low left back/upper buttock pain

[djhartz]

I have had chronic pain in my upper left buttock/low back for quite some time.  No trauma of note (may have started after a chiropractic maneuver).  I have had health issues in the past 2 years with thyroid problems, menopause problems and odd pains throughout my body and fatigue.  Two years ago found I had kidney stones (by accident) and had lithotripsy but they did not take all the stones out.  Also found a cysts on my right ovary.  No one seems to want to follow up with this.  I have tried accupuncture, pain pills, etc.  Nothing helps.  I cant sleep and can hardly make it through a work day I am in so much pain.  Any idea on what the problem could be.  Back x-rays have been fine too.  Please help.

[mike1105]

what you are describing is muscle pain--perhaps from a trigger point or an out of balance muscle due to poor posture. i recommend correcting/working on posture (paul d'arezzo's book) and working trigger points in the affected muscles (clair davies book)

[djhartz]

Maybe my descripton was off.  I really dont consider it "back" pain per se.  It feels deep, not associated with bones really, just a constant ache and spasm if I turn or move too fast when getting up.  Never central aligned with the spine.  Always the left side and I can actually pinpoint the spot that gives me pain.  If I press on it hard it feels better.  Does this make any sense.

I do appreciate everyone's comments.

[InsureBob]

My back pain is on the other side.  It's the lower right back/upper right buttocks.  When I am walking or moving around, it is fine.  As soon as I become sedentary (whether it be sitting or lying down) for any length of time, I can't stand up, without being "bent".  

I can only sit in office chairs, with lower back support, or in the car seat.  Relaxing at home is no fun anymore, whether it be the recliner or the sofa.  I did have a pinched nerve about a year ago, and was given an anti-inflamatory and an anti-spasmotic.  

I can no longer lay on my back at night.  I have to lie on my left side, with a pillow underneath my lower back.  Even then, it's a bit tight when I wake up.  I'm going to check out the book.  I'm not a big believer in medicine,  when there is something I can do.

However, any tips on sleeping positions would be greatly appreciated.

[InsureBob]

My pain has only been going on for about three weeks.  

[mike1105]

THE biggest problem with pain syndromes is when patients look for someone else to fix them. Does it EVER work? Ok-- maybe 2% of the time? If it did work well, then why are there so many people in these forums? Doing a few stretches here and there wont even make a dent in correcting postural problems that cause pain--problems that have taken decades to form.. the CORRECT stretches and exercises need to be done many times daily for months sometimes before you may see results. djhartz is describing pain in and around the quadratus muscle, which is notorious for causing symptoms in the low back/buttocks in people due to weak core muscles and bad posture. Just because it has lasted a long time and has been labelled by everyone as "chronic" does not mean the solution isn't simple. People tend to look for complicated answers when their pain doesnt go away by itself after a few days. It is certainly worth trying to fix yourself before going on meds and letting someone cut you open and operate on pain--which is the worst thing any doctor can do. Again."trying" is a 24 hr per day thing, not 2  45 minute visits to the PT office each week for a month or so before patients give up becasue "it didnt work"--followed by going home in a SLOUCHED position in the car, SITTING, to eat dinner, and then SITTING or SLOUCHING in front of the TV for a few hours before SLEEPING INCORRECTLY, and then going to work the next day to SIT behind a desk. I'm not trying to diagnose anyone over the internet. All I am saying is that addressing the obvious makes alot of sense. If a muscle hurts, find out what this muscle does, where it originates and attaches, and why it hurts. then, with good guidance (Jolie Bookspan's book is fantastic, as is a book on posture by Paul D'Arezzo) give the best effort possible fix it.

[smcglo00]

If you are like me, you were disgusted at mike's "simple" solution.  If this is a chronic problem that has been going on for year, you have probably been given, by many different people, stretches and exercises to do.  I am in the same boat.  I'm sorry I can't offer a solution, because I haven't gotten a solution myself. But, I just thought I would vent my frustration of people who give simple, non-chalant, solutions as if your crippling pain hasn't caused you to seek such a solution.