Question
I according to my doctor sprained/strained my back when I fell at work 8 months ago...I had an emg and an mri...both came back fine...but I still experience back pain and muscle spasms and numbness down my right leg...I told the doctor that it feels like it wants to give out when it gets like that...and it finally did on monday causing me to injure my left knee...I went to see him and since he has no reason/explanation for the numbness/tingling he thinks the injury has nothing to do with the back injury...for the past 7 months he has been checking my reflexes in my legs...left one is always fine...even today...but the right one...even after 7 months no reflex...there has to be an explanation...I was fine until I injured my back.

Answer
Dear Debbie,

Thank you for your submission.  I don't actually read a question in it but I imagine you are wondering if there is a reason for the things you are experiencing and that is what prompted you to write.  I can sense you are frustrated with the whole matter.  

The art of diagnosis is a tricky task in-person, at best.  I would discourage you from attempting to get answers by e-mail for something as important as determining the state of your physical well-being.  Please understand, it's not that I believe there is no answer; beyond the fact that medical diagnosis, as requested in your situation, is something outside the realm of non-therapeutic straight chiropractic, it would be irresponsible for anyone to guess about what is happening based upon correspondence alone and the answers may only be revealed through proper procedures and tests which require direct, personal observations.  

Debbie, I wish you the best in your investigations and search for answers.

Sincerely,
James W. Healey, DC