Sciatica/Herniated disc
Discussion
Getting horrific pain in my lower back whenever I straighten and attempt to lift my right leg as well as other twitches when I move. Had a slight back pain for a couple of weeks but this weekend it took a nose dive to the state it is in now. Symptoms look to match up with sciatica.
I'm 25 fairly active, albeit a little overweight but I play football and a round of golf once a week - do wonder if it is linked to golf as that was when I first noticed the pain recurring but it doesn't hurt at all when I twist the spine (golf swing).
Do I go to the local doctors (not much trust in them after they time and time again misdiagnosed my dad's cancer that eventually killed him), hospital, sports therapist or find some back specialist?
I'm 25 fairly active, albeit a little overweight but I play football and a round of golf once a week - do wonder if it is linked to golf as that was when I first noticed the pain recurring but it doesn't hurt at all when I twist the spine (golf swing).
Do I go to the local doctors (not much trust in them after they time and time again misdiagnosed my dad's cancer that eventually killed him), hospital, sports therapist or find some back specialist?
I feel your pain, literally!
I had this a number of years ago when i was overweight & unfit, a few trips to the chiro sorted it.
Fast foeward 5 years, i'm not 'fit & healthy & normal weight' & it came back with a vengence about 10 months ago.
Visited Chiro twice a week for about 2 months, gave me various exercises as well as manipulation, manipulaton would help for about 48 hours.
Went to GP, who referred me to Physio.
Went & saw Physio who gave me some exercises & i had to go back every 10 days for different ones.
I've now been with the same physio for over 6 months now & after countless exercises nothing has gotten any better, if anything it's now worse.
Physio claims i have 'weak core muscles' despite doing the exercises 2-3 times a day for 6 months.
Going back this week, hopefully i'll get a referral for some proper treatment as it's getting to a point now where i can't sleep or pick my little lad up!
I had this a number of years ago when i was overweight & unfit, a few trips to the chiro sorted it.
Fast foeward 5 years, i'm not 'fit & healthy & normal weight' & it came back with a vengence about 10 months ago.
Visited Chiro twice a week for about 2 months, gave me various exercises as well as manipulation, manipulaton would help for about 48 hours.
Went to GP, who referred me to Physio.
Went & saw Physio who gave me some exercises & i had to go back every 10 days for different ones.
I've now been with the same physio for over 6 months now & after countless exercises nothing has gotten any better, if anything it's now worse.
Physio claims i have 'weak core muscles' despite doing the exercises 2-3 times a day for 6 months.
Going back this week, hopefully i'll get a referral for some proper treatment as it's getting to a point now where i can't sleep or pick my little lad up!
I would strongly advise not taking Voltarol. Yes, it works and works well but... you will end up pulling your back more due to the decrease of "ouch, that hurts, I better not do that" reflex.
I had a herniated disc 2 years ago, with lots of tightness down my left leg. It was really bad to start with, i couldnt walk that well and couldnt lift my leg as you are experiencing. I went to a physio which helped a bit. Mines pretty much sorted now, I just have to be careful not to "jerk lift" things. Swimming was good.
I had a herniated disc 2 years ago, with lots of tightness down my left leg. It was really bad to start with, i couldnt walk that well and couldnt lift my leg as you are experiencing. I went to a physio which helped a bit. Mines pretty much sorted now, I just have to be careful not to "jerk lift" things. Swimming was good.
Get a diagnosis - though sciatica likely from story. Physio will help with associated issues (muscle spasms etc) but not the herniated disc itself. Time best healer - three quarters settle within 8-12 weeks. Drugs help with pain but not much 
Worsening pins and needles, weakness (eg not being able to trust affected leg, or dragging toe) or bladder symptoms = worsening nerve compression and warrants doctors' assessment pronto.
Worsening pins and needles, weakness (eg not being able to trust affected leg, or dragging toe) or bladder symptoms = worsening nerve compression and warrants doctors' assessment pronto.
An osteopath worked better for me, physio did nothing. One session of physio almost crippled me the next day, it was totally wrong for me.
I have two dodgy discs, the lower one impinging on s1 which causes sciatica.
The main thing is movement,mother right kind of movement.
A mixture of plenty of osteopath appointments, stretching exercises and finally spinal injections got me on the right track after some 4 yrs of back trouble.
I've had no major back trouble or sciatica for coming on two years now. I still do the stretching exercises the osteopath gave me every other day,hopefully with care and consideration for my back it will stay that way. Like my osteopath said to me, you only get one back, look after it because it can't be replaced.
Good luck.
I have two dodgy discs, the lower one impinging on s1 which causes sciatica.
The main thing is movement,mother right kind of movement.
A mixture of plenty of osteopath appointments, stretching exercises and finally spinal injections got me on the right track after some 4 yrs of back trouble.
I've had no major back trouble or sciatica for coming on two years now. I still do the stretching exercises the osteopath gave me every other day,hopefully with care and consideration for my back it will stay that way. Like my osteopath said to me, you only get one back, look after it because it can't be replaced.
Good luck.
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