Ten Ways to Manage Back Pain
I am a joint replacement surgeon. In the operating room, in a given year I perform over 300 procedures related to joints, arthritis, and injury. In my office, half the patients I see have hip and knee arthritis; the rest have every other joint involved. The most difficult for many physicians to manage is back pain. I know that I am not alone in this.
Back pain has many sources. In general, there are so many experts out there concerning back pain that I am now wholly convinced that no one knows what the heck they are talking about in this entire specialty. One day surgery is good, the next it's bad. The alternative medicine people will extol the virtues of acupuncture to nutrition. Sometimes it works and sometimes it does not. There are more pillows and beds and commercial crap you can buy than there is room in the entire state of Rhode Island.
How can a reasonable person try to help themselves with back pain when the medical specialties are in such disagreement?
Here are a few things that may help you:
Dr. K.
Related Topics: Technorati Tags: back pain, arthritis, pain management, medicine, health and wellness
Back pain has many sources. In general, there are so many experts out there concerning back pain that I am now wholly convinced that no one knows what the heck they are talking about in this entire specialty. One day surgery is good, the next it's bad. The alternative medicine people will extol the virtues of acupuncture to nutrition. Sometimes it works and sometimes it does not. There are more pillows and beds and commercial crap you can buy than there is room in the entire state of Rhode Island.
How can a reasonable person try to help themselves with back pain when the medical specialties are in such disagreement?
Here are a few things that may help you:
- Be your own best doctor. We often are more discriminating when buying a car than when seeking medical advice. After some period of time, you will know which mix of interventions help more than others. I am often amazed when a patient comes to me and says that they have back pain and have been in physical therapy for 3 years and it does not help. What exactly were they thinking after the first year?
- Understand the source of your pain. Some people have back pain from a degenerative condition, like arthritis. The joints in the back of the spine can wear and cause pain. Other sources of pain can be from a sudden injury or muscle strain. Sometimes the pain is due to a nerve being irritated by some disc material in the spine. There are even many valid theories that stress causes back pain. If you try to get a handle on the origin of the pain then this is a good place to start.
- See the right doctor. There are many physicians out there -- family medicine, internal medicine, rheumatologist, orthopaedic surgeon, neurosurgeon, chiropractor, and others -- that have a keen interest in back pain. There are may more from each of these specialties that don’t care as much about back pain. Choose a physician who has back pain high on their list of diseases they want to treat.
- Do not listen to lawyers. Many patient hurt their back on the job, in a motor vehicle accident, or in a slip and fall. The lawyer you choose may send you to a group of doctors who do every test under the sun and a series of bogus treatments not designed to make you better but to build your legal case. The only time a lawyer refers a case to me is when the first doctor, who was probably in their pocket, messed up the case so much, they actually need a real doctor to bail them out. While it is possible that the doctor your lawyer sends you to is good, ask around; you will probably find otherwise.
- Understand that there will probably not be one single treatment method that will work on its own. I have generally seen that combinations of drugs, rest, exercise, physical therapy, chiropractic, acupuncture, and more are needed in many situations. While it is important to try a number of these modalities, set a time limit on each of them. If there is no improvement within the first two months from a specific modality, the chances of it helping in the long run are low.
- Choose your physician or other health professional carefully, then listen to their advice. I can't tell how many patients want their back pain to go away but when I recommend something the patient says that they do not want to do that. For example, I may recommend taking ibuprofen. I will then get the response, "I don't take drugs." Then I may recommend epidural steroids and I hear, "I don't want any injection." Then I send the patient to a chiropractor and I hear, "I don't believe in that." The list goes on. In the end, I am not exactly sure why the patient came to me when EVERY treatment I offered was rejected. This does not mean to accept any treatment blindly and without question. On the contrary, be open to any and all suggestions and try to stay away from biases that carry over from rumors and hearsay. Evaluate each piece of advice with an open mind and then make a decision.
- Surgery is neither aggressive nor conservative. Surgery has a role in back pain, but not a large role. When properly indicated, surgery will always be a good choice. When not indicated, it is unnecessary and a problem for the patient. Get 2-3 opinions if surgery is recommended.
- Don't be afraid to take it easy for some time period. You may not be able to return to 10 mile runs for 6-8 weeks. This is not the end of the world. Respect the pain and the injury. If you do not, your back will tell you.
- Try to return to reasonable activities and work as soon as you are cleared to do this. Too many people stay out of the mainstream of work and this causes a culture of not wanting to get better. If your doctor feels it's safe to return to work in some capacity, then you should do so.
- Make sure you do all you can to get a real diagnosis. If the doctor was with you for 3 minutes and never laid a hand on you, the diagnosis of back strain is probably wrong. A good history and physical examination is often correct 85-90% of the time. Tests like MRI's should be used to either confirm a diagnosis already known or to distinguish between one or two different diagnoses. Since many people over age 50 have significant findings on their MRI even if these patients do not have back pain, be careful with MRI's not connected to a comprehensive office visit. The finding in the office needs to correlate with any test.
Dr. K.
Related Topics: Technorati Tags: back pain, arthritis, pain management, medicine, health and wellness
50 Comments:
As I agree with everything you posted on "Ten Ways to Manage Back Pain", I would like to know what you do when you have exhausted all "ten ways" and you still have chronic back pain? I have not had back surgery, as a recent visit to a neurosurgeon wouldn't even acknowledge the two MRI's, the discogram and the IDET report.
Do I just keep going to doc appt.s until I find someone who will properly treat me and my symptoms?
I'd like to know if you have heard of spinal decompression treatments for degenerative or herniated disks and if they are effective? What feedback have you heard? Does any feedback include what to do about asymptomatic tarlov cysts?
Thanks.
i have a sore back for years the doctor has now gave me morphine and amitriptyline i have had this pain for so longe the doctor tells me it is just wear and tear please help.
yes dr.k, i read all you said, i have been suffering from chronic back pain for 8 years, then an accident, rod in femur, broke hip,broken arm, ect. I have been to pt, pain management, ortho surgeons, no one wants to treat my pain, for i have been on just about every med. you can think of, and the only ones that help some are narcotics. i am 45 yrs. old. I amnot stupid, faking, nor a pain med seeker. Any advice..please help.
thank you
I have @L3-L4 mild diffuse annular bulging and @L4-L5 moderate disc bulging with atiny posterior central peripheral annular tear. Both have vertebral body spurring. I just found out that I now have a12mm cyst like mass on the left side of the central sacral canal at S-2,is the cyst consistant with my back injury?
I have the same issues going on as stated in the last comment. I was injured at work back in January and am still having alot of pain and cannot sit . stand or walk for
any length of time.I have leg pain that sometimes is painful I can hardly walk. I am seeing my Dr. next week and I know that he wants to do a fusion on L 4-5 and I am pretty leary about this because the out come usually isn't good.
Hi Dr. I have been suffering w/ pain in all body parts for so long that in my dreams I am im pain. My husband wakes me at night because I am crying out loud because of the pain I am in. I just have managed to sleep through it or am just dead from nights of no sleap. I see a good dr. but I have not been able to take any of the pain med because they make me sick. I have to strugle through this without meds. I can't hardly function but have to. What is a girl to do? I have been dianosed with every thing emangable I feel I can't keep this up anymore I am only 41 and feel 90. Pleas any advise will help.
That was great reading material you posted on webmd.com. I have many friends who seek help from a chiropractor in NYC and the results are very good. However, NOT all chiropractors are created equal, so be sure to do research and get a referral from a good source. Different chiropractor practices different techniques. Be sure to find one that treats your specific condition.
You've hit on so many issues that I have had to deal with regarding my back pain. Thank you!
I finally convinced a doctor to order an MRI, and it shows that I have two annular tears in L4 and L5. I still have a good cushion in the disc area, but the leaking fluid is probably the cause of the pain.
The question that none of the doctors will answer is; "Is the annular tear capable of healing on its own without surgery?" The answers I have received are ambiguous at best.
I am willing to find ways to manage the pain if I know that the tear itself can heal without surgery.
As the Dr. said.. back pain is one of the most tricky areas to diagnose and treat. I am a patient not a doctor but what I thought 7 yrs ago...simple problem...I now have been educated...not so simple and many ways to go.
I have 3 herniated discs now, previous annular tear and have MS.
I have had moderately good success with spinal decompression - the VAX-D machine. It has really helped people with nerve compression on their spinal discs. Ususally found at a chiropractor, covered by insurance usually - Medicare covered it totally for me but takes several visits a week for several months.
Injections epidural and facet did nothing for me. I had an annular tear at L4-L5 which was agonizing but healed and noone has suggested the material leaking out is causing further problems. Meds play a really important part in managing pain - much as I hate to admit it. But it must be the right combo of meds and for that, if you have sensitivity, you need a knowlegable med doctor such as a psychopharmacologist. You cannot begin to get better until you get the pain under contol much like struggling with an injured wild beast that needs to be sedated to be helped!
Go slow, trust you instincts, don't continue with a Dr or PT or other health person you don't like or who you can't work with. 7 yrs have taught me a lot. You have to accept that at some point your psychological health will be impacted and does play a part in getting better. You are not crazy -you are miserable and rightly so you are in pain.
You can get better. Research, perservere and Don't ever give up!
All the best,
Melanie
I am suffering from an acute pain in my left hip down into my leg, all the way to my ankle and sometime toes. The pain includes the sensation of electricity shooting down from my waist to my ankles/toes.
My doctor, also, will not acknowledge an xray of my hip, a cat and a MRI. I tell him they are on the film and he just ignore me. He looked at one, the latest MRI only but stands there and mumble. I asked him if he saw anything that would cause my pain, he never answered.
He has never touch my body or examined me.
He now want to do a discogram which I hear is very painful. He never showed me or explained what, why or how that will be done. I am having second thoughts about having the discogram.."fear of the unknown."
I hurt so bad, yet fear drives me from that test. I really don't know what to do...
It seems doctors are more baffled than ever before.. Hardly know anything.
Wish someone could help. Haz
I have had back pain for 7 years now. I had a fusion at L-5, S-1, in May of 2001. The surgery was succssful and I felt much better. During the surgery the surgical bit from the drill broke off in my back. It is the full bit not just a piece impacted into my pelvis. I have had alot of pain and imflamaiton over the last five years. I know that I am allergic to nickel. How can I find out if my pain is related to the bit being left in my back? My doctor said that this had never happened to him and jokingly said, "I hope I am retired before it gives you any trouble." Please point me into the right direction for some information. Thank-you very much.
hi i have recently hurt my back at work and had a MRI done and it shows nothing the pain also goes from my back to the from of my right leg and very painflul in the knee area is it possible this is coming from the lower back pain please help me with this matter i also have broken veins shoing up in the knee area and also weak muscle movement to the point of falling down.....ty in advance for any help with this matter....Lyn
We are seeing, from the comments above the stories of so many patients suffering from back pain in America.
There are a number of programs called "Back Schools" that have gained popularity but there are not enough of them. Additionally, since the patients are in severte pain they are subject to a variety of treatments in desperation.
Doctor K.
igorota07....
as per Dr. I don't have an arthritis in my hips. she says that I have an acetabular dysplisia by birth. my question is, if I have it by birth how come it's painful. Is there any medication for this. what can I do to ease the pain besides taking pain killers. thanks
1:35pm
I have had chronic pain for six years. I agree with most of what Dr. K had to say. I also work in a law firm and take issue with the comment about not listening to attorneys. I am sure there are some who want to rack up a big bill to make a case look better but most attorneys will not do this. A lot of attorneys also have pretty good insight into good doctors, good chiropractors and other health care providers who will treat the patient and refer them on if they cannot help them instead of making them come back for months and months. My suggestions to others: do not be afraid to get a different doctor (one who will listen), do not be afraid to try something/have an open mind (osteopathic adjustments have greatly improved my life) and try to have a positive attitude. I always tell myself, it could be worse!
I have had cronic back pain for over a year now. I have done everything my GP has recommeded and stil don't have an answer. I have seem to back specialists a rheumatologist and neurosurgeon. Tried a list of med a mile long and no one can find thie source. I had 2 MRI's and while there is some
degenerative disc problem they say it is not the source of my pain.
This is localized to my right side mid way up my back. There are times when I just can't move.
The last advice was pain management and to get off the meds I am taking. I am running out of options. Please any advice.
have had 2 low back surgeries,5yrs apart in the early 80's. then a titanium cage at c-6&7. have had sciaticac pain in low right back leading to top of right knee.ortho doctor said surgery was not an option based on my mri. too risky. finally went for IDD therapy on the ACCU-SPINA table. 20 visits over 4wks. this has helped me the best. clinic was run by medical doctor. tried chriopractor ,they only made me worse. IDD therapy was after chriopractor. fred 61
I've had succefull control of my nack and back pain for approximately 3 years now. My first treating physician titrated me on MS Contin (Morphine) and MSIR (Morphine Immediate Release). I was taking 390 mg. of Morphine a day until we rotated to OxyContin and OxyFast. I take 3 80 mg. tablets of OxyContin and 3 20 mg. of OxyFast (Oral Concentrate) per day. Sure, I'm physically dependent on these drugs, but I could care less. The main thing is that this is the only treatment that brought my neck and back pain under control to the point where I can live a fairly normal life without contemplating suicide every day. To me, these are miracle medications that should be used much more often for chronic pain.
What can be done for scoliosis??? My son has been plauged with this for 35 yrs. Can you help with any suggestions??
Due to an auto accident 37 yrs. ago, I have back pain and spinal degeneration and scoliosis. I know this because the xrays show a curveture in my back and I have lost 1 and a half inches in my height. I take hydrocone 5 mg for the pain is there anything that can be done to "cure" this condition?
bbwsoWould you tell me how you can tell the difference from back pain and hip pain? Does this type of back pain usually need a hip replacement. My friends doctor said this does. I disagree!
Anonymous
Does back pain and groin pain mean you need to have hip replacement surgery? My friends doctor thinks so. I disagree.
anomouys.
Maybe we can help you
http://pergola.prohosts.org/
I have degenerative disc and have been getting IDD Therapy and it seems to be working at age 65, finally some relief without taking a pill.
is there any help for spinal stenosis besides pain killers & muscle relaxants????
ANY HELP FOR SPINAL STENOSIS?
I am now status post 7 spinal surgeries. I saw a new-to-me neurosurgeon in January. I went through X-rays, MRIs, myelogram and CT scans of both lumbar and cervical spine. The Dr. reported back that my spine was miserable. He sent me to University of Washington for a consult on my cervical spine. The doctor there told me that as long as I was still walking to do nothing with the cervical spine where I have developed a tethered cord in an area where a vetebrectomy was done earlier.
The last surgery in April, involved 4 lumbar vertebrae. They were given complete laminectomies with routing out of the excess bone in the spinal canal and in the foraminae, as well as removing some ruptured, extruded pulposa. I now carry a titanium implant that fuses the 4 vertebrae together. I believe that my lumbar spine is now stabilized. It aches and that is tolerable. Crunched nerves and loss of ability to walk are not.
I have been "at this", the resolution of back pain, since 1985. At one point, I sat in my office with a bottle of cyanide from the lab and a bunch of empty gelatin capsules contemplating how many capsules I would need to fill and take to end my suffering.
I have used all of the ten ways except acupuncture to manage my pain. For many years, the medical community subscribed to the "Just say No" philosophy and would not prescribe narcotic pain medications. Then, I developed allergies to most of the pain relievers.
For me, the best medicine was to become so involved in doing something that I lost awareness of myself. I took up artwork, specifically watercolor and beadwork. I think it is called distraction.
Persevere. Find a physician that you can work with and that you trust. If your doctor suggests that you are faking just move on. He/she is not going to help you, and yes, I did have one that told me I was faking.
Chronic back pain is fruistrating for both physician and patient.
I was in an auto accident in 2002 every doc thinks I want meds for recreational purposes some nights I cant even move mornings are even worse help!
I am sick of this 10 year back pain. I have exhausted all "10 ways" with no help. Sad and still hurting. I was so in shape at the time of the accident. My health has just gone down hill day by day. I wish someone could solve this serious problem.
PLEASE GIVE ME HELP.
my neck pain was accompanied by pain in the shoulder,shoulder blades,bicept,forearm and left thumb.along with numbness and tingling my moronic workmans comp dr treated me with cortizone shots in my shoulder for three weeks.then said there was nothing wrong with me and sent me back to work
my ten year old daugther got on web md from a tv comercial and said dad you have a herrniated disc.
its been five months now has anyone healed naturally or am i doomed to drugs and surgery
done pt, pain meds, pain management, injections, chiro ect.
About a year ago I fell down the stairs whil I was hoolding my daughter. She was in my arms and as i started to fall i held her in front of me so she wouldnt get hurt and fell down about 8 steps on my back. I had a big bruise on my lower back, right above my spine, for about 3 weeks after that. I was in some pain at the time but not too much so i didnt bother to see a doctor. I havent had any problems until about 3 weeks ago when all of a sudden I started getting these pains in my lower back. The pains are usually on my left side more than my right, and it feels almost like there is a very hot electric shock that starts from my lower back, around where my kidneys would be, and travels usually down to my thigh. It seems to be worse when I sit for long periods, when I first wake up and when I am trying to go to sleep. I do not have medical insurance so I dont want to go to the hospital and pay $400 for an emergancy room visit just to find out its nothing big. If anyone has had this same problem and may know what it is or what I can do to relieve some of the pain PLEASE email me at Philiebabie7@aol.com
Thank you
i have been going to a pain mngt for 3.5yrs and have had mri's,emg;epidural block &radio frequency rhizptomys now due to my insurance change i have been sent to a new dr. a othorpedic & had a new mri and x-rays this dr. says she does not understand why i have had allof the procedures i had and wants to take me of the med. i have been on and relied on for almost 4 yrs. along with the chronic low back pain i have had for the past years i now have chronic left hip and knee pain that wakes me at night and numbs my leg all the way down to my foot..I do not know what to do if this is the wrong kind of dr. for me or what to do? Ido know that i can not stop the meds until the pain is gone and it seems to only be gettin worse. help me at cut5one@aol.com
My son is 43 years old and not able to do anything. He stays in Cronic Pain with his back,Head and Legs. He has been trying to get disability for 4 years. The Doctor gives him Relpax,Lortab, Requip,Zanax and Zoloft. He has no insurance therefore he can't get the help he needs. The Doctor can't figure out what is wrong with him. We are so confused. He takes all this medicine and still hurts all the time. Any suggestions would help.
steve50...I was injured at work 4 years ago. The W/Comp dr. said I was fine and sent me back to work. I had excruciating pain,tried therapy,work hardening etc... finaly I went to a neurosurgeon.He found a ruptured disc at C-5/6 and recommended surgery.I went for a second oppinion and he said I had many problems and needed fusion from C-3 to C-7.W/C dr.put me on meds then on opiods.Finaly had discectomy at C-5/6 and fusion.It is 4 years later and 4 surgeries done.I have 4 titanium rods in my neck,a titanium cage at C-6 and am fused from C3 to C-7.I am no longer on the opiods but take hydrocodone 10mg 4 times a day.I need sleeping pills to sleep and wear a brace to sleep. I found help from an orthapedic surgeon and am very greatful.I still have pain but not like before...I just wanted to die before.Its been very hard and surgeries are painful to recover from but it has been worth every agonizing day.I have a somewhat likeable life now, not the best, but I can live with this pain. Dont give up! CT scans find many problems and a good ortho surgeon is worth their weight in gold.
I am a fourty year old female with an Annular tear at L4-L5 with foraminal stenosis mild left and moderate right, with facital spurring and my back hurts and BURNS constantly, they keep telling me that I'm not a surgical candidate. What the heck am I then, they wont do anything to relieve my pain and discomfort, what can I do? I am seeing a chiropractor, but it just makes the pain and the burning even worse. Can you give any suggestions or advice on where to turn next since my doctor's a dolt? Confused and suffering.
I have had back pain for 7 months, and recently I had disc decompression and it seemed to help. Although I still hurt a little the pain is nothing compared to what it was. I am having injection done because there is still a little swelling in my joint.(L4-L5) Although everyone is different, I have responded well to this surgery.I am also returning to work in 2 weeks. Thank God
Help! Is there any reputable medical research on Spinal Decompression therapy and it's affect on chronic lower back pain/radiating nerve pain on post laminectomy. It's been 13 mths since my surgery and I am so depressed from the daily pain. I have 3 children who need me and I feel like I can't even help myself.
I HAVE A POSTERIOR ANNULAR TEAR IN MY BACK AND I WAS WONDERING DO THE STERIOD EPIDURAL SHOTS USALLY WORK OR IS SURGERY REQUIERED
i have had back pain for 10 years and the docter said i will have pain for life. and have tried all the medication for it but i am using codeine and it also makes me gain weight. i have a feeling im getting worse. i started to get pain in my legs and still back pain.i have to get a docter to fill out a form just so i can keep my driver's liscence. now i am getting sensations that i am getting electric shock pains in my back that come on suddenly and very annoying . this has just started i am wondering if this is something serious. i also had to buy a seat for the bathtub from falling down 3 times so far.i have seemed to have lost all my balance. fall everywhere. could this be an underlying condition. the only thing they have not given me is morphine. i dont think he wants to.
I have had pain, numbness, burning & tingling in my left arm, shoulder, upper back & chest for over a year. It is now constant and seems to be getting worse. Pressure makes it feel better. I need to seek medical advise but don't know what type of doctor to go to. Can you advise me? Please?!
I have back pain in a spacific area. I have back pain in the top right of my back. It hurts so much, even know.I need some advice anything will do PLEASE HELP GIVE ME A RESPONSE.
PLEASE HELP.
THANK YOU.
It has been five months since I have had microdiscectomy on my L-5 S-3. My back pain and the shooting pain down my leg has virtually disappered but I now have swelling in my lower leg when I've been standing or walking for long periods of time. It also feels like my leg is asleep most of the time and after walking for awhile I start to limp with limited range in my stride. Are these "normal" symtoms after this type of surgery and how long should I expect it to last.
Great Blog Post. I am a chiropractor in downtown San Francisco. I agree, go with what works. Don't spend years doing something that offers no benefit. Even if it helps a little try other things. Make sure your diet is clean and you dont pack any extra weight. This alone can cause back pain. Give new treatments a chance to work...but don't stick with them for extended periods of time if you do not see results.
I am 4 days post op for cervical fusion on only one disc space. It is the week-end.I need to know if I have aspinal fluid leak.I have a clear discharge in the back of my throat.The surgery was preformed on the front of my neck.I am scared
i injured my lower back september of 2006. workmen's comp sent me
1st to a family practioner who treated me for puled muscle for 6 months with advil, pt, rest and ice. After no improvment I requested a referal to a pain mngt doc a friend had used before her spinal fusion. I've been seeing him for 18 months- so far I've had x-rays, 2 mri's, 7 SI injections,5 different 6 week sets of P.T. and now I'm scheduled for my 2nd discogram.I am prscribed 3 lortab 10's a day, but am taking more than that some days just to get thru the work day. I think he's a good Dr, but sometimes I think he feels like I'm faking the pain. In my most recent mri - they finally found a "mild to moderate herniation of L5, with some disc degeneration". I was sent on to a neurosurgeon who says that my pain should not be as severe as it is according to the mri he's seen.He says that my spine degeneration is pretty much average for my age
{39}. I am still working, full duty, 55 hour weeks, have never been on light duty. I hurt 24 hours a day! My job is very labor intensive, I work at a vineyard. I return to PM doc next week and I have no idea what is in store.I have never ask to be put on light duty and dr's have never offered. I feel like they are almost humoring me to a point. I am not a druggy, not after money, I've been on my job for 15 years as manager. How do I make these 2 docs understand that I am in constant pain and that they are missing something. I've tried everything I can think of. PM doc keeps treating me for SI disfunction, with every series of SI injections, I see his face drop when I tell him theres no improvment.The original discogram gave conflicting results
{ showed more irritation in L4 than in L5, which is in complete disagreement with the mri} so now they are repeating it. My roomate is telling me that by working full-time and on full-duty I am basicaly saying to the docs that i am not in that much pain, but I can't just not work, I'm manager of the company and I have alot of bills that a WC check would never cover! Any advice from anyone???
I have three annular tears in my lower back (l4, l5, s1). I have had two epidurals. The first epidural worked for four days, the second has not worked at all. I got the second one 4 days ago. The pain doctor said it would take at least 7 days for it to begin to work. In the mean time I have been going to physical therapy three times a week. Some of the exercises I do work great (the ones where I am not standing) but the exercises I do when standing and putting any weight on my left leg cause pain. The pain extends down from the middle thigh to the knee. My next option per my doctor is to see a neurosurgeon. This injury happened at my work by the way, so the company is paying for all of this. They have cooperated so far. My doctors' and pt's are telling me I should quit using my back the way I do at work ( I am a merchandiser or a stocker for people who don't know what a merchandiser is). The company I work for is saying that I have to go back to that position I was in when I got hurt. As my doctors' say - I need my back longer than I need the job. I am only 29 and totally agree with them.
I am 29 yrs old and had a car wreck in May,2006. I, like many others are still suffering. As said by my attorney, If this is workmens comp related and they dont want to do surgery,even after its said thats all that can be done,there is a form that can be filed for the board that oversees workmens comp to enterveen on behalf of a patient to get a positive ruling. The overseeing board can rule workmens comp and even fine them, for dragging there feet in many cases. To others leary about back surgery{disc-fusion/disc-replacement},there is a place in Tampa,FL called LSI {laser spine institute} that specializes in noninvasive treatment for back surgery skeptics. It is still surgery, but it has a much higher success rate than traditional surgery and almost no recovery time. It was a great website that explains more, and there services are covered by many insurances as well as workmens comp.
I have back pain due to bulging disc at the L5 and S1, so I am told. And now I have a new problem dealing with electrical shocks. They are located on the left side of my back near my shoulder blade. I was told its my nerve endings. What must I do?
I am a chiropractor who treats a lot of people with back pain. The trick to treating the back pain is a detailed examination. You have to know exactly where the cause of the pain is coming from. You must figure out the underlieing cause of the problem at hand. With treatment you should see some type of results with in a month or it is time to switch therapy methods. There are alot of treatment options for treating back pain--spinal manipulation (ie. adjustments), muscle stimulation, ultrasound, exercise therapy, heat, traction, etc. These can all be used in coordination with each other to heal the pain.
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