Pain, Depression, and Reflux

Eugene Said:

Back leg pain about 1.5 to 2 inches above the knee, what can it be?

We Answered:

It sounds like you may have a pinched sciatic nerve. I find that if I have been sitting for long periods of time I have the same problem. I usually go to my chiropractor and, if I can, get a massage and it really helps.
GL

Jorge Said:

what is causing my lower back/leg pain?

We Answered:

Back pains of all kinds come from pinched or tight muscles. once they are released you shouldn't have any pains left over. The thing is to know how to release them. Because you said it was lower, and that means different things to different people, I have added the one that can be used to the very end of your tailbone. Here they are together:
Back:
Place your left hand on your left knee. Place your right hand over your left shoulder and with your fingertips find the muscle next to your spine. Press on it and hold. Relax, take a deep breath and exhale and don’t tense up any part of your body. After about 30 seconds there should be a release happening and when it does slowly lower yourself forward onto your right leg. If you can lean over the outside edge of your leg it will be better for your release. Continue holding for a total of one minute. Then release but rest your body there for one minute longer. Then reverse and do the right side.
For lower back, on the buttocks:
Put both hands behind your back and place them on the muscles alongside your spine and press on them and hold. Now relax, take a deep breath and exhale and don’t tense up any part of your body. When the release starts to happen, slowly lower yourself forward as far as you can go. Then release the pressure but hold your body there for one minute longer.

Jacob Said:

Help to understand - Pain down left hip/back of leg down to calf...some tingling at foot. Had MRI?

We Answered:

You should see a physical therapist for treatment of your pain. Physical therapy won't just treat you symptoms but try to give you solutions to manage your pain long term. For more information about physical therapy check out - http://stopfootpainfast.fosterwebmarketing.com/practice_areas/onsite-physical-therapy.cfm

Michelle Said:

Does arthritis of the lower back causes butt and leg pain?

We Answered:

I have been suffering with the same thing since I was quite young and now almost 40 and have another appointment with a specialist on Monday. I hope they can figure this out. It seems to be getting worse. My pain also goes down my legs and they go completely numb. I hate it. It is also in my bottocks.

You may have a pinched nerve? What types of doctors have you seen? Have you tried going to the Chiropractor or a physcial therapist? I had those shots in the back once and they really helped me, but I haven't had them since.

There are more therapies besides drugs. Keep trying and demanding until you hit on something that helps.

Seth Said:

If my groin/leg pain is referred from my back then why doesnt it happen when I flex?

We Answered:

I would strongly urge you to use EXTREME CAUTION taking exercise suggestions from people on the internet who've never examined you and are not familiar with your specific diagnosis.

**Disc problems can get much worse if you're doing the wrong exercises, or if you're doing the exercises when you're too inflamed, etc.**

The pain you've described absolutely does sound like referral from a pinched nerve at L1/L2. But all disc bulges are not created equal! When a disc herniates, the bulge can protrude in one of a few directions...

Here's a link to a pic that shows what I mean. Notice how the different graphics show the "bulge" in a different position?
http://www.josr-online.com/content/figur…

So depending on where the disc has herniated, different positions (and therefore different exercises) will relieve the pain and/or treat the problem.

My concern is that the exercises your doc recommended are making the pain worse (if I've read your question correctly.) That can happen if you start exercises too soon when you're still inflamed (at which point gentle traction and icing the area are the best option.) Or it can happen if you're doing the wrong exercises, or if your positioning is slightly "off" when you're doing the exercises.

Please go back and talk with your doc/physiotherapist about this again. If it helps you understand, print the photo I linked and take it in with you. Have him explain specifically what's going on in your case... and do the exercises in front of him and describe what you're feeling - that way he can help if your form is off.

Feel free to email me if you'd like more information or if you know precisely how your disc has herniated and you'd like some suggestions specific to your case.

Good luck!
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EDIT:
An MRI may give you the answers you're seeking. Studies are suggesting that MRI for disc herniation is not entirely clinically relevant - stenosis is found in patients with no pain, no stenosis is found in patients with lots of pain, degree of stenosis doesnt correlate with degree of pain, etc. But more information is never a bad thing, right? Especially if you can afford it or are in a country where it's covered.

That said, a thorough hands-on orthopedic assessment, spending some time listening to you (the patient) and some critical thinking should give all the info really required for an accurate diagnosis.

And you're absolutely right - that "pigeonholing" of diagnoses is all too common. Good for you for advocating for your health!!

I doubt the sartorius is the problem... that generally presents with medial knee pain and wouldnt account for the "snapping and popping" you described. Plus it's pretty hard to confuse with a disc herniation.

But the additional info you just posted definitely suggests that there's more going on than a disc herniation. The next most likely culprit would be the psoas muscle. If the psoas is weak and too tight (hypertonic) the nerve entrapment could be arising there. That "snapping and popping" sensation you're describing could be due to instability in the SI (sacro-iliac) joint - a joint that is stabilized by the gluteus medius muscle on the posterior (back) and the psoas on the anterior (front.) Toss in an inflamed, hypertonic piriformis muscle (which is common in combination with the psoas and SI issues described above) and you have a recipe for the scenario you're describing.

Here's another link to a pic that shows the muscles to which I'm referring... http://theinnerdoor.files.wordpress.com/…
(sorry - you're an RN, so I'm sure you know the anatomy. :) I'm leaving this link here in case another person reading this wants/needs the reference. Also, just to give complete info in case someone else with a disc problem is reading this... If it's an anterior/medial herniation of the disc, back extension (bending backward) would not aggravate the nerve impingement , but could still be painful because the muscles of the low back would be likely to cramp/fatigue due to guarding from the disc injury.)

That's my best guess based on the above... unfortunately, It's impossible to make a diagnosis without hands-on examination. Do please talk again with your doc/physiotherapist/chiro - - discuss and request a re-assessment.

Wishing you the very best of luck!

Natalie Said:

i want to lose weight what exercise can i do with back injuries knee arm and leg pain?

We Answered:

Eat a lot of green to dark green vegetables, and do light tai chi and yoga... light meaning, stay seated and hold your stomach in as tightly as you can then work those muscles without holding your breath. lift your legs slowly while sitting as many times as you can without straining them it may be once or twice but movement will eventually make you feel a little better...see your doctor also

Diana Said:

Severe Back and Leg Pain?

We Answered:

If it bothers you than of course you should see a doctor. This could be a pinched nerve or a slipped disc or may be something else. They can give you something that will let you sleep when you have to much pain or something else for it and they may want you to see a chiropractor or go to sports therapy