Back Pain Forum - Lower Back Pain - chiropractor, pain specialist, osteopathic

My back pain started 2 years ago, no injury, just severe lower back pain. I had an MRI at the time that showed a disc protrusion at L5 S1. The pain eventually got better after oral steroids and rest. Now, the pain is back, and it is chronic. I had an epidural injection in March, with temporary relief. I have had two cortisone shots, which made things worse. I had another MRI and some X-Rays this year and it showed the same disc protrusion, DDD, and mild scoliosis. I started PT and the therapist believes my pain is due to pelvic obliquity, although none of the docs every mentioned this? The pain in my groin is awful. I cannot sleep well at night, and the chronic pain is wearing me down. Sad

I have been to three docs (two ortho surgeons) and now PT. I don't know what to believe. One doc said that there were depressed reflexes in my left foot from the disc being compressed. I had serious pain after the last cortisone shot and I am not sure the shot didn't do some sciatic nerve damage?
I am only 35 years old with three children. I want to be myself again, I am usually so active and healthy. Who would you recommend I see that could help? A chiropractor? Or a pain specialist? What about an osteopathic physician? Should I continue PT and see if that makes it better (the exercises made the pain in my groin unbearable!) Any suggestions would be great.
Erin

Replies(3)

rollar64

replied on October 4th, 2007

Experienced User

Hello Erin i think seeing a good chiropractor or osteopath is a pretty good idea, scoliosis, and pelvic obliquity, are usually related, and are conditions that chiro's and osteopath's are supposed to understand and treat fairly well .If you have given the conventional side of medicine a good go and it has not worked why not try an alternative.

A word of warning though try to find a good one, i have seen many over the years and while some have been very good, some of them i definitely would not recommend. Good luck let us know how things go.

expatient

replied on October 5th, 2007

Experienced User

My experience is the same as rollar64. There are good manipulative treatment specialists, but they are hard to find. Most of them are not good. Like in any occupation - not all are specialists thought many of them think they are.

If you know any athletes, ask them. They use these manipulative treatments most.

RichT

replied on October 20th, 2007

Active User, very eHealthy

Who to Seek Advice/treatment From?

Hello Erin,

In my opinion you need to seek advice and help from a highly trained and regarded neurologist or spinal surgeon. In my humble opinion I would suggest that you NOT go back to the doctor who gave you the cortisone injection that caused you pain.

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