Severe Low Back Pain Down to legs?

Question

I have severe low back pain for over a year now. Pain come down to legs (Shooting pain). MRI report shows Disk Bulging at L4-L5 level and minimum narrow disk space at L5-S1 level. Some pain is also in the upper back. I am exercising a lot but to no avail . I feel exetremely discomfortable and this pain is bringing down my productivity. I m 22 and can't go for surgery. I haven't tried any steroid injection. Should i go for that . Do they have any side affects .If anyone could give any suggessions To get me again back on track , i will be humbled and thankful to. Please help....

Answer 1

i am a chiropractor and specialize in spine related injuries. the disc acts as both a cushion and a spacer between each vertebrae. if a disc is bulging/herniated, that bulge can put pressure on the nerves exiting between each vertebra which causes a "pinched nerve." also if the disc is wearing out (getting thinner) you lose the space between the vertebra, which leaves less room for those nerves to exit--and again can pinch a nerve. the nerves in your cervical spine (neck) go all the way down your arm while the nerves in your lumbar spine (low back) form the sciatic nerve which runs all the way down your leg. if any of these are "pinched" they can cause pain, numbess, tingling, weakness wherever these nerves go (down arms/legs).

as a chiropractor i see this type of scenario on a daily basis. for those who have degenerative disc disease, disc herniation, disc bulging, etc.--normal chiropractic care can usually help with those problems. but there are also many people out there that have had this problem for many years and can't find relief with anything they try--including chiropractic.

but now there is a treatment that is perfect for your situation and the best part is: it's non-surgical and non-invasive. if you haven't heard of it yet it is called spinal decompression. this type of treatment focuses on disc injuries and the problems they cause. i use the DRX9000 spinal decompression system in my office and it works wonders for people with these types of injuries (approx. 90% successful). the DRX9000 is fda approved and is the best decompression system available (there are cheap knock-offs that don't give the same results).

my recommendation would be to see a chiro, especially if you've never tried it before-just to see what they have to say. also do some research on this treatment and then contact someone (usually a chiro) who uses it in their office. i would just google "DRX9000" to find info on it and doctors in your area who may have it. this treament is able to encourage the disc to go back to it's normal orientation and also rebuild its height--which then takes the pressure off whatever nerve it is compressing. pain meds, cortisone shots, epidurals won't do anything to solve the problem--all they do is cover it up and they become less and less effective over time. surgery AT BEST is 50% successful and usually doesn't solve the problem since most people need another surgery 5-10 years down the road for the same issue. it's typically a viscious cycle. remember: surgery is always an option, so try something prior to surgery to see if you can avoid it--cause once you do the surgery there is no going back.

this treatment is extremely effective for degenerative disc disease, disc bulging, herniation, etc. and also sciatica type of cases, especially if you haven't had surgery yet. i've had many patients who were scheduled for surgery, tried this treatment as a last resort, and then ended up cancelling their surgery altogether after treatment was completed. it really does work and that's what my recommendation would be for you. good luck and hopefully this gives insight to others experiencing similar problems--there is a solution!!!

Answer 2

Hey! I'm sorry to read of the discomfort you're experiencing....I, too, deal with mild to extreme back pain - depending on the day - and, although, my affliction is between T11, T12 & L1 vertebrae (collapsed & disintegrating) - I'd like to say I know what you're going through, but I don't and I'm not exactly sure what a "Bulging" disk/vertebrae is...(??) (If you could explain it, that would be great! If not, no worries!) You've written that you work out a lot...And working out is great, but... May I suggest a few pilates or yoga classes (??) - They both provide excellent core training and stretching techniques that may (within a few regular session) assist in easing the pain you experience....
I apologise for not having any information on steroid injections, but through past experience I've realized that pain killers and such are just bandaid solutions to the problem.
I do hope that you are able to minimalize your pain - whatever way you go.

Take care. Alyssa

Answer 3

Sciatica and disc injury is what you have. Serious business that will need a proper recovery. There are some easy items to help with the pain though found at www.sciaticabackpainhelp.com. Back braces, muscle rubs and other low cost pain management equipment and found in the sports medicine book, "Top Cures for Sciatica and Back Injury". Much success.

Answer 4

I had injections twice. The first time I had about a week of relief but the second time it didn't work at all. I too have put off surgery but I do take 2 Aleve twice a day. It has helped but needs to be taken ahead of the pain to keep up with it. If it feels better and I don't take them, the pain is right back before the day is over. You are too young to be having this much problem with your back. Good luck.

Answer 5

Were you in an automobile accident? it sounds like your a mess. I wouldn't do to much physical exercises if in fact you have all these problems, you could be aggravating them and in fact could harm yourself.
Start with an orthopedic surgeon or a good bone doctor, neurologist. They;ll want all kinds of X-Rays and CAT scans, they'll be able to tell exactly what's wrong.
From what your saying it sounds like surgery is in the future whether you like it or not.
You shouldn't have to worry, the surgery now days on the spine is an art form, they can just about rebuild a person.
Remember, see a good doctor before doing anything else.

Steroid injections are for infections like after you have surgery. These aren't going to cure you. First steps first

Answer 6

sounds like a pinched nerve or sciatica. I have sciatica and it causes my left leg to go numb at times other times I have severe pain. Try 800mg of Ibuprofen, A warm moist heating pad. the ibuprofen works as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory. Good luck and feel better soon

Answer 7

I'm with tuisson a good chiropractor will not cure you but certainly help control the pain. Sounds like you have spinal stenosis also,
sometimes the injections work but if the chiropractor can manange the pain with manipulation I would go with that. It's the least invasive.

Answer 8

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Answer 9

Lots of people have had somewhat similar problems, and they have discussed them in internet forums, including ehealthforum.com, healthboards.com, medhelp.org, and right here in Yahoo Answers. You can read about their experiences in their forum comments. Check out these links from DNoneOfTheAbove.com
http://dnoneoftheabove.com/?cx=002486926153363561559%3Ayblv8b6jj6c&q=%22low+back+pain%22+L4-L5+L5-S1&sa=Search&cof=FORID%3A9
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Answer 10

Sounds like you have sciatica.