Questionhello-I had a fall at work, 10/26/2009. I work in an ER and the custodian had put a slippery floor wax down and I came through a set of double doors and felt like I did a 'double axle' (figure skating move) and came down very hard. I was immobile for about 10 minutes. The wet floor was not marked and I was walking very fast into this area.
I am going to an orthopedic doctor and I received an MRI. However, he told me my MRI didn't seem 'significant'.
Here is the conclusion of my MRI results from the radiologist:
"1. L5-S1 shallow posterior disc protrusion eccentric left, near to ventral dural sac.
2. T10-11 and T11-12 slight posterior spondylotic bulgings, effacing ventral dural sac."
The doctor told me last time I went in that he thought my pain was 'muscular' , a strain, and that it would still take time to heal.
I also have pain that shoots downward from my lower back through my butt area alot of the time.
I had spoke with a chiropractor and he thought that even though the orthopedic doctor thought my MRI was insignificant, the disc protrusion/buldgings were the reason for my pain.
Can you please give me any suggesions to possibly bring up to my orthopedic doctor?
Workers comp denied the orthopedic doctors referral for me to see a chiropractic doctor.
Thank you so much for any time, help or consideration you give.
Answer
Hanna Somatic Educatio
Hi, Edie.
I think the orthopedist is right, that it's muscular, but it's not a 'strain'; it's a reflexive contraction of muscular caused by the shock and blow of the fall. It's called "Trauma Reflex".
In trauma reflex, muscles other than, but related to those affected by the accident often go into contraction as part of the protective response; that would account for your butt pain.
I don't think the MRI is significant because what it shows (spondylitic bulging/bone spurs) would not have been caused by the fall, but preceded it by quite some time -- caused by pre-existing muscular contractions probably related to the demands of your work.
May I direct you to my write-ups on the subject:
http://somatics.com/recovery_from_injury.htm
http://somatics.com/back_pain.htm
To ease the trauma reflex, sensory-motor training is the direct route; neither drugs, surgery, stretching, nor manipulation address it directly because it's brain-level conditioning and must be addressed by recovering voluntary control of the involved muscles.
See the video in one of the write-ups.
regard,
Lawrence Gold
