Expert: Dr. Man Tran, Ph.D., D.C., L.Ac. - 4/19/2007

Question
I'm 26 and I've danced almost my entire life.  Ever since high school, I've had pain in my hip joints and sciatic nerve.  To the point of my legs "falling asleep".  My hips pop in and out of joint very easily.  2 months ago, I started Taekwondo.  Along with my hips and everything else, I've recently felt a popping in my lower back, by my sciatic nerve, every step that I take.  It doesn't always hurt, but sometimes I get a sharp burning sensation in that area of my back (lower left).  What could be causing this, and what is it?

Answer
Dear Erin,

My apology for the delayed response.  My connection has been down.  

It seems the muscle surrounding the back and hip are weak due to your prior condition of the hip and sciatica.  The TaeKwonDo classes may have been too much for your joint and back to handle.  The martial arts itself involves strenuous stretching of the legs and hips as well as using the muscles of the buttock and back in kicking.  These activities may set the pain of your back and hip "popping."  Try reducing the TaeKwonDo activities for now and see how your body respond.  Then slowly build your body up as you progress.