPLE would come from other neighborhoods to walk in that particular neighborhood which I thought was strange at the time but makes complete sense now😊 My neighborhood looks good because it's new but it's all the same-- each house is pretty similar with the a little deviation here and there. So not as much fun but it's nice. I'm not going to complain and I'm going to do it😊
I live in the red zone unfortunately. Due to a car accident where I was broad sided and the door hit me, my left SI joint is pretty mangled. I've had several back surgeries , back fusion and an internal spinal cord stimulator with paddle size leads. This has been since 1998. I alternate between rest, stretching, heat, massage, foam roller, walking and a little dancing. I do use cushions when I'm sitting. I also worked hard to lose the excess weight which I had gained. Life for me is all about balance. I always "pay" for the activity which I do, so it's a balance between activity treatment and rest. If there is any more which I can do, please advise. The constant chronic pain for 25 years weighs on me for sure. Looking back, I wish I had been more patient with myself
I'm currently recovering from a bulging disc which I aggraviated a month ago (was stable for a year without pain). So now It could have herniated (didn't get an MRI yet). It was the worst month of my life and at the same time it's been a life changing experience so far. Makes you view things in a different way. I'm currently transitioning the 5th week and I could say the worst part is over. I'm having discomfort due to the sciatic nerve in my leg and just some anxiety in the night cause that's when I centralize pain from the recovery I do during the day (I'm adjusting the activity to avoid this) Anyway I came across your channel and wanted to appreciate the information you expose in your videos and the way you communicate. I've been reading a lot in the internet and at first it appeared like it's something for life and that scared me. Now I understand that it something the body can heal but I need to guide it with compassion and little steps.
Thank you so much! You have made the most amount of common sense I have researched. So glad I found you. So impressed I have told several of my friends about you.😁
I’m very glad you did this video- it def cleared up some things that I couldn’t get across when I commented how resting in the beginning was helpful in healing my herniated disc. It’s hard to individualize helping other people when our bodies require so many different things and different modes of healing. You are a blessing to this community Charlie! 🙏🏼 ❤
Wow, I was relatively pain free until sprained my hip, caused tendon tear and have severe spinal stenosis and have spondolithesis. It’s almost 6 months with PT and keep relapsing. This video helps me see how to figure out the rest and measured challenges. I was thinking no pain no gain…no more of that thinking. Thank you Doc!!
I keep a diary to attempt to correlate pain with behavior (return to activity). For a week as a test I stopped running but maintained strengthening and stability exercises for 2 hours/day and was quite pleased with walking, sitting, standing, etc. Then I went for a routine 3-mile jog and boom, terrible pain (hip impingement type plus it's referral friends) which made me feel like I had turned the clock back by years in terms of recovery. I record in my diary and try to correlate so I can establish what and when my next aerobic activity will be, I won't stop learning, and this video and its 60-year-old example patient Dr Johnson mentioned was a good lesson in us working on the brain and memory to re-establish new performance levels.
Enjoying my walk - running. Half an hour is fine. Walk when needed and run slowly. Can really tell my body perceives this combo as an enjoyable activity (again). Happy 😊
I was the victim of a hit and run whilst walking. Just a big bump on my head for a few days healed with ice. And then sharp pain spread from my coccyx across my lumber region and then both legs down to my ankles. Weird thing is the pain keeps moving, but is consistent. Can't walk very well. I've had two previous operations on my right leg (trauma) and oddly this hasn't affected this particular issue. Went for x-rays and no breakages. No point in MRI, costs a lot here (Thailand) and I definitely won't be having any more surgery. Bummer is my Wyllis has just been fixed after three years and it may take months to be able to drive. But am with you on the natural way to heal and agree fear is a big factor. week ago I upped my steps and everything came back. One more fall and I'm gone. Thanks for the words of encouragement. Plus, the PTs and docs are crap and costly here.
I messaged you before and you responded,the strengthening exercises for piriformis seem to definitely help my left leg weakness ,I really regret the small surgical operation I had on lumbar spine years ago ,if I had have came across you 20 yrs ago my life would have been so much better but at least late is better than never ,your content is amazing and I love your passion ,and honest care you have to help people rehabilitate .
Thank you for the guide! 6 months buttock pain that comes, stays for a day or 3/4 and then goes (?!?) 18 chiropractor visits which aggrevate the area even more. One chiro says: stretch stretch. Another chiro says: strengthen strengthen. Either way no improvement.
I was working for over 3 months with back pain and sciatica I've been off work now for 4 weeks and doing nothing is actually the only time I'm feeling I'm getting better
There are times when REST is needed… but ideally you stay as active as possible. Either way, find what works for you… keep up the great work and let me know how things go for you.
Great video, makes a lot of sense and answers a question i have been asking myself for a while. I think I have been doing to much avoidance , which has made me live my life differently. New week starts tomorrow and a new approach from myself. Many thanks. 👍👍
Fascinating - I have fibromyalgia but this video is absolute 'Gold' Dr Johnson. I am possibly neuro-divergent (being tested) so a 45 min video was an effort for me, but I broke it down into smaller bits as my brain was having difficulty following. My back is shot / lower spine and I have herniated disc... But I've taken so much from the few videos I've watched of yours. I've had pain for 9 months on and off and it's been soul destroying. Today has been much easier from a pain perspective. You explain things fully and give great examples - I wish your channel and your practice every success. Thanks 👊
Wonderful wonderful presentation!!! Great stuff thanks! I am also a therapist and i feel so many of these apply for chronic anxiety, low self worth etc. Experiences. Thanks again and blessings for your journey
Yes Sir It’s lightning ⚡️ leg You get some times just hearing a doc that explains it Gonna watch every Time it shoots off I know how I do it but still does not stop the pain then I have to over rest i went ocean Body Surfing with My Teen Last Week i always know i gotta modify stuff
The interesting thing is that, as you show here, pain is so much more than just a physical experience. The following have an effect on pain: 1 - Physical. 2 - Emotional response and anticipation. 3 - Memory of previous pain. 4 - Building a pain superhighway by overconcentrating on it - this causes the brain to amplify the pain and make it much stronger. You can positively effect everything from 2 above and you can also affect 1. However working on 2 to 4 will diminish the experience of pain. I have developed certain distraction techniques that have really helped with pain - one of the best is a set of rubber eggs I use that have different levels of squeeziness(soft, medium, hard) - they really help distract me.
Piriformis syndrome for the last 5 weeks. I ran 65 miles per week for the first 3 weeks of this pain, then went to 45 days and now zero miles. The pain never was worse when running or less when I wasn't. Even raced a half marathon and was only 30 seconds off my PR. Still walking 30 mpw but decided to rest from running for 10 days. I'm not getting any relief with ice/heat, less sitting, massage gun, increased protein intake, etc. Heading to the PT this week for further evaluation.
Hey Jim! thanks for sharing man… sorry to hear. I know you’re planning to see a local PT- awesome. Let me know if that doesn’t work out or you’re interested in my help- would love to chat to see if/how I can help you solve this. No pressure- but if you’d like… here’s the link to set up a chat. www.drcharliejohnsonpt.com/apply
@@drcharliejohnson Just FYI... I have a dx. MRI showed Proximal Hamstring Tendinopathy, PHT. Started some isometric exercises already and will be back to running loads I can tolerate starting this week. Following the 4 stage gold plan for recovery from this issue. Forgot to mention, I'm almost 60 so these aches and pains need to be dealt with seriously and patiently (IMO) so I can preserve the long term health and not develop more serious issues. Happy to be on the road to recovery. Seems this may be one I need to be very patient and particular about in the weeks/months to come. Boston marathon in April so I'll be healed and ready to rock!
Back: I had an x-ray showing a crushed disk between L4&L5, followed up with an MRI. MRI showed herniated disc between L3&L4. Surgeon said as I don't have back pain he won't do anything about the crushed disc and the pain I am having is from the sciatic nerve coming from L2 and there is nothing wrong with that disc. He diagnosed me with PS and set an appointment with a nerve test to see where in the butt the pinch is. What your video stated is the pain I am having is from the L4 disc mine is crushed and non existent. Who is correct. The pain is the worst when I sneeze while sitting. Feels like I have been hit in the left butt cheek with a sledge hammer, and pain goes all the way down the left outer/center of the leg to the toes. When I cough the pain in the left butt cheek is less, like being hit with a ball peen hammer, pain only goes down to the back of the knee along the same area as the sneeze.
Hey Dennis! Sorry to hear. This area is challenging diagnostically- hang in there. The issue with tests (even nerve tests) is they pick all kinds of things up… which may or not be the issue… this can be misleading. Are you open to a different approach? No pressure, but would love to see if/how I can help. If you’d like, just visit www.drcharliejohnsonpt.com/apply and set up a time to chat/submit your case for review 👍 Hang in there Dennis!
Thank you doctor for all your insight you are helping hundreds if not thousands of hurting people work there way out of a painful period in there lives and I am one of them.i have suffered for almost 5 weeks of what I think is a pariformis sciatica issue. I have watched at least 20 different videos regarding sciatica exercises and how to get pain free most of which don't work a 100 % of the time.but you seem to be on the cutting edge of helping so many of of transform our pain ridden bodies to pain free bodies thank you for your knowledge and sharing it with all of us may god richly bless you and your family. Ps my wife has suffered for over 2 yrs with her right shoulder and the right side of her neck do you have any suggestions or exercises that she can do
Hi Charlie, I have sciatica (positive on the double cross leg raise), and been having it for over 1,5 year now. In many videos you have been talking about the mackenzie exercise for arching the back. But in my case, it generally feels better to sit and slouch my back. I also have pain when transitioning from siting to standing and standing to sitting, and bending over. What kind of exercises can I do in my case to heal faster? When doing the arching press up, it makes the pain worse. Also, love your content!
Hey Jakob! thanks for watching man... Sorry to hear about what you're dealing with- no fun! If Mckenzie pressups aggravate the problem- I'd stop em cold turkey... in fact, perhaps we would need to explore more of the slouchy forward direction of motion to see if we could reduce symptoms. As for the transitional stuff- have to run some experiments and figure out what we could do to resolve that (lots of stuff to try here). But essentially would need to tweak that scenario systematically to learn what about sit-stand or transitions your body doesn't like... and find the off switch. Make sense?
I had no choice but to rest and not srand and sit. I could hardly make it to the kitchen, for months. This all due to severe sciatica nerve pain down my leg every time I would stand or sit, it would make me nauseous.
With that belief- you may be right. But perhaps you just have to make some tweaks/slight modifications to the way you currently work. Not sure exactly what you do... or find movements that you can "snack on" throughout the day to prevent pain from occurring. So many options. Setbacks are a great opportunity for learning/discovery/and growth- if you see them as that. Let me know if ya need some help.
Hi Dr Johnson, I have pain in my lower back and sciatica on the left side. I run and I just finished the New York Marathon. I won’t stop running just because the pain but the problem is I feel more pain after each run even I stretch 😢😭😭. I could have stretched the wrong muscle after each run and caused more pain. I am planning to see a back specialist and get evaluated. And recommendations you can give me on questions I should the doctor? Or do you recommend to see a PT specialist? Thank you.
Hey Denise! Thanks for sharing- congrats on the marathon 👊🏼 Are you open to some help? Not sure exactly what you’re dealing with or if I can help yet- but would you be interested in submitting details of your specific case and setting up a time to chat so that I can confirm if/how to best help? No pressure, but this is my area of speciality and we consult with folks worldwide 👍 Let me know.
I'm definitely in the red zone. My pain and inflammation gets SO BAD and just didn't go away until I get anti-inflammatory meds from the Dr. I've been debilitated for like 6 weeks now bc every time I try to be active again it turns out to be too much and I wreck myself again. It's been so tricky. I have tried to take it easy with my exercises and take it super slow, but still I get hurt again. I wasn't even pushing against pain... It's hard to know what to do to be active and get my exercise in. :/ For now I'm just resting and taking my meds and waiting for my nerve to heal. It's just so bruised rn. I wasn't too bad off with my sciatica until I bruised the nerve. That's when things got super bad. Before that I could exercise. I hope I can at least get back to that point soon.
i usually pass the straight leg test but i have the classic pain up and down the right leg, mostly from hamstring down. Chiropractor had me lift the leg to determine if i have disk compression or herniation, which is a specialty of his- he has decompression equipment. There is moderate scoliosis which seems to be the basic cause - no particular injury remembered . If it is not sciatica, what could it be termed. Thank you Doc. 18:04
Hey! so, if leg raise is positive- (hurts/and is limited) does NOT mean it's due to disc... it's a good screening test for sciatica but NOT diagnostic of cause of sciatica. If normal leg raise and pain in leg- then likely referred pain from spine, or hip, or other structure...
My pain kicks in when I lay down, and is fairly sore when sitting down. So I sure as hell hope 'resting' isn't the answer! I started core exercises immediately and already the pain episodes are way down and I'm only on week two. Shit, why did I just jinx that.
@@drcharliejohnson Thanks much, thats bad when you can get better healthcare access on UA-cam than the countries healthcare system. I always have millions of questions but will leave it at one....how do you feel about accupuncture? I was remembering your comments about digging around with deep muscle massage and was thinking I hardly need to agitate nerves,but my physio gives me strength exercises but mentioned accupuncture becasue otherwise she may be wondering why I keep coming back since I have my own 'regimen'. Last night I didn't even need to walk at 3, just took a muscle relaxant and went back to bed, and I'm off pain pills altogether. But driving especially in the morning is brutal, especially without my tens. Now I'm REALLY jinxing it.
Hey Charlie! For some reason, I'm not able to download your DIY diagnostic guide. It says to check your email/junk/promotions but na ah, can't find it anywhere.
Good video doctor. Definitely don’t want to keep picking the scab. You will never heal. At least that’s what has worked for me. As soon as I stopped picking the scab, I began to heal.
When I go for a long hike (5-6 miles with 1000 ft+ elevation change), I don’t have pain during the hike, but the next day I feel a little more pain in the glutes/legs next day when I get up. I normally have some pain when I get up in the morning even if I did not walk or walked on flat ground for one or two miles. Should I avoid going on the hikes?
Really good question- might have to create a video on this one... delayed onset of pain. Something to ponder- and a question for you.. If you bang your knee NOW- does it hurt now or later ANSWER: NOW and maybe later too! HA My point is this... If something is causing true structural damage (and is to be avoided)... there is evidence of pain in THAT moment- not the next day. If you cut your finger now- do you bleed NOW or will it bleed tomorrow? ANSWER: NOW. Are you picking up what I'm putting down? So, in your case- there is no evidence for me- or you- to believe that the long hike is A. what actually causes the pain the next day, and B. is causing any damage- there's no pain while you're doing it. I wouldn't exactly avoid that- per say. Hope this helps.
I heard that during exercise we don t feel the pain because the muscle is warmed up and more blood flow. But that causes irritation and inflamation that we will feel later. Same with me. Doesn t hurt when i exercise, but oh boy when i get in bed later.
Thank you for all the information you share. I have had piriformis syndrome for about 25 years now. I am going to start strengthening that muscle. Question for you, where does the staircase in your room go to?
I really wish I can get rid of this for good I get up with pain and go to bed with pain! I don't know if it is sciatica or periformis! The pain on the left side hurts from my butt all the way down to my ankle. I am using ice packs that dont help. I went for countless chiro treatments that dont help. I am doing accupuncture now it helps for a few hours only this is very expensive though! My right side start from my lower back to my butt and upper leg! This started after I had a fall flat on my back. I did MRI which the doctor said I have slight (spondelytist Dont know if I spelled that right) I feel so alone and depressed!
So sorry to hear about what you're dealing with - no fun for sure. You are certainly not alone in your journey - your story is not unfamiliar to me... I talk with folks all day, every day just like you. Are you looking to work with someone (new & a different approach) to help guide you in solving this for good?
Is it time to see a Dr? I’ve been dealing with pain in my glute for about 8 weeks, and sciatica-like pain plus numbness down my leg & pinky toe for about 4 as well as no reflex in my Achilles making it imposible to stand on my top toes or jump with my left foot. This sucks! Thank you for all the information you give us.
Hey Jorge- sorry to hear about what you're dealing with - no fun, man. What have you tried so far for solving this? I help people all over the world in my coaching program specifically with these problems... are you interested in some help?
Also, if 8 weeks and numbness with loss of strength- would see ortho/neurosurgoen. DOES NOT mean that you will need surgery- but sounds like nerve is LOSING function or has at least LOST some function... may come back without (and often does) but worth a consult at this point with ortho.
Been having sciatica pain for a year. Have been to PT, started stretching 4+ times a day, but still feel major tightness in my right buttock. Had numerous X rays and CT scans and they have shown nothing. 19 year old college athlete, what should i do?
Step 1- simplify... eliminate variables and stop things that are clearly not working. Step 2- Understand- learn what pain is and what pain isn't so that you know what you're dealing with and if what you're experiencing is something driven from an issue with brain + body or both. Reduce fear and threat to system. Step 3- systematically begin testing variables (movement) to find what motions feel safe and improve your ability to move. Lots to unpack here.
I absolutely disagree..........,in my opinion the brain doesn't just tell you that there's pain but actually there isn't any! In my opinion the nerves in our body are picking up sensations that indicate to our brain that something is going on. After this awareness it is up to the individual to see whether a certain activity will aggravate the sensation further or whether the activity is manageable. If an individual is getting pain, it's up to them to seek knowledge on what would be causing the pain and what can be done to rid the pain altogether or to ease the pain. In my opinion it is important to be off any medications or make sure they have worn off before evaluating whether there is pain or to what degree exists. The only exception is a hypochondriac who insists that there needs to be a problem and therefore insists on chronic pain!! I think some doctors who can't find a problem resort to telling their patients that the pain is all in their head.
You're allowed to disagree- but that doesn't mean you're right. It simply means that you're ignorant of the science and research regarding how pain works. The brain can absolutely create very real physical pain in the absence of tissue damage (perceived danger/damage- NOT actual)...
@@drcharliejohnson I may be ignorant about some research but I'm not ignorant to the fact that very many doctors who are treating patients, say sciatica, haven't had it themselves or can relate to the pain that comes with it! They can't relate to the pain a patient is feeling, they can only imagine, and the ones that have experienced it, would certainly be patient and empathetic in realizing the degree of pain inflicted on their patients, rather then resorting to comments like, are you sure you are feeling excruciating pain when doing certain if not all the exercises, because it might just be your brain telling you that!
Thanks for watching! Still trying to "figure out" what's causing your back, butt, or sciatica pain?
🔥Grab my FREE “Better Than an MRI DIY Diagnostic Guide” here 👉 www.drcharliejohnsonpt.com/diyguide
WOW….Dr.Charlie you are a godsend ,🙏🏽🙏🏽I’ve been having this pain in my butt/hip , for almost 1 1/2 years , I stumbled upon your videos , 1 week later my pain is diminishing , I don’t know if it’s your voice ,but I do know it’s the video where you showed not to stretch the muscle but to shorten it (clam video) , I’ve been doing for 1 week , and it’s been truly remarkable, I am truly from the bottom of my heart ❤️ so thankful for your words of wisdom , and this video about pain being imbedded in my brain , please don’t stop what your doing because your wisdom and your teachings have finally put me on a path of feeling like my old self again , I started feeling pain after I turned 50 I’m 52 and yesterday for the first time after listening to your advice I’m feeling a whole lot better , thanks so much and may god bless you , on your journey to helping so many of us that suffer from this horrible pain .❤❤ Don’t ever stop what you are doing we truly need a voice of hope , THANK YOU 🙏🏽….
Hey Jesse! Thanks for sharing your story! And so glad we crossed paths- appreciate your support!
Keep up the great work and let me know if ya get stuck!
Building disc between L5/S1 extreme sciatica. I found a video on here that said to work through the pain. But there are levels to pain you must listen to your body. Saved my butt. You must open those joints up to get the blood and nutrients to disc to heal. Spine movement is the only way that happens. But I get it, in the beginning it was just too painful and laying on my back is all I could do and forcing myself to walk was a real win. I wish the best to anyone dealing with this god awful 10/10 pain. You can do it! Keep watching these UA-cam videos.
This video is brilliant. Having had pain in my butt/piriformis for over 2 years I can understand how the brain can trick you with the danger of pain which is now not a threat. Thanks for the clear and positive info ... this is worth so much! 😊
Glad you enjoyed it, Angela! What's your next step from here on your healing journey?
I've always been very sporty and loved exercise even tho I'm now 64!. The last 2 years Ive had lots of physio and chiro sessions and an mri for my butt/periformis/spine (which showed nothing amiss)
I've never given up on exercise whilst having the pain but I'm now planning to do longer running sessions than i have been doing and I try to swim 4 times a week too. I have a half marathon in Munich in October and it would be great to get a good time, for my age anyway! I've watched a number of your videos over the last year and your knowledge and advice is brilliant. (The best actually of all of the PT's👌 )
I live in England and i am so grateful for your down to earth, passionate and easy to understand expert advice. Thank you again 😁
@@angelabritton9335 I have to second that about this Doc. I am 70 and love to excercise and I am still running marathons even with sciatica but now I can only do 5K
@@angelabritton9335 Thanks for watching and for your support! Let me know if you want/need more help along the way- stay moving!
how did you tackle it? I cant sit for more than 5-10 minutes because of the pain
I do this with gardening: I can take 10-15 minutes; then the pain starts in my hip or back & I go inside. RECENTLY, I have decided to use my heating pad on that hip and then after 10 to 15 minutes, I'll go back out YOU have given me a framework and logical template for what I'm doing so I'm going to carry on and I thank you a lot.
AND of course I'm going to incorporate walking in my neighborhood --a brand new development-- but nobody walks😢 In college, I remember walking in a neighborhood with unique houses-- each one was different tho all middle class-- but it was very interesting. PEOPLE would come from other neighborhoods to walk in that particular neighborhood which I thought was strange at the time but makes complete sense now😊 My neighborhood looks good because it's new but it's all the same-- each house is pretty similar with the a little deviation here and there. So not as much fun but it's nice. I'm not going to complain and I'm going to do it😊
I live in the red zone unfortunately. Due to a car accident where I was broad sided and the door hit me, my left SI joint is pretty mangled. I've had several back surgeries , back fusion and an internal spinal cord stimulator with paddle size leads. This has been since 1998. I alternate between rest, stretching, heat, massage, foam roller, walking and a little dancing. I do use cushions when I'm sitting. I also worked hard to lose the excess weight which I had gained. Life for me is all about balance. I always "pay" for the activity which I do, so it's a balance between activity treatment and rest. If there is any more which I can do, please advise. The constant chronic pain for 25 years weighs on me for sure. Looking back, I wish I had been more patient with myself
You sound so incredibly strong. My love and thoughts towards you and your relief!
I'm currently recovering from a bulging disc which I aggraviated a month ago (was stable for a year without pain). So now It could have herniated (didn't get an MRI yet). It was the worst month of my life and at the same time it's been a life changing experience so far. Makes you view things in a different way.
I'm currently transitioning the 5th week and I could say the worst part is over. I'm having discomfort due to the sciatic nerve in my leg and just some anxiety in the night cause that's when I centralize pain from the recovery I do during the day (I'm adjusting the activity to avoid this)
Anyway I came across your channel and wanted to appreciate the information you expose in your videos and the way you communicate. I've been reading a lot in the internet and at first it appeared like it's something for life and that scared me.
Now I understand that it something the body can heal but I need to guide it with compassion and little steps.
Brilliant...very clear...sounds like Stuart McGill in a flow chart and with very practical tips to live and act around rather than on the pain...
Thank you so much! You have made the most amount of common sense I have researched. So glad I found you. So impressed I have told several of my friends about you.😁
You are so welcome!
I’m very glad you did this video- it def cleared up some things that I couldn’t get across when I commented how resting in the beginning was helpful in healing my herniated disc.
It’s hard to individualize helping other people when our bodies require so many different things and different modes of healing. You are a blessing to this community Charlie! 🙏🏼 ❤
Wow, I was relatively pain free until sprained my hip, caused tendon tear and have severe spinal stenosis and have spondolithesis. It’s almost 6 months with PT and keep relapsing. This video helps me see how to figure out the rest and measured challenges. I was thinking no pain no gain…no more of that thinking. Thank you Doc!!
How's your progress now?
I keep a diary to attempt to correlate pain with behavior (return to activity). For a week as a test I stopped running but maintained strengthening and stability exercises for 2 hours/day and was quite pleased with walking, sitting, standing, etc. Then I went for a routine 3-mile jog and boom, terrible pain (hip impingement type plus it's referral friends) which made me feel like I had turned the clock back by years in terms of recovery. I record in my diary and try to correlate so I can establish what and when my next aerobic activity will be, I won't stop learning, and this video and its 60-year-old example patient Dr Johnson mentioned was a good lesson in us working on the brain and memory to re-establish new performance levels.
Best thing I’ve learned doc is anger doesn’t have to be the emotion we place on pain or being weaker etc or broken we can be silly even
👊🏼 great insight!
Enjoying my walk - running. Half an hour is fine. Walk when needed and run slowly. Can really tell my body perceives this combo as an enjoyable activity (again). Happy 😊
I was the victim of a hit and run whilst walking. Just a big bump on my head for a few days healed with ice. And then sharp pain spread from my coccyx across my lumber region and then both legs down to my ankles. Weird thing is the pain keeps moving, but is consistent. Can't walk very well. I've had two previous operations on my right leg (trauma) and oddly this hasn't affected this particular issue. Went for x-rays and no breakages.
No point in MRI, costs a lot here (Thailand) and I definitely won't be having any more surgery. Bummer is my Wyllis has just been fixed after three years and it may take months to be able to drive. But am with you on the natural way to heal and agree fear is a big factor. week ago I upped my steps and everything came back. One more fall and I'm gone. Thanks for the words of encouragement. Plus, the PTs and docs are crap and costly here.
As a Military Person This is so cool like a Plan of The Day Training Video sooo cool
I messaged you before and you responded,the strengthening exercises for piriformis seem to definitely help my left leg weakness ,I really regret the small surgical operation I had on lumbar spine years ago ,if I had have came across you 20 yrs ago my life would have been so much better but at least late is better than never ,your content is amazing and I love your passion ,and honest care you have to help people rehabilitate .
Thank you for the guide! 6 months
buttock pain that comes, stays for a day or 3/4 and then goes (?!?)
18 chiropractor visits which aggrevate the area even more. One chiro says: stretch stretch. Another chiro says: strengthen strengthen. Either way no improvement.
I listened to your video while I was going through scitica pain. What a motivator speaker are you. Thank you. Your videos helped mea lott
I was working for over 3 months with back pain and sciatica I've been off work now for 4 weeks and doing nothing is actually the only time I'm feeling I'm getting better
There are times when REST is needed… but ideally you stay as active as possible. Either way, find what works for you… keep up the great work and let me know how things go for you.
Great video, makes a lot of sense and answers a question i have been asking myself for a while.
I think I have been doing to much avoidance , which has made me live my life differently.
New week starts tomorrow and a new approach from myself.
Many thanks. 👍👍
Let me know if ya need some help! Keep at it 👊🏼🔥
Thnx Dr. Charlie Before it healed after one session but today I found out that it has to be healed with a span of months. Thnx, rest is important.
Fascinating - I have fibromyalgia but this video is absolute 'Gold' Dr Johnson. I am possibly neuro-divergent (being tested) so a 45 min video was an effort for me, but I broke it down into smaller bits as my brain was having difficulty following. My back is shot / lower spine and I have herniated disc... But I've taken so much from the few videos I've watched of yours. I've had pain for 9 months on and off and it's been soul destroying. Today has been much easier from a pain perspective.
You explain things fully and give great examples - I wish your channel and your practice every success. Thanks 👊
Wonderful wonderful presentation!!! Great stuff thanks! I am also a therapist and i feel so many of these apply for chronic anxiety, low self worth etc. Experiences. Thanks again and blessings for your journey
For sure! Thanks for watching
Your approach is really conservative, so it is reliable to me thank you
Yes Sir It’s lightning ⚡️ leg You get some times just hearing a doc that explains it Gonna watch every Time it shoots off I know how I do it but still does not stop the pain then I have to over rest i went ocean Body Surfing with My Teen Last Week i always know i gotta modify stuff
Is me
The interesting thing is that, as you show here, pain is so much more than just a physical experience.
The following have an effect on pain:
1 - Physical.
2 - Emotional response and anticipation.
3 - Memory of previous pain.
4 - Building a pain superhighway by overconcentrating on it - this causes the brain to amplify the pain and make it much stronger.
You can positively effect everything from 2 above and you can also affect 1. However working on 2 to 4 will diminish the experience of pain.
I have developed certain distraction techniques that have really helped with pain - one of the best is a set of rubber eggs I use that have different levels of squeeziness(soft, medium, hard) - they really help distract me.
Thank you Doc. That was really motivating, and confidence booster.
This may be one of your best, thank you!
I love your knowledge your a godsend bless you 🙏
Very helpful awesome thank you Dr. Charlie
You're very welcome! Let me know if you get stuck or need help!
This too shall pass lol ive been through no pain no gain in sports n military no one else’s fault it works in those fields
Proper pain lol I learned the difference stop pain n oh your weak pain yes sir got it
Thanks
Love this videos wonderful wonderful presentation. Thank you so much Dr Charlie.
Welcome!
Thank you for this video!
This makes complete sense.
Piriformis syndrome for the last 5 weeks. I ran 65 miles per week for the first 3 weeks of this pain, then went to 45 days and now zero miles. The pain never was worse when running or less when I wasn't. Even raced a half marathon and was only 30 seconds off my PR. Still walking 30 mpw but decided to rest from running for 10 days. I'm not getting any relief with ice/heat, less sitting, massage gun, increased protein intake, etc. Heading to the PT this week for further evaluation.
Hey Jim! thanks for sharing man… sorry to hear.
I know you’re planning to see a local PT- awesome.
Let me know if that doesn’t work out or you’re interested in my help- would love to chat to see if/how I can help you solve this.
No pressure- but if you’d like… here’s the link to set up a chat.
www.drcharliejohnsonpt.com/apply
@@drcharliejohnson Just FYI... I have a dx. MRI showed Proximal Hamstring Tendinopathy, PHT. Started some isometric exercises already and will be back to running loads I can tolerate starting this week. Following the 4 stage gold plan for recovery from this issue. Forgot to mention, I'm almost 60 so these aches and pains need to be dealt with seriously and patiently (IMO) so I can preserve the long term health and not develop more serious issues. Happy to be on the road to recovery. Seems this may be one I need to be very patient and particular about in the weeks/months to come. Boston marathon in April so I'll be healed and ready to rock!
Very informative.
very helpful, much appreciated
You're welcome! Thank you for watching.
Do you have a plan you feel confident in moving forward or do you need some help to get back to 100%?
Back: I had an x-ray showing a crushed disk between L4&L5, followed up with an MRI. MRI showed herniated disc between L3&L4. Surgeon said as I don't have back pain he won't do anything about the crushed disc and the pain I am having is from the sciatic nerve coming from L2 and there is nothing wrong with that disc. He diagnosed me with PS and set an appointment with a nerve test to see where in the butt the pinch is. What your video stated is the pain I am having is from the L4 disc mine is crushed and non existent. Who is correct. The pain is the worst when I sneeze while sitting. Feels like I have been hit in the left butt cheek with a sledge hammer, and pain goes all the way down the left outer/center of the leg to the toes. When I cough the pain in the left butt cheek is less, like being hit with a ball peen hammer, pain only goes down to the back of the knee along the same area as the sneeze.
Hey Dennis! Sorry to hear. This area is challenging diagnostically- hang in there. The issue with tests (even nerve tests) is they pick all kinds of things up… which may or not be the issue… this can be misleading.
Are you open to a different approach?
No pressure, but would love to see if/how I can help. If you’d like, just visit www.drcharliejohnsonpt.com/apply and set up a time to chat/submit your case for review 👍
Hang in there Dennis!
great thanks
You are welcome!
Thank you for excellent information
Thank you doctor for all your insight you are helping hundreds if not thousands of hurting people work there way out of a painful period in there lives and I am one of them.i have suffered for almost 5 weeks of what I think is a pariformis sciatica issue. I have watched at least 20 different videos regarding sciatica exercises and how to get pain free most of which don't work a 100 % of the time.but you seem to be on the cutting edge of helping so many of of transform our pain ridden bodies to pain free bodies thank you for your knowledge and sharing it with all of us may god richly bless you and your family. Ps my wife has suffered for over 2 yrs with her right shoulder and the right side of her neck do you have any suggestions or exercises that she can do
36:11 exactly thats what i am doing wrong alll these years...
Great video. Thank you
What if it’s your job that takes it into the danger zone?
excellent !
Doesn't age factor into healing times?
Hi Charlie, I have sciatica (positive on the double cross leg raise), and been having it for over 1,5 year now. In many videos you have been talking about the mackenzie exercise for arching the back. But in my case, it generally feels better to sit and slouch my back. I also have pain when transitioning from siting to standing and standing to sitting, and bending over. What kind of exercises can I do in my case to heal faster? When doing the arching press up, it makes the pain worse. Also, love your content!
Hey Jakob! thanks for watching man...
Sorry to hear about what you're dealing with- no fun!
If Mckenzie pressups aggravate the problem- I'd stop em cold turkey... in fact, perhaps we would need to explore more of the slouchy forward direction of motion to see if we could reduce symptoms.
As for the transitional stuff- have to run some experiments and figure out what we could do to resolve that (lots of stuff to try here). But essentially would need to tweak that scenario systematically to learn what about sit-stand or transitions your body doesn't like... and find the off switch.
Make sense?
@@drcharliejohnson yes , thank you!
Screaming This Sucks is that helpful Release
I had no choice but to rest and not srand and sit. I could hardly make it to the kitchen, for months. This all due to severe sciatica nerve pain down my leg every time I would stand or sit, it would make me nauseous.
I guess I'll constantly have set backs because I have to work and it definitely causes pain.
With that belief- you may be right. But perhaps you just have to make some tweaks/slight modifications to the way you currently work. Not sure exactly what you do... or find movements that you can "snack on" throughout the day to prevent pain from occurring. So many options. Setbacks are a great opportunity for learning/discovery/and growth- if you see them as that.
Let me know if ya need some help.
Hi Dr Johnson, I have pain in my lower back and sciatica on the left side. I run and I just finished the New York Marathon. I won’t stop running just because the pain but the problem is I feel more pain after each run even I stretch 😢😭😭. I could have stretched the wrong muscle after each run and caused more pain. I am planning to see a back specialist and get evaluated. And recommendations you can give me on questions I should the doctor? Or do you recommend to see a PT specialist? Thank you.
Hey Denise! Thanks for sharing- congrats on the marathon 👊🏼
Are you open to some help? Not sure exactly what you’re dealing with or if I can help yet- but would you be interested in submitting details of your specific case and setting up a time to chat so that I can confirm if/how to best help?
No pressure, but this is my area of speciality and we consult with folks worldwide 👍
Let me know.
Great video
Thanks!
Hi... Thanks for posting
I have a question... What if you're never in the green light..?
I'm definitely in the red zone. My pain and inflammation gets SO BAD and just didn't go away until I get anti-inflammatory meds from the Dr. I've been debilitated for like 6 weeks now bc every time I try to be active again it turns out to be too much and I wreck myself again. It's been so tricky. I have tried to take it easy with my exercises and take it super slow, but still I get hurt again. I wasn't even pushing against pain... It's hard to know what to do to be active and get my exercise in. :/ For now I'm just resting and taking my meds and waiting for my nerve to heal. It's just so bruised rn. I wasn't too bad off with my sciatica until I bruised the nerve. That's when things got super bad. Before that I could exercise. I hope I can at least get back to that point soon.
How are you doing now? Is your pain gone?
I have the same condition right now
i usually pass the straight leg test but i have the classic pain up and down the right leg, mostly from hamstring down. Chiropractor had me lift the leg to determine if i have disk compression or herniation, which is a specialty of his- he has decompression equipment. There is moderate scoliosis which seems to be the basic cause - no particular injury remembered . If it is not sciatica, what could it be termed. Thank you Doc.
18:04
Hey! so, if leg raise is positive- (hurts/and is limited) does NOT mean it's due to disc... it's a good screening test for sciatica but NOT diagnostic of cause of sciatica. If normal leg raise and pain in leg- then likely referred pain from spine, or hip, or other structure...
Thank you!
My pain kicks in when I lay down, and is fairly sore when sitting down. So I sure as hell hope 'resting' isn't the answer! I started core exercises immediately and already the pain episodes are way down and I'm only on week two. Shit, why did I just jinx that.
🤣. Keep at it Mike! Let me know if ya have any questions 👍
@@drcharliejohnson Thanks much, thats bad when you can get better healthcare access on UA-cam than the countries healthcare system. I always have millions of questions but will leave it at one....how do you feel about accupuncture? I was remembering your comments about digging around with deep muscle massage and was thinking I hardly need to agitate nerves,but my physio gives me strength exercises but mentioned accupuncture becasue otherwise she may be wondering why I keep coming back since I have my own 'regimen'.
Last night I didn't even need to walk at 3, just took a muscle relaxant and went back to bed, and I'm off pain pills altogether. But driving especially in the morning is brutal, especially without my tens. Now I'm REALLY jinxing it.
Hey Charlie! For some reason, I'm not able to download your DIY diagnostic guide. It says to check your email/junk/promotions but na ah, can't find it anywhere.
Good video doctor. Definitely don’t want to keep picking the scab. You will never heal. At least that’s what has worked for me. As soon as I stopped picking the scab, I began to heal.
Thanks for watching! Awesome - glad to hear it 👍
How were you doing that?
@@scotts1589 I follow Dr. Stuart McGill’s protocol in his book “Back Mechanic.” Check it out.
@@7THxSIGN thanks
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
When I go for a long hike (5-6 miles with 1000 ft+ elevation change), I don’t have pain during the hike, but the next day I feel a little more pain in the glutes/legs next day when I get up. I normally have some pain when I get up in the morning even if I did not walk or walked on flat ground for one or two miles. Should I avoid going on the hikes?
Really good question- might have to create a video on this one... delayed onset of pain. Something to ponder- and a question for you..
If you bang your knee NOW- does it hurt now or later
ANSWER: NOW and maybe later too! HA
My point is this... If something is causing true structural damage (and is to be avoided)... there is evidence of pain in THAT moment- not the next day.
If you cut your finger now- do you bleed NOW or will it bleed tomorrow?
ANSWER: NOW.
Are you picking up what I'm putting down?
So, in your case- there is no evidence for me- or you- to believe that the long hike is A. what actually causes the pain the next day, and B. is causing any damage- there's no pain while you're doing it.
I wouldn't exactly avoid that- per say.
Hope this helps.
I heard that during exercise we don t feel the pain because the muscle is warmed up and more blood flow. But that causes irritation and inflamation that we will feel later. Same with me. Doesn t hurt when i exercise, but oh boy when i get in bed later.
🙏 ❣️ ✌️
Thank you for all the information you share. I have had piriformis syndrome for about 25 years now. I am going to start strengthening that muscle. Question for you, where does the staircase in your room go to?
Let me know how the strengthening goes!
Oh... and stairs go to nowhere... into a cieling- HA
I have piriformis but feel no pain at all when I sleep. Does it mean anything
Hey Kay! No pain sleeping doesn’t tell me much… if anything- that’s awesome 👍
What are you doing to solve it?
Keep urr self moving😎😅
Right on 💪🏻👍!
I can really wish rest worked. It does not. The right exercise and moves do work. In a pinch, squats do work. Mine is piriformis.
You got it Dave! Rest can be useful- but doesn’t often help truly resolve the issue! Are things all better for you now?
@@drcharliejohnson Getting better. I work out three times a week and that helps a lot. Thanks for the video.
what if the pain im getting is cause of sitting, what can i do? sorry i've been commenting on quite a few of your videos, im just freaking out
I really wish I can get rid of this for good I get up with pain and go to bed with pain! I don't know if it is sciatica or periformis! The pain on the left side hurts from my butt all the way down to my ankle. I am using ice packs that dont help. I went for countless chiro treatments that dont help. I am doing accupuncture now it helps for a few hours only this is very expensive though! My right side start from my lower back to my butt and upper leg! This started after I had a fall flat on my back. I did MRI which the doctor said I have slight (spondelytist Dont know if I spelled that right) I feel so alone and depressed!
I hear you ..my story is so simalar... very depressing 😔
So sorry to hear about what you're dealing with - no fun for sure. You are certainly not alone in your journey - your story is not unfamiliar to me... I talk with folks all day, every day just like you. Are you looking to work with someone (new & a different approach) to help guide you in solving this for good?
Hang in there! Are you looking to work with someone (new & a different approach) to help guide you in solving this for good too?
Is it time to see a Dr? I’ve been dealing with pain in my glute for about 8 weeks, and sciatica-like pain plus numbness down my leg & pinky toe for about 4 as well as no reflex in my Achilles making it imposible to stand on my top toes or jump with my left foot. This sucks! Thank you for all the information you give us.
Hey Jorge- sorry to hear about what you're dealing with - no fun, man.
What have you tried so far for solving this?
I help people all over the world in my coaching program specifically with these problems... are you interested in some help?
Also, if 8 weeks and numbness with loss of strength- would see ortho/neurosurgoen. DOES NOT mean that you will need surgery- but sounds like nerve is LOSING function or has at least LOST some function... may come back without (and often does) but worth a consult at this point with ortho.
I tried to rest for a week.. it did nothing so I'm back to walking😂
Been having sciatica pain for a year. Have been to PT, started stretching 4+ times a day, but still feel major tightness in my right buttock. Had numerous X rays and CT scans and they have shown nothing. 19 year old college athlete, what should i do?
Step 1- simplify... eliminate variables and stop things that are clearly not working.
Step 2- Understand- learn what pain is and what pain isn't so that you know what you're dealing with and if what you're experiencing is something driven from an issue with brain + body or both. Reduce fear and threat to system.
Step 3- systematically begin testing variables (movement) to find what motions feel safe and improve your ability to move.
Lots to unpack here.
@@drcharliejohnson Do you offer zoom calls or anything?
Is there anyone watching this video that had or have sciatica problems and practice brazilian jiu jitsu?
I absolutely disagree..........,in my opinion the brain doesn't just tell you that there's pain but actually there isn't any! In my opinion the nerves in our body are picking up sensations that indicate to our brain that something is going on. After this awareness it is up to the individual to see whether a certain activity will aggravate the sensation further or whether the activity is manageable. If an individual is getting pain, it's up to them to seek knowledge on what would be causing the pain and what can be done to rid the pain altogether or to ease the pain. In my opinion it is important to be off any medications or make sure they have worn off before evaluating whether there is pain or to what degree exists. The only exception is a hypochondriac who insists that there needs to be a problem and therefore insists on chronic pain!! I think some doctors who can't find a problem resort to telling their patients that the pain is all in their head.
You're allowed to disagree- but that doesn't mean you're right. It simply means that you're ignorant of the science and research regarding how pain works. The brain can absolutely create very real physical pain in the absence of tissue damage (perceived danger/damage- NOT actual)...
@@drcharliejohnson I may be ignorant about some research but I'm not ignorant to the fact that very many doctors who are treating patients, say sciatica, haven't had it themselves or can relate to the pain that comes with it! They can't relate to the pain a patient is feeling, they can only imagine, and the ones that have experienced it, would certainly be patient and empathetic in realizing the degree of pain inflicted on their patients, rather then resorting to comments like, are you sure you are feeling excruciating pain when doing certain if not all the exercises, because it might just be your brain telling you that!