QuestionI was lifting some car parts yesterday and while lifting i heard and felt something rip in my lower back. Almost instantly had pain in my lower back and down into my leg. I have been icing every hour along with taking 800mg ibprophen, and some percocet 5mg, but the pain is unbearable. I can barely walk or get out of bed on my own this morning. Please let me know what i could have done to myself. I am probably going to try to make it to a chiropractor today!!!
Answerback pain , low back pain , pain in the leg , sciatica , sprain-strain , herniated disc , HNP
Hello Nick,
First, let me apologize for not giving you an answer sooner. My computer at home died over the holidays, AND my office computer is also having problems. Now my home computer is in the trash, and I am grabbing some time at the office computer between patients,,,, hopefully I will not crash.
Next, I am sorry for your pain, sciatica, back problem, sprain/ strain, possible HNP (herniated disc).
I do hope you have been able to see a Doctor of Chiropractic for your back pain, leg pain. Chiropractic evaluation will help diagnose what you have done.
"Back Pain", "Sciatica"; these are only 1/2 a diagnosis. What is CAUSING the back pain, what is causing the sciatica. We know with you that it is most probably traumatic, not some metabolic pathology, some cancer or tumor; you have at least a sprain/ strain, possibly a herniated disc.
You did absolutely the right thing with the quick application of ice. In my Staten Island Chiropractic office I instruct everyone on the proper use of ICE and heat. I talk "Ice is Nice"; when you get hurt, when you have pain, ice is nice; 15 minutes on, 30 minutes off, never on bare skin, always through cloth, on/off/on/off/on/off the more often the better. I have a lot of athletes in the office with their bumps/ bruises/ sprains/ strains/ contusions. Ice works wonders for anti-inflammatory and analgesic reasons.
As a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC), I cannot comment on the use of medications. But I think "....taking 800mg ibprophen, and some percocet 5mg...." would be supported by my medical colleagues to also control inflammation and pain.
I think you took the right steps initially.
I hope you have made it to the DC by now (again, sorry for the delay in answering due to the computer breakdowns). Conservative treatment is probably the treatment of choice at this time: in office GENTLE maneuvers, SOT, stretching (perhaps knee to chest stretches in office and at home: http://www.about-the-web.com/spiritworks/web/Kaiser/html/kneechst.htm -first one leg, then the other, then the both), activator, ice in the office, infrasound, ultrasound, muscle stim, interferential therapies, perhaps kinesio taping or lumbar bracing for support.
Xray could have been (should have been) part of the initial workup. If you progress quickly, perhaps an MRI and EMG/ncv will not be necessary. If progress is slow, perhaps MRI and EMG/ncv testing is in your future.
Communicate with your Doctor about your progress. Treatment may be the same for days or even weeks, but progress should be made. Re-evaluation, patient tolerance, patient response may alter the treatment protocols over time.
I use patient information sheets in my Staten Island Chiropractic office, perhaps these will add to information already given to you:
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揝ciatica?
( Also Known As- neuritis, neuralgia, sciatic-radiculitis ) (pain down the leg, with or without
back pain)
Sciatica can be caused by many different things.
Big, BAD, catastrophic things like a tumor or a cancer can cause
Sciatica (only a proper exam by a licensed doctor, like your Doctor of Chiropractic, or your family Doctor of Medicine, can evaluate
your signs and symptoms, and perhaps refer for testing).
Big, bad things like a Herniated Disc, sciatica, possible fracture or dislocation can cause Sciatica (again, best evaluated by your DC or MD, and perhaps referral).
Bad things, like - Sprains, Strains, contusion, or Vertebral Subluxation Complex (all very efficiently diagnosed and treated by your Doctor Of Chiropractic. Sciatica can come from a motor vehicle accident, sport injury, slip, trip, fall, arthritis, lifting improperly, or even bad posture in standing, sitting or sleeping. All of these things often have a Lumbar (Low Back) Vertebral Subluxation involved. Sometimes we can wake up with 憇ciatica? .... sometimes a slip, trip, fall, heavy lift, or even a motor vehicle accident can cause a 憇ciatica? Frequently- the true c a u s e of the 憇ciatica? = pain in the lower back, buttock(s), thigh, calf and/or foot (even to toes); is a misalignment, a 慿ink?in the back- more properly termed a Vertebral Subluxation. 摂Sciatica敂 is only 1/2 a diagnosis .... what is causing the sciatica?
Vertebral Subluxation Complex (a.k.a. 憇ubluxation?
The vertebral subluxation complex is often the underlying cause of sciatica and many healthcare problems. 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.
This (subluxation) is a serious condition identified by its five parts:
Spinal Kinesiopathology:
This is fancy way of saying the bones of the spine have lost their normal motion and position. It restricts your ability to turn and bend. It sets in motion the other four components.
Neuropathophysiology:
Improper spinal function can choke, stretch, or irritate delicate nerve tissue. The resulting nerve system dysfunction can cause symptoms elsewhere in the body.
Myopathology:
Muscles supporting the spine can weaken, atrophy, or become tight and go into spasm. The resulting scar tissue changes muscle tone, requiring repeated spinal adjustments.
Histopathology:
A rise in temperature from an increase in blood and lymph supplies result in swelling and inflammation. Discs can bulge, herniate, tear, or degenerate. Other soft tissues may suffer permanent damage.
Pathophysiology:
The VSC contributes to OsteoArthritic degeneration. Bone spurs and other abnormal bony growths attempt to fuse malfunctioning spinal joints. This spinal decay, scar tissue, and long-term nerve dysfunction can cause other systems of the body to malfunction.
The Vertebral Subluxation Complex describes what happens when spinal bones lose their normal movement patterns and position.
Automobile accidents, improper lifting, improper posture, alcohol, emotional stress, chemical imbalances, and long periods of sitting can cause the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.
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. For good health- Treat the Cause, not just the Symptoms.
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P.R.I.C.E. =
P protection. R rest. I ice. C compression. E elevation.
Hurt yourself ?? injury/ trauma/ bruise/ not even sure - - a broken bone ??
You should certainly get to the Doctor or trained health professional to be examined if you think it is bad enough. BUT in the meantime, some simple steps may help.
PRICE.
The PRICE protocol will usually help just about any musculoskeletal injury.
P = Protection; protect the area from further injury- stop what you are doing, can you pad or bandage the area ? Tape the area? Do something to protect the area !
R = Rest; rest the area as much as possible, if a part is damaged, give the body time to repair the area
I = Ice; ice is a potent anti-inflammatory; it will slow swelling, help with pain control (ice is analgesic), place ice over cloth over the injured area for 5, 10 minutes, off the injured area for 30 minutes; then back on again
C = Compression; to help prevent swelling compression may be helpful- for example if it is an ankle, wrap the ankle with an ace bandage and ice the area. Many body parts may not be applicable to compression.
E = Elevation; again to fight swelling and pain, raising the injured body part above the heart may be helpful- ie raise an ankle or knee, you lay down, raise the injured part
PRICE may help : Sprains, Strains, musculo-skeletal injury, bruise, contusion
Sometimes a slip, trip, fall, heavy lift, athletic injury, or a motor vehicle accident can cause a bump or bruise, sprain or strain. Sometimes also involved with the injury is a vertebral subluxation (or other joint subluxation) (subluxation is a mechanical problem- of any joint- and requires a mechanical correction). In the spine, a sprain/strain is a misalignment, a 慿ink?in the joint, a stretch of the muscles, tendons and/ or ligaments:- more properly termed a Vertebral Subluxation. Sometimes symptoms can come immediately, sometimes days, weeks or even months later!- Well after the actual trauma !!!
Spinal = Vertebral Subluxation Complex (a.k.a. 憇ubluxation? ; ( subluxation COULD be any joint )
The vertebral subluxation complex is the underlying cause of many healthcare problems.
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.
This is a serious condition identified by its five parts:
Spinal Kinesiopathology:
This is fancy way of saying the bones of the spine have lost their normal motion and position. It restricts your ability to turn and bend. It sets in motion the other four components.
Neuropathophysiology:
Improper spinal function can choke, stretch, or irritate delicate nerve tissue. The resulting nerve system dysfunction can cause symptoms elsewhere in the body.
Myopathology:
Muscles supporting the spine can weaken, atrophy, or become tight and go into spasm. The resulting scar tissue changes muscle tone, requiring repeated spinal adjustments.
Histopathology:
A rise in temperature from an increase in blood and lymph supplies result in swelling and inflammation. Discs can bulge, herniate, tear, or degenerate. Other soft tissues may suffer permanent damage.
Pathophysiology:
Bone spurs and other abnormal bony growths attempt to fuse malfunctioning spinal joints. This spinal decay, scar tissue, and long-term nerve dysfunction can cause other systems of the body to malfunction.
The Vertebral Subluxation Complex describes what happens when spinal bones lose their normal movement patterns and position.
Automobile accidents, improper lifting, improper posture, alcohol, emotional stress, chemical imbalances, and long periods of sitting can cause the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.
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. For good health- Treat the Cause, not just the Symptoms. Sprain/ strain/ bump/ bruise?= may result in subluxation of the nearby joint. CORRECT the subluxation !!!!
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
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Again, I am sorry for the delay in reply.
It sounds like you were on the right road without me, I hope this just encourages you, and maybe gives you a little more info.
I hope the above helps. If further info is needed, do not hesitate to
re-contact me here at AllExperts.com
( http://allexperts.com/ep/965-100794/Chiropractors/Victor-Dolan-DC-DACBSP.htm )
Thank You, your Staten Island Chiropractor friend signing off,
Dr. Victor Dolan, DC
http://drvictordolan.chiroweb.com (email newsletter)
