Left leg pain in squat and deadlift

[Chuckles]

I'm a 43 year old male weighing 185 pounds. Squat 265x5, Deadlift 300x5, Press 145x3, Bench 200x5. I've been experiencing a sharp pain that seems to originate in the upper, outer area of my left glute that radiates down through the hip and down the back area of my left thigh. Occasionally radiating all the way down through my left calf. My squat and deadlift are getting derailed. During the initial descent in the squat, the pain is acute and severe. My online SSC and I have tried narrower stances and narrower toe angles which haven't improved. In the deadlift, the same sharp pain gets worse in the glute and hamstring area while taking a grip and slightly rocking back to maintain shoulders over the bar. Due to the pain, my left leg doesn't carry its share of the load and my right leg is working harder. In my day to day activities I'm not bothered by the pain at all.

I have an annual physical coming up. What's the right path for diagnosis? I'd like to spend as little time in the medical realm as possible.

Thanks,
Chuck

[Mark Rippetoe]

This is a classic sciatica presentation. Usually resolved with a piriformis release, by a therapist who knows how.

[Chuckles]

Rip,

Thank you for your analysis and pointing me in a direction which doesn't involve my GP. I've booked an appointment with a sports therapist that advertises relief from sciatica/piriformis syndrome.

[BareSteel]

This is a classic sciatica presentation. Usually resolved with a piriformis release, by a therapist who knows how.

I'm curious what this looks like when a therapist does it properly. Is the patient a passive recipient or do they have to physically do anything during the process? I imagine it's a more painful, but more satisfying, version of what can be done at home with a lacrosse ball.

[Mark Rippetoe]

I'm curious what this looks like when a therapist does it properly. Is the patient a passive recipient or do they have to physically do anything during the process? I imagine it's a more painful, but more satisfying, version of what can be done at home with a lacrosse ball.

You cannot do an effective piriformis release to yourself with a lacrosse ball.

[BareSteel]

You cannot do an effective piriformis release to yourself with a lacrosse ball.

Rip, understood. It's tough to get much pressure from the ball - even on a hard floor.

Can you elaborate on what a proper piriformis release looks like? The OP might like this information, too. Here is what I received once:

1. Lay face down on massage table
2. Flex left knee so that tibia is about vertical
3. Therapist applies pressure to left glute with hand or elbow, while externally rotating left leg (the bent leg).
4. Therapist repeats process at slightly different positions along the glute
4. Repeat above steps for right side

Is that about right? Thank you for your time.

[Mark Rippetoe]

That's not the way I do it. My way hurts more than that, and it works the first time. But I'm not a therapist, so I won't be making a video.

[Chuckles]

Went to my appointment today at Performance Sports Therapy here in Tucson, AZ. I wanted to walk out as soon as I walked in. The holistic theme and vegan nutrition guides set off alarm bells. While in the exam room I described the issue above. The therapist inquired about my deadlift and squat loads. Boasted about how no-one believes him when he tells folks he can squat 450 and bench 300. Described how weak my core must be while illustrating his point with 4 cardboard squares with strings hanging from them. Told me that my body is that of an infant and my attachments aren't strong enough to support the loads. Asked me if I understand. I said "no". He repeated the above once more and I grabbed my keys and shades and walked out with him trailing behind pleading to speak with me. I imagine that if I had stayed we would've performed a semen milking procedure or dabbled in urine therapy. Perhaps a mutual ball cupping ritual.

When I had my GP test my testosterone levels I was fully prepared for her to tell me that total T @ 269 was perfectly fine and within the reference range. Fully prepared to hear her describe the dangers of heart attack, stroke and prostate enlargement if I go on TRT. I already knew she would say those things! I wasn't prepared for today at all.

Back to square one. Should I find an orthopedic sports doctor? Having never been an athlete I'm even less certain now who I should contact to get the pain resolved and get my lifts moving again.

[Mark Rippetoe]

Go to a large male massage therapist who doesn't like you. He'll know what to do. If he doesn't, have him call me.

[Chuckles]

Go to a large male massage therapist who doesn't like you. He'll know what to do. If he doesn't, have him call me.

Did exactly as you said. 2 days later the cheeks are still tender and sore as I asked him to do the left and right. Squatted today without pain for the first time in 6 months. Time for a short LP and back to business.

Thanks!