AboutDr. Timothy K. Durnin Expertise All types of surgical procedures as they relate to diagnosis. Alternatives to surgery, post-operative care, prevention, step by step pre-operative guidelines to follow to prevent surgery, complications and how to treat them, quality referrals to surgeons when necessary. Education on how to avoid surgery.
Experience Work in Level 1 trauma center (Olympia Fields Osteopathic Hospital)
Practice spinal disorders for over 15 years.
Successfully treat spinal trauma non-invasive when possible
Organizations American Association of Spine Physicians
ICS/ACA/AOPA/Presidential Cabinet Member NUHS
Publications Several columns in newspapers and medical journals such as JMPT
Education/Credentials B.S./D.C. Board Certified AMA impairment ratings
Medical Director Life extension Laser
PHI THETA KAPPA
Awards and Honors Chiropractor of the year/who's who in America
Question I had an MRI done in 2/2006 and found that I had a disc herniation in L5-S1 region. A repeat MRI in 5/2007 showed a 9mm herniation. At a neurosurgical consult in 2006 he said that it doesn't matter how big your herniation is. My current physician is a DO and doesn't recommend me having surgery.I've been through physical therapy, acupuncture and 3 steroid injections in the past year. My status has improved drastically, however, this past week my leg wouldn't stop twitching and by the end of that day my left calf muscle was extremely tight, and my upper back hamstring along with a part of my buttock was numb. The following day my right calf muscle was tight, so I started taking flexeril and relafin. The muscle tightness is completely gone in the right leg and partly in the left leg, however, numbness is still there and I can't stand on the tip of my left toes. If you could please further assist or advise. I am currently working out at the gym with a personal trainer because my physician said that loosing weight will definitely help.
Thanks
ani
Answer Hi Ani,
Loosing weight is good but working out is absolutely wrong!
Do NOT lift weights and avoid stressing the low back in any way, this includes coughing, sneezing or even difficult bowel movements.
I totally agree with your DO, forget surgery, it rarely if ever helps long term.
The Gold standard for herniated disc treatment is flexion/distraction therapy.
In this day and age, there is absolutely no excuse to leave a disc herniated.
For more than three decades, proven effective treatments have existed that non-surgically decompress them in a few weeks.
Just because some doctors don't own the equipment doesn't excuse them from referring you to one that does.
Find a DC (Doctor of Chiropractic) that has the tables, 40 % do, and expect a 50% reduction in pain in two weeks and complete resolution of the herniation in 6.
By working out, you are pushing the herniation further against the nerve roots; this should be avoided until things are normal.
If you need additional assistance finding a F/D table, I will help you.
