'nuther health question - bad back!!!!

[cc-rider]

I’ve asked for your medical advice in the past, and it was perfect, so I’m asking again. (Send me a bill!) Here’s the boiled down version.

I picked up and sat down something that was WAY too heavy for me. This was over three months ago.

My lower back ached a couple days later, so went to the chiropractor. He worked on it a couple times over a couple days and my back ache went away. Unfortunately, at the same time, my hip started hurting. My tailbone area ached, and I’d have pains in my left buttock, left leg from hip to knee, and the left side of my foot tingles like it’s asleep. An x-ray that the chiropractor did showed that my lower spine was “cocked”, and likely pinching the nerve. After a couple more visits there, and no relief, I went to a MD instead.

MD thought I was stupid for going to the chiropractor, but never took x-rays or anything. He gave me a shot of cortisone and said I’d be fine the next day. Nope. Went back and he put me on steroids for a week. Nada. Then he put me on a different type for a couple more months, which did nothing except make me look like a chipmunk. Told me it was most likely a pulled muscle and sent me to Physical Therapy.

After 4 visits to PT and no relief, I quit going there, too. They seemed to think that I just had tense muscles. They keep concentrating on the pli…something. Pliformus? A muscle in your butt. I agree that the pain is coming from there, but what would cause that muscle to tense up?? And all the exercises, massages, electrotherapy, etc., wasn’t making it any better.

After whining to the MD again, he scheduled an MRI. He said it showed “a disk protrusion between L5 and S1” Ok…now what? He wants me to see a neurosurgeon.

My question. All this stuff costs $$$$. I can’t keep going to chiropractors, PTs, etc. if they aren’t working. Could the chiropractor have accidentally “cocked” my spine between L5S1 …which means he could “un-cock” it? Would the MRI show if the disk was actually bulging…or does it only show the spine being curved so they ASSUME the disk is bulging and CAUSING it to curve? Should I continue taking Ibuprofen (although it doesn’t even seem to help with pain….go figure!)

I just don’t know what to do and I’m so FRUSTRATED at the constant pain!! I’m only 50, but I’m moving like I’m 70!!!!

Thanks again for listening to me complain….

[Gary in AL]

CC, I have had lower back probs ever since I tried power lifting 25 years ago. A good Chiro does work for me but just a couple of trips doesn't get it. They had to "work out" these problems. In the meantime an ice pack can become a good friend. You can also take natural muscle relaxer & anti-inflammatory supplements and herbs. I use Xyflamend for anti-inflammatory (It is Great) and for the muscle relaxer I use Valerian Root. You can probably get it at a good health store, if not, you can get it online at iHerb.com. If you get the stuff at iHerb how 'bout using my number and I will get $5 off my next purchase. The number is RAH304. (shameless plug).
Backs can deal you fits. Hope you get to feeling better soon.
(PS - Valerian root stinks to high heaven but it works for me.)

[Jeff54321]

Get this book:

Treat Your Own Back
by Robin A. McKenzie

http://www.amazon.com/Treat-Your-Bac.../dp/0959774661

[puddlejumper007]

both my children have very bad backs, from injurys, go to the neuro guy, pt may do you more harm than good , the neurosurgeon should be able to help you. pinched nerves cause numbness and tingling, and can get worse..

[GoatsRus]

I agree with Gary. I don't think the Chiro did anything to cause the problem, but you need to give him enough time to work it out. I will add that you mentioned it went away and you stopped going. You should have kept up for a little longer. Plus, if that Chiro doesn't help find another one. I've had a bulging disc between t4 and t5 ever since I tried to move a piece of furniture by myself back in 1991. My shoulder and neck tighten up something terrible. Did regular DRs and Theraphy - didn't help. Lived with it until 2 years ago. Went to chiro for almost a year and it never really cleared up. Switched to a new chiro this year and guess what....hardly every have any problems. If I start to tense up, I go in for an adjustment and it clears it up. BTW, he told me that a bulging disc can go back into place.

[cc-rider]

My biggest fear is that the pinched nerve WILL get worse, or the nerves will eventually die. I had a nerve conduction study done (that was interesting) and it showed I had no problems. I guess that only means the nerves are fine...not damaged...yet.

It IS better than it was 3 months ago. 3 months ago, I couldn't bend over to even brush my teeth, and don't even ASK me to tie my shoes! I couldn't sit comfortably on ANYTHING. Now I can sit in a chair (not a recliner!!!! No more reading in bed, either!) without crying, and I've been riding my bike. I just don't move fast, and I still ache constantly, and I don't have the range of motion in my left leg. I can get it ALMOST straight if I do it slowly.

Do you think the antiinflammatory herbs would help? What if it isn't an inflammed disk, but a crooked spine? Again...would the MRI have showed that? Hmmmm....too many variables! I need to find a doctor that will sit down and LISTEN!

So....I know the stretching exercises help, so I'll keep doing that, but should I be doing MORE exercises....or just go to another doctor?

GoatsRUs...The chiro fixed the initial problem, but that's when the hip thing started. I stopped going because I thought he caused it. I could probably call him and ask his advice, too, although I really don't like the way they do things anymore. 20 years ago I went to a chiro for a pulled muscle in my back. One treatment. Better. Now, they want to do it "gently" so they do tiny bits each time you go (and collect $20 co-pays three times a week) intending to drag out the treatment for as long as the can under the guise of being "gentle chiro".

[Danaus29]

IMO, your best bet would be an osteopath that does manipulations. It will take several visits but they can do the job and give you some heavy duty muscle relaxant until it can be worked back in place. Osteopaths also can let you know if the problem cannot be corrected through manipulation and most can recommend really good specialists if you need one.

[buffalocreek]

For years I suffered lower back pains which at times put me in bed for days at a time. Then about 1995 I discovered colloidal minerals. I bought my first batch from a former chiropractor who had quit her work to sell CM full time. CM has over 60 minerals in it including a high level of calcium, which I think has strengthened my back to where I can lift heavy things again. I haven't had any serious back problems since about 3 months after going onto CM. I take 2 ounces a day and will for the rest of my life. I buy Clark's minerals, which is mined in southern Utah from an ancient seabed. Chiropractors never did me any good.

[cc-rider]

The closest osteopath is 91 miles away. I just checked my insurance website.

In doing further research, I DID find that MRIs will show the actual disk. I need to call my MD and find out what "disk protrusion" really means. It's ambiguous. Does he mean bulge or hernia? Or something else. They are treated differently. And I've read that "symptomatic treatment" is nearly as effective as surgery, just not as quickly.

I also found out that I definately have nerve impingment...there's a "straight leg test" and I totally fail it. I've known that...didn't realize it was a test, however!

I can't find what "symptomatic treatment" is, either.

[dbarjacres]

An MRI will show what your disks are "up to". X-rays only show bones, but MRI's shows "other things".

Find a good respected Chiro in your area. There are a couple spine specialists in our area here that have a machine that is supposed to stretch you out and decompress your spine (it's like traction done in a shorter time and with a machine, not just your body weight hanging). It's a VERY expensive piece of equipment and only a few chiros will have one. I would look into that first and ASAP.

You may look into Myofacial Release PT, which is GREAT or find a Reflexologist, also great, both have helped me immensly for my disk/muscle problems (prior problems, but aggravated from lifting wrong) I've had one dr. tell me bad disk and another strained muscles. My Chiro couldn't do anything for me the last time. I don't have the money to do an MRI (high ins. deductible), so did what I could afford.

My dad went in about 7 years ago for back surgery, he had other problems besides what you have, but also went for a few years with nerve problems that affected his foot (he started loosing feeling in it and dragging it a bit, so consented, finally, to back surgery to "correct" the problem). He still has problems with that foot as the nerves never healed like the doctor said they would, still has back pain too. Basically didn't fix much of anything. Dad is 59 now, so was 52 when he had surgery and did heavy construction work since he graduated, so he had lots of damage over the years.

[cc-rider]

Gary, is that ZYflamend, instead of XYflamend? CC

[Harry Chickpea]

Don't rule out acupuncture. A neighbor did all of the above for a back problem and it was eventually the acupuncture that gave him relief.

[Common Tator]

I used to be a huge chiropractor enthusiast.

I have degenerative disk disease, and have had diskectomy's at L5-S1, and L4-5. I have learned not to try to lift heavy things, because it is a certainty that I will further injure myself. I have done it too many times, and paid the price!

My degenerative disk disease is also effecting my neck. I usually have a pinched nerve there and resulting headaches and muscle spasm.

I went to a chiropractor a while back. He adjusted my neck, and immediately I was so dizzy that I couldn't get off the table! My face turned purple, and I was sweating so profusely that my clothes were drenched by the time I left the office. I still can't look up with my head turned slightly without a re-occurrence of the dizziness. I am now under the care of a neurologist for this. They did an MRI and have ruled out stroke, however there are known occurrences of stroke being caused by chiropractic manipulation. Whatever damage that was done that day, has been with me for a year now, and will probably be with me for the rest of my life.

[Tricky Grama]

So much depends on what is wrong...

DH had sugery for a ruptured disc in 2001 and waited just a little too long to have it done...has some numbness in the bottom of his foot b/c of the damage. Our dentist had the same thing only has 'foot drop' b/4 he waited too long...

We are fortunate here to have the Texas Back Institute-people come from all over the world to have surgery here.

Good luck-hope you get the right doc!

Patty

[Elsbet]

When a Chiropractor adjusts something, other things get moved around, too. It takes a LOT of visits over time to get everything in alignment. If he were able to do it all in one go, the pain would probably kill you. Muscles might be shortened, tendons and ligaments need to be stretched- it all takes a lot of time. If there is any scarring in your muscles, that needs to be slowly worked out, too, with massage, muscle stimulation, and ultrasound.
Talk to your chiropractor- he may be able to work out a payment plan or something with you.
Hugs, i hope this pain is resolved for you soon.

[7thswan]

If your spine is "cocked" it will push on your discs unevenly. If the disc was damaged it is now bulging and has'nt yet ruptured. Therapy can help. Be forewarned tho. I had therapy on my lower spine. Haden't yet had the rest of my back MRI ed, just x-rays done. At a point they put me in traction, it affected the damage in my middle back and at 3 in the morning it caused my diaphragm to go into spasms that I thought was a heart attack. My symptoms for my issues are just like yours. Tho much of the time I can't feel my feet well, causing tripping. so far I have 3 broken verts, spodieyness(sp), deg. bone disease, multiple bulging discs. And that's just for now. I wish you luck, I know that it hurts and lucky for me a med. for preventing my migraines also helps with nerve trauma. This all happened to me at about 45. Now I just plug along here at home.

[marinemomtatt]

Great information regarding back pain...this site has saved my sanity when dealing with my back issues which started when I worked in a Skilled Nursing facility. My favorite 'cure' is as has already been mentioned an Arnica based rub along with Solomon's Seal Root and St. John's Wort.

http://www.herbcraft.org/backpain.html

[mnn2501]

As someone who has had back problems for about 25 years now (and I am in my 50's) I found that doing exercises that strengthen my back has made my back problems go away. I went online and looked up exercises that specifically target the lower back, started doing them about a year ago (worked into them slowly) and have not had a back problem since.
I also have found out through experience that favoring a muscle when you walk is very bad -- walk normally even if its at a slower pace - by favoring a muscle, you throw your spine out of balance. which gets you into a 'cocked position' -- been there done that.

[marinemomtatt]

Oh...forgot to add that Mullein Root is also a part of the Solomon's Seal Root, SJW combo

[littlebitfarm]

Have you had your hip xrayed? Hip problems can present as back pain.

Kathie