Chronic Lower Back/Right Leg Pain

[A790]

My back pain has changed a lot in the last few weeks. I haven't been to a gym in over a month because I don't want to aggravate it further. Whereas it used to be primary located in the lower-middle section of my back, I now find that it's my lower-right, with pain extending all he way down to the top of my right calf.

I've booked with my doctor, but thus far all that's happened is an xray. What else should I be doing? It's been nearly six months since I injured it. Why is it still this bad?

[Tik-Tok]

Have you tried a real massage therapist? Like a sports one, not a spa type one. I'd recommend Why-Knot in Kennsington, or Calgary Spine & Sport Chiropractic Clinic in Mayfair Place (Elbow and Glenmore). I've had good experiences at both.

[core_upt]

Damn due, sounds like sciatic nerve pain (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sciatica). When you put your back out in January, did you ever get a full diagnosis on what happened? I had a bulged disc in my lower back in January - it is similar to a hernia, but the disc bulges out instead of up and down (I think). When it happened, I couldn't walk for two days, and for 10 days after, sitting, moving, standing all hurt, and the worst pain was down my right leg. After that, the pain was still there, but slowly started to subside.

I spent 6 weeks in Feb/March in back rehab via active release, chiro, massage, decompression table and laser light therapy at Shepard Health. Each visit is $$$, and I ended up spending around $1500 in total, but I feel like it was worth it. It's been 3 months since my last visit and I haven't felt the need to go back - things feel really good. That being said, I'm not doing any heavy lifting with my back for several more months - just not worth repeating!

Maybe have a physical therapist take a look? Shepard Health were good, they treat a lot of high-end athletes, but they are expensive. I have heard Scarboro Chiropractic offer similar treatments at a lower cost, but can't say for sure.

[A790]

Originally posted by core_upt
Damn due, sounds like sciatic nerve pain (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sciatica). When you put your back out in January, did you ever get a full diagnosis on what happened? I had a bulged disc in my lower back in January - it is similar to a hernia, but the disc bulges out instead of up and down (I think). When it happened, I couldn't walk for two days, and for 10 days after, sitting, moving, standing all hurt, and the worst pain was down my right leg. After that, the pain was still there, but slowly started to subside.

I spent 6 weeks in Feb/March in back rehab via active release, chiro, massage, decompression table and laser light therapy at Shepard Health. Each visit is $$$, and I ended up spending around $1500 in total, but I feel like it was worth it. It's been 3 months since my last visit and I haven't felt the need to go back - things feel really good. That being said, I'm not doing any heavy lifting with my back for several more months - just not worth repeating!

Maybe have a physical therapist take a look? Shepard Health were good, they treat a lot of high-end athletes, but they are expensive. I have heard Scarboro Chiropractic offer similar treatments at a lower cost, but can't say for sure.
I've been to physiotherapy at two different places (Panther Sports Medicine and Fish Creek Physio). I found all they did was electrode therapy and ultrasound. I never felt any difference after four weeks so I stopped going.

I will spend as much money as required if it will alleviate this pain. I'm going back to my doctor ASAP to get some more diagnosis done. I want to know exactly what I'm dealing with here.

My concern is that this will be a permanent thing. As I said, it's been nearly six months.

[Tik-Tok]

Originally posted by A790


I will spend as much money as required if it will alleviate this pain.

.

$800 for a MRI scan in a couple of days, or a year of waiting for a freebee. It'll find any soft tissue damage

[Darkane]

Originally posted by A790

I've been to physiotherapy at two different places (Panther Sports Medicine and Fish Creek Physio). I found all they did was electrode therapy and ultrasound. I never felt any difference after four weeks so I stopped going.

I will spend as much money as required if it will alleviate this pain. I'm going back to my doctor ASAP to get some more diagnosis done. I want to know exactly what I'm dealing with here.

My concern is that this will be a permanent thing. As I said, it's been nearly six months.

Damn Dude.

All I can say, is Welcome.

This is where I'm currently with my Chronic (read lifelong) issue :)

My left S.I. joint is the primary culprit. I, like you, initially thought it was a disc type of issue. Now i'm not ruling it out 100% because I haven't done an MRI. I have however seen a "specialist" so to speak.

The results were I have Anterior Pelvic tilt 17deg on the right, and 14 deg on the left. My hamstrings are real tight, my glutes have issues "Firing" and this made me real quad dominant/hamstring weak.

Anyway Some things to consider now is joint health and active Mobility and stretching.

A great DVD is Magnificent Mobility.

The specialist I was refering to isn't a doctor, or a physiotherapist. He isn't even a Chiro. He's certified in Poliquin and CHEK biomechanical analysis and is good.

Andrew Gustaffson at Natural high in Okotoks .

If you do have the money get a Private MRI, chances are like me the doctors will fuck you on the MRI because you're to young. Sad but true.

[Zewind]

Originally posted by Darkane


The specialist I was refering to isn't a doctor, or a physiotherapist. He isn't even a Chiro. He's certified in Poliquin and CHEK biomechanical analysis and is good.

Andrew Gustaffson at Natural high in Okotoks .

If you do have the money get a Private MRI, chances are like me the doctors will fuck you on the MRI because you're to young. Sad but true.


Do you need to be referred to him or does he take anyone?


(took a knee to the lower back a few years ago and Ive had problem too)

[A790]

I"m paying for an MRI.

On another note: does anyone know of a doctor that is accepting new patients? I need a new one.

[Pacman]

I've been down this path.

Had the same pain in my back, and then the pain in my left leg.

The X-ray won't tell you much and, as stated, you will need an MRI.

Then, your family physician will direct you to a spine surgeon if the disc is herniated for a consult. All the spine surgeons work out of the Caleo Health Clinic in Crowfoot.

I've had 2 surgeries to correct the herniated disc, and the pain is still there.....so I'm going for a fusion in November which I hope will take care of it.

[A790]

X-ray? Check.
MRI? Booked for January 28th. Probably going to pay for a private one.
Surgery? Not an option at the moment.

[ercchry]

welcome to the club... 2.5 years for me :(

you get use to it... kinda

[nismodrifter]

Originally posted by A790
I"m paying for an MRI.

On another note: does anyone know of a doctor that is accepting new patients? I need a new one.

http://www.calgaryhealthregion.ca/doctor/CalgaryList.pdf

[Darkane]

Originally posted by Zewind



Do you need to be referred to him or does he take anyone?


(took a knee to the lower back a few years ago and Ive had problem too)

Call him for an appointment. Tell him the guy from Fort. McMurray sent you. :thumbsup:

[Lex350]

I had the same problem a couple of years back. My doctor recommended acupuncture. I wasn't a believer of it until I had it done. It made such a difference.

[project240]

Originally posted by ercchry
welcome to the club... 2.5 years for me :(

you get use to it... kinda


I've had back problems for close to 10 years and I'm not even 30 yet. It started back in HS after growing about 7-8 inches in less than a year.

I was constantly in and out of physio and did stretches/strengthening on a daily basis. The majority of back problems can be traced back to having a weak core. Do some work strengthening it and it will do wonders.

I still do stretches a couple times a week and am careful with what I do. My back still bothers me occasionally, but nowhere near as bad as before.

[Pacman]

Before you start blowing money on acupuncture, chiros, physio etc....get the results of the MRI.

If it's a disc herniation causing a neurological deficit, then chances are the other treatments are going to be "band-aid solutions" to the real problem.

[ercchry]

Originally posted by Pacman
Before you start blowing money on acupuncture, chiros, physio etc....get the results of the MRI.

If it's a disc herniation causing a neurological deficit, then chances are the other treatments are going to be "band-aid solutions" to the real problem.

i know mine is a disk, but it is not bad enough for them to do anything about it is what the doctors keep telling me... fucking bullshit

[Unknown303]

I frequently roll into horrible back pain. Once it actually happened so sharp and suddenly I fell over in the shower. What I find is best is I just keep up always working on my core body muscles. I can honestly say putting a little time aside each day to rock out a few lower body exercises has kept it from coming back for almost a year now.

Before I was working out consistently I would be nearly laid out at least once a month or so.

[corey90]

Chiropractors acquire extensive experience dealing with certain muscle and skeletal problems, and most physicians have less experience.

[ercchry]

Originally posted by corey90
Chiropractors acquire extensive experience dealing with certain muscle and skeletal problems, and most physicians have less experience.

oh thanks for the spam!

[00redLUDE]

Originally posted by Unknown303
I frequently roll into horrible back pain. Once it actually happened so sharp and suddenly I fell over in the shower. What I find is best is I just keep up always working on my core body muscles. I can honestly say putting a little time aside each day to rock out a few lower body exercises has kept it from coming back for almost a year now.

Before I was working out consistently I would be nearly laid out at least once a month or so.

:werd: THIS is first and foremost in many low back injury/pain. The MRI will given you information but more often than not one is looking at conservative management rather than surgical management. I have seen often after 'back surgery' that the patient's symptoms are no better or in some cases worse.

Get the MRI and go from there.

[Pacman]

Originally posted by 00redLUDE


:werd: THIS is first and foremost in many low back injury/pain. The MRI will given you information but more often than not one is looking at conservative management rather than surgical management. I have seen often after 'back surgery' that the patient's symptoms are no better or in some cases worse.

Get the MRI and go from there.

From what I understand, if it's just back pain that is the issue, then it's best to avoid surgery. Once there is a neurological deficit.......then surgery becomes a consideration.

In my case, the back pain was always minimal and tolerable. It was the nerve issues that became a problem. My left leg below the knee was numb, I had a throbbing in my hip/groin and at that point, surgery was the only option.

I had 2 microdisectomy's done, and I'm going for a fusion in November. I would have preferred to avoid surgery, but as the nerve issues got worse....I was at a point where I couldn't sleep, sit, stand, walk for more than 5 minutes without my entire lower body being in excruciating pain.

[A790]

MRI is booked for July 28th...

[Clever]

Hey Cam, did you end up finding a doctor, I'm in the the same boat, I have been having problems with my foot and got some xrays and blood work done at South Calgary, but I just found out recently that I no longer have a family doctor since I haven't been to their office in over 3 years, and now I need to find a new one as well to get my results and figure out what is wrong with my foot.

[A790]

Originally posted by Clever
Hey Cam, did you end up finding a doctor, I'm in the the same boat, I have been having problems with my foot and got some xrays and blood work done at South Calgary, but I just found out recently that I no longer have a family doctor since I haven't been to their office in over 3 years, and now I need to find a new one as well to get my results and figure out what is wrong with my foot.
No luck here. :(