Originally Posted by
fixedweasel
That's a pretty bold Diagnosis from a PT eval. Holds no water and shame on her for telling you that. These are tough threads to respond in/to because of so many variables. Low back pain in itself can have many origins and several solutions depending on what/where the specific problem is. You will hear many suggestions on what to do and how to treat your pain. Be careful. If the pain persists, worsens, you have increasing numbness/tingling, or start having any weakness in the leg, see a Neurosurgeon* right way. More urgent for the weakness as there never is a guarantee that you will get that back. Nerves are a fickle beast and do not heal like other parts of the body, so haste with weakness is important. To truly "see" what is going on you will need an MRI. Again, only if it persists. Obviously if it is transient, no worries. In any case, a Plain Film (X-Ray) or CT is basically useless. An MRI will show the tissue and bone proper and will specifically pick up the cause. Whether it be a Spinal Stenosis, Lumbar Radiculopathy, Degeneration, Spondylolisthesis, etc. it will be crystal clear once reviewed. From there, you will now have a proper working diagnosis and can confidently implement a plan of care. Since there are so many back problems out there, there are a few things that all of us can do to help out that long hanger.
1) Lose weight. One of the most common irritants of the low back
2) Stretch after warming up and do it every day.
3) Strengthen your core. Another common problem that throws our low back out of alignment are weak abdominals.
4) When you are ready, start exercises to strengthen your low back progressively
5) Use proper body mechanics.................always. Bend at the knees and not at the back.
6) If lifting heavy objects for a long period of time, consider a back brace or abd binder
There are more, but you get the idea.
As a note: I began working as a Nurse in Neurosurgery back in 1987, from there to the MICU, Cardiac ICU and now have been back in the Neuro ICU for the last 20 years. Our Hospital does some of the most complicated and largest multi level back surgeries** in the State.
*do not go to an Ortho guy and most definitely do not go to a Chiropractor
**in all areas Cervical, Thoracic (not as common) and Lumbar/Sacral
I’d back most of this up and add that a diagnosis is key. “Sciatica” can mean many different things and is not a term used by specialists. Also, no one should have surgery for isolated pain from a protruding or fragmented disk without getting transforaminal steroid injections for pain relief first. Surgery is required if there’s active compromise of motor, bowel, or bladder function, but carries an appreciable rate of scarring around the nerve root, which can cause worse and permanent symptoms. Disk rubble is 80% water and goes away on its own.