Question
Hi,
I am 23 years old and at least two to three times a year, have these spurts of intense back pain - mostly in the mid and lower regions, but sometimes in between the shoulder blades as well. The back pain is so bad that it's uncomfortable to even lie down and I have a hard time sleeping. With the pain comes nausea, weakness and sometimes dizziness. I feel like I've got a really bad case of the flu with how stiff and sore my skin and muscles are - it lasts for about two days and then I feel fine again. I've seen several doctors about these spurts, but none have been able to diagnose me. They've looked into kidney, bladder infections, Irritable bowl syndrome and others but have turned up nothing. My mom has witnessed me having one of these spurts and thinks it highly abnormal that I get these at such a young age. She wants me to start writing a dairy of the episodes and then take them to a doctor. Also, I've noticed that in between these spurts (almost constantly) I have really tight ham-strings, butt and lower back. My husband has played soccer his whole life and says I have the symptoms of a pulled sciatic nerve. What do you think/recommend? I'm so frustrated with this! Any insight would be most appreciated. Thanks and have a great day!
- Natalie


Answer
Natalie,

Thanks for the question and I hope I can help.  

First I want to address the tight hams, butt and back.  This is common place in patients with sacroiliac joint fixation/dysfunction.  This can certainly cause sciatica, but sciatica is more of a lower back and buttock pain with pain radiating down one leg.  If you are having this, then it is sciatica.  Chiropractic treatment can definitely resolve this.  I had a 25 year old mother of two who had suffered 8 years of the same type symptoms.  We have treated her two times and her pain is 80% gone already.   

As for the spurts of back pain and other symptoms, there are many things that this could be.  But if it only happens 2-3 times per year and last only for a couple of days and then you are fine, I would be inclined to blame some type of recurring virus.  The symptoms you indicate are certainly virus-like and the fact that it lasts a few days and then it is gone is also virus-like.  I would recommend your best effort at boosting your immune symptoms with better food intake, supplementation aimed at boosting immunity (i.e. antioxidants, Vit B, C, selenium, herbal immune enhancers), exercise and adequate amounts of sleep.  Also, you should make sure that your environment does not include allergens or other possible causes.  

If you tend to have gastro-intestinal tract problems such as constipation, diarrhea, bloating, gas, you should begin a daily regimen of probiotics, digestive enzymes and other supplements to improve digestive, absorption and elimination.  Also, increase your water intake.  Take your body weight, divide by 2 and this is the number of ounces of water you should take in every day.

I recommend seeing a chiropractor to resolve your back pain and tightness in the legs issue.  You might just see that those other problems that occur throughout the year disappear as well.

God Bless,

Dr. Boss