Expert: Dr. Victor Dolan, DC, DACBSP - 6/9/2008

Question
im 20 years old,im overweight, but i workout everyday. 30 minutes of cardio and lifting weights. Ok so yesterday i went to a water park, got on a couple rides, and when i was in line for another one i felt a sharp pain in my lower back. I leaned on the railing and then it pretty much went away. I had my brother "massage" the area and i was good to go. I then drove home which took, i'd say 3 hours, and my foot was tingly. the next day i still feel it. It doesnt hurt, it just feels weird. like i said its tingly. When i stand up i dont really feel it, but when sitting down i do. im writing this cause im scarred and dont know what to do. i read on so many different causes that ive scarred myself lol. But anyway do u kno what this could be? is it a pinched nerve as i thought?

Answer
pinched nerve, low back pain, sciatica, herniated disc, tingling.

Hello Larry,

Sorry to hear of your pain, tingling, pinched nerve.

Twenty years old,  young person = good, better chance at fast, full recovery.  Overweight, bad = slower response, slower healing.  How much overweight? A lot, a little?, the less overweight the better, the closer to ideal weight, the better.

Sharp pain in the lower back.  Ever anything similar?  Do you remember a specific ride, a specific movement, a specific instance where the pain came on?  Do you remember a specific incident?

Sharp pain does not tell me much, does not alarm me or comfort me.  Serious problems may not have a sharp pain, mild problems may have a transient sharp pain.  The tingling is significant.  'Tingling' is usually the sign of some kind of neuro-vascular compromise, neurovascular insult.  'Tingling' most probably, given your rigorous activities, is due to Sciatica- a pinched sciatic nerve.  Do not be scared - be concerned, cautious, and pro-active.

You are 20 years old.  By the time you read this, any pain you may have had may be greatly diminished or gone entirely; the tingling may be greatly diminished or gone entirely.  BUT, with tingling, I would advise seeing the local specialist- your local family Doctor of Chiropractic.  This tingling could be due to sciatica, but sciatica is only 1/2 of the diagnosis,,, what is causing the sciatica?

The following is information that I utilize in the office:

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
“Sciatica”   ( Also Known As-   neuritis,  neuralgia,  sciatic-radiculitis   )
Sometimes  we  can  wake  up  with  ‘sciatica’,  .... sometimes a slip, trip, fall, heavy lift, or even a motor vehicle accident can cause a ‘sciatica’.  Ultimately-  the true    c a u s e   of  the ‘sciatica’,  = pain in the lower back, buttock(s), thigh, calf and/or foot (even to toes);  is a misalignment,  a  ‘kink’ in the neck- more properly termed a Vertebral Subluxation.   Sciatica  is only  1/2  a diagnosis  ....   what is  causing  the sciatica?
              Vertebral   Subluxation   Complex    (a.k.a.  ‘subluxation’)
The vertebral subluxation complex is often the underlying cause of sciatica and many healthcare problems.  A subluxation interferes with the proper functioning of the nervous system (the master system which controls and coordinates all function within the body) and may cause various other conditions, symptoms and problems.
This   (subluxation)  is a serious condition identified by its five parts:
    Spinal Kinesiopathology:
         This is fancy way of saying the bones of the spine have lost their normal motion and position. It restricts your ability to turn and bend. It sets in motion the other four components.
    Neuropathophysiology:
         Improper spinal function can choke, stretch, or irritate delicate nerve tissue. The resulting nerve system dysfunction can cause symptoms elsewhere in the body.
    Myopathology:
          Muscles supporting the spine can weaken, atrophy, or become tight and go into spasm. The resulting scar tissue changes muscle tone, requiring repeated spinal adjustments.
    Histopathology:
         A rise in temperature from an increase in blood and lymph supplies result in swelling and inflammation. Discs can bulge, herniate, tear, or degenerate. Other soft tissues may suffer permanent damage.
    Pathophysiology:
         The VSC contributes to OsteoArthritic degeneration. Bone spurs and other abnormal bony growths attempt to fuse malfunctioning spinal joints. This spinal decay, scar tissue, and long-term nerve dysfunction can cause other systems of the body to malfunction.

The Vertebral Subluxation Complex describes what happens when spinal bones lose their normal movement patterns and position.
         Automobile accidents, improper lifting, improper posture, alcohol, emotional stress, chemical imbalances, and long periods of sitting can cause the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.
          Vertebral  Subluxation  cannot be corrected through chemicals (medicine), stretching, yoga, vitamins or physical therapy alone.  Subluxation- a neuro/skeletal/muscular- mechanical- problem requires a mechanical correction-  -  -    a manipulation,     best performed with the chiropractic adjustment.  For good health- Treat the   Cause,  not just the Symptoms.
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I would put the 'tingly' feeling as a sub-heading under sciatica.

Similarly-
Lower  Back  Pain  (LBP):          Low  Back  Pain  can be caused by many different things.  Big, BAD, catastrophic things like a tumor or a cancer can cause low back pain (only a proper exam by a licensed doctor, like your Doctor of Chiropractic, or your family Doctor of Medicine, can evaluate your signs and symptoms, and perhaps refer for testing).  Big, bad things like a Herniated Disc, sciatica, possible fracture or dislocation can cause LBP (again, best evaluated by your DC or MD, and perhaps referral).  Bad things, like  - Sprains, Strains, contusion, or Vertebral Subluxation Complex (all very efficiently diagnosed and treated by your Doctor Of Chiropractic.  LBP can come from a motor vehicle accident, sport injury, slip, trip, fall, arthritis, lifting improperly, or even bad posture in standing, sitting or sleeping.  All of these things often have a Lumbar (Low Back) Vertebral Subluxation involved.
              Vertebral   Subluxation   Complex    (a.k.a.  ‘subluxation’)
The vertebral subluxation complex is the underlying cause of many healthcare problems.
A subluxation interferes with the proper functioning of the nervous system (the master system which controls and coordinates all function within the body) and may cause various other conditions, symptoms and problems.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I do not think you have any of the big BAD things mentioned above.  You were active, you probably aggravated your back, you irritated your low back and sciatic nerve, whether a sprain / strain , herniated disc , muscle spasm , vertebral subluxation :
get evaluated by your local Doctor of Chiropractic.

This article is for discussion purposes only.  Specific evaluation, DX, TX, RX, PX can only be made by a treating health professional in person.

Wishing you good luck, and good health naturally, this is your staten island new york chiropractor , Dr. Victor Dolan , signing off.

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