Question
QUESTION: hey i got a question i had went to the doctors a month ago because i was having leg pain from the side of my leg to the back of the knee. It was sharp pain and burning sensation i couldn't stand long or sit and i was walking funny.He had told me it was a muscle sprain and he felt my leg where the pain started and he felt my muscle were stiff he told me to take advil,put ice on it not heating pad on it and stretch it out now I've been doing that and the pain clamed down it but I'm still walking funny and sometimes i get tingly feeling.I wanted to know how long does it usually take for this to heel because this wasn't the first time so i must of hurt my leg pretty bad.

ANSWER: Hi Stefania,

Pain distribution like this is more than likely caused by sciatica from a herniated or bulging disc at L5/S1. An MRI will confirm this. If it turns out to be a disc, flexion/distraction is the Gold standard for repair. It is a non-invasive decompression technique that is painless and very effective. below is a link on what it is, a doubt it is a muscle spasm since heat would have made it worse.

http://www.coxtechnic.com/

Call around to local Chiropractors to find one that has this table and expect results after a few visits.


Good Luck!

Dr. Timothy Durnin

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QUESTION: Thank you, the link doesn't work. what exactly is that? and Is it serious? So i cant be a muscle sprain when the doctor had checked he said it was and it had made it worse.How could this be treated?

Answer
Hi Stef,

The link works fine, I just checked it, you have to click on the blue line. A herniated disc can be very serious, if it hurts to cough or strain while having a bowel movement, you can be sure it's not a muscle spasm or pull. It is treated with ice, both a disc and muscle pull, never heat. Look at any professional athlete, do you ever see them use heat? Ofcourse not, they use ice, these athletes are worth millions of dollars. If I were to cut into the area that hurts, it would be red, hot, irritated and inflammed, the last thing you want to do is introduce heat. I specialize in these conditions, trust me when I say heat is bad. Another test you can do to see if it is a disc is lay on your back and try to lift both your legs while fully extended off the floor 3 feet, if it is painful, it is a disc. Try the link again and you'll see what I am talking about.

Dr. Tim