lower back/pelvic/sciatic pain

[dangerdave]

I've been experiencing chronic pain that includes a funny feeling of extreme areas of tightness mostly to the left of my lower back, just above my pelvis. This periodically spreads to other surrounding areas. I am also extremely tender to pressure at points just above and on the outside of my left buttocks. Sometimes, mostly from impact type activities such as running or jogging, I experience sciatic pain down through to my left heel. Also, if you count the big toe as #1, then my #3 and #4 toes go numb periodically. I have been diagnosed with a hereditary degenerative lower back disorder and pelvic torsion. Growing up, I was obese from about 3rd grade up until 8th grade and have been of a normal weight since then. This pain started one day during a long run about a year and a half ago. So far I have had some to very little relief from pain with physical therapy and stretches from a lower back specialist. I have been doing physical therapy for about 3 months. However, after being diagnosed with pelvic torsion, the lower back specialist(a very conservative one) told me that it wasn't true. I am skeptical and was thinking about trying rolfing or a similar technique. I have very little money though and can't afford to try it if it won't work though, any suggestions?

[doctornee medical]

Hi
Thanks for writing to the forum!
The other possibility is sciatica, which causes pain in the lower back radiating to leg. A wrong posture on a job that involves sitting for a long time too can precipitate this.
History of taking injections in the buttocks in the recent past should be looked into. A number of times old injection sites start troubling if undue pressure is put on them as in prolonged sitting. History of lifting weight and also your long run can precipitate this.
Another possibility is ischiogluteal bursitis. This is inflammation of the bursa that lies between the ischial tuberosity and the tendon of hamstring muscle. The bursa may show inflammation without any cause or in association with hamstring tendinitis or inflammation of tendon of hamstring. The pain increases on stretching.
Myofascial pain or trigger points in the Gluteus medius muscle and Piriformis muscles can cause pain in the buttock area which may radiate to thighs. Stretching the muscle increases the pain.
Hope this helps. I think you should discuss these possibilities with your doctor and get a referral for a sports clinic and consult a sports medicine specialist. It is difficult to comment beyond this without examining. A comprehensive investigation is required keeping all the points in mind. Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!