Comments on: I Knew I Didn’t Want To Go To The Doctor

By: GeneralDisarray

GeneralDisarray — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 17:32:41 +0000

Chiropractor. I’m proud to say my Dad is one of the good ones and he’s helped out hundreds of people with mysterious back pain.

For what it’s worth, he went to Palmer Chiropractic College in Iowa, though I guess there’s a few of them throughout the states now.

By: DP

DP — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 20:24:03 +0000

I definitely feel your frustration, but as a doctor, I am at least as frustrated seeing people with back pain every day. The honest truth is that medical science just doesn’t have any good evidence for any of the treatments, and more and more data seems to come back saying that treating the pain aggressively early on (like the first 2 months) tends to make things worse. Luckily, 95% get better in about 2 months. For those that don’t, yeah, go back and ask for further workup then. The science is a little better for treatment if your pain is chronic for over 2 months. A little better. It’s not science is not strong, around the same level as alternative medicine like acupuncture (which is actually quite decent).

By: Jeff

Jeff — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 13:54:34 +0000

There’s a number of different causes for the Sciatica pain that you’re experiencing. My wife had a really bad episode of it earlier in the year. It got to the point where she was unable to sit down or walk without intense pain. The doctors prescribed an anti-inflammatory and told her to rest, but to keep as active as she was able, and to see a physiotherapist if she wanted.

I’d highly reccomend seeing a physiotherapist. They were able to determine that what was causing my wife’s pain wasn’t even anything to do with the spine or discs. Instead it was likely an irritated joint swelling up and putting pressure on the sciatic nerve, which she likely irritated by stretching too far over her head reaching for something. They prescribed an exercise regime along with some massage and stretching to help relieve the swelling. There was immediate improvement, both in mobility and relief of the pain.

I’d go to a physiotherapist over a chiropractor. Any sort of spinal manipulation at this stage is just going to result in more swelling, and more pain, and a longer recovery period.

As far as hot and cold goes, go with whichever one reduces your pain more. My wife found that hot showers significantly reduced pain and stiffness, whereas ice did nothing.

Hope you get on the mend soon!

By: Jeff

Jeff — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 13:30:40 +0000

It may not be popular or kool, but I agree with Rick… Ice your back, and see a Chiro… Some will want to rack up visit points for you, but there are some that will help treat your back so that your body can finish healing itself.

Good luck,

Jeff

By: Rick

Rick — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 12:30:43 +0000

1. Ice your back. Get an ice pack, wrap it in a towel (so it doesn’t get too cold on your skin), and ice for 20 minutes. Then get up and walk around and do your normal routine. Rinse and repeat. Ice is your friend.

2. Walk. A lot. This is also known as ‘active rest’. You must get those vertebrae moving and pumping fluids into the discs.

3. Go see a chiropractor. I swear by them (find a good one!) and go regularly as a preventative measure.