chronic back pain

[Douglas P.]

I've had 2 L4/L5 fusions in my lower back. I have been on numerous pain meds, tried phys. therapy,  pain management etc. I am currently on oxycontin, percocet,soma and xanax. My leg continues to go numb, mainly my right leg, but now it goes to the left now. They say theres nothing they can do, my sciatic nerve is pinched and is causing all of this. is there any new treatment available  or new test to get to the root of the problem?  been this way since 1988. thanks.

[fad]

Hi, iam writing to share with all this stuation i am facing a year ago i experienced a chronic mid back pain and then suddenly after one month travelled down to the lower back and in same time to the left tigh, and groin pain as well with pins and niddles, but with rest and some swiming the lower back pain decreased offcourse with anti infl pills, but the pain didnt go away as when i sit at my work the pain and burning sensation increases at the lower back specialy and in the groin, did mri was clear every thing in the spine looked fine, no one could give me a clear diagnose yet on why iam experiencing all this as cant sleep on my back as that increases the pain and burning at the lower back area, if any one can help me and advise me what i shall do as now it is a year and still experiencing the symptoms.

please help

[Thuney]

Get a GOOD reflexologist--by massaging (and sometimes it is painful) the corresponding area on the foot, it increases the blood flow to the inflamed area--which, in turn, oxgenates the tissues and aids in healing. Someone kept telling me this for months and I ignored them (Thinking yeah, sure--like rubbing my feet will actually do anything--since I've already been to neurosurgeons, orthosurgeons, chiropractors).

Then, once I finally went, I almost quit--after I went four times and nothing (actually the first time I came home feeling worse) so I was ready to quit. So glad I didn't--because it takes time to work out all the toxins at first--esp from all the meds of surgery. On my fifth treatment, all I can say was "Ahhhhhhhhhhhh." I felt the relief and am a loyal advocate of reflexology.

I started out in severe pain and went 3 to four times a week--then once a week--then every two--now I go once a month for maintenence and if I have a bad spell, he fits me in for an extra treatment--which isn't too often.

[Douglas P.]

Thanks.. I just want to get it over with...

[paulpt]

There are some new procedures for persons who have disc degeneration/stenosis (which is usualy why people have lumbar fusions), but I am not sure if someone who's already had a fusion would be a candidate.  I agree with getting second and third, or even fourth opinions, it can not hurt.  I also whole heartedly agree with the poster stating not moving is probably making things worse.  I have been a physical therapist for many years, and I have to say there are good therapists and bad therapists.  I would try finding a good manual therapist in your area.  Also don't believe all therapists that say they are manual therapist, find a Maitland Certified therapist.  You can look at OZPT.com and search for therapists who have passed certification in your area.  I have learned many many different treatment strategies and the maitland system seems to work the best, especialy with chronic back pain.
Good Luck!
P.S.  I think a good therapist would tell you they may or may not be able to take your symptoms away completely but almost everyone can have a reduction of symptoms with proper treatment.

[star queen]

Sciatic nerve damage can give you all kinds of trouble, but not moving around because of it will compound the pain.  There is a good web site called spine-health.com with some really good exercises to relieve the pain due to sciatic nerve damage related to surgical procedures.  When you go on the site, put sciatic nerve into the search and there you go.  Good luck