I've had mild manageable back pain (sciatica?) for at least the last 4-6 years. It's been exacerbated having two labor and deliveries and recently has become so bad I've been trying not to limp and is causing dull pain in my hip also, like when I'm sitting while driving. It's only on one side and sometimes I cant even stand on one foot to put pants on.
I have no idea what type of dr to call, but my DH and I both agree I probably need to see someone!
squash / 13208 posts
@matador84: do you need a referral? If so then yes start with your PCP and they can refer you - hope you get some relief!
pomegranate / 3438 posts
Does your insurance cover a chiropractor? I would actually go there first. I had horrible lower back and hip pain after my son was born. The chiro got everything back into alignment and it feels so much better.
When I first went she did an evaluation, wanted to try a couple things and if that didn't help, she would refer me to another doctor (an ortho? I don't really remember).
clementine / 911 posts
I second the recommendation for a chiropractor. Personally, I have a badly herniated disc in my lower back. My chiropractor has been way more helpful than the orthopedic doctor I saw and has referred me to some other specialists that have helped my back as well.
papaya / 10560 posts
@KT326: yes they cover chiropractors. I've always been kind of scared to go to one, but now the pain is just so constant I'm afraid it's something more serious!
pomegranate / 3438 posts
@matador84: That's understandable, I was extremely nervous too. But the pain was so bad I had a hard time bending over and picking my son up. It doesn't hurt to give it a try. With my chiropractor, she told me up front that she would send me to another doctor if she didn't think the adjustments would help.
Based on where my pain was she was worried about a herniated disc. She made a few adjustments and if that didn't help she was going to send me for x-rays. Luckily the adjustments helped tremendously! It was a little time consuming, I was going 2 times a week for about a month, then down to once a week for a couple months then finally just once or twice a month.
She also showed me some exercises to help strengthen my back and core muscles. And recommended a foam roller. The foam roller helped so much with the sciatic pain!
You could also go to your PCP and see what they recommend, my OB is the one who recommended my chiropractor.
blogger / wonderful cherry / 21616 posts
I want to echo everything @KT326: said! My chiropractor has immensely improved my quality of life. When I have flare-ups in my back, I immediately go there, and often have to go 1-2x a week for a short while, then for maintenance I really only go about once e/o month.
Doing workouts that focus on improving core strength has greatly improved my back pain too, I'm so much stronger now. I also agree with foam rolling or using a tennis ball at the point of pain.
Good luck and hope you find some pain relief.
coconut / 8430 posts
I have seen a chiropractor and it has helped my back pain immensely. I've also talked to my PCP and she's referred me to physical therapy, something my chiro also agreed with.
grapefruit / 4418 posts
PT or chiro is where i would start. You may need a referral from your pcp for pt
papaya / 10560 posts
@Mrs. Pen: @KT326: @krispi: okay, I just pulled the trigger and called a chiropractor! I am actually really bummed we are going to be out of town because they could have seen me Monday, but I'll have to wait until Wednesday. I am desperate for relief! The pain is definitely affecting my quality of life and picking up kids, etc doesn't help at all.
pomegranate / 3438 posts
@matador84: I hope it works quickly for you! It may take a few visits for the pain to really subside, but I definitely noticed a difference after the first adjustment.
pomegranate / 3438 posts
@matador84: My first visit was about an hour long (I think, it's been awhile!). I filled out all the standard medical forms. She did an evaluation first, making notes about my posture, stance, if my shoulders were level. Then she checked out my spine and tested my range of motion. She came up with a plan for treatment and then we continued with the adjustments. She was very thorough in explaining everything she was going to do and asking me all sorts of questions about my movements etc.
I'm not sure if that is how every chiropractor works though, she had her own practice and it was just her (no receptionist or anything).
clementine / 911 posts
Exactly what Matador said. I felt a difference after the first appointment, but it wasn't instant relief like I was hoping for. That took a few more visits. I did get there eventually though. Expect to have more frequent visits right at first, but they taper off as you feel better.
My chiropractor starts you off each appointment laying on a back massage machine to get you loosened up. It's almost like laying on a massage chair. Then he puts you face-down on a table and presses on your back. When he presses, the table drops to let your back fall into alignment. The first time, he did warn me not to be scared of the sound of the table. It sounds intense, but it doesn't feel bad or anything. Lastly, he lays me flat on a bench and stretches my neck out and manually twists or presses my back into place. It may feel a bit squished, and sometimes my back makes a popping sound, but it doesn't hurt. And afterward, I usually feel better.
When I'm feeling sore beforehand, I've found it's best to rest as much as possible and ice if you can immediately after the appointment. After seeing him, my back can be loose for a bit, and if I try to do too much activity or lift things, it can make the work he did not as effective.
nectarine / 2987 posts
I agree with pp and want to add that drinking a lot of water and walking after your adjustment helps your body stay adjusted. The cross body motion of walking encourages everything to stay in its new, correct place. And do any exercises you are assigned! My chiro got me through my last pregnancy (with a giant baby and a broken tail bone) pain free except for the broken bone.
grapefruit / 4079 posts
My chiropractor is awesome but I saw 3 before him that weren't right for one reason or another. This one believes in whole body. I see him for thirty minutes, get an adjustment, he gives me exercises to do with a foam roller (amazing!!!!) and a lacrosse ball. Then he has massage therapist give an hour long medical massage as part of your visit. It's seriously my favorite time of the month. I was seeing him weekly, then every other week but his exercises have helped me space it out longer.
nectarine / 2053 posts
I was a chiropractic assistant for three years! We helped a lot of people but there definitely were some that needed different care. The doctor I worked for always did an X-ray before he would adjust anyone. He had a few different types of therapies that were optional. Stuff like a tens unit. After filling out paperwork, X-ray , and eval with the Doctor- I would come in and get the patient on the table then use a massager over their body to loosen them up or I'd start their therapy if they opted for it. The doctor would come in and offer some biofeeze or sombra then proceed with the adjustment. He always warned that if you're new to chiropractic care that sometimes you can be sore after your first adjustment because it's like when you exercise, you're moving parts of your body that haven't been moved in awhile. It usually does take more than one time before you'll start to notice a big difference, but there have been some that felt better immediately. I hope it works for you!
papaya / 10560 posts
I went today and it is probably weird that I am actually really excited about eventually being pain free! He evaluated me to see if I was in fact a chiropractic case, and after evaluation and hearing about my pain--he determined I am. they took xrays and he said he was going to study them tonight and wanted me back in the office tomorrow. he also added it doesn't seem to be a serious issue yet, but is definitely headed that way.
blogger / nectarine / 2043 posts
I just came back from spending 3 days in a hospital due to awful lower back pain that I've had on and off for about a year. It's great that you're going to a chiropractor, but I would highly encourage you to get an MRI referral ASAP. Chiropractors can align your bones, which does help, but if you have a disc problem like I do, you are going to need physical therapy and drugs, like steroids, muscle relaxants and nerve suppressors. Radiating pain into your leg means there's something pressing on your nerves, so I really highly recommend pushing to get an MRI ASAP.
apricot / 443 posts
@Mrs. Carrot: I second this.
I love chiropractic care and have gone since I was 16 and it totally changed my entire quality of life. That said, hen I first started seeing my chiropractor he saw me for weekly adjustments (including electrodes and massage) for six months and he took X-rays and told me that based on my age (16 at the time) and level of pain (very severe), I should concurrently see an orthopedist. He was great and basically outlined how the spine is constructed and what the doctor would tell me my medical options were (narcotics, steroid injections, and surgery). And he laid out a chiropractic plan with him in addition to giving me an exercise routine, stretches, and a basic overall plan for how to live the rest of my life with serious back pain.
I have been to at least 10 medical doctors for my back problems and none of them have outlined all my options the way my first chiropractor did.
I'm so grateful for having him in my life at a time when I was so vulnerable. My family has a crazy history of addiction and I was super worried about taking narcotics, so I'm so glad I found a chiropractor who didn't just tell me how to fix my medical problem, he taught me how to improve my quality of life.
Okay enough of the chiropractic rant. I hope you feel better soon!
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