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Back Pain Questions and AnswersI HATE LEGAL DISCLAIMERS, but my lawyer insists...Thanks for understanding... If you would like to post an additional answer for a question asked here, please send it to me, and I will post it for you. This is YOUR back pain questions and answers forum. Enjoy it, and use it to answer all your questions on back pain. Q: Hi Adam, I hope all is well with you. Like many others, i have been plagued with back pain for over 24 years. In my twenty's an orthopedic said i had to have surgery for 2 herniated discs some spinal stenosis or i'd be paralyzed. so at age 24 i had a laminectomy and fusion at l4-s1. The only thing the surgery did was take away the left leg sciatica. I struggled with doing all the core exercises and going for years of physical therapy three times a week, missing work, and bed rest. I have tried all the modalities and in my 20s i was a patient of Dr. Sarno's and attended his classes every week for months. Even though I believed in his ideas and books, I did not get much relief. I altered my life and walked three times a day etc. Two years ago the sciatica pain returned but do not get relief when i lie down. I went to a notable psychiatrist who has been talking about epidural injections. On Monday i just received two cortisone injections into my coccyx area because that has been in pain since October. everything was fine until about six hours later, I experienced the worst sciatica, along with hip and back and coccyx pain and double vision. I believe all side effects from the injection but the doctor doesn't and wants me to have an epidural on Monday. I went to see a new physical therapist today who seemed to take a bad attitude towards me when he read how long Ive had back pain as if to say it is all in my head. I feel very depressed and losing hope. I want to purchase your book and was wondering if there was a store i could purchase it from instead of the e-book on line?Also I was wondering if you knew the side effects from cortisone? I also wonder why i didn't get back relief after being Dr. Sarno's patient and taking full part in his treatment plan. Thank you so much, Irene A: Hi Irene, Let me answer all your questions, one at a time. First off, I do not print and ship hardcover books anymore, as it is prohibitively expensive. I only sell mine as e-books now. This helps put the book in the hands of people who need it, the fastest and cheapest. Next, cortisone injections are very bad for the joints, causing damage to cartilage, ligaments and other tissues, especially with repeated rounds. There are other rare but extremely dire potential side effects, as well, including tissue necrosis. I do not know why you did not enjoy relief from Dr. Sarno's program, but I have met many who did not. However, some of these same people DID eventually find relief from another form of knowledge therapy. I think some people just do not respond to his approach. I wish you well and hope you can find some lasting relief. Best, Sensei Adam Rostocki Q: Hello Sir, I wanted to say thank you for your site and your book. It is a God send for me. Warmly, Monty A: Hi Monty, You are welcome! Best, Sensei Adam Rostocki Q: I have lower back pain on both sides and in the middle with throbbing in the rectum. I need help and nobody cares. I need help. TY, Penny A: Hi Penny, I think you need to see a qualified physician for a complete exam. Let me know what the doctor says and I will do my best to advise you. Sensei Adam Rostocki Q: Hello,I am writing you as i was impressed with the questions posted and the informative feedback you provided for others on your site. My story is a unique case as i am not your typical person who trusts doctors and falls for the "take a pill to cure you" philosophy. I am a 23 year old male and have actively played football and baseball my entire youth along with collegiant baseball. I now am working in my career and not playing professional or collegiant sports, however i am extremely active and healthy. I work out a minimum of 5 days a week, run and play rec sports for fun. I eat very healthy and have been pretty lucky not to have any serious injuries to my back. Recently i started having lower back pain, nothing excruciating just annoying and sensitive to certain movements. Then suddenly after playing in my flag football rec game i had a sudden tightening of my back that increasingly got worse over a 24 hour period- but not caused by any standout plays or movements, just tightening quickly and suddenly. The next day i could barely move and went to the doctor (which i hate doing- especially Kaiser). The doctor gave me meds (which i didn't take) and sent me to have a radiology examination. The radiology examination report said: Real disk space narrowing is present posteriorly at L5-S1. Mild endplate spurring is present from L3-4 through L5-S1. Surgical clips are seen at the right hemipelvis. Before i go back to my doctor i would like to get your take/feedback on what that report means? I have no clue what this indicates and what to do to cure it. I would rather have feedback from you before meeting with my doctor-it is better to be your own advocate if you know what i mean. To sum things up, it has been 2 months and my back pain has been steady/constant and painful as well as causing numbness to my limbs. However, i REFUSE to take medication- heck i don't even take advil. I assume bear the pain and deal with it as i have always lived with minor injuries during my sports days and am use to it. My only problem is that i tend to try and ignore injuries and this one seems to be not going away and is constantly throbbing. I am the last person in this world to physiologically think something is wrong or nurse pain, but this is real and not going away. There has got to be a way to cure my pain and take away the constant symptom that is limiting my physical activity in running and playing rec sports.This is very unfortunate to me and is upsetting because of how active i am. I have taken ZERO meds and need an answer before seeing the doc and getting typical treatment and them trying to shove meds down my mouth- i refuse to do it. Any advice would be MUCH appreciated and well considered. Best, Brandon A: Hi Brandon, The report simply says that your have degenerative disc disease at l5/s1 (which is universal in the population) and some minor arthritis in the lumber spine (extremely common, virtually universal). I do not see either of these as the source of your pain. However, I do get a good sense for your personality from your letter and feel this pain is surely psychosomatic. You are an achiever, a perfectionist and someone who CAN NOT back down. This puts tremendous pressure on yourself and is most likely the source of the ischemic you are suffering. I advise knowledge therapy. I send you my best, Sensei Adam Rostocki Q: Hi there,I have had persistent back pain for a year now and nothing I've done (acupuncture, physiotherapy, chiropractor, massage, structural integration) has brought any last relief. I am currently undergoing a course of intramuscular stimulation for the second time, even though it is possibly the most painful treatment I have ever experienced. I am intrigued by your recommendation of "Knowledge Therapy" and think I could really benefit from something like that. Do you know anyone in Vancouver, BC, Canada who practices this? Thanks for your info,Laura A: Hi Laura, Successful knowledge therapy rarely requires a professional. In most cases, a patient can cure themselves using the recommended sources. If you have need any help, you can write to me at any time. Just for the record, the nearest doctor I know to you is: Q: Dear Sir, I fully accept the diagnosis of TMS - I've had lower back problems for 14 years and I fit the model perfectly. In fact I believe it even more after I've recently had an MRI scan showing a prolapsed disc. I had the scan during a particularly bad acute flare-up - the worst I've ever had - which I'm still recovering from several weeks later. However, I have trouble accepting that in TMS there is no interaction with the purely physical. This is something that is not discussed at all in Dr Sarno's books and DVD. For example, if TMS causes tight muscles, tendons or ligaments, does that make you more susceptible to injury (even though Dr Sarno seems to imply that it's almost impossible to physically injure your back). Or can it have a physical knock-on effect or even a positive feedback effect - e.g. tight muscles cause joints to become tight or apply pressure on nerves, which cause pain in themselves and also cause the muscles to be even tighter, and so on, eventually going into spasm? One good example of a seemingly physical effect that I experience is that it hurts when I sneeze - it feels as though it's jarring the whole of my spine. It also hurts when I do certain stretches or bend down. Could these effects be purely physical - albeit caused by the physical state created by the mild oxygen deprivation dictated by the unconscious mind? I don't see how these effects can be purely mental. And I don't see that they could be caused by conditioning either (although I do accept and understand the concept of conditioning, especially with actions such as sitting). Speaking of sitting - why do I seize up after sitting down for a while? I can even be sitting comfortably, but often when I try to stand up I've become incredibly stiff and sore, which prevents me from standing and walking properly until I've loosened up. This loosening up takes quite a few minutes of trying to stand/walk (although it can also be achieved by lying down for a few minutes). Nobody has been able to explain what is happening here. The best explanation I've had so far is that the ligaments shorten when they're not being used - and then on standing up they pull on tender tissue. But if this were true then surely it would also happen with lying down (which it doesn't - it improves it)? It should be noted that I only ever have this problem when I'm having (or recovering from) an acute flare-up with significant muscle spasm. Dr Sarno also only ever attributes the short-term success of certain treatments (e.g. chiropractic and massage) to a placebo effect. Is there really never any benefit due to the temporary relief of the physiological conditions caused by the mind in TMS - e.g. muscle spasm/tightness? Please could you clarify any such physical involvement and interactions? It's important to me that I understand what is going on as much as possible. I've been trying so hard with my program - for several weeks now - but I don't seem to be improving. In fact I'd already started the program when the recent particularly bad flare-up happened. Many thanks, Martin A: Hi Martin, I do not agree 100% with all of Dr. Sarno's theories either, but most of them. There are countless symptomatic expressions, some very common, like yours, and others absolutely bizarre. No one, including Dr. S, is sure of the physical mechanism behind all of these, but it is safe to say that they are TMS in most cases. I have suffered many illogical ones myself. Do not dwell on the "WHY" anything happens. That is self defeating. Just move forward and ignore it, regardless of the symptomatic expression. This has almost always worked, even if it takes a long time to do so. I am not sure exactly what you are asking as far as the "purely physical" but I can tell you that the body definitely reacts to physical activities, although it is not the activities themselves which cause the reaction in most cases. It is conditioning or simple fear. Sometimes, there is no explanation, it simply happens. My best advice to you, from someone who has been there, and continues to be, is to do what Sarno says on one main point, which you are obviously not doing... Stop asking WHY when it comes to the physical. Simply concentrate on the fact that the reason for any of the pain is irreverent. The fact that you had a bad flare up when starting his treatment is a good sign. It is the mechanism fighting to preserve it own life, as it normally does. Keep working, take the timeline off yourself and you will be fine. Best, Sensei Adam Rostocki Q: After a fall 5yrs ago & 2 car accidents, & another car accident, last year were i was nearly dragged under the car wheels plus i tore my cartilages in my knee which i am waiting for an operation on. After the first fall & two car accidents I have gone through sheer hell starting with physio, who told me my back was too far gone to work on me. I was even sent to pain management classes were they lay mattresses on the floor, there where a number of other people that went there with me. We were all told to lay on these mattresses the only difference was everybody else could manage to get up off them from the floor but me. I needed a crouch to raise myself up. The pain specialist was not content with that he sent me to see an Orthopaedic Specialist after examining me, he told me i had disks pressing on nerves & recommended Epidurals started. I underwent a further examination with the Pain management Specialist,who told me i had a very weak spine & his staff nurse said i had a trapped nerve. i have had epidurals for the last 4-5yrs till this Pain Specialist told me he wasn't doing anymore on me he told me he was moving to another department in the Hospital. I was then put under another German Pain Specialist who told me the reason why he was worried about doing them is because it was becoming to risky, what he meant was his hand was getting to shaky!. Being told this i immediately asked for a MRI scan it revealed to the Pain Specialists horror. I had Spinal Steno sis, Nerve impinges of L3 L4& L5 with Scoliosis of the spine I had another Epidural & 2 Nerve Blocks 2 wks ago. The Pain Specialist also told me prior to doing these injections as he said these injections were only a quick fix i needed to see a spine specialist & a Neurologist. I have just come back with the shopping & just lifting the shopping bags from the trolley to the car i am in agony again with this damn Sciatica I have been on Morphine patches for the last 6 mths. The Pain Specialist wanted me to stop them because i was allergic to the plaster I had big red marks after taking these patches off. I know you just can't stop Morphine I stopped them for 3days after the injections I woke up at 2am in the middle of the night with severe knotting like pain in my leg with the Sciatica trying to break through but being blocked at the top of the leg. Then my leg just went floppy with a spongy sensation again just like it used to be when i had the Sciatica before on the run up to an Epidural. I have tried stopping the Morphine again since for 1day but the pain returned straight away. Again over the last 3days i have stopped it but since as i say i have been shopping it has come back with a vengeance. I don't know what is causing this whether it is the injections that are not working or just coming off the Morphine. I have got to go back & see this Pain Specialist in 4weeks time. Please can you help me i could literally climb the walls with this damn pain.Yours sincerely, Christine A: Hi Christine, It is obvious that you have to get off the morphine. All the treatments you have attempted are symptomatic, so none will cure anything. If you need help with your condition, please send me the MRI report so that I know what you are dealing with. Best, Sensei Adam Rostocki Q: I have pain which is disabling due to schuermans disease and ddd. I would love to send an xray for someone to view. Tom A: Thomas, How bad is the scheuermann's disease? Have you received a specific diagnosis for the pain your are having? How about an MRI? I would be happy to look at the radiological report from your x-ray, but do not need the film. Best, Sensei Adam Rostocki Q: how do I find a DRX qualified person in NW Pennsylvania? Judie A: Hi Judie, The DRX9000 official site has a provider directory. Look there and best of luck to you. Sensei Adam Rostocki Q: Hey well i'm in high school, and after my surgery when i was in the fourth grade became different. I have questions but the main question is what is a good college to go to become an orthopedic surgeons. I ask my family members and they said MUSC college of Charleston.But i always wanted to leave state but i don't know what to do. So i what is a good college to go to? Taylor A: Hi Taylor, The email your provided did not work, so I hope you see this... To answer this question, I recommend contacting the orthopedic department at your local hospital and asking several of the doctors for their opinions. I wish you well with your education! Best, Sensei Adam Rostocki Q: I have recently been diagnosed with FMS but I also have had 4 knee surgeries (rt knee) & several years ago, I fell on ice and ended up sitting on my ankle. For a while now, my lower back hurts so severely even if I am just brushing my teeth, sitting in a chair, walking up/down stairs. But lately, the more sever the lower back pain, my hands and feet get swollen & will start to tingle & go numb. I used to see a PM&R but he has told me he can't help me anymore so should I go see a Pain Mngmnt DR? Also, what could be causing this pain? I have already had a hysterectomy & my gall bladder out, so I know it is not related to either of these two things. Kim A: Hi Kim, You can go see an orthopedist or neurologist for an evaluation. In my experience, FMS is just a severe form of TMS and that is the way I recommend treating it. Best, Sensei Adam Rostocki Q: Hi, I just wanted to say thanks for your site and your book. I had read Dr. Sarno before , but the treatment did not work for me. I was frustrates, but got your book anyway. After reading yours, I made some new breakthroughs and its amazing. My back feels so much better. I am not even concerned about my herniated disc anymore. Thanks, Mike A: HI Mike, You are welcome and I am happy that you are feeling better. Sincerely, Sensei Adam Rostocki Q: i had back surgery on april 9, 09 i had a herniated disk in L5 and S1 i had the micro disketomy. the first 6 weeks i felt awesome, hadn't felt that great in 10 years. i was like a kid again, but on about my 7th week the pain that forced me to have the surgery was back in my right leg and continues to get worse, i went back to my surgeon he said its inflammation and to start taking the naprosyn antiflammatory and vicondin. i don't believe he is telling me the truth, can you give me some advice, oh yeah i was not able to walk, sit, drive or do anything but lie down a month and a half before my surgery, i still would say i have improved 60% from the surgery. my name is Kim. A: Hi Kim, This is extremely common and one of the many reasons I typically advise patients against surgery. At least you got some relief, which is more than most who often wake up with terrible pain immediately after the procedure. In my experience, surgery is rarely indicated and often acts as a placebo, which explains its short term benefits. I hope in your case that I am wrong, but I fear not. Best, Sensei Adam Rostocki Q: I am desperate and needed to find somewhere to ask about my back pain. I have intense burning where my neck meets my shoulders. I crack my neck at a minimum of 15 times a day to alleviate the pain even a little bit, but it never stays pain free for more than a minute. When my husband rubs my shoulders and neck if he hits this area it feels like a red hot poker being shoved into the base of my neck and he has to stop. This is what leads me to believe this is nerve issues, not knots in my back. I've been in car accidents when I was a teen...but this has been going on for a good 10 years and only gets worse and worse. I've considered paying big bucks to see a back surgeon, get MRI's...I need something fixed, not put on medication for it. Please...do you have any advice? Jennifer A: Hi Jennifer, Yes, my advice is to follow you own advice. Get to a doctor and get a diagnosis. Without this, you are merely guessing at the cause and have no hope for a cure. Let me know what the doctor says. Best, Sensei Adam Rostocki Q: I have been 8 years suffering from daily pain. I have mild retro-listhesis and a mild herniated disc in 2/3L and 4/5L in addition where I have this trouble I have 2 nerve impingements. I have spent so much money on pain relief but nothing seems to work. Now my side muscles started hurting me and the strength in my legs isn't too good. I am 62,I feel OK but I am going berserk with this pain. I now simply don't know how to cure it as it's driving me up the wall. What happens when a person is driven up the wall??? Eileen A: Hi Eileen, That is a good question. In my case, after 18 years of suffering, I thought about surgery, suicide and almost any possible option. Luckily, the desperation led me to my cure. I hope it does the same for you. Best, Sensei Adam Rostocki Q: My thoracic MRI report says there is a small synovial cyst in the right neural foramen at T6-7. Also a hemangioma in the T5 vertebral body. I've had chronic pain in my upper left back that radiates over to my left shoulder and back of left arm. My neck on the left side is stiff and sore..all xrays and blood work appear normal. I've been to doctors, beurologists, acupuncturist..have used all kids of back relief contraptions and potions..new mattress but still wake up every 3-4 hours in pain. Next step is a cervical MRI. Other than this I am healthy, 51 years old, female, and not overweight. Marty A: Ok Marty, Thanks for sending in that information. Let me know how you do after the MRI. Best, Sensei Adam Rostocki Q: I have a large herniation at C6-7 from 2 rear end collisions that occurred 2 weeks apart. My herniation is compressing the cord and pain is not high...but head, ear pressure, headaches really bad and numbness in ankles, and hands, double vision. Knees sometimes wobble. All the Drs Ive seen say surgery before there in neurological damage. The pain has gone down since the accident but I am still left in a bad state. Cant walk on the ground too long (grassland) only smooth surfaces, can walk well in the house. Have to wear a neck brace at night to keep neck straight so that the numbness doesn't set in. Neck position causes numbness. Cant stand it any more. Morning starts off ok....then the pressure begins and by nightfall I just cant bear it. I have tried everything....now its been 1 1/2 year. I tried even decompression DXR9000....is there anything else? They say I need the surgery to stabilize my spine in case I fall etc... Cathy A: Hi Cathy, I have heard all this before. Surgery or else... The problem is sometimes they are right, but mostly it is a load of nonsense. I do not have your MRI report, so I can not advise you specifically, but I can tell you that there is more than one explanation for your pain. Make you decisions carefully. Best, Sensei Adam Rostocki Q: I have suffered with CLBP for about 15yrs. It is now starting to get worse with PC working from low doses of Narcs and moderate exercise. It does however flare up more and more where it puts me flat out. My MRI showed; Multi Level Disc Dessication with moderate loss of Disc Space. Rudimentary Disc Level S1-S2. Anterior spurring present on multiple levels. Moderate to Severe narrowing of the left & right neural forament. Mild to Moderate Facet Arthropathy all levels. Hypertrophied Facets L5 S1. I have constant pain when I sit, stand and lie down. The only relief I seem to get is when I lie on the floor with my legs up on the couch. I'm not a back expert but I would say that my pain is probably well deserved given what appears to be wrong. My question is; Is this a screwed up back? What good are back exercises for something like this? Thanks, James A: Hi James, I have a few more questions for you and then I will do my best to advise. How old are you? Where is your pain exactly, as specific as possible? Is this the exact wording of your MRI report or paraphrased? Best, Sensei Adam Rostocki Q: Dear you! 34, female, alive and very much kicking- till Aug, 2008. I unfortunately over exercised and was diagnosed with exhaustion and periodic paralysis. For the following 7 months I was on a combination of bed rest and severely restricted movement. All tests showed up normal! But I could not walk, talk, laugh at my usual pace. It was comically slow! I could not make a grip, felt oxygen deprived in my lungs. The only thing which helped was "Neurotherapy" and "Breathing exercises" - yoga. Currently I am usually short of breath (although much better) - when i exert the shortness is pronounced. And instantly my entire spine will tingle . I'm afraid for the health of my spine...please advise what i can do .... should i exercise gently for my spine should i not .... how can i heal my lungs without effecting my spine. How can i protect my spine from any ill effects of this apparent oxygen deprivation.... How do i know if it is psychosomatic.....if so what is the best way out ? Wheph!!! A handful of questions!.... Thanx so much for your time..Warm regards, n. A: Hi N, Being that you were thoroughly evaluated medically and cleared and that your symptoms are illogical for any structural causation, there is a very good chance that your problems are indeed psychosomatic. I advise trying knowledge therapy, since there is no risk here at all. Nothing bad can happen to you, only full healing and a new life. Let me know how you make out with the treatment. Best, Sensei Adam Rostocki Q: I am 31 and have ruptured 2 discs in my neck. I have been in alot of pain though it is gradually easing. I have lost feeling in 3 fingers on my left hand. Doc recommending surgery on Friday. How long does it usually take for these symptoms to clear up on their own? I really don't want to do surgery...but my arm/shoulder hurts so bad... HELP!! Thanks Susi A: Hi Susi, There are many explanations for the symptoms you are having, and they may or may not be linked to the disc condition. I can not comment without seeing your MRI report. As far as how long... Most disc concerns resolve in 6 to 8 weeks, although some take longer. Surgery is rarely necessary and often makes the matter much worse. Be careful how you proceed. If the symptoms are improving, I do not know why any surgeon would advise surgery. If you want more detailed advice, please send the MRI report. Best, Sensei Adam Rostocki Q: I am looking for others that have a similar problems. After 15 years of back pain, I am finally getting to the point of having surgery. However, I am fighting tooth and nail NOT to.Bad news..I have very little disc left at L5/S1. Good news, the ones above it are fine. Bad news..I've ruptured that disc 4 times in 15 years. It's dry, britle, and flaking apart. My hamstrings are very tight, as are all the muscles that connect to the lower back. My hips get "cocked" when my back wants to "go out". It seems like my problem is more muscular, but neurosurgeons say that is a symptom of the problem. I'm 40 years old, and the episodes are getting more frequent and more severe. I have had many epidural steroid shots over years. I have done physical therapy, massage, yoga, seen three surgeons, blah blah blah. I am currently doing pilates 5 days a week since the last episode. That is helping at the time I am working and stretching, but it seems like I go back to zero after I make strides. A local neurosurgeon, whom I really like says that fusion is the only procedure that will help me. And that I could see "some" relief. What do you guys think? Any thoughts would be appreciated. Regards, Adam A: Hi Adam, First off, I am admittedly anti-surgery, due to its abysmal results, especially in the long term. Secondly, fusion creates more problems than it solves, as degeneration spreads like the plague to neighboring vertebral levels. Thirdly, DDD can be treated surgically with disc replacement, not just fusion. I can not tell you what the best path for you is, but I do highly recommend you confront this surgeon with these facts before making your decision. I wish you the very best, Sensei Adam Rostocki Q: I have had low back pain off and on for a long time depending on my activity. I recently went to a NUCCA Chiropractor and he said I have a curve in my spine and my 6 & 7th vertebrae are phase 3 degenerate. What can I do to restore this? Mike A: HI Mike, Vertebral degeneration is common and universal. You can not reverse it. As far as curvature, I do not know the type or extent, so it is difficult to comment on it. I recommend you talk to this doctor about what THEY think should be done or send me more detailed diagnostic info. Best, Sensei Adam Rostocki Q: My husband jon used to play golf professionally, ten years on he has started to play again for fun but recently has suffered with sever burning pain in his back, we would appreciate an response to this e. mail so we can get back to normalcy. Elizabeth A: Hi Elizabeth, Did he go to a doctor for an evaluation? If not, this is my recommendation as a starting point.Best, Sensei Adam Rostocki Q: Hi, Thanks for this website. I quickly looked through it but did not see anything pertaining to vitamin D. Chronic muscle tension and pain can be caused by a vitamin D deficiency. Despite recent research supporting this, many doctors still fail to diagnose this. I have experienced this myself, as it took me 3 years and numerous doctor visits to figure out what was wrong with me. For me, the main symptoms were chronic tension in the neck, shoulders, back and hamstrings. It took me three years before I figured out what was wrong. I had tried physical therapy, chiropractic care, had x-rays and MRIs done, but no conclusive diagnosis had been made until I took a vitamin D test which turned out low. After I started taking an ultra high (50,000 IU/week) prescription dose of vitamin D (D3 to be exact) the symptoms gradually went away over the course of a few weeks. I hope you can add something regarding vitamin D to your website! Thanks, Kika A: Hi Kika, It has been there for years. I am thrilled to hear that your fix was simple and non-medical.Here is an article for you. Q: I was just reading the article regarding the tense back muscles. I do have a very similar pattern. I do have a normal healthy life but have back pain since I was 16. At that time one my leg being longer then the other was the assumed issue. After going to chiropractor and having to put things in my shoes seemed to resolve the problem from what I can remember. Now being 31 and having back problems since more then 8 years I am getting really worried. Have been to loads of different physios and recently osteopath we can't bring a solution to the problem. 8 years ago a very strong pain in my lower back always was the main problem. Physio did help to solve the very acute pain but never a long time relieve. So a daily pain is normal. Meanwhile my upper back (mainly between my shoulders) and neck is as worrying as my lower back. Especially the word tense fits regarding my upper back and I feel I can't relax, even though I try. I do live in London. Any advice or help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance, Marc A: Hi Marc, As the article suggests, the main source of ongoing tension in the muscles is chronic ischemia. If you have checked out physically, I advise knowledge therapy as the best course of action. It worked for me ( and millions like me) I am sure it will work for you , as well. Let me know how you make out. Best, Sensei Adam Rostocki Q: I have a herniated disc at the L4-L5 level. An MRI has confirmed this. I have no back pain at all. I just have numbness below my knee and this has weakened by ability to walk forward, except with a limp. I can walk backwards normally and if i turn my foot in, i can walk better. Will this go away? Please advise. one of my doctors says just to wait and it will eventually go away. the other says to do back surgery. thanks in advance for your time. ted A: Hi Ted, I would like to know the wording detailed on your MRI report concerning the effects of the herniation. If you could type or send the report, it would help me to advise you greatly. Best, Sensei Adam Rostocki Follow up: Hi Ted, I reviewed the material your sent. In your cases, I do believe that the herniation could be responsible for the symptoms you describe. It is not certain, since there are other possibilities, it is definitely probable. That being said, I advise avoiding surgery if at all possible. Surgery often makes these matters worse, as the epidemic occurrence of failed back surgery syndrome proves. You can wait it out and it might resolve on its own or at least improve, or you can consider a non-surgical choice, such as spinal decompression. There is far less risk here.... Let me know how you make out and I wish you the best! S.A.R. Q: I am a 41 year old female and have not had problems with my neck or back until I was rear ended a year and 4 months ago. My xrays look fine and I have done about 6 months of chronic pain classes as well as medications with little to no relief. I recently had an MRI and they say a little arthritis in my spine. How can this be so painful after this accident and not at all before? I am trying to understand how this is not from this accident but from arthritis. Theresa A: Hi Theresa, It does not sound like the pain is in any way structural, based on your testing. I theorize that the accident acted as a back pain trigger to begin an ischemic pain syndrome. I advise knowledge therapy and I am sure this approach will work FAR better than any chronic pain classes. Let me know how you make out. Best, Sensei Adam Rostocki Q: What is your opinion on the possible cause of pain concentrated on my right side from the top of my head to my toes. At night I wrap my right knee, ankle, wrist and elbow with neoprene wraps, and the pressure seems to lessen the pain. Thank you. Steve A: Hi Steve, You mean to say that your entire right side hurts? Head to toe? I can not make a diagnostic opinion based on this information, but it seems anatomically illogical to me. What have the doctor's said? Have you considered a psychosomatic causation? Best, Sensei Adam Rostocki Q: Sir, I m facing acute upper back and chest pain for last 8 years. In initial days the pain was only in my chest. I went for several tests for my chest pain but found nothing. Even doctors did my angiography for a possible heart diseases but found nothing. Lastly Doctors advised me to go for Spinal MRI and found that I have a partial spinal fusion in my D4 and D5 disc. But Doctors said it is since my birth and does not require any treatment. But i m living my life like a hail all the 365 days 24 hour I feel a acute back pain and some times it passes to my chest. No medicine no exercise works. I am in great depression now. Sir, suggest me the right treatment please. SHYAM A: HI SHYAM, If the doctors have not found anything which is causing the pain structurally, I feel confident advising you to try knowledge therapy. There is no risk here and the result might just provide you complete relief. I wish you well and hope that you can finally end your pain. Best, Sensei Adam Rostocki Q: Hello Sir, when i told u about my problem you told "Hi Abhijeet, If you have been cleared of all structural possibilities, then the pain is most likely ischemic. I recommend knowledge therapy for this type of pain and I am sure you will do well with the treatment".........SIR COULD YOU PLEASE ELOBRATE IT A BIT MORE....LIKE WHAT IS 'ISCHEMIC'I WOULD BE VERY THANKFUL TO YOU. A: Hi Abhijeet, All the information is found on my site:
Back Pain Questions and Answers to Lower Back Pain Home Revised 7/3/09
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