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Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners
Is there further treatment that may help my pain?
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4 years ago I herniated (L4/S5) and succumbed to a microdiscectomy after Chiro and Accupunture were unsuccessful. Day surgery and I was back to jogging in 30 days. A year later I sneezed in the shower and my disc blew again. Again a microdiscectomy. 4 months later I found myself in hospital again however the disc had calicfied and as a result my vertebrae collapsed. I then had a spinal fusion followed closely, (3 weeks later) by a redo after one of the screws broke through bone and into the sciatic nerve in the other leg. After 5 surgeries in 2 years I'm in more back pain than ever, have both burning and cold sensations up and down my legs as well as constant loss of sensation and numbness in both legs. Walking is so painfull I use a stick and have limited mobility. After follow up MRI's I've been told by 8 successive Dr's that I have chronic pain, post op fibrosis, facet joint arthritis, canal stenosis and I should just “learn to live with pain”. I want my old Active Life back! Ideas? -
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Dr Michael Cohen
Chiropractor
Dr Michael Cohen, Chiropractor is co-founder of the Chirosports Group one of Australia's leading groups of Chiropractors working together since 1994. Dr Michael Cohen Chiropractor … View Profile
Wow mate, I wanted to answer this because I really feel for you. This is not a great journey and as a practitioner I feel your pain. My suggestion is to look at a mind, body, spirit approach. There is no easy answer. Try to take 20 minutes everyday to read something positive and motivational. It's like creating compound interest in your life right now. Lots of small things done regularly are going to help you feel better than today. Meditation would be helpful for grounding and stress management. Yoga with a highly qualified instructor would benefit you in terms of gentle stretching, bringing oxygen into your body and helping muscles. Acupuncture would be beneficial for pain management. Naturopathy would be helpful to keep your nutrition on track. Supplementation may also be helpful. Strength training is also going to benefit you. I would start with a list of all the things you could do to lift your spirits, increase mobility and manage pain. Not sure where you are located but I am happy to chat to you and give you some ideas.
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Carlie Marshall
Exercise Physiologist
I am an exercise physiologist specialising in exercise prescription for chronic disease management. I currently run group exercise classes for people living with heart and … View Profile
Hi there,
Great suggestions above about targeting mind body and spirit. Chronic pain can have debilitating effects on your mood and motivation, not to mention your ability to mobilise. I would like to suggest you try to improve your mobility through hydrotherapy. This will allow you to do some forms of cardiovascular exercise and strengthening activities whilst taking the pressure off your spine and allowing the surrounding muscles to relax. There will then be a time when you will need to progress from the pool to land based exercises for further benefits.
Seeing a well qualified physiotherapist or exercise physiologist in a hydrotherapy pool would be a good place to start. Specialists often have preferred treatment providers that they have worked closely with in the past.
Also thinking more holistically about treating more than just your back, it might be worthwhile seeing a psychologist that specialises in pain management, they often help you develop good strategies to cope with pain and adjust to the changes to your life & function, and staying positive.
Wishing you all the best,
Carlie.
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Sandra McFaul
Physiotherapist
Do you suffer from chronic lower back pain or neck pain? Based in SYDNEY, Sandra is 1 of ONLY 15 Physiotherapists in Australia with ADVANCED … View Profile
You have certainly had a journey with your lower back.
I would suggest to start getting hold of a book on“chronic pain.” One I recommend to patients is "Manage Your Pain." It is written by the team at the chronic pain clinic at Royal North Hospital in Sydney.
Then get a referral from your GP to a pain clinic close to where you live. You need a multi-disciplinary approach to your pain. Physical, mental and emotional - in order to get your life back. Best wishes.Report this post
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Josephine Perry
Bowen Therapist
Josephine is a fully qualified Bowen Therapist, with full insurance cover and Association membership. Rebates provided by most health funds, according to levels of cover.Practice … View Profile
You certainly have had an arduous journey. Bowen Therapy can be effective in relaxing tensed muscles and reducing nerve impingement. A Bowen Therapist can recommend stretching or strengthening exercises. There are many recommendations for your condition; they all have merit.
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RebeccaHealthShare Member
As a fellow Chronic Pain sufferer - I can offer this... You will have to learn to look after it yourself. If you find something that works for you to help your pain - good luck to you. If, like me, nothing you try works in any way, you are on your own I'm sorry to say.
Eventually your GP will give up looking for something to help you, and only be the person that signs your scripts. Your quality of life will be greatly diminished and isolation will be your only friend. Get a dog or cat or something like that. You will need to learn to be selfish and look out for yourself first always.
Although Australia has a better healthcare system than other countries - what is on offer for chronic pain patients is horrendous. Do not go to a pain management clinic. EVER. The system is totally flawed and we (the patient) are see only as drug addicts seeking out medications.
This is the ugly truth that your "professionals" will not tell you
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Anonymous
As a fellow Chronic Pain sufferer - I can offer this... You will have to learn to look after it yourself. If you find something that works for you to help your pain - good luck to you. If, like me, nothing you try works in any way, you are on your own I'm sorry to say.
Eventually your GP will give up looking for something to help you, and only be the person that signs your scripts. Your quality of life will be greatly diminished and isolation will be your only friend. Get a dog or cat or something like that. You will need to learn to be selfish and look out for yourself first always.
Although Australia has a better healthcare system than other countries - what is on offer for chronic pain patients is horrendous. Do not go to a pain management clinic. EVER. The system is totally flawed and we (the patient) are see only as drug addicts seeking out medications.
This is the ugly truth that your "professionals" will not tell you
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