bad back pain

[Boosted131]

I am trying to figure out what is causing my issue. It feels like there is a kink half way up my back in my spine. I have to stretch and crack my back tons of times a day. I've done massage, chiro many times. When I went to the doctor he couldn't see any issues...

If I am sitting this is when it is most painful, especially when hunched over. It feels like someone is constantly pushing down on the top of your head putting pressure on your spine. Going for walks and swimming is the best way to relieve the pain... anyone have someone like this or know any doctors in Calgary that would have a better idea? This has been years now with daily pain

[nzwasp]

Time to get an MRI?

I used to get bad back pain every 3 months or so that would feel like it would cripple me for about 3 days before the knots slowly worked themselves out but that process would only happen after a intensive massage and physio. I am very careful to not get stuck in using my back unwisely now though.

[Pacman]

Originally posted by Boosted131
When I went to the doctor he couldn't see any issues...

Can you elaborate on this?

Was it a primary care physician? From my experience (herniated disc at L4/L5 which resulted in a lumbar fusion surgery) the only way anyone can see anything is with an MRI. Once those results come back, your family doctor will come up with a treatment plan or refer you to a specialist.

If the pain is extreme enough that you don't want to wait for the public system, you can pay for a private MRI for around $800. You will still need the requisition from your primary care doctor.

[Boosted131]

Originally posted by Pacman


Can you elaborate on this?

Was it a primary care physician? From my experience (herniated disc at L4/L5 which resulted in a lumbar fusion surgery) the only way anyone can see anything is with an MRI. Once those results come back, your family doctor will come up with a treatment plan or refer you to a specialist.

If the pain is extreme enough that you don't want to wait for the public system, you can pay for a private MRI for around $800. You will still need the requisition from your primary care doctor.

It was my family doctor, who then sent me to another place to get a scan done (I forget the name, I was standing up the whole time and they moved a couple machines around me? The doctor never called me back after all this so that means there was no issue he could see.


(I'm thinking it wasnt an MRI then? I got in half hour after my doctor appointment for this scan)

[ricosuave]

read here:

http://forums.beyond.ca/st/396210/lower-back-pain/

[A790]

Originally posted by Boosted131
It was my family doctor, who then sent me to another place to get a scan done (I forget the name, I was standing up the whole time and they moved a couple machines around me? The doctor never called me back after all this so that means there was no issue he could see.


(I'm thinking it wasnt an MRI then? I got in half hour after my doctor appointment for this scan)

That wasn't an MRI. That sounds like an Xray.

You need an MRI, broski.

When I herniated my lake (L5/S1) in 2010, it was constant pain. Xray showed nothing. Physio did nothing. Get an MRI?

Oh, what do you know: herniated back and a bunch of arthritis going on.

Several years of core conditioning, movement therapy, etc. and I'm back in the gym and moving weight again.

Don't fuck around with your back. Get an MRI, and ask for it soon, cause it's going to be months until you actually get one.

[Boosted131]

So for the MRI, whats the best way to get recommended for one? Family doctor?

[A790]

Originally posted by Boosted131
So for the MRI, whats the best way to get recommended for one? Family doctor?

Yea, start there.

"I have consistent back pain that is impacting my work. Physio/chiro is not helping. I am concerned I may have a herniation."

[nzwasp]

You will know if you have had an MRI, its a super loud machine and you have to lie inside it perfectly still for about half an hour. You are basically inside a tube of some huge round thing as it spins around for what seems ages.

In the public system the MRI machines are only at the hospitals as far as I know.

It took me 12 months to get my family doctor to send me for an MRI for my torn Meniscus ligament.

[Nav13]

I am going through something similar as I have thrown out my lower back about 5 times in the past 7 years. Everytime its happened they send me in for xrays and everything looks fine so they say I just over did it and that rest, stretching and massage will fix it. For the most part it does work and I do agree but they can never explain my sciatic pain.

Anyways I just threw it out a month ago and begged them for an MRI and they said only if something looks off with the XRays. Turned up normal again.

It has been 2 years since I last threw it out and during that time I had been focusing on strengthing my core. I am convinced that strengthening it will be the only solution but a damn MRI sure would be nice for peace of mind

[Pacman]

The reluctance to send people for MRI's is because it jams up the system.

There is also the private option. Cost is roughly $750 and the wait time is less than a week.

I paid for my last one as the public system was a 9 month wait.

[nzwasp]

You will know if you have had an MRI, its a super loud machine and you have to lie inside it perfectly still for about half an hour. You are basically inside a tube of some huge round thing as it spins around for what seems ages.

In the public system the MRI machines are only at the hospitals as far as I know.

It took me 12 months to get my family doctor to send me for an MRI for my torn Meniscus ligament.

[ercchry]

Soft tissue or herniation, it all sucks. For me the herniation wasn't bad enough for surgery so I have had to learn to live with it. T5, right between the shoulder blades. Such a tricky area to treat

Busting up scar tissue has been a big thing for me since I have a lot of repetitive sports injuries too.

For me I like those harder foam rollers, tennis or lacrosse balls taped together, those knot releasing balls (actually I find dog toys to work better) and a good dose of anti-inflammatory and muscle relaxer type "meds" before bed (I've gone the "natural" route on those though since you really don't want that shit in you long term, CBDs ftw)

In the other back pain thread I also mentioned a treatment I got done, if you're a candidate for it it's pretty awesome. I still have pain but now treatment actually feels like it's doing something unlike that helplessness I use to have

[tonytiger55]

Have you tried seeing a Physio? Not just any physio but finding one who has a speciality or works with athletes?

I used to (still have sometimes if I get lazy) have lower left back pain. It got bad pretty a couple of years back to the point I could hardly walk.
I saw chiropractors and physios over the last ten years and none of them could figure it out.

I saw a physiotherapist who also works with both the National Short Track and Long Track Speedskating teams. So I took a chance.
I got diagnosed right away with a fix on muscles groups I had to work on. In short I took up yoga and the pain is reduced massively and is almost gone.

[Boosted131]

Originally posted by A790

Yea, start there.

"I have consistent back pain that is impacting my work. Physio/chiro is not helping. I am concerned I may have a herniation."

Thanks, I just made an appointment for next week (soonest available) and we will go from there.

[Boosted131]

Originally posted by tonytiger55
Have you tried seeing a Physio? Not just any physio but finding one who has a speciality or works with athletes?

I used to (still have sometimes if I get lazy) have lower left back pain. It got bad pretty a couple of years back to the point I could hardly walk.
I saw chiropractors and physios over the last ten years and none of them could figure it out.

I saw a physiotherapist who also works with both the National Short Track and Long Track Speedskating teams. So I took a chance.
I got diagnosed right away with a fix on muscles groups I had to work on. In short I took up yoga and the pain is reduced massively and is almost gone.

Never tried physio no, I go for walks daily which helped get rid of my upper and lower back pain , but I still have that kink which may be the herniation like people are saying

[ExtraSlow]

Physio is the ticket

[Boosted131]

Originally posted by ExtraSlow
Physio is the ticket

What if you're laid off with no benefits? Whats the best option? Physio seems fairly pricey

[A790]

Originally posted by ExtraSlow
Physio is the ticket

Did nothing for me.

[ercchry]

Physio is useless, just youtube different stretches and use the items I mentioned for the "massaging" type of effect