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- Herniated disc or lower back sprain?
Chiropractors/Herniated disc or lower back sprain?
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Question
I hurt my back about a week 1/2 ago by lifting something heavy. Went to Chiro who thought it was probably a muscle sprain after evaluation. The pain was into to my butt not my leg. Sharp pain mostly when putting pressure on it, or bending. The pain was getting a little better. I went running (I know stupid!) and the pain returned with a vengeance. I met a orthopedic MD when I was on vacation who stretched me and readjusted my back. Felt better right after but pain eventually came back. I've been taking advil and stretching since saturday. went back to chiro for massage. Mosty now it only hurts when I step forward and pressure on it. I keep stretching. In certain positions I feel my leg pop and feels locked. Is that bad? How long before it heals? Am I taking the right steps toward treatment? Any ideas or suggestions?
Pain was never excrutiating and not constant. And if my pain improves a lot within a couple of days of rest to only a sharp jab, does that make the diagnosis/prognosis better?
Dear Francesca,
From what you have described, this does not sound like a disk problem, but rather a functional low back (lumbar spine joints)or sacroiliac joint (pelvic joints above the butt) inflammation problem and strain.
You are taking the right steps for resolution, but this will take a bit of time. you should continue to see improvement with adjustments, stretching and modification of your activities until healing has occurred. the bottom line is that these types of injuries are not severe, but will easily take 6-8 weeks for the tissue to have gone through a good healing process. The muscles heal fairly quickly, but the joint capsules and ligaments can take up to two full years for a complete resolution...so don't push it and take your return to activity with a gradual approach.
You should be doing some rehab exercises to regain stability and support of the tissues while adjustments and massage will directly address the joint space, muscles, and fascia. Your prognosis is good fro a full resolution as long as you don't continually aggravate the issue.
Good luck!
Respectfully,
Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman
www.suncoasthealthcare.net
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Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman
Expertise
I can answer questions on general chiropractic care, sports injury, whiplash and auto crash, mild traumatic brain injury, structural and functional rehabilitation of the spine, nutrition for inflammation and repair, fitness training, nutrition for sports performance and other general health and nutrition related inquiries. I currently lecture on automobile trauma, occupant kinematics, and forensic risk analysis to local EMS, Fire and Police, as well as nutrition and sports injury to community groups. Rest assured all answers are generated from my clinical experience, and scientific research.
Experience
I have accumulated over 1100 hours of post-doctoral training to include; Certifications in Spinal Trauma and Mild Traumatic Brain Injury from the Spine Research Institute of San Diego, Certification in Chiropractic Spinal Trauma from the International Chiropractic Association, Certification in Low Speed Auto Crash Reconstruction and Certification in Forensic Risk Analysis from The Center for Research Into Automotive Safety and Health, Certified Proficiency in spinal and extremity diagnostic procedures from The Motion Palpation Institute, Certified in Sports Injury and Rehabilitation from the National University of Health Sciences and The American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians, Nationally Certified Fellow of Structural Rehabilitation from The Chiropractic Biophysics Organization, and I have advanced training in manipulation under anesthesia and nutrition. Feel free to check out my website for course listings: www.suncoasthealthcare.net
Organizations
International Chiropractic Association, Florida Chiropractic Association, American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians, American Academy of Pain Management, Chiropractic Biophysics, Spine Research Institute of San Diego, Center for Research Into Automotive Safety and Health, Motion Palpation Organization, American Academy of Manual and Physical Medicine, Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce
Education/Credentials
B.A. (Psychology)The University of Cincinnati
B.S. (Human Biology)Cleveland Chiropractic College
D.C. (Doctor of Chiropractic) Cleveland Chiropractic College
C.C.S.T. (Certification in Chiropractic Spinal Trauma)The International Chiropractic Association
C.C.S.P. (Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician)The American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians.
*CCST and CCSP 120 hour certification courses are not recognized by the Florida Chiropractic Board due to the fact that they are not 300 hour diplomate level courses*
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