Lower back pain, sciatic nerve pressure and leg numbness..

[bikedude127]

For several years Ive battled lower back discomfort, usually in the first parts of the morning.. Then it loosens up and feels ok.. But over the last few weeks, its developed into a bigger problem... Ive been experiencing some numbness and hot flashes of my left leg mostly, and sometimes both... Just wondering if anyone is familiar with these symptoms?? Does it sound like a sciatic nerve pressure??

I have a chiropractic appointment with my life long chiro today, hoping it will relieve the pain.. Ive had him work my lower back specifically with good, but temporary results.. Hoping that there isnt a bigger problem growing... ?

[motodad393]

For several years Ive battled lower back discomfort, usually in the first parts of the morning.. Then it loosens up and feels ok.. But over the last few weeks, its developed into a bigger problem... Ive been experiencing some numbness and hot flashes of my left leg mostly, and sometimes both... Just wondering if anyone is familiar with these symptoms?? Does it sound like a sciatic nerve pressure??

I have a chiropractic appointment with my life long chiro today, hoping it will relieve the pain.. Ive had him work my lower back specifically with good, but temporary results.. Hoping that there isnt a bigger problem growing... ?

Bikedude127,

See a Dr. also. This is nothing to mess with. Delaying the inevitalble is not a smart move. It an be many things.

[Mr. Epeen]

For several years Ive battled lower back discomfort, usually in the first parts of the morning.. Then it loosens up and feels ok.. But over the last few weeks, its developed into a bigger problem... Ive been experiencing some numbness and hot flashes of my left leg mostly, and sometimes both... Just wondering if anyone is familiar with these symptoms?? Does it sound like a sciatic nerve pressure??

I have a chiropractic appointment with my life long chiro today, hoping it will relieve the pain.. Ive had him work my lower back specifically with good, but temporary results.. Hoping that there isnt a bigger problem growing... ?

I would suggest seeing a doctor and having an Xray done before seeing a chiro again. I have sciatic issues as well. Not as sever as you are now describing though. My wifes chiro wouldn't even touch her until she had an Xray done because of her back issues. As far As I know, if you are having numbness and hot flashes in your leg something is pinched, bulged, or slipped. The annoying pain is more muscular. When your muscles become tight on one side, the sciatic can become slightly pinched. I am no doctor so just take my advice at face value. See a doctor.

[Lox]

Bikedude127,

See a Dr. also. This is nothing to mess with. Delaying the inevitalble is not a smart move. It an be many things.

I agree.

Also, next time the black helicopters come and take you away for your regular skull cleanse and colon probe, be sure to pay extra attention to how you are oriented in the stirrups. As you drift in and out of sedated consciousness, you may try to remember to request lumbar pillow during the procedure.?

[ubu]

I also suggest seeing a regular doctor as opposed to a chiro.

A guy I work with had the same problems and his visits to the chiro went nowhere, a couple steps backward actually.

I had a problem like yours. I ruptured a disc and cracked a bone at L5(If I remember correctly) My right foot felt numb and I had a lot of back pain. The doctor called it spodylolythesis (sp?) The cracked bone was putting pressure on a nerve. Kinda scary, but the numbness went away with rest. Back pain was an issue for a couple years because I never had anything fixed. And I kept playing football, which I'm sure helped a lot:bonk: .I was also weighing in at 270lbs. As soon as I finished my final season, I started dropping weight, and everything started feeling better. Originally, the doctors and trainers had me doing core excersises, and that helped alot. But, I wasn't pain free until I stopped carrying 50 extra pounds on my frame. I feel like one of the lucky ones.

[bikedude127]

My dad has back issues, so did his dad, and so does my mom.. Looks like along with being a short, bald, fair-skinned introvert, Im also going to have some sweet back issues to handle for the rest of my life.. ?

Joy

[Lost2012]

Go to the doctor, and get a referral to a physical therapist. Don't mess with chiros...

Can you touch your toes easily?

I've had back problems for 15 years now (couple car and moto crashes), stretching and exercise is the best why to fix your problem IMO, Your to young for surgery, if the doctor suggest it then get a few other opinions.

But try stretching, I stretch about every hour to stay loose, it really helps that and a firm bed.

[Blaster21996]

For several years Ive battled lower back discomfort, usually in the first parts of the morning.. Then it loosens up and feels ok.. But over the last few weeks, its developed into a bigger problem... Ive been experiencing some numbness and hot flashes of my left leg mostly, and sometimes both... Just wondering if anyone is familiar with these symptoms?? Does it sound like a sciatic nerve pressure??

I have a chiropractic appointment with my life long chiro today, hoping it will relieve the pain.. Ive had him work my lower back specifically with good, but temporary results.. Hoping that there isnt a bigger problem growing...

Sounds like chem spine to me!? Or it could be that huge sack you carry around causing a strain on your lower back! ?

[bikedude127]

Ironically Lost, I can palm the ground without bending my knees.. Believe it or not, that is what Ive been doing to relieve the pain.. Its the only thing that has been working.. I dont take pain meds, so stretching, resting and heat are my options..

[Lost2012]

What about your bed?

Do you sleep on your back?

[RPB]

I know where you are coming from. I feel your pain

About 18 months ago I was diagnosed with severe sciatica. It was the worst pain I have ever been in. It affected me for about 4 months. My doctor just treated it with multiple muscle relaxers, anti-inflamitories and pain killers. I had x-rays and MRI performed and they showed nothing to be worried about accoring to my DR. I ended up buying a $1600 mattress and that seems to help dramatically.

Fast forward to 5 weeks ago. My back flared up again but alittle different then the sciatica I had previous. I am still sore when I get out of bed or I get up from a chair or the sofa. I felt like someone took a baseball bat to my back and it is the next day and the pain just gets more intense. I am scheduled to do physical therepy through my health care provider (Kaiser ? ). I am currently on percocet. I started off on Norco's and a muscle relaxer (rixasomething I think) and they did zero to help relieve any pain or discomfort.

I did have a compressed fracture of my lower back about 15 years ago so I don't know if it is an old injury just creeping back or not but the one think that always seems to help is stretching my hamstrings and my lower back by simply bending over and touching the ground while feeling the pull in my hamstrings.

Long post I know but I feel your pain. I hate back pain.

[bikedude127]

Ive actually narrowed down the cause for my pain as either my work, or my bed being too soft.. Lately Ive been sleeping curled up in the fetal because its the only way to relieve the stress.. ?

Ya know when old horses get "bow back" or "sway back.?" Thats how my back feels..

[Lost2012]

Try sleeping with a pillow between your legs, it helps keep your hips straight which will help your lower back.

Or sleep on you back with your feet elevated.

[hunt1moore]

Did you try posting this on the health and fitness forum?

[bikedude127]

Did you try posting this on the health and fitness forum?

Touche Toots ?

[bills442]

sciatica sucks. Had it for about 5 years.

heavy weight lifting, hanging upside down from an inversion table, and pain killers are the only thing that's been getting me through.

[Twowheelfury]

I have severe back pain too, Degenerative disc disease since 2002. I've done P.T. three times for 5 months each, multiple cortizone shots, acupuncture, chiropractor, and aqua therapy. Tried yoga too. Some of the forward bending moves were to much.

What I have found that works for me is ice packs from the drugstore. They come with a handy belt. It works as good or better than any muscle relaxer. In addition to that I found out I was deficient in magnesium. I use to get muscle cramps, like when I scratched my back. my shoulder muscle would contract and not let go. Magnesium was a very noticeable improvement for me.

Inflammation is where all my problems begin. Taking the Magnesium, using ice and natural anti inflamatories like bromalean and tumuric, ginger,and fish oil help. I also take a bunch of other supplements. The doctors didn't do anything for me so I had no choice but to look at nutrition. I also stretch my leg and torso muscles, thats huge as you already know. I also use a back brace. http://www.medco-athletics.com/Supply/Product.asp?Leaf_Id=55115701#

Take some magnesium on a full stomach, high quality fish oil and use the ice packs for a min of 20 mins. It will be cold then tingle then burn, then numb. If you need to, wear the brace. That gets me thru.

Post your results. I'm curiuos to know if the mag helps. It has helped five of my friends.

[bikedude127]

So I went to my chiro anyway... Again, the relief was temporary... Here I am at work again, cruisin on about a 2 hour early am nap... Just couldnt get comfortable last night.. Doc did put me on a stretching machine which made me feel lots better, at least until bed time..

Im really starting to think its my bed.. I have another mattress stored, maybe Ill swap em and try that tonight.. And thanks for the advice, Ill try to keep ya updated on my progress..

?

[Blaster21996]

So I went to my chiro anyway... Again, the relief was temporary... Here I am at work again, cruisin on about a 2 hour early am nap... Just couldnt get comfortable last night.. Doc did put me on a stretching machine which made me feel lots better, at least until bed time..

Im really starting to think its my bed.. I have another mattress stored, maybe Ill swap em and try that tonight.. And thanks for the advice, Ill try to keep ya updated on my progress..

Give yourself a vacation. Spend the night in a 4 star business class motel. They have a strict mattress policy on replacement and quality! If you get a better night sleep, get the mattress info and go shopping. ?

[sndmn2]

A couple thing that have helped me. I can"t sleep on my stomach. The angle gets to me. If you sit at work make sure your feet set flat on the ground and your thighs are level to the ground. You don't want any presure on the backside of your leg where that nerve runs.