Constant lower back pain into left hip!!!! Help!!

[Good gone girl]

I cannot really remember when & how I first got/noticed my back pain. I think it was about 4 years ago when I first remember doing anything about it. It is a constant ache in the lower right hand side of my back (it has been described as the L4/5 area of my spine which is the most tense/knotted. This pain almost always coincides with a bruised feeling in the muscle directly above my left hip.

It has now come to a point where it is unbearable. When I got out of bed in the morning I can hardly walk, if I drive for long periods of time I struggle to get out of the car. It was generally a real problem. I consulted the doctor who advised me that my back problem was causing tension across my back and also a bursitis in my left hip and prescribed me some Naproxen Anti-Inflammatory tablets which only succeed in slightly dulling the pain but has not stopped it entirely.
I eventually was advised to attend a Sports Physiotherapy which I did and although was VERY painful initially, my back felt easier for a couple of days, however, the pain would return eventually. Similarly, acupuncture and ultrasound seemed to be short term remedies only.
The physio firstly tried manipulation for the facet joints which made it very sore afterwards. He then decided that manipulation was not possible until the muscles were more relaxed as they were in severe spasm.
I tend to find that the more I am walking throughout my working day, the easier the pain gets, however, I find it very hard lying in bed and if I manage to get a lie in (not very often with a 2 yr old girl)!!!, my back aches that much including the muscles left and right of my spine, top to bottom that I have to get up anyway. My sleep suffers virtually every night and I am constantly tired through the day. I feel irritable and frustrated most of the time and i've had enough.
I am hoping upon hope that someone somewhere is experiencing the same and can help me reduce/overcome the problem.

 

[PANCAKES suspended]

HI

Sounds exactly what I have, I have been told that I have an elongated legament in my back that causes my back ache, but then when I was sent (by work) to a specialist physio (Rehab) unit they said that I had weak core mucsles that weren't supporting my back, so I had 8 weeks of intensive physio where I would go to physio for a day a week and it really helped. Not sure how you would get on with getting this kind of support as I had private medical insurance through work and they actually sent me on it.

Tablets will only help releieve the pain for a while but doesn't get rid of the cause. I gave up on tablets years ago (I have had it since I was about 19), I would recommend asking your doctor if he would consider sending you to physio again (I had about 3 years on and off with physio) and see what they say. Alternatively if you use a gym you could ask there for some specific exercises to strengthen the core muscles. It has worked for me.

Hope everything works out ok for you!

With love

Maria

 

[surojabu]

Thanks very much for that.

My work organised Phsio for me, however, they'll only pay for the first six sessions so I can see it becoming a bit expensive. I'll see how it goes, maybe they'll make some allowances.
As for the gym, we have one at work so i'll seek some advice on back strengthening exercises.

Thanks for your time

Ian

 

[Jarisa]

Pilates is often recommended by physios for strengthening the core muscles, Ian. Men attend the class I go to, so it's definitely not one of those women only things

 

[harmonograph]

Hi and welcome to HP - take some time to introduce yourself in the new members section.

I have something similar - an initial problem in the lower back, probably a facet joint problem, that has extended into my hips as a result of various muscles going into spasm. I have seen a chiropractor, osteopath (and I do have a lot of respect for osteopathy, just think my one was not terribly experienced) and had two cortisone injections, but the thing that is working for me is seeing someone who does one to one remedial pilates.

When your superficial muscles go into spasm, the core muscles become weak and the problems just exacerbates itself. So far I have just been doing core breathing which is allowing the tense muscles in my hips (and chest would you believe) to relax. Once they are completely in neutral, then I will be able to start strengthening the muscles from the inside out.

While I'm on this regime, I'm not able to do any muscle work at the gym on my shoulders, chest or abs as this will reverse the process. The process isn't quick, particularly as my work (body work therepist) doesn't help, but I'm definitiely loads better than I was and can get down the stairs first thing in the morning.

Hope you find a solution.

Lesley

 

[Destiny Maker]

Ian,

From the description you have given I would certainly suspect spasm or tension in the Quadratus Lumborum, which stretches from the 12th rib and lumbar vertebrae to the posterior iliac crest. Whether this is the cause or merely a symptom I do not feel qualified to say. Although stretching (e.g. Pilates) can be good, it does not deal with the underlying cause.

UI would recommend seeing a physio who specialises in manual manipulations (too many now rely on electronics) or see a very experienced sports therapist.

Good luck.

Ken

 

[invitemeforcoffee.co.uk]

That's great. Looks like i'll be joining a Pilates group shortly....anything to loosen my muscles. Thankyou for your advice.

 

[College student]

Just be careful in a group, if you do have back problems, as this kind of work takes time and you could find that your instructor races ahead with other members of the group who may not have the same problems as you. No point in strengthening those core muscles until you release the spasm on the others.

If your finances can stretch, would definitely recommend a remedial, one to one instructor - there is a difference.

Lesley

 

[Geek]

My wife has borrowed a couple of Pilates videos from a friend. I might work slowly through them and see how I go.
I'll definitely consider remedial therapy. Our Occupational Health dept. at work often pay for several sessions, i'll contact them today.
Thanks again.

 

[starcraftstrategist]

Hi

My works medical sceme actually paid for rehab (remidial work) so it didn't come out of my fund so to speak so maybe worth asking if you can get this as well!

With love

Maria

 

[Last Man Standing]

Has your lumbar spine been X-rayed or an MRI been taken?

It sounds like an unresloved disk injury to me. Over 90% have some sort of disk injury before we meet our maker and there is a wide variation on how these present. Some have a grumbly back for a few weeks, whilst others need emergency surgery (very few fortunately).

Some that have not been treated appropriately can get something called Nerve root tethering, which is where the root of the nerve heals to the surrounding tissues & pain persists, often til the issue is addressed.

Alternately it could even be a spondilolisthesis. Do you ever have episodes when it goes altogether, then seems to come back with avengence for no obvious reason? Did you have any falls on your back or injuries whilst extending backwards or do martial arts as a kid? And your low back certainly won't like bending backwards if it's one of these. NB THis is not diagnostic in itself, just a tip.

Re. Core stability exercises, Pilates and postural education should certainly help settle a minor disk injury in time, but possibly not a more severe or persistent one.

Andrew.

 

[T M]

Thanks for that.

My lower back certainly hurts a lot when I bend forward. I used to play a lot of squash and I know it didn't do my shoulder & knees much good.
Can't recall any particular incident where i've hurt my back although sometimes after a hard day I'd feel it pulling a bit.

I haven't had x ray or MRI yet. I'm hoping to arrange this through work as it will take an eternity on NHS. Maybe that will show something.

Cheers

 

[hairbender]

It's quite common for someone that has been very active in sport to have problems if they stop. It's not so much doing the sport, but stopping, it seems.

Squash is particularly hard on the knees, like football, it involves sudden change in direction on a flexed knee.

Please don't fall into the common misconception that you have caused yourself permanent damage from your previous activities.

1) The body has developed for movement, not for sitting around all day in an office.
2) There are very few, if any, things that are permanent.
3) Health is a balance between the amount of degeneration against the ability to heal.
4) When there is pain involved - it's almost always easier if you are able to relax the area involved.

Andrew.

 

[Josselyn]

So true!