Question
Hello,

I have suffered from lower back pain for around 5 months now and gone to several chiropractors and physiotherapist. I am a competitive rower and the injury was caused by overuse/ wrong technique i am guessing. I have been off for 3 months now and just need to get back. It started gradually and seized up during a race on day, and has been horrible since then.

Symptoms:
-sharp and dull constistant pain throughout lower back and gluts- worse with bending forward, sitting and standing
-shifted recently to mid back pain as well, on either side of spine

I have been told that my right hip is 5 degrees higher than the other and my right mid-back is collapsing and not as flexible as the other side (evidently). My right hip/leg is not nearly as flexible as my other either. My L5 on my spinal cord is also invlolved and i have been going through decompression for that. My upper back is also very tight and not sure if related but my neck curve is going to opposite direction and i am using a denneroll and chiro to fix that.

I strech my back/ legs/hips everday using every stretch but it doesn't seem to be helping me get more flexible. I have taken long rest-periods of no excerise. Otherwise I try and workout a bit with what does not hurt (biking, core etc.). I use ice and heat as well which helps.

Please let me know if you have any info/opinions/help to offer. Am I doing everything I can to fix this? it is much appreciated!!

Answer
Hello Becky,
Wow, you have presented me one the most detailed thought out questions. First of all I'm truly sorry to hear of your suffering.  What I would like you to find out is if you can obtain an MRI of your lumbar spine. This would help to see the health of your discs and to see if your spinal nerve openings have been compromised. Secondly, has a doctor performed a straight leg raise test as well as checked your dermatomes to evaluate your nerve perception for light and sharp touch sensation.  

I think that this would be helpful in your quest to fully understand the cause of your suffering.

Please let me know how you make out.  

Can you please take a moment out to rate my answer and consider to nominate me as expert of the month.


Please check out my web site for more information.
www.backclinicsofcanada.ca

Sincerely,
Dr. Ron Nusbaum