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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    What can I do about pain from a back injury?

    Related Topics
    Back & Neck Pain Orthopaedics Pain
    9 years ago I was in an auto accident and have dealt with pain in my lower back, buttocks, hip and leg since. about a year after the accident I was diagnosed with a bulging disc but was told this should not be causing any of the symptoms i was complaining about. I currently have spent the last 3 weeks bedridden due to pain, loss of strength in my leg and spasms.

    once again i was told that the bulging disc should not be causing any of this and was given pain medication for something no one can explain beyond some form of sciatica. other then the physio therapy I continue to do on my own daily is there anything i can do to alleviate the pain? every ‘red flag’ noted on similar websites have told me that a specialist is required but without a dr willing to refer me im at a loss.

    The pain is excruciating and flows from my lower back all the way to my foot on the left side, im unable to sleep due to this and will begin using a wheelchair to gain some mobility. any help is great
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    Dr Adam Gavine

    Chiropractor

    I am a chiropractor who specialises in Active Release Techniques and instrument assisted soft-tissue treatment. I have a keen interest in everything nutritional as I … View Profile

    There are solutions to your back pain, however, it seems that no one has bothered to take the time to properly diagnose you or at least send you to someone who can. Finding out the cause of your pain is predicated on estabilishing a definitive diagnosis. I guessing that you at least had a CT scan or MRI of your lumbar spine to get your diagnosis of a bulging disc, if you have not then that is the first test you need to have done. The problem with disc bulges is that although they may appear on a scan they are not always symptomatic, in other words: just because you have a disc bulge does not infere that it is the definitive cause of back pain. The only definitive test to assess whether a disc is the source of pain is a discogram. Discograms are invasive procedure in which they inject a dye + saline into the centre part of the disc (nucleus pulposus), they often perform a CT scan to observe where the dye goes. 

    It sounds like you definitely need to have some more advance imaging or diagnostic procedures done in order to nail down a diagnosis. Once you have a diagnosis then you can work on treating the cause and getting better.

    Hope this helps
    Adam

    If you would like more information you can contact me via my website www.treatthecause.com.au

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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

    Sorry to hear about your pain.  Your problem is certainly chronic (> 6 months)
    After this period of time, your brain has probably changed the way you think about pain.

    I would suggest that you look into getting referred to a “chronic pain clinic.”  This involves a number of health professionals (pain specialist, psychologist and physiotherapist) to assess you individually and then come up with a plan.

    You may also want to look into getting more information from a book called “How to Manage Chronic Pain” by Dr Michale Nicholas from the Chronic Pain Clnic at Royal North Hospital in Sydney.  Your GP would need to refer you to a Pain Clinic.   Hope this helps…

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    Dr Ryan Hislop

    Chiropractor

    Ryan Hislop is the Clinical Director at the Orange Chiropractic Health and Wellness Centre. As an experienced and evidence-based diagnostician, Ryan works largely by medical … View Profile

    Unfortunately we hear about your predicament all too often. Persistent pain as has been mentioned not only changes the tissues that make up your spine (bones, ligaments, muscles and nerves) but also impacts upon the way the brain percieves pain.

    WIth persistent pain, the signals are on a “hair trigger” and can be set off by things that should not actually cause pain. 

    In terms of management, current guidlines based on the best available evidence look at 3 stages to improve persistent low back pain.

    Stage 1: Advice and simple analgesics such as panadol
    Stage 2: More complex medications, Chiropractic treatment/Spinal manipulation, exercise, yoga, acupuncture and psychological therapies
    Stage 3: Multidisciplinary pain clinic.

    Of course, you should attempt to give each stage ago before progressing to the next. 

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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

    Your report of chronic pain is a very sad one.   I have treated many clients in such cases with success.  Bowen Therapy is a very gentle series of moves addressing specific muscle groups.  It is possible to address the symptoms of pain while you are awaiting diagnosis of what is causing the pain.  To find a Bowen Therapist in your locality visit www.bowen.org.au
    I hope you find relief soon.

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  • Cheryl Colautti

    HealthShare Member

    I'm hearing you mate I was sent home from hospital in tears telling me I have to learn to control my own pain. How can nothing wrong cause so much pain and sleepless nights.  Good luck if you find your answer please let me know

     I'm still trying to get a doctor on here to answer mine

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