Need help on back pain issues.

[JPB]

I'm posting this new thread, because I didn't feel right hijacking the thread for pontifex.


eits,

I also have back problems. Ill list my symptom's for you.....

* Lower back pain and stiffness ( going on over 10 years )
* Frequent urinating ( Had a prostate exam 5 months ago....everything is OK )
* I am 31 yrs old
* I mostly try to sleep on my back ( sometimes on my side )
* Recently had severe back pain ( about 3 inches below my shoulder blades...in my spine )

Now, A few day's ago, like I listed above. I was outside fixing my vacuum beside my porch. I step over the edge of the porch, to sit on the steps, and something pops in my back. Not sure what happened to it. In the past, when this would happen ( the pop ) I would have my wife ( kinda gently, but still enough force ) to hit me in that area, and it would completely leave. ( Like it would put something back in place ) So all was well.

I continue into the house, grab a cup of coffee, and then head to the bedroom, where I fall to my knee's in back pain ( The pain would be a 9 out of 10 ) I know it took at least 10 minutes to stand back up. After I did manage to get up, every step I would take, would result in so much pain, it was unbearable. So once I entered the hallway, I fell to my knee's a second time. So I managed to lay flat on the floor. This somewhat helped...but the instant I would even move 1 inch to the right or left, try to raise my head, move my leg's ( any movement what so ever ) the pain would be excruciating again.

I managed to slide across the floor on my back, reach up to grab the hallway closet's door knob, and stand again. Now in the last 10 years, I may have cried a total of twice...but on this day, it hurt so bad, it brought tears.

My wife drove me to the Emergency Room. Doctor came in, asked me what I did or happened, and I told him. He said OK. Came back a little later, gave me two shot's....one in each hip and left. 20 minutes later, he discharged me ( and there were no x-rays taken ). Prescribed me some muscle relaxers and an inflammatory med. I have been taking those med's for days now, and the pain...is now about a 3 out of 10. BUT...all the stiffness is still there ( in the center of my spine, 3 inches below my shoulder blades.

Now I have had back problems most of my life. But it has always been lower back stiffness about twice a week. I have been to Chiropractor's, Doctor's, ER's. And they ALL say they cannot find anything. I have had multiple x-rays ( in the past...not this time at the ER...they said they weren't needed) And once again, EVERYONE I have ever seen, says they do not see anything wrong. I have never had an MRI.

I am 31 years old. I weigh 190 lbs. and I am 6ft3. And I find myself in pretty good shape, except for my back.

I am posting this, because I have read this thread, and you seem to know things about this.

 

[eits]

Originally posted by: JPB
eits,

I also have back problems. Ill list my symptom's for you.....

* Lower back pain and stiffness ( going on over 10 years )
* Frequent urinating ( Had a prostate exam 5 months ago....everything is OK )
* I am 31 yrs old
* I mostly try to sleep on my back ( sometimes on my side )
* Recently had severe back pain ( about 3 inches below my shoulder blades...in my spine )

Now, A few day's ago, like I listed above. I was outside fixing my vacuum beside my porch. I step over the edge of the porch, to sit on the steps, and something pops in my back. Not sure what happened to it. In the past, when this would happen ( the pop ) I would have my wife ( kinda gently, but still enough force ) to hit me in that area, and it would completely leave. ( Like it would put something back in place ) So all was well.

I continue into the house, grab a cup of coffee, and then head to the bedroom, where I fall to my knee's in back pain ( The pain would be a 9 out of 10 ) I know it took at least 10 minutes to stand back up. After I did manage to get up, every step I would take, would result in so much pain, it was unbearable. So once I entered the hallway, I fell to my knee's a second time. So I managed to lay flat on the floor. This somewhat helped...but the instant I would even move 1 inch to the right or left, try to raise my head, move my leg's ( any movement what so ever ) the pain would be excruciating again.

I managed to slide across the floor on my back, reach up to grab the hallway closet's door knob, and stand again. Now in the last 10 years, I may have cried a total of twice...but on this day, it hurt so bad, it brought tears.

My wife drove me to the Emergency Room. Doctor came in, asked me what I did or happened, and I told him. He said OK. Came back a little later, gave me two shot's....one in each hip and left. 20 minutes later, he discharged me ( and there were no x-rays taken ). Prescribed me some muscle relaxers and an inflammatory med. I have been taking those med's for days now, and the pain...is now about a 3 out of 10. BUT...all the stiffness is still there ( in the center of my spine, 3 inches below my shoulder blades.

Now I have had back problems most of my life. But it has always been lower back stiffness about twice a week. I have been to Chiropractor's, Doctor's, ER's. And they ALL say they cannot find anything. I have had multiple x-rays ( in the past...not this time at the ER...they said they weren't needed) And once again, EVERYONE I have ever seen, says they do not see anything wrong. I have never had an MRI.

I am 31 years old. I weigh 190 lbs. and I am 6ft3. And I find myself in pretty good shape, except for my back.

I am posting this, because I have read this thread, and you seem to know things about this.

that's ridiculous... kinda pisses me off that he didn't spend time with you or order any tests.

it sounds to me like you've got a disc herniation. does it hurt when you bear down, cough, or sneeze? does leaning in a certain direction when you sit, stand, or walk make it feel better (for example, does bending away from the pain feel better or bending towards the pain)?

i would go see another chiropractor... the one you went to obviously didn't know what he was doing. make sure you do some quick research, first. try and find one that graduated from either logan, new york, or national... most preferably logan. also, make sure that whoever you find uses cox or spinal decompression... if you do have a herniated disc, you'll want this.

there should have been an mri done... your symptoms and history seem consistent with a disc herniation. x-rays won't show a herniated disc or a bulge... it will only show a wedging, which MIGHT be a bulge. mri is the best imaging tool to diagnose a bulge or disc herniation.

just so you know, there've been patients who've come into our clinic doubled over in pain, crawling, and in wheel chairs because they were too unstable to walk. after an adjustment and some electrical stimulation therapy, they were able to walk out and drive home under their own power... so, chiropractors definitely see their fair share of disc problems and are pretty awesome at treating them.

one thing you should be aware of, though, is that based on what you've told me so far, it seems like you're going to have to be a patient for a while. the first few weeks, you'll probably have to come into the clinic about 2-3 times per week. after that, it'll be about 1-2 times per week for a couple weeks after that. then, you'll probably have to come in like once a month just to keep it in check. the reason is because once you have a disc problem, it never permanently goes away. whenever you tear a path through your disc rings for the jelly-like stuff in the middle of the disc to punch through, it never really goes back to normal. your risk of having another disc problem in the future is higher than someone who's never had a disc problem. however, if you keep it in check, your risk will decrease.

another thing you might want to learn is proper body mechanics. if you carry something, keep it close to your body at all times. if something's too high for you to reach, grab a stool or something so that the object is about at eye level before you grab it. don't twist when you're turning and carrying something... just turn your body. when you're vacuuming or sweeping, stand as upright as possible and use shorter strokes...

 

[JPB]

that's ridiculous... kinda pisses me off that he didn't spend time with you or order any tests.

it sounds to me like you've got a disc herniation. does it hurt when you bear down, cough, or sneeze? does leaning in a certain direction when you sit, stand, or walk make it feel better (for example, does bending away from the pain feel better or bending towards the pain)?

Well, when I cough, sneeze, or lower my chin to my chest...it hurts. And I can feel stiffness in it at this time ( Kind of like a rubber band that is being stretched, but trying to keep itself from becoming stretched )
If I tilt left, right or forward, it does hurt, and the stiffness is present. However, If I lean backwards ( like compressing the spine I guess ) I can feel a little stiffness in my lower back, but no pain or stiffness in the middle of my back.

i would go see another chiropractor... the one you went to obviously didn't know what he was doing. make sure you do some quick research, first. try and find one that graduated from either logan, new york, or national... most preferably logan. also, make sure that whoever you find uses cox or spinal decompression... if you do have a herniated disc, you'll want this.

That would be great to do. But, in the area where I live, I would have to drive about 4 hours to Baltimore or a little over 3 hours to Pittsburgh area to possibly find someone like that. I'm from a real small town and only one hospital here and that is the one I went to. However, there are several chiropractors in this area, And in the last 10 years or so, ive seen three of them. They take an x-ray and that is it. Bend me different directions and send's me on my way. Don't even really tell me anything. One hospital I went to before, In Cumberland Maryland. The ER doctor slapped me on the stomach, told me to lose weight, and that was where my back problem's has been coming from, gave me pain reliever and sent me home. Now i'm not sculpted from stone or anything, but if i tighten up my stomach muscles, I have about 4 muscles that show. So I don't think my stomach is the problem.

On a side note for a sec, while I just remembered it. The ER I went to a few days ago, is the same hospital my wife's brother in law went to for chest pains. And the on call ER doctor told him. He laid on his heart wrong. And that is seriously the truth. So this could be an example of the facilities in my area.

there should have been an mri done... your symptoms and history seem consistent with a disc herniation. x-rays won't show a herniated disc or a bulge... it will only show a wedging, which MIGHT be a bulge. mri is the best imaging tool to diagnose a bulge or disc herniation.

My wife has been trying to help me find some place that will take an MRI. But so far, no such luck.

just so you know, there've been patients who've come into our clinic doubled over in pain, crawling, and in wheel chairs because they were too unstable to walk. after an adjustment and some electrical stimulation therapy, they were able to walk out and drive home under their own power... so, chiropractors definitely see their fair share of disc problems and are pretty awesome at treating them.

The chiropractor's in my area, when I would leave my appointment, my wife would have to help me walk to the car. Not sure what they did ( didnt tell me much ) but none I have been to yet has helped.

 

[eits]

sounds like you've got a disc herniation, man... sounds pretty classic.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: JPB
I'm posting this new thread, because I didn't feel right hijacking the thread for pontifex.


eits,

I also have back problems. Ill list my symptom's for you.....

* Lower back pain and stiffness ( going on over 10 years )
* Frequent urinating ( Had a prostate exam 5 months ago....everything is OK )
* I am 31 yrs old
* I mostly try to sleep on my back ( sometimes on my side )
* Recently had severe back pain ( about 3 inches below my shoulder blades...in my spine )

Now, A few day's ago, like I listed above. I was outside fixing my vacuum beside my porch. I step over the edge of the porch, to sit on the steps, and something pops in my back. Not sure what happened to it. In the past, when this would happen ( the pop ) I would have my wife ( kinda gently, but still enough force ) to hit me in that area, and it would completely leave. ( Like it would put something back in place ) So all was well.

I continue into the house, grab a cup of coffee, and then head to the bedroom, where I fall to my knee's in back pain ( The pain would be a 9 out of 10 ) I know it took at least 10 minutes to stand back up. After I did manage to get up, every step I would take, would result in so much pain, it was unbearable. So once I entered the hallway, I fell to my knee's a second time. So I managed to lay flat on the floor. This somewhat helped...but the instant I would even move 1 inch to the right or left, try to raise my head, move my leg's ( any movement what so ever ) the pain would be excruciating again.

I managed to slide across the floor on my back, reach up to grab the hallway closet's door knob, and stand again. Now in the last 10 years, I may have cried a total of twice...but on this day, it hurt so bad, it brought tears.

My wife drove me to the Emergency Room. Doctor came in, asked me what I did or happened, and I told him. He said OK. Came back a little later, gave me two shot's....one in each hip and left. 20 minutes later, he discharged me ( and there were no x-rays taken ). Prescribed me some muscle relaxers and an inflammatory med. I have been taking those med's for days now, and the pain...is now about a 3 out of 10. BUT...all the stiffness is still there ( in the center of my spine, 3 inches below my shoulder blades.

Now I have had back problems most of my life. But it has always been lower back stiffness about twice a week. I have been to Chiropractor's, Doctor's, ER's. And they ALL say they cannot find anything. I have had multiple x-rays ( in the past...not this time at the ER...they said they weren't needed) And once again, EVERYONE I have ever seen, says they do not see anything wrong. I have never had an MRI.

I am 31 years old. I weigh 190 lbs. and I am 6ft3. And I find myself in pretty good shape, except for my back.

I am posting this, because I have read this thread, and you seem to know things about this.

Do you have a decent bed? Also do you do anything to stretch/strengthen your lower back? I had a muscle spasm in my lower back years ago and the pain was excrutiating. I went to a chiropractor and he helped me out with a few adjustments and recommended some lower back exercises and I haven't had any trouble with my lower back since then.

I found that regular exercise helps maintain my lower back strength too. Surfing/swimming is great for your back. Edit-You should probably get your pain straightened out before starting an exercise routine though.

 

[JPB]

Actually, Since I just read what you posted about spasms...I can relate to that also. I was sitting here watching football the other day, and the muscle in my right shoulder started jumping. And i'm not talking like, barely seeing the muscle move, im talking it was jumping almost a half of an inch up and down. And this isnt the first time this muscle has done this. Its frequent to about 4 times a week. Could a pinched nerve or anything like that from the back cause this muscle to jump ?

Yes, I have a decent bed. And ive tried working out in the past ( just talking to wife last nite about what I could do to strengthen my back ) but really cant do much as of yet till the pain and stiffness is relieved.

 

[eits]

Originally posted by: JPB
Actually, Since I just read what you posted about spasms...I can relate to that also. I was sitting here watching football the other day, and the muscle in my right shoulder started jumping. And i'm not talking like, barely seeing the muscle move, im talking it was jumping almost a half of an inch up and down. And this isnt the first time this muscle has done this. Its frequent to about 4 times a week. Could a pinched nerve or anything like that from the back cause this muscle to jump ?

Yes, I have a decent bed. And ive tried working out in the past ( just talking to wife last nite about what I could do to strengthen my back ) but really cant do much as of yet till the pain and stiffness is relieved.

a pinched nerve is more likely to cause weakness in the muscles it innervates. however, an irritated nerve is likely to cause spasticity. that's why whenever someone has a herniated disc, the nerve gets pissed off and causes spasms in the muscles around the back.

twitching or jumping (fasciculations) are caused by muscle fibers breaking down from lack of exercise, lack of potassium, or stress.