Back Problems - Liberty,MO

If you are worried about inherited back problems, please DO NOT go to a chiropractor without first being seen by an orthopedist that specializes in back problems.

My 16 yr old daugther has spina bifida occulta that was diagnosed this past April by an orthopedist that specializes in spine and back problems after having been wrongly diagnosed by a general orthopedist, family doctor, pediatrician and chiropractor with scoliosis. He did a very thorough exam including an MRI and full body bone scan before making any decisions about her care. She went from describing the same type of pain you are experiencing and difficulty walking to minimal pain under his care. I will never, ever take her to a chiropractor again even though I have seen one myself and was very happy with my care.

Some of the things he looked for on her scan and MRI were ankylosing spondylitis and herniated disks.

He actually sent her to a pain management specialist for treatment followed by physical therapy. Before we went to him she was in too much pain to do the physical therapy at all and was wearing a back brace 24/7 at the advice of the physical therapist who originally worked with her. She no longer needs the back brace.

Ibuprofin, 600 mgs at a time, alternate heat and ice, lay flat with your knees up at a 90 degree angles (put feet on a chair). I actually don't respond well to ice, but my husband does. I prefer just heat, either with a heating pad or a hot bath. I haven't yet found a good chiro (why do they do this hard-sell subscription, and won't even touch me until I commit to months of visits?!), but have had short-term success with acupuncture/cupping. Long term, a good chiropractor, physical therapy/personal trainer, or back-care yoga may help. Chances are you won't need surgery, one small issue like this wouldn't lead there, you need years of no other relief. The body changes and gets out of whack the older we get, and yes pregnancy and carrying toddlers wreaks havoc. You'll be OK, I think the fact that you are mobile is good, it's not completely out. The first time I threw my back out, I was bending down to pick up a pen and I couldn't get off the floor for two days. Pop some Motrin and rest with heat.

I would recommend accupuncture - go look in your phone book, find someone who is Asian to go to - they are much more knowledgable in this and the whole Chinese medicine area. My dad also had something similar happen, he is going for the first time today. It is a proven technique that works.....

Here are some random sites that will give you a better idea about accupuncture:

http://www.michellewu.com/faq.html

http://www.revolutionhealth.com/healthy-living/natural-he...

http://www.acupuncture-treatment.com/lower_back_pain_scia...

http://www.webmd.com/pain-management/video/back-pain-acup...
(VIDEO)

I have done something similar to what you did a couple of times and took Motrin or similar medication and heat from water in shower helps some, rest it and it will get better. I even had a herniated disk, not outside but bulging, and it got better without surgery. I would go slowly with back issues. If it doesn't get better then proceed with something more drastic but it takes time to heal. Someone I know pulled something like the sciatic nerve and the doctor told them to sit on something like marbles as it stretches the nerve out and it worked. I also know what you mean by carrying children as I carried all 8 of mine on one side and it know feels like my back is permanently damaged from that. Our son and his wife had a 14 month old when their twins were born and she has had major back issues, just did have surgery finally and the twins are now 14. Try to do whatever you can to not carry them even though they are still young. I know you will have to some but until better see if someone can help you out.

I always want to blame everything on the sciatic nerve....and pray it is not. Good luck!

I would try the Ibuprofen, heat, ice, but I would also make an appt. You can always cancel ithe appt. Have your family physician recommend you for xrays or a dr. to see. I saw my Internest, he referred me for physical therapy, physical therapist would not touch me sent me home. Internest then ordered xrays they showed a bulging disk. I was on medication, heavy medication and told to walk and for a while that helped but it did not go away. I finally saw an orthopedic surgeon he told me I would need surgery and be out for 6 or more weeks. I then took it upon myself and scheduled with a neurosurgeon since this had to do with a nerve and my back. I was out 2 weeks and went back to work. Did physical therapy for 3 mos. I should have gone to someone quickly and not waited over a year for things to clear up. Surgery was no big deal. I stood up shortly afterwards and no pain. So get yourself checked out at least. I also used a chiropractor during this time and he did some adjusting, not much as I was quite worried about the effects ok and pain. I did do accupuncture ..... love this. hope this helps... good luck

I haven't read the answers below but I've had similar issues in the past. My chiropractor recommended stretching exercises on my ham strings and calves and I can't believe how much it has helped my lower back. I can see how if your leg muscles are real tight that it will pull your lower back and cause problems there. So every morning and night I stretch my calve muscles and my ham strings (along with other stretches) and I don't have nearly as many back problems as I've had in the past.

I have felt your pain - literally!

I'm going to tell you my story in as short of a version as possible, only because your pain sounds similar to what I experienced. About 5 years ago I was doing yard work, and was twisting and turning my body while lifting 20 pound bags of mulch and a lot of brick. Later that night, I went to stand up out of a lawn chair, I pushed off my legs to stand and I felt a horrible pain in my lower back. I could not stand UP straight. I also could not completely sit down without feeling HORRIBLE pain. After being in pain for days, thinking I threw out my back, I went to a chiro (chiropractor) and it turns out I twisted AND tilted my pelvis. I could feel my hip higher up than it was supposed to be, and it even moved back towards my butt. After learning this, my chiro had me stand in front of a mirror as straight as possible, and I could see one of my shoulders were a little higher than the other. This pelvis problem is what caused my lower back pain and was the reason I could not straighten out my body.

I was nervous about a chiro, so I called my dr. The dr looked at the X-rays that the chiro did and my dr actually recommended I get adjusted by the chiro saying that the only thing the dr could do was physical therapy and because of how bad my twist/tilt was, therapy would have been very painful for me. I won't lie, the chiro adjustments were not pain free - but after several appointments I was feeling so much better.

Fast forward 5 years later, and my pelvis still tweaks every once in a while, but it is nothing that a chiro visit or two can't handle. These quick adjustments do not hurt at all.

I'm not saying this is what your pain is from, however, stand in front of a mirror and see if your shoulders are level - who knows, it may be your pelvis!

Good luck. Please keep us updated!