Question
Here is my situation- I am a 22 y/o female, with DDD in my L4-L5, and L5-S1. My disc between L4-L5 has a "protrusion" which is affecting my nerves.

I have been going to a chiropractor since 2006. My complaints were Leg numbness/pins and needles/sharp shooting pains.

Upon my first visit he did the initial X-rays, and found I had partial Scoliosis in my lower back. We set up a 6 month plan for manipulation.

After the 6 month plan, He completed another set of X-rays to check the progress of the plan. After the completion of this x-ray my lower back no longer had "Partial Scoliosis".

I started going to him as an "As needed" basis from 2006-2012. No further x-rays were done after my 6 month check up.

I would say I probably had about 8-10 appointments a year as needed for lower back pain/leg numbness etc.

In March of 2012, I woke up in severe pain on the 14th. I made an appoint for manipulation, and he could not manipulate my lower back the first few tries than he finally got it. He informed me to lay still and wait a few mins.

As I was laying there my pain got worse, when he came back in the room I told him my right leg was numb, and Right and Left both had pins and needles and shooting pains.

He proceeded to attempt manipulation again, The pain was so overwhelming I was in tears. He could not manipulate a second time.

I went home thinking maybe I will feel better tomorrow and that the manipulation may just take a little extra time than normal.

Waking up the next morning on March 15th, I woke up in severe pain, trouble standing, sitting, walking, basically anything. It was suggested I go to a different chiropractor, So I did.

This chiropractor listened intently to my story, and all the pain and discomfort I had been going through for over 6 years. He refused to touch my lower back until an MRI was completed, and informed me it sounds like I have disc herniation. And if that was the case, my manipulation from the day before may have caused a "Spur" to break off.

I'm at a loss of what I should and Can Do. I am 22 years old, and my life has drastically changed. I feel that if my First Chiropractor was actually listening to me when I had originally come in, in 2006 we could have avoided this situation I am in.

I am now no longer able to run/horse back ride and other physical activity, I have huge difficulty completing my day-to-day tasks. My lower back is "Over-Corrected" as seen on my most recent x-ray.

Is there anything I can do? Is this how chiropractors treat their patients? The life of my Disc's has been shortened drastically, and I will never live life normally.

Answer
I'm not sure what you mean by "over corrected" your lower back, as there is no such thing. It's either in proper alignment or not. All chiropractors use different techniques and delivery methods. It sounds like your old chiropractor dismissed your pain and maybe didn't understand the severity of your pain. YOU WILL NOT BE SUFFERING THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. many people have and live with disc herniations every day without pain.
The current chiropractor is correct , you need an MRI.In all my years i have never heard of a spur breaking off from a chiropractic adjustment. Bottom line:get an MRI.From your first sentence, it sounds like you did.
If you have a disc protrusion, make sure your chiropractor checks your psoas muscle. This muscle actually attaches to the sides of the discs and must be checked and released to alleviate pain. The only way to release the muscle is from the front , just lateral to your belly button. It is painful but helps immensely. second:You can try cold laser or low level laser therapy which is extremely effective and safe to reduce inflammation and pain.
I think the fact that he corrected your scoliosis is a great achievement. It sounds like you had a fall, slipped, lifted something heavy or maybe a car accident (even if it was minor) that may have caused this protrusion sometime in early march. regardless, you need to address it now by the methods i mentioned.
good luck and keep me posted!