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Lower Back Pain, Migraines, Numbness And Tingling. Done X Rays. Explain Minor Foraminal Disk Bulging, Mild Facet Arthritis
Hi..I have had issues with my low back for years but nothing severe. If i turn in my stomach when sleeping i would wake up with severe pain and almost unable to roll over. Once I rolled over it would be ok. Sometimes if i bend down it would feel like I was going to be stuck there. I have exercised and tried to be active to help with this. I have been doing core exercise plus strength training and cardio. I went to a chiropractor about a month ago for my shoulder. I told him about the shoulder issues i have had for about 3 years and that I was having migraines and visual disturbances and also mentioned my low back problems. He did X-rays and told me my low back was "as close to going out as possible" but he could fix it. I was going for about 3 weeks when I told him I felt my low back was worse than when i came there and I came for my shoulder. He didn't say anything just asked if I was stretching. I then suddenly went to the mall and was walking and I felt my back getting very bad like it was going to go out , I had been walking for a few hours, so i decided to leave when i went to sit in my car the pain was so severe when i sat down it was like having labor pain in my low back. After a few minutes it got better and I rested but this continued for a few days with numbness in my legs and feet. I told the chiropractor and he said to get an MRI so i did. the impression is Minor Foraminal disk bulging at L3-4 and L4-5 with mild facet arthritis . There is mild left subarticular recess narrowing at L4-5. I just want to know if i should go see a dr that specializes in spinal issues and I want to continue to exercise but i dont know if I need to do anything about this.I am afraid to go back to the chiropractor because it seems like what he was doing triggered this and he will want to keep doing it, Is this something serious that needs attention? The pain was bad and I still have tingling and numbness the pain is better than it was a week ago but things dont feel the way they should.
Mon, 11 Nov 2013
Hi, thanks for writing to HCM.
Based on the description and your symptoms, you are suffering with Lumbar disc disease along with radiculopathy (compression of the nerve by the protruding intervertebral disc producing tingling & numbness sensations in the legs).
The initial management of this problem is always conservative by the following means -
- Usually 1-2 days of bed rest will calm severe back pain. Do not stay off your feet for longer, though.
- Maintain optimum body weight,if you are obese
- Avoid lifting heavy weights as it imparts more strain on your back
- Change your daily activities so that you avoid movements that can cause further pain, especially bending forward and lifting as it will worsen the disc protrusion. if you want to bend forwards, do it with your hips and knees flexed.
- Use a lumbosacral back support to stabilize your spinal muscles
- Intermittent pelvic traction might be helpful to cause a regression of the protruded disc
- After the initial pain has subsided, remedial exercises to strengthen the spine are very important to restore normal spinal movements and muscle strength. The main aim of exercise is to encourage mobility, reduce muscle spasm, prevent further deterioration in the muscles and speed recovery.
- Use analgesics like advil or aleve and muscle relaxants to relieve pain and muscle spasm, as needed. Vitamin B12 supplements & Pregabalin may be helpful in controlling the neuropathic pain.
If your fail to improve with the above measures, an Epidural steroid injection may provide good symptom relief for a few months. There is good evidence that epidural injections can be successful in 60-70% of patients who have not been helped by 6 weeks or more of conservative management ( nonsurgical care).
Hope this information is helpful. Good day
Based on the description and your symptoms, you are suffering with Lumbar disc disease along with radiculopathy (compression of the nerve by the protruding intervertebral disc producing tingling & numbness sensations in the legs).
The initial management of this problem is always conservative by the following means -
- Usually 1-2 days of bed rest will calm severe back pain. Do not stay off your feet for longer, though.
- Maintain optimum body weight,if you are obese
- Avoid lifting heavy weights as it imparts more strain on your back
- Change your daily activities so that you avoid movements that can cause further pain, especially bending forward and lifting as it will worsen the disc protrusion. if you want to bend forwards, do it with your hips and knees flexed.
- Use a lumbosacral back support to stabilize your spinal muscles
- Intermittent pelvic traction might be helpful to cause a regression of the protruded disc
- After the initial pain has subsided, remedial exercises to strengthen the spine are very important to restore normal spinal movements and muscle strength. The main aim of exercise is to encourage mobility, reduce muscle spasm, prevent further deterioration in the muscles and speed recovery.
- Use analgesics like advil or aleve and muscle relaxants to relieve pain and muscle spasm, as needed. Vitamin B12 supplements & Pregabalin may be helpful in controlling the neuropathic pain.
If your fail to improve with the above measures, an Epidural steroid injection may provide good symptom relief for a few months. There is good evidence that epidural injections can be successful in 60-70% of patients who have not been helped by 6 weeks or more of conservative management ( nonsurgical care).
Hope this information is helpful. Good day
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