Question
Hi my name is Jen and I am 24 years old. A few years ago I worked at Kmart and I hurt my back real bad. Ever since I have had problems turning the wrong way and lifting items. I get this pain that is so horrifying. So I was wondering if my back has anything to do with my leg going numb. A few weeks ago my boyfriend turned my leg to my outwards and it was hurting so bad. I couldnt sleep or lay on it still. Now I am having numbness in it. only on one side of the thigh and it is about the length of my hand where my vein is. What is this from?

Answer
Hi Jennifer,

It sounds like a classic case of a herniated disc. No big deal, surgery is rarely indicated, only 5% of the time. For decades herniated discs have been repaired non-invasively using flexion/distraction therapy. The pain you are having probably will either end up going into your buttock, posterior thigh and down the lateral aspect of the calf. This is classic sciatica and can be resolved in a few weeks using F/D.

Flexion-Distraction Therapy - What is it?


Flexion-Distraction, (F/D) is a gentle, chiropractic treatment procedure utilized for back and neck pain. Flexion-Distraction is a safe alternative to back surgery for those 95% of patients whose conditions do not demand surgical intervention. The doctor is in control of the treatment movements at all times.

Flexion-Distraction is utilized for many conditions such as:

Failed Back surgical Syndromes
Disc Herniation/Ruptured Disc / Bulging Disc / Herniated Disc
Sciatica / Leg pain
"Whiplash" injuries
Stenosis
Arm Pain
Neck Pain
Failed course of Steroid Injections
Chemical Radiculitis
Spondylolisthesis
Headache
Transitional segment
Many more conditions?
How does Flexion-Distraction Work?

For Disc related conditions:

Increases the intervertebral disc height to remove annular tension on the annular fibers and nerve by making more room and improving circulation.
Allows the nucleus pulposus, the center of the disc, to assume its central position within the annular fibers and relieves irritation of the spinal nerve.
Restores vertebral joints to their physiological relationships of motion.
Improves posture and locomotion while relieving pain, improving body functions, and creating a state of well-being.
For Non-Disc related conditions:

Patients with other conditions causing back pain (facet syndrome, spondylolisthesis, sprain/strain, scoliosis, transitional vertebra, sacroiliac restrictions and misalignment, certain types of spinal stenosis), Flexion/Distraction provides all of the above benefits plus the ability to place the spinal joints into normal, painless movements so as to restore spinal motion without pain:

The posterior disc space increases in height.
F/D decreases disc protrusion and reduces stenosis.
Flexion stretches the ligamentum flavum to reduce stenosis.
Flexion opens the vertebral canal by 2 mm (16%) or 3.5 to 6mm more than extension.
Flexion increases metabolite transport into the disc.
Flexion opens the apophyseal joints and reduces posterior disc stress
The nucleus pulposus does not move on flexion. Intradiscal pressure drops under distraction to below 100mm Hg. On extension the nucleus or annulus is seen to protrude posterior into the vertebral canal.
Intervertebral foraminal openings enlarge giving patency to the nerve.

Reference: Cox JM, Feller JA, Cox-Cid JA: Topics in clinical Chiropractic 1996; 3(3):45-59

Here is a site that goes into more detail and lists qualified trained provider physicians skilled in disc decompression.

http://www.coxtechnic.com/homepage.asp

If by chance a provider isn't listed near you, I can personally find one that is. In the mean time, ice it down every hour for 15 minutes and bring your knees to your chest one knee at a time, repeating this 10X both sides followed by grabbing both knees and pulling them to your chest 10X. Do this twice for a total of 20X each side then both at the same time before you get into bed and before getting out of bed. This will make the diagnosis much easier, not to mention easing your pain and enabling early treatment. What caused this is the disc in your lower back pushed out and it is pressing on the nerve, an MRI will confirm this. DO NOT GET EPIDURAL INJECTIONS! They only mask symptoms while destroying connective tissue and liver cells. Try the conservative method first, you should be pain free in a few visits with a Chiropractor. Find one that has F/D tables since this is the only proven why to decompress a disc without dangerous, expensive and unnecessary surgery. Physical therapist are not trained in F/D and usually aggravate the disc with active exercise, avoid this and go directly to a qualified D.C. that specializes in herniated discs. If you have trouble finding a good one, I will be happy to find you one. Here is a site that goes into detail with qualified physicians.

http://www.coxtechnic.com/homepage.asp


Thank you for your question Jennifer, I hope I helped you!

Dr. Timothy Durnin
drs.chiroweb.com