Question
Hi Doctor Rozeboom.
         Thank you for taking the time to read my question.
I am having pain in my lower back that goes down the back of my legs and into my feet. I have had an X ray taken and my doctor said it didn't show anything. I fell down some stairs about 2 months ago. the pain started about a week later. I have been trying to exercise my lower back {situps crunches treadmill} sometimes I feel good for afew days then i start hurting again. I had a C5/C6 fusion about 2 years ago that really helped my neck and arm. I am 46 years old and in good health. I am hoping i can resolve this pain without surgery.
               thank you for your time.
                            Jeff  

Answer
Jeffrey:

Thanks for writing!

Yours is a very interesting situation. The fact that the fusion in you neck helped you neck and arm indicates that your spine is clamping down very badly. This type of situation is difficult to solve.

The first thing I would do is traction. Do you have a massage table available, where you can lay face down with the nose pointed to the floor? If so, one might rig some sort of traction on this table.  If not, how about a slant board? Lay with you head on the low end and hook the heels to the other end.  Or do you have access to some other spinal traction method? An upside down machine would also be good, sometims they have those at the sporting goods store. They are also called Gravity Boots.

Check these out and do at least one of them for a week or so and then let me know how it goes.

I would not do the crunches or exercise.

Notice also if there is a food trigger for your back and leg pain. Many times a particular type of food can trigger thise contraction of the spine and cause the pain to get worse.

Dr. Rozeboom