Expert: Gerald Anzalone, D.C. - 11/9/2008

Question
Hi, I am 26 years old. I have had middle/lower back pain for the past 2 years. It started when I was 4 months pregnant with my son.  It got increasingly worse to the point that I could barely walk.  Since he was born (18 months ago) it has gotten a little better.  The pain starts in my lower back and radiates down the back and side of my right leg.  Lifting or carry things, and sitting for more than 15 minutes makes it worse.  In the past several weeks the pain has moved into my side. In and underneath my rib cage. When I bend over or straighten up after being bent over I feel the pain.  I also feel it when sitting.  In the middle of my lower back I feel and hear it cracking occasionally, and I feel a burning pain on my spine. When pressing on my ribs, I feel a popping sensation as if my ribs were bending or as if some thing that is attached to them is bending
  I have seen 3 Chiropractors for this and none seem to be able to help.  Often they tell me my hip is out.Please help, I am desperate!
Thankyou


Answer
I recommend seeing your family physician for the possibility of receiving a prescription for a lumbar spine MRI scan to rule out disc herniation and possible nerve root compression. Chiropractic and physical therapy treatments may be helpful for disc problems when appropriately rendered, but if you do have a disc herniation, you may benefit from a short-term course of anti-inflammatory medications such as corticosteroids to assist in recovery. In severe cases, surgery may be required to remove the offending portion of the disc.