Expert: Robert A. Arnone, DC - 3/4/2009

Question
Hi,

I started experiencing lower back pain about 1.5 years ago. I was fully active and exercising at the time for couple of years.
The pain I felt is a dull achy pain in the middle of the back (feel like the pain in deep muscles on the right and left section close to the spine). I have seen numerous chiropractors, acupuncturists, physicl theraphusts and spine surgeons. My MRI results showed literally NOTHING problematic in the lumbar area. I was recommended to do specific back exercises and attended Back Gym Pool classes for months but no significant improvement. Then I stopped and did only one specific exercise (lying back extension) as well as streching and I was 89% improved for three months. I started exercising again and in two weeks the pain came back. It wasn't instantly. I actually feel better when exercising. It comes with a slight discomfort and turns into an achy pain in days and stays for 3-4 months. Recently I had some home physical theraphy sessions including electrical stim. and heat pad. I felt better but only for a week. Now I'm feeling some numbness in the area and slight feeling of needles ONLY when I'm lying on my back and sitting with my back against the seat. I find almost instant relief when I'm lying on my face (prone position)and standing. I can sit upright with my glutes backwards and feel OK. But I can't put my back against anything. It feels like my skin gets itchy and pins and needles also sometimes numbness. I feel very good when I sleep. I wake up with no pain. It gradually increases during the day. Gets better when I rest only with the positions I mentioned before. My general health is good. Little bit of stress of course with work.

To summarize my symptoms

1- Numbness in the lower back
2- Slight feeling of needles
3- Discomfort and tightness lying on the back and sitting the back against chair

ALSO
1- Rarely it radiates to my sides upper glutes but rarely
2- Tightness in the lower and middle back

My range of motion is good and feel slightly tightness bending forward (since I'm very flexible I can bend really good.

Since the MRI results show nothing, I really don't know what to do.

p.s I have a leg discrepancy about 1.5 cm. since I had a broken femur in 1995. I have been using an inside shoe lift of 1.2 cm since I have experienced pain and one of the doctors recommended ot because hetought this could have been the cause. But it really doesn't make any difference. I had good months (only 4-5) and bad months. It seems the symptoms are recurrent.

What could be my options? Could it be related to some other problem? What else can I do? If you could help me on this, I will really appreciate it.

Regards

Ceme6t  

Answer
Omer,
You are most likely suffering from a nervous system disturbance.  Can you send me the pictures from the MRI so that I can see with my own eyes what your trouble is?
You can email that to me at  ArnoneClinic@Rocketmail.com
Yours in Best Health,
Dr Arnone