Question
Hello Mr. Newhart,

I wanted to seek your opinion on something. I'm 25, in shape, active, all that good stuff. About 2 years ago I was doing weights (on shoulders) and had bad form and it appears did something to my lower back...in which I could nto bend or sit because it the pain in my right left was unbelievable. Went to a chiro who told me I probably had a bulging or herniated disk and started adjustments; I could only go for 8 because it was expensive and I could not afford it after my insurance stopped. At this time, he said my rip high was just a little higher than my left but that it was not siginificant and not to worry about it. Anywho, 9 months it went away. I could bend freely and all that. Then, suddenly I started noticing something similar...except when I started bending forward I had this localized pain in my lower right area. I thought, I hope its not the same sciatic thing! I could still bend back and forward jsut fine...found a new chiro, who told me my hips for misaligned (right one was 4 mm higher than the other and that was what caused it). He put me in an intense 5 days a week regime for 3 weeks, then 3 days, then 2 days and then once a week etc...after the first 2-3 adjustments, it went away and I continued for about 2.5 months and finally I stopped because again, it got expensive and I really did not feel a difference. It kind of kept coming back though it was not the same pain I had the first time I had the back issue.

So since then, I've been careful and started yoga as I heard its great for the back. I can do my backbend and other things but sometimes its odd because if I bend a bit to far I get this sharper pain in my lower back that comes and goes away once I straighten up...its happened quite a few times, no pattern to it. And sometimes I can just stand wrong and a I get a temporary quick pain down there and it goes away. Why the heck is going on? My x-rays showed everything normal and when they were taken 1 disc looked slightly smaller b/c they said it was probably herniated or what now.

I'm so sick of goign to chiropractors and spending all this money because I feel I have not gotten anything out of it. For now, I've taken up yoga and don't know what else you could suggest? I never ever had an back issues, sprains or injuries. Its just frustrating. Thanks!

Also, I'm about 5'7 and 148 pounds (I have a little extra around the middle). Would losing some weight, like those 8 pounds help?

Answer
Firstly, I am sorry your experience with chiropractic was not optimal.  It sounds as if there is some tightening in the ligaments in the Sacroiliac joint, leading to your pain.  I would suggest you try a massage therapist to loosen this, and if the need arises, do not hesitate to try a chiropractor.  MOST do not set you up in the treatment regimens that you have experienced.  Some, like myself, suggest a monthly checkup once the symptoms are gone, or more frequently based upon how you feel.