I’m not a doctor.
Whilst reading a book entitled “Back pain – how to relieve low back pain and sciatica” by Loren Fishman MD and Carol Ardmen to try and help with my back pain I came to the section on Herniated disks. This is what I have. I confirmed from the referred pain location that it’s the disk between the 4’th and 5’th lumber.
I was amazed when I read about a technique developed by Robin McKenzie which fixes 65% of herniated disk cases! I have since discovered it results in improvement in 80% of cases.
The treatment involves bending the lumbar forwards and backwards through various exercises – some of which are described here. I tried some of these straight away and was amazed. By the end of the day I was able to walk without pain – rather than crawl with pain. I have since bought his book “7 steps to a pain-free-life” – which tells you how to do the exercises properly, when to do them and why. Two weeks later, today, I went on a bike ride.
I have never had as fast a recovery from an acute episode and this episode was the worst I’ve ever had. I recommend anyone suffering from a herniated disk to start this treatment straight away – get the book – its only £9 on Amazon at the moment – about 1/3 of the cost of a single session with a back doctor.
The book also contains exercises for neck pain – but I know nothing of this. He also tells you how to prevent further problems through posture corrections.
I have been examined by 2 GP’s, 4 chiropractors and 2 physiotherapists during 10 years of back problems – as well as two trips to casualty when the pain became unbearable and required strong pain relief.
None of them have ever mentioned this treatment – shocking - this guy was awarded an O.B.E. in 1990.
Actually the first doctor I went to see simply prescribed pain killers without examination. When I went back a year later she briefly examined me and proclaimed I had sciatica and prescribed more pain killers. I have since discovered that sciatica was the effect not the cause.
I have to say the my local GP in Belfast was more than helpful and did refer me to physiotherapy. Only problem was I had to wait 6 months for it.
I have discovered there are many things that can go wrong with the back. A herniated disk is a common cause of low back pain and sciatica. Basically at the bottom of the back are the lumbar vertebrae – there are 5 of them. Between each one is a disk with fluid in it which allows the spine to bend.
These disks can get damaged. The most common cause is apparently posture – this is my problem – hours spend slumped in front of a computer.
Damage results in pain in the lower back and also “referred” pain down the buttocks and/or legs. This pain is not really there – it’s caused by irritation of the nerves running through the spine/disks. The location of the referred pain can indicate which disk(s) are damaged. Note – I believe 6% of sciatica cases can also be caused by piriformus – which has something to do with the hip joint – so if you’ve been going to a back doctor of some sort for a number of years with sciatica – ask them if they’ve done a “priformis test”. If they haven’t – get another doctor!
As for chiropractors – I have seen 4. I have only changed chiropractor because of where I’ve been working or because they moved on. I’ve found there good during the first 2 weeks or so of an episode – when you get to about 60% recovered. However, its hard to tell if you would have got better anyway. There treatment has been very similar to Robin McKenzie’s – lying down and getting your back bent. However, Robin advises very frequent sessions – initially 6 to 8 times a day – not just once a week!
The (NHS) physiotherapists concentrated on exercises to keep me fit – as it was six months after seeing a GP that I got to see them.
Emergency treatment in A&E consisted of high dosage of pain killers. I find it strange that if I went to A&E with a broken leg I would certainly be admitted and treated. With severe back pain – equally as dilapidating and probably more painful your given a prescription!
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