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Chris
Apr 9, 2009 - 4:39AM
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Lower Back
I have had a lower back problem for 21 months now and have tried a number of different treatments to help me with the problem.
I have tried, physio, chiro, osteopath, sports physician, spine surgeon, musculoskeletal doctor and pain relief injections. Have also tried orthotics to try and get rid of my leg length discrepency which may have been causing me pain.
Prior to this pain I was a good amatuer golfer but have not played for 21 months.
I was led to believe that my pain was coming from the L4/5 disc. I have had cortizone injections in this area. A L4/5 Disc block and a l5/s1 nerve injection. This provided relief for about 1 day but i was excpecting a few months.
A few days ago I had a lumbar facet joint injection and sacro-iliac joint injection. This is where the pain doctor thiks the pain is from. After a few days I have no relief and it now seems that the source of my pain is from the L5/S1 Disc which is where they will inject next.
My question is What are the best treatments and will the muscle balance theory work for a damaged L5/S1 Disc. I am fairly sure this is where the majority of my pain is coming from, giving that the other injections basically achieved no relief.
Any feedback would be appreciated.
Chris
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Paul
Apr 9, 2009 - 6:38AM
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Re: Lower Back
Chris-
IF it were me in your shoes I would call Al Meilus. He will be able to ask you questions over the phone that nobody previous will have asked you. Many times he can help over the phone. HE will also be upfront whether he can help you.
I have seen him help people who could barely get on the table. He has an uncanny ability to identify the offending muscle group and then have the robot lenghten that area. It has been proven in clinical trials.
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Rich
Apr 10, 2009 - 9:18AM
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Re: Lower Back
Very much agree with Paul. Al will definitely help. I would also try the LTBP system especially if you are not able to get to Al quickly. Golfers put a lot of strain on the lower back with all the twisting and you can very easily create imbalances with repetitive motions and no counter stretching. I have an L5/S1 7mm disc herniation and i was in pain for 12 weeks last year. Found the LTBP system and was out of pain in 5 days. Been rebuilding ever since and am feeling great. In great shape and no pain. Give it a try.
Rich
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Chris
Apr 10, 2009 - 12:01PM
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Re: Lower Back
Thanks guys
Does the LTBP system Outline a specific program to help in the recovery and rehab of a herniated disc? I definitely think this is where the majority of my pain and restiriction is coming from.
I have done a lot of core strength work and physio, but have done some research and I may have been strengthening muscles that don't need it.
Rich, how did your injury come about? Was it an overuse injury that got worse over time? or was it an instant back injury after a heavy lift? Did you ever consider surgery?
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Rich
Apr 10, 2009 - 1:43PM
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Re: Lower Back
Chris,
The LTBP system will help correct the muscle imbalances that you have. That in turn will hopefully take the pressure off of the disk. Your body is most likely pulling you in such a way that the disk is pressing on the sciatic nerve and causing pain.
My injury was caused by overuse. Was a gym rat, running 12 miles a week, playing golf and softball. But i neglected to really do a lot of stretching and targeted strengthening to help stay balanced. I would have searched the Earth near and far and exhausted every option before i would let anyone cut me. Only about 10% of these injuries need surgical intervention. i went for regular PT and it was garbage. it actually made my imbalances worse. Steve Heffron at Healthy Back Institute is a wealth of knowledge and really helped me through the proces of getting out of pain. They got me back to my regular life and its an absolute disgrace that what they do is not widely adopted by practicing physical therapists and covered by insurance. Instead everyone gets alot of the same treatment that does not improve much for back pain patients and can also take a toll on your wallet. I wish you the best in getting out of pain as soon as possible.
Regards,
Rich
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Jeff
Apr 10, 2009 - 4:23PM
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Re: Lower Back
Find a place that can do a leg length discrepency xray.......Orthodics will help if its coming from the feet...but if its a true leg length issue the xray will determine what it is...then a heel lift may help...more info here http://gwheellift.com/why-to-use-heel-lifts.html
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Chris
Apr 13, 2009 - 10:53AM
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Re: Lower Back
Thanks Rich
Your information sounds like it may be able to help me out a bit.
My former lifestyle sounds a lot like yours in which we are both very active and do a lot of running and play a lot of sport.
Unfortunately the only sport i can do these days is swimming which i don't enjoy but does keep me fit. Would like to get back playing golf, but when I hit a ball i get a painful lower back and shooting pain down my leg.
Its very frustrating as i am only 24 and have exhuasted all the physical therapy which just doesn't help.
