Question
Hello Doctor Gillman my name is Mike and I have a central L5 S1 herniation, and have been doing physical therapy for about 3 months (mackenzie technique) and have tried epidurals which did not work. I feel as though extension exercises are helping, but very very slowly. Recently I tried a chiropractor who has been practicing for a long time and I chose on the recommendation of a friend. After I go to the doctor and get adjusted, my bilateral radiculopathy increases ALOT. The first time it was like I worked my hamstrings at the gym, and lasted about 5 days. This time it is the classic "stabbing" and "pins and needles" sensation. My doctor said that this is normal for some people. The increase in leg pain is accompanied with pain in the bottom of my right foot. I have a constant sense of sacral pressure which doesn't go away with a "normal adjustment" on my side but it does when he puts me on my side and adds what he calls "sacral torque" / and another one in which I am again on my side and he hooks my top leg with his and adjusts. These more "aggressive" techniques relieve the sacral issue but increase leg pain. I'm very scared he is hurting me more because they leg pain isn't normally like this nor was it when I was originally injured. Could this be my body just adjusting to the adjustments or should I be more concerned and/or consider stopping treatment. Im 23 years old by the way, normally active. My goal is to become very active again with running and yoga like before and return to my job as a full time EMT. This issue is hindering me from this and I am quite concerned about my future health, but am willing to try many different avenues. I apologize for such a long paragraph.
Thank you very much for your time and expertise.

Answer
HI Michael,

'Jersey has some of the best and some of the worst chiropractors on the planet.    There are Olympic level DC's, and a few come to mind: Ira Shapiro and Blaze Toto, and also Bill Bonsal.    Your chiropractor is a dim-wit.   Increasing leg pain, or causing any peripherization of pain into the thigh and leg is a sign that things are worse, not better.    That's the whole point of McKenzie method.    You should tell your DC to open a book or read a journal article once in a while and get caught up with modern times...      See if you can find a DC on these lists:  www.WestHartfordGroup.com  and   www.ACBSP.com.     You can also contact the doctors I mentioned above and see who they know in your neighborhood.     A good DC should be able to fix you up.   

'Hope this helps.

Dr. G