Ron Rickel

In July, 2014 I accepted a new position with Andrews Sports Medicine and Orthpaedic Center. With the new position, I was at my computer/desk a few more hours per day than my previous job, which involved a lot of travel and more time on my feet throughout the day.

In September, 2014, I began experiencing some lower back pain and I initially thought I had "thrown out my back" at the gym. I tried coping on my own - ab/back exercises, ibuprofen, modified my workouts - to keep from flaring up the pain.

Unfortunately, my condition continued to get worse and worse to the point I had excruciating, sharp pain in my lower back/left hip, tingling and numbness the majority of the day. I was miserable to the point I couldn't pick up/play with my 1 1/2 year-old son.

On October 16, I bit the bullet and made an appointment with Dr. Colberg. After an x-ray and physical exam by Dr. Colberg, he quickly diagnosed me with text-book piriformis syndrome, a neuromuscular disorder that occurs when the sciatic nerve is compressed.

Dr. Colberg recommended a trigger-point injection and prescribed a minimum of 6 weeks of physical therapy. The injection delivered some much needed relief; however, the 6 weeks of physical therapy with Champion Sports Medicine's Andrew Hutchinson was the key to recovery. The 3 days/week of therapy wasn't fun; however, I am grateful to both Dr. Colberg and Andrew for getting me back to 100%!