Question
QUESTION: hi!
i am suffering from sciatica pain since 15 march 2007.
age 35/weight 60kg/ build normal.
i have been taking anti-inflamatory medicines , my leg pain is improved.
I use to have numbness in the left three finger of of foot.
i was having sever pain in my left buttock which is almost gone now.

MY PROBLEM:
since then i have this pain i was not able to walk properly.Can not
walk for log time. and cannot walk by straighten by back.when i try to
straight my back i start feeling pain in my left buttock.

I am also using waste belt.
Its almost two weeks i am taking anti-inflamtory med. but still i cannot straight up my back and have bend while walking.
when I pinch or put pressure on the side of my left hip bone I feel minor pain gone straight down to my leg and toes.(this pain was sever in the early stage)

Like to ask this pain can be handle by taking MOTIFENE 75 MG   one
tablet twice a day?

Do you think i should see a Chiropractor or the pain will go by taking these med?

can you tell me where am i now. as it is almost 4 month i am not fully okey? feel tired after 30 min walk.

please guide me what i can do.
hope to hear from you soon. regards
iffi


ANSWER: Iffi,

It sounds to me like you had a disc rupture or disc protrusion.  At 35, it is less likely that you have much degenerative changes to your spine, but it is possible if you had injuries in the past to your back, or if you have a genetic predisposition for arthritis.  There is a chance you have irritation to the interlocking joints on the posterior side of your spine, called facet joints, and that these are preventing you from standing up straight.  Med's don't heal anything.  Your body does that on it's own.  You should get a good physical examination by a chiropractor and see if you have any signs of nerve root compression, nerve irritation, or just irritation to the joints in your back.  You may need an x-ray or MRI depending on what is found on your examination.  Either way, if you have a mechanical joint problem that is lending itself to your continued disability, then you should obtain the proper care to alleviate the mechanical problem.

'Hope this helps.

Dr. G

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: hello DR. Thanks for your great time by answering my questions.
infact chiropractor in my area is fully book til october and i am worried i cannot wait that much long.
Can i see a Osteopathy instead of chiropractor?
i feel pain in my sacroiliac joints left side only.
I dont feel pain while sitting and laying only when i put weight on my left leg. Even not pain in buttock as it use to be in early stage.

do you think i can get rid of this pain thru massage on these joints or by putting pressure on it?as my leg feel relaxed if I do so. is It safe?

hope you can answer me , as i am really fedup of this "SCIATICA".....

regards  

Answer
Iffi,

I can't imagine where you live such that there's only one chiropractor.  Email me and let me know where you are from ([email protected]).  Yes! Go to the osteopath.  Hopefully the DO has obtained the training and has retained skills in joint manipulation.  An osteopath may also be able to help by performing injections, or "blocks," in the event that manual methods fail.  All practioners, DC's and DO's, can vary in their approach and methods.  Hopefully you can find someone that is very hands-on and able to offer a variety of manual therapies.  Good luck!

Dr. G