Question

I hurt my back about a week 1/2 ago by lifting something heavy. Went to Chiro who thought it was probably a muscle sprain after evaluation. The pain was into to my butt not my leg. Sharp pain mostly when putting pressure on it, or bending. The pain was getting a little better. I went running (I know stupid!) and the pain returned with a vengeance. I met a orthopedic MD when I was on vacation who stretched me and readjusted my back. Felt better right after but pain eventually came back. I've been taking advil and stretching since saturday. went back to chiro for massage. Mosty now it only hurts when I step forward and pressure on it. I keep stretching. In certain positions I feel my leg pop and feels locked. Is that bad? How long before it heals? Am I taking the right steps toward treatment? Any ideas or suggestions?


Pain was never excrutiating and not constant. And if my pain improves a lot within a couple of days of rest to only a sharp jab, does that make the diagnosis/prognosis better?  

Answer
Dear Francesca,

From what you have described, this does not sound like a disk problem, but rather a functional low back (lumbar spine joints)or sacroiliac joint (pelvic joints above the butt) inflammation problem and strain.

You are taking the right steps for resolution, but this will take a bit of time.  you should continue to see improvement with adjustments, stretching and modification of your activities until healing has occurred.  the bottom line is that these types of injuries are not severe, but will easily take 6-8 weeks for the tissue to have gone through a good healing process.  The muscles heal fairly quickly, but the joint capsules and ligaments can take up to two full years for a complete resolution...so don't push it and take your return to activity with a gradual approach.  

You should be doing some rehab exercises to regain stability and support of the tissues while adjustments and massage will directly address the joint space, muscles, and fascia.  Your prognosis is good fro a full resolution as long as you don't continually aggravate the issue.

Good luck!
Respectfully,
Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman
www.suncoasthealthcare.net