Herniated Disc at L5-S1

I have an MRI-confirmed broad based herniation of the disc at L5-S1.  This occured as a result of a lifting injury at the gym.  I have been attending physical therapy for 6 months with only slight improvement.  I have receieved two epidural steroid injections with VERY little relief. My pain is not mind-numbing, the way it was when I was first injured, but it is constant.  I am wondernig if anyone has had a third injection that has helped when the first two didn't really help.  Also, has anyone tried a chiropractor or acupunture therapist for this type of pain? My pain is mostly in my back with very slight leg pain around my ankle.

[Dr_BS_MD]

What type of steroidal injections were you given? Are they long or short acting? If short acting, relief will only be for a couple of hours.

Try seeing if you physician can get a hold of (propionate betamethazone) it´s a long acting(up to 25-30 days), antiiflamatory, steroidal drug and applied intramuscular, maximum 3 aplications in intervals of 15-30 days.

[n40066]

my father used acupuncture for many years with great success after the steroid injections quit working for him.  (he used the injections 5 times, with no relief the last 2)  he used the acupuncture for about 4 1/2 yrs. before that too, no longer worked.  he finally gave in and had the surgery in sept. of this year.  he's 77 and doing great!!!
good luck!
elizabeth