Lower Back Pain

[mixsonci]

I've never really had back problems except for minor pains that usually go away after a short while. However, I am having severe lower back pains now for the past 2 weeks and have decided that I can't live with this pain anymore. My problem is what type of doctor do I go to? A Chiropractor, acupuncturist, or an actual back and spine medical doctor? Any suggestions?

[cmj1210]

I would suggest going to either your regular MD or an orthopedist first. They will probably want to do a CT scan on your spine to find out what is causing this issue. Once you have been diagnosed then you can decide what type of Dr would be best to treat your pain. Feel better.

[KittyKat]

Start with your PCP (Primary Care Physician) first. He/She can do an assessment & order a CT scan if warranted. Good luck.

[Hancle704]

Hope it is not from a lack of stretching exercise before golfing which seems to be fairly frequent cause. You might want to consider least invasive treatments initially from a good chiropractor. Just watch out as there are some in TV who just want the money. Search the threads and ask neighbors for recommendations based on their experience as there are some really good chiropractors here who can also do X-rays and order MRI's. My feeling about going to see PCP first is that's ok, but most will refer you to an ortho doctor or maybe physical therapy which is another option. Back surgery should be the absolute last choice.

[jimhay]

Word of caution. Let me apologize up front for such a lenghtly post. I agree with majority... start with your primary care physion and she/he will refer you to the right specialist, ie. Ortho, who may first try physical therapy, a pain management physician, a chiropractor (whom I personally would not consider), and then the final and very LAST RESORT the BIG bad word...SURGERY. Let me tell you why. My son was 38 years old, vibrant young man, had his own thriving business and very successful. Through misuse of his back he developed 4 bulging disc. He went through partial physical therapy...he was in too much pain to complete. He finally meet with a highly recommended Dr, and was also named in the "TOP DOC'S" magazine for the Fairfax/ Northern VA area. The ortho surgeon completed the surgery adding a "cage" and "cadaver" bone. Almost immediately, infection set in and the "on call" doc blew it off and refused to call the surgeon (He had left on vacation) until my husband, myself, and his wife threatened to sue or do whatever it took to get something done. It was not a very pretty scene. They finally started a round of antibotics and 5 days later he was able to go home with "in-home" care. Long story short: my son is now 42 and for the last 4 yrs he can only walk about 15 feet, he drags his right leg, he is in cronic pain, he has to cath himself, and cannot perform if you know what i mean, and for majority of his life he is confined to a wheel chair. He has been back to surgeon, who does not know what to
do... as well as Doc's from John Hopkins and Duke University. Oh, one more thing, in the last yr his wife filed for divorce ( for obvious reasons) . So you see why I encourage you to do your research, consider all options and make surgery your last resort.
I know there have been many, many success stories and thank God. My very best to you!!

[Bay Kid]

Walking has helped my back over the past few years.

[gomoho]

I would start with acupuncture. Had a similar problem and got relief with about 3 weeks of visits. Doctors are too anxious to order CT scans when it could very well be muscular.
Just one person's opinion.

[Mudder]

Stretching and walking is the best for a start. Yes, it may hurt a little but start with baby steps, walk a bit further each day. Stretching is so so important. If you are unsure how to start try a Qigong class, very gentle stretching. Also have you tried ice and or heat and some Tylenol? For me chiropractor and surgeon would be the very last resort. It takes time. Water walking is another option if pavement feels to hard for now.

[Villageswimmer]

I've had great success doing PT in the Villages nice, warm pools. Take it slow but be consistent . My physical therapist said when you're older, it takes much longer to heal. She said to expect on the order of 1% improvement per day. For me, that was about right. It's been 3 months and I'm almost back to normal. Best of luck to you.

[HiHoSteveO]

I've never really had back problems except for minor pains that usually go away after a short while. However, I am having severe lower back pains now for the past 2 weeks and have decided that I can't live with this pain anymore. My problem is what type of doctor do I go to? A Chiropractor, acupuncturist, or an actual back and spine medical doctor? Any suggestions?

Beating Back Pain - Consumer Reports Video (http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2013/01/relief-for-your-aching-back/index.htm)

Common Mistakes in Back Pain Treatment - Consumer Reports (http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2014/08/four-common-mistakes-in-treating-back-pain/index.htm)

[KathieI]

I've never really had back problems except for minor pains that usually go away after a short while. However, I am having severe lower back pains now for the past 2 weeks and have decided that I can't live with this pain anymore. My problem is what type of doctor do I go to? A Chiropractor, acupuncturist, or an actual back and spine medical doctor? Any suggestions?

I recently had the same issue, I never had any serious back pain, just some annoying pains that Advil would help. In January, I developed very serious pain and like you, didn't know where to go for treatment. Finally I went to my primary doc and she referred me to a DO physical therapy doctor, Dr. Garg, who was fantastic and gave me Tramadol and the script for physical therapy in her office. It was truly amazing, it took about a month or two to get me back to normal but it worked. In the meantime, I was sent for an MRI and bone scan which helped determine what my problem was. It is spinal stenosis.

I would highly recommend going the route of your primary who will order some xrays to determine the cause and then probably a physical therapist. The best news I got from the tests was that surgery was not necessary (which would be my last resort) and that exercise and physical therapy are the treatments of choice.

Good luck. Hope you feel better soon.

[duffysmom]

Word of caution. Let me apologize up front for such a lenghtly post. I agree with majority... start with your primary care physion and she/he will refer you to the right specialist, ie. Ortho, who may first try physical therapy, a pain management physician, a chiropractor (whom I personally would not consider), and then the final and very LAST RESORT the BIG bad word...SURGERY. Let me tell you why. My son was 38 years old, vibrant young man, had his own thriving business and very successful. Through misuse of his back he developed 4 bulging disc. He went through partial physical therapy...he was in too much pain to complete. He finally meet with a highly recommended Dr, and was also named in the "TOP DOC'S" magazine for the Fairfax/ Northern VA area. The ortho surgeon completed the surgery adding a "cage" and "cadaver" bone. Almost immediately, infection set in and the "on call" doc blew it off and refused to call the surgeon (He had left on vacation) until my husband, myself, and his wife threatened to sue or do whatever it took to get something done. It was not a very pretty scene. They finally started a round of antibotics and 5 days later he was able to go home with "in-home" care. Long story short: my son is now 42 and for the last 4 yrs he can only walk about 15 feet, he drags his right leg, he is in cronic pain, he has to cath himself, and cannot perform if you know what i mean, and for majority of his life he is confined to a wheel chair. He has been back to surgeon, who does not know what to
do... as well as Doc's from John Hopkins and Duke University. Oh, one more thing, in the last yr his wife filed for divorce ( for obvious reasons) . So you see why I encourage you to do your research, consider all options and make surgery your last resort.
I know there have been many, many success stories and thank God. My very best to you!!

Jimhay, thank you for sharing your experience with us. My heart goes out to you and your family and especially to your son. It is not the first story I've heard about back surgery causing serious pain so your experience should be taken as a CAUTION before jumping into surgery without exploring every avenue available.

[Inexes@aol.com]

As an RN with operating room background may I advise a neurosurgeon, or neurologist to start with. It is your spine.... An orthopedist is to a neurosurgeon as a carpenter is to a fine watch maker. Beware.......

[tbluemling]

I've had back surgery and time to time low back problems. I've tried chiropractic and hate going back and back. Without question the answer is. Egoscue. Simple exercises. Three ways to find out about egoscue. (Egoscue is short for pete egoscue a former marine). You can go to you tube. Type in egoscue for lower back pAin. They will explain and show u 3 simple exercises. Or you buy the book pain free. ($14 at barnes and noble). Or you can contact egoscue for individual menus. Best move I ever made for my back