Chiropractors/sublaxation of my L4 can cause kidney and bladder problems?

Expert: Gerald Anzalone, D.C. - 10/18/2006

Question
hi doc,

i have had a sublaxation of my L4 for about 12 years already.
been seeing a chiropractor to correct or adjust my spine since
1996. recently i have been experiencing frequency of urination
and discomfort on my bladder area and numbness of both my
legs and feet especially when i stand or walk for a long period of
time. anyway went to the e.r.
last thursday due to pain and they did a ct stonogram on me to
check if i had stones. everything was ok, no stones in my
kidneys, or urinary tract or bladder but it seems my S1 is also
affected. showed results to my rehab doctor. she wants me to do
another mri and a emg something to check my nerves in my
legs. last mri i did was 6 years ago. i am worried about this new
sensations in my legs and bladder plus now i get chills and
goose bumbs but no fever. question is can my sublaxation of my
L4 cause my kidneys or bladder to get affected but not my bowel
movements?

Answer
Miguel,

"Treat Your Own Back" by Australian physical therapist Robin McKenzie is an excellent reference book that may help you engage in an effective home rehabilitation program to complement the care that you be receiving from your chiropractor or physical therapist. It sells for about $10.00 through Barnes and Noble or Amazon. The current research shows that active self-care dramatically improves function and reduces symptoms for a large number of patients with low back syndromes.

Hope this helps.

Questioner's Rating

Rating(1-10)	Knowledgeability = 10	Clarity of Response = 9	Politeness = 10
Comment	hi gerald, thanks for the quick response. followed your advice and did both the mri and emg. mri remarks are:mild central to paracentral disc herniation, L4- L5 and vertebral marginal spur, with neural foraminal canal stenosis, with mild compression of the exiting nerve of L4. disc disease L1-L2 and L4-L5. mild hypertrophic degenerative osteoarthropathy. straightened lumbar curvature probably due to reflex muscle. also did emg today. initial findings was that my nerves are responding pretty well but my left leg was a bit slower to respond compared to the right. they also stuck that needle on my leg and back muscles and my nerves were all responding well. that said, doctor says i dont neeed surgery but need physical therapy and i need to lose some weight. i am 5'8 and 199 lbs. lastly, i forgot to tell you my urologist cleared me of anything wrong and was the guy who told me to see a nuerologist or back expert. i hope my doctor is right. so far numbness went away unless i stand up for a long time and urination is normal. thanks

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Gerald Anzalone, D.C.

Expertise

I can answer questions about musculoskeletal-based, evidence-based chiropractic practice.

Experience

13 years of chiropractic practice; currently practicing in an integrative medicine clinic.

Organizations
West Hartford Group, a think-tank that has put forth a model of chiropractic care that is consistent with that of the World Federation of Chiropractic and the Chiropractic Strategic Planning Conference. This model is of the chiropractic physician as the spinal health care expert within the health care system, i.e. society’s non-surgical spine specialist.

Publications
Chiropractic Products magazine

Education/Credentials
Bachelor of Arts, Fordham University, 1991. Doctor of Chiropractic, New York Chiropractic College, 1997.

Awards and Honors
Fordham University: Scripps Howard Journalism Award. New York Chiropractic College: Clinic Award. University of Sint Eustatius School of Medicine: University Award for participation as student president of the Integrative Medicine Program.

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Chiropractors/sublaxation of my L4 can cause kidney and bladder problems?

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