Question
Back_pain_area
Hello,
I have been battling an injury for a few years now. I'm not sure exactly what event caused this pain as I actively playing sports and lifting heavy weights at the gym prior to this injury.
Pain description: mild to severe discomfort in the mid part of my back. The pain is constant throughout the day and I don't get much releif except for when I am moving around frequently. Sitting or standing in fixed position tends to exacerbate the the pain. For instance, it is painful to drive my car for longer than 10 minuts. My hamstrings tends to be very tight. I do not feel any "tingling' sensations in my legs, the pain is in an isolated area. I feel the pain in my spine and my back tends to pop or crack all the time. If twist to one side, I will usually feel and hear several pops in my back. Any fixed position for longer than 5-10 minutes will cause my back to 'pop' if twist it.
What Have I Done? I have gotten x-rays done on my entire back and hips. No signs of scoliosis or ankylosing spondylitis. I have requested MRI scans but have been refused. Doctors have advised me to use traditional therapy or to take a pain relief pill. I tried physiotherapy and adjustments from an osteopath and it was ineffective. I started swimming 3-5 times a week to loosen up my back and leg muscles. It helps relieve the pain temporarily but by no mean do I feel any progression in the healing process.
Do you have any suggestions? Perhaps any additional tests or treatments that I could pursue would be a great help.
age: 25
height: 6'3
wight: 170lbs
active: yes - limited
Thanks,
Marc
AnswerMarc,
It sounds like you have been trying to do whatever you can in order to rid yourself of this pain, and I commend you for not giving up. The only way that this can truly go away and get well is if what's causing it is corrected. Drugs only cover up the problem at best, so that is not a smart choice.
Physiotherapy can help take tightness out of the muscle and provide temporary relief, but again falls short in correction.
An Osteopath is basically someone that does two completely opposite things (manipulate bones to free up blood flow/nerve flow which is restorative and potentially corrective if applied correctly & gives drugs which shut off life), so philosophically they do not have a clue and should be considered the same as a medical doctor (drugs and surgery only not manipulation).
So, it is not your fault, but you have not been to the one doctor that helps spinal problems every single day, the Doctor of Chiropractic.
Many times a general chiropractor can help in this situation, and we usually will recommend an Upper Cervical Specific Doctor of Chiropractic for the more difficult cases. This is a chiropractic specialist that is more specific, scientific, and pays more attention to detail as well as is much more conservative with adjustments allowing the body to do more of the healing and the work in getting well.
I hope that this answers your question and I would just suggest a regular chiropractor first as an UC Chiro is hard to find and usually requires travel.
Yours in Best Health,
Dr Robert Arnone
St Louis, MO
