Expert: Scott F. Gillman, DC, DACBSP - 9/29/2008

Question
Hi,
I am a Computer programmer.Daily i need to sit 8-10 hours in a chair.
I am getting back pain(Lower and upper back) since 3 years..
I visited bunch of doctors so far..They have takes X-rays and said nothing worng in back..
2 months ago i counsult a doctor and he recommend to take MRI scan.I did that one.
Below is the test results
"The L5-S1 disc is of decreased signal intensity indicating degeneration. There is disc bulging at the L5-S1 level. In addition, there are findings consistent with a very small central disc herniation. There is only mild diffuse disc bulging at the L4-5 level.
IMPRESSION: DEGENERATIVE CHANGES AT THE L5-S1 DISC WITH BULGING. FINDINGS CONSISTENT WITH A VERY SMALL CENTRAL DISC HERNIATION AT THE L5-S1 LEVEL."

after that i have taken Chiropractic treatment for 3 weeks(twise a week)
But no usefull..
My pain still getting more wrose..
what should i do..
i can't sit in chair even 2 minits..
my whole back buring and pinching..
2days back i got MRI for my Upper back..waiting for test results..

Please can you help me what should i do?

thanks

Answer
Dear Vankata,

First: you must learn to modify how you sit.  I wish I could demonstrate sitting postures for you to see.  Suffice it to say, prolonged sitting is not good for anyone's back. The trick is to always change your sitting position, get out of the seat as often as possible, and do whatever exercise you can during your work day.  This includes briskly going up a flight of stairs or taking a brisk walk to the water fountain.  So now that you have this back pain, my next question regards what you mean by "chiropractic treatments."  This can vary quite a bit from one office to the next.  Are you getting manual joint manipulation?  Any soft tissue massage?  General exercises? Core-stability exercises?  Ergonomic advice?   If all you're getting is joint manipulation, then that may not be enough.  Also, there are different styles of manipulation. There are also adjunctive methods such as tractioning or lumbar distraction.  What I'm trying to say is that you must explore different methods or have the different methods delivered to you if you are not making progress after a few weeks of (anyone's) treatment.   Vankata, the symptoms you are describing are not uncommon, and though the MRI described a disc herniation, it may not be the true cause of all your pain.  Please feel free to provide this message to your chiropractor and see if he/she can help you get all the help you deserve.

'Regards,

Dr. G