Question
For years I have been experiencing severe back pain at least once a week or more prior to having a bowel movement. I am not constipated when this happens( I go several times a day every day for the most part), and the pain in my back lessens after having the bowel movement, and then goes away completely after I have had another bowel movement once or twice more. I do not understand what causes this pain and have asked my neurologist once to no avail. I have a herniated disc in my L5-S1 that is pressing against my spine and had a c-section delivery in Feb. 2006, but this has been going on since before the C-Section I believe. What could be causing this? I am desperate to find out why. I am not sure if I posted this in the right group or not. Thank you in advance for your time!

Answer
Staten Island Pain Patient

Hello Kimberlyn,

I am sorry to hear of your pain.

Now we have to get to the CAUSE of it.  Pain is your body talking to you.  Pain is the LAST thing that comes in a problem, AFTER damage is being done, so we want to know--- what damage is being done, why is there pain, what is going on?

A herniated disc at L5- S1 is down low in your back- down towards your buttocks, L5- S1 would be around your waistline, or around where you place a belt--- so it is low.  Is this where you feel pain?- perhaps then it could be related to the L5-S1 disc herniation.

Is the pain up higher?  Is the pain getting better or worse over time?  Does anything else also cause the pain?  Besides a bowel movement, does anything else relieve it?  When did this start?- last month, a year, three years ago?

A physical examination by a licensed health professional- such as your local medical doctor, or the family chiropractic doctor is needed.  After that history consultation and physical examination, then an Xray of the area of pain is necessary. Along with the Xray, perhaps a spinal or abdominal CT scan, ultrasound examination would be needed.  Examination is needed to fully evaluate.

"What could be causing this? I am desperate to find out why...."- see above, have appropriate examination.

The genesis of your pain may be spinal, may be intra-abdominal, may be intestinal.  You need adequate evaluation.

Something may be taking up space within your abdominal, pelvic, or spinal cavities.  Pain upon pressure, pain relieved by a bowel movement indicates something may be driving up the 'intrathecal pressure' of your spinal canal.  Pressure increasing in your spine - - - due to WHAT?  You need exam to find out what is causing the pain, what is perhaps causing increased pressure.  Do you ever hurt in the back when you cough or sneeze?- this is a similar mechanism

I am sorry I cannot be more specific as to a diagnosis.

You need more thorough exam- including history, physical exam Xray of the pain area, CT and/ or abdominal/pelvic ultrasound.  See your doctor have the tests in the next couple of weeks and get to the cause- get a diagnosis and THEN treatment can be appropriate.

Do NOT just take a medication to cover the pain-- get to the CAUSE of the pain.  I have an information handout sheet I utilize for my Staten Island Pain patients:




PAIN     

Pain  is a  憆ed light on the dashboard?
 
Pain is your body telling you that something is wrong.

That RED LIGHT on the dashboard of your car-
-- do you ignore it until the car breaks down,
or do you get it checked and correct the problem?  

Pain,
pain in your body-
-- do you ignore it until your body breaks down,
or do you get it checked and correct the problem?   

Pain,  
do you cover up the pain by taking a painkiller?  
Take a painkiller,
mask the pain,
and allow a problem to progress in your body?



       NOTICE  ON  PAIN  RELIEVERS:
 
Label changes ORDERED by FDA;  the FDA announced proposed label changes for OTC over-the-counter pain relievers to include the potential for stomach bleeding and liver damage (FDA news  206- 207;  12-9-06) ;

The  American Heart Association issued a scientific statement recommending medical doctors change the way they prescribe OTC pain relievers from a first choice to an alternate of recommending non-pharmacologic treatment (AHA statement  2-26-07).

NSAID Acceleration of ARTHRITIS; an important side effect of Aspirin and other NSAIDS is that it will inhibit cartilage repair and accelerate cartilage  destruction ( Journal of Rheumatology, 1982; 9: 3- 5 ). Many times people take NSAIDS for the pain of Arthritis, not realizing these drugs may make the underlying condition worse.  These medications cover up the pain, and cause the problem to worsen.


Pain  can  often  be  the  result  of  the  Vertebral  Subluxation  Complex.

Vertebral  Subluxation           (  慥SC?,    憇ubluxation?  )
Vertebral Subluxation  is  actually  a  quite  common  condition.   Doctors of Chiropractic look for pathological conditions which may require referral to other specialties,   and also look for 慡ubluxation? Other disciplines look for pathology, but overlook the importance of alignment and movement in the spine which affects our nervous system  (the master control system- ALL health disciplines learn this).  VSC- 慡ubluxation??can be the cause of many symptoms and conditions.



Only  a  Doctor of Chiropractic  will  evaluate  and  treat  for  VSC,   as  well  as  other  pathology.


The course of VSC is highly variable.   Some patients with VSC literally cannot walk, yet other patients with similar test findings may be able to run marathons or lift heavy weights.    Some patients immediately develop symptoms related to the VSC,  some patients take years to develop symptoms.  Some people suffer for only a few days with pain and symptoms, some people suffer for months.  Some people recover in days, some take months or years, depending upon severity of the condition.

A subluxation interferes with the proper functioning of the nervous system (the master system which controls and coordinates all function within the body) and may cause various other conditions, symptoms and problems.


The Vertebral Subluxation Complex describes what happens when spinal bones lose their normal movement patterns and position.  When subluxated, joints are in a stressed, vulnerable, compromised condition.  Subluxation may cause Arthritis, Disk Herniation, or aggravate such conditions.
       Vertebral  Subluxation   cannot   be corrected through chemicals (medicine), stretching,  yoga,  vitamins  or  physical  therapy  alone.       Subluxation- a neuro/skeletal/muscular-    mechanical-    problem  requires  a    mechanical correction-  -  -    a manipulation,         best  performed  with  the  chiropractic  adjustment.

Dr. Victor E. Dolan,   Doctor of Chiropractic;   Diplomat, American Chiropractic Board of Sport Physicians; Diplomat, American Academy of Pain Management; Certified Clinical Nutritionist (IAACN); FIRST  Chief of Chiropractic  in  a  Hospital  in  New York State (DHSI);  As  Seen  in  PREVENTION  Magazine




I hope that information helps you and spurs you to get to the root of the problem!

If you need further information, do not hesitate to REcontact me here at AllExperts.com - http://allexperts.com/ep/965-100794/Chiropractors/Victor-Dolan-DC-DACBSP.htm


Good Luck, and I wish you Good Health Naturally,

Dr. Victor Dolan, DC DACBSP
http://drvictordolan.chiroweb.com (Email NewsLetter)