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I am 37 years old. I have one ruptured lumbar disc, and two bulging lumbar disc. After spending two years dealing with chronic and debilitating pain, I found a doctor whose specialty was sports medicine. He took me off of muscle relaxers and prescribed anti-inflammatories. The best I have had so far is Vioxx. He referred me to a physical therapist who holds an additional degree in the muscular/spinal relationship. He did several things. He gave me a heel lift, as one of my legs was 1/4" shorter than the other, to balance my posture. He told me how to stand in a neutral postition, which takes the pressure off of the spine and transfers it to the muscles supporting the spine. He gave me some simple, yet effective exercises to strengthen the muscles which support the spine.
The other physical therapist at this clinic dealt with the soft tissue issues. Using deep massage techniques, she loosened up all the cramps and "knotted" muscles. Your spine is protected by your muscles, and when one becomes strained because of an injury, it has a domino effect with your other muscles if left untreated. This can cause all sorts of pain. I was so bad at one point that I fell down when trying to stand. This was my muscles working to prevent injury to my spine. Had the muscles allowed me to stand, the strain on my injured spine would have been dramatically compounded.
It took many months, but she eventually got me to a point where I was pain-free. I found that I would relapse after a few months out of physical therapy, so I started going to see her twice a month for massage. It is sort of like a maintenance program. My injuries make it inevitable that I am going to have muscle strain and pain. By keeping the tissues "unknotted", I never get to a point where I have debilitating pain, unless, of course, I do something to cause the pain (i.e. heavy lifting). I cannot move furniture around my house anymore, run, sit on the ground, and a few other things, but I am able to work and take care of my kids, something I had thought was impossible only a few years ago.
This is my personal experience, but I hope it can give others some direction. I had been to doctors and physical therapists who were unable to get me to where I could function, and I wanted to let others know that you do have options.
In Reply to: help for chronic back pain posted by mary angerbrandt on April 19, 2001 at 21:11:09:
It sounds like you have done a lot to help yourself. I commend you for it. Most people won't make the full effort to help themselves get better. There are few things that you were told though, that I personally believe to be missing the bigger picture. This information could help you regain the mobility and strength that you say you no longer have.
1) The therapist that gave you a heel lift did so becuase he/she doesn't know the most common reason for 1 leg being longer than the other. The problem is most likely with the atlas bone in your neck. This bone,which sits at the top of your spine, is very important in keeping your posture straight and your spine in line. If your atlas is off, your whole body will be off, usually in one direction, giving the appearance of 1 leg being longer than the other. 1 leg actually being longer than the other is very rare. find a chiropracter that manipulates the atlas bone. this will immediately put your legs back to an even length. The heel lift gives a false impression that the problem is fixed. It could even make the problem worse.
2) Why would your muscles cramp up and form knots? From using them too much? probably not. From using them incorectly? partly. But, the most common reason for knots in the muscles is instability in the joint. The tissues that hold your joints and spine together are called ligaments. when your ligaments are strong, you are strong. But, when a ligament becomes weakened due to injury, inadequate healing, or treating an injury with ice and anti-inflammatories, the joint becomes unstable. After a while, the body realizes the joint can no longer be stablized by the ligaments so the muscles begin to tighten up in an effort to stablize the joint. Muscles are not ligaments so eventually, they begin to wear out and form knots, typically refered to as "trigger points". The only solution to the underlying problem is to get the ligaments working again. It sounds like you got your musculature working better so you have obtained partial relief. But, if you could get your ligaments to support your spine again, your pain and disability can be permanently relieved.
There is a treatment designed specifically to adress this problem. It is called Prolotherapy. It encourages direct healing of the ligaments. go to www.prolotherapy.com and read about it. Your disks are buldging and/or herniated due to lack of support from your ligaments, not muscles.
Dr. Stoll will probably tell you to practice SR for this condition. I too believe it is warranted but remember that ligaments have poor blood supply to begin with so SR will be of little value in "reversing" your remaining problems. It will only help them from getting worse if anything. Only prolotherapy will allow the nutrients and fibroblasts to get directly to your ligaments to heal you. I have given you this information becuase I feel you will be one of the few to use it to your advantage. Prolotherapy is one of hte most useful tools for muscularskeletal problems available but few actually take advantage of it. good luck
In Reply to: more options than you think!! posted by personal experience on April 19, 2001 at 22:07:00:
Haveing seen amazing results with friends and family from
Prolotherapy I recomend it highly. My mother who had
chronic back pain for 15 yrs was treated for Bad pain that
made her immobile and in One Day she was cured and Never
had back pain for the rest of her life. Friends who were
operated on or suffered for months were cured with it.
P E, thanks for the URL on Prolo.
VF
In Reply to: I concur with P E posted by Vince F on April 20, 2001 at 01:27:08:
glad to see others are benefiting it.
In Reply to: help for chronic back pain posted by mary angerbrandt on April 19, 2001 at 21:11:09:
Hi, Mary.
Have you ever read the package insert for Vioxx? It is an addicting narcotic.
At least spend a few days on the archives about spinal problems. THEN, let us know what you have learned.
Walt
In Reply to: more options than you think!! posted by personal experience on April 19, 2001 at 22:07:00:
Thanks, Personal!
Wonderful post!
Namaste`
Walt
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