sore back, who do I go see about it

fret_wimp

I have had a sore back for about a month now. I dont remember explicitly damaging it, but I do remember a particularly tough gym session, after which it got painful.

It feels like muscle pain in the bottom left of my back just below the top of the hip.

I went to the doctor after two or so weeks, and he gave me antiflamatories, pain killers and muscle relaxants.

3 weeks on, with my medication finished and the pain is still there. its not as bad, and i can do gentle jogging on it but i wouldnt like to put too much strain on it yet.

I dont want to go and get more pills again, waisting another 50 euros on the doctor and 50 quid on medicines, but who else can i go to who can help? what kind of a specialist would you go see in this case?

Otis Driftwood

The back is dodgy and Im of the opinion that once its borked its pretty much borked.

You need to get an appointment with a chiropracter and go for relevant scans and tests.

fret_wimp

nedtheshed wrote: »

The back is dodgy and Im of the opinion that once its borked its pretty much borked.

Best give up now then! That was a good life I had there once!
Dont like chiropracters, they just seem to crack the vertebrae back and forth, not really helping a whole lot, but may be worth a shot.

Aside from a chiropracter, or just consigning myself to the dustbin of life , can anyone recommend any other course of action?

Sleipnir

I'd suggest swimming to get it moving.

I certainly wouldn't recommend a chiropractor as one nearly crippled my father for life a couple of years ago.
Also, the British Chiropractors' Association tried to sue a doctor who wrote a peer-reviewed article stating that he thought their claim that they could cure childhood illnesses including colic and inner-ear problems by manipulating the spine was nonsense.

They dropped even lower in my estimation after reading about that.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/libertycentral/2009/jul/29/simon-singh-science-chiropractic-litigation

shellyboo

I'm a fan of chiropractic, it's worked for me for a number of issues, from migraines to back pain. I've been having it all my life, so it would definitely be the first port of call for me anyway.

I don't think you should be going to the GP for it, he's just going to give you things that mask the symptoms as opposed to fixing the problem - if you're not keen on chiropractic, you could maybe try some sort of therapeutic massage or a physio?

fret_wimp

Ive had minor back problems all my life ( now in late 20s). I have been to chiropracters and didnt find them a cure. They clicked my back back into place ,but also made it easier to pop out again IMO. have not been to one in years.

I occasionally ( once or twice per year) get pains in my lower back, or spasm also at times. its annoying as i like jogging and trying to keep in modest shape.

I like the suggestion of swimming. might try to give it a go this week. I also have some shiatsu sessions comming up so il ask the massuse if they can do anything to help me. Thanks.

Otis Driftwood

fret_wimp wrote: »

Best give up now then! That was a good life I had there once!

Lol,didnt mean you should consign yourself to the scrapheap amigo.Its just that anyone I know that has had back trouble is invariably bothered by it for life.

r3nu4l

Okay, this thread is verging far too close to medical advice in my opinion. None of us know what is wrong with the original poster. The back issue could be caused by any number of things from something as mild as an overexerted hillwalking session to a difference in leg lengths, bone density issues, curvature of the spine, cancer, a virus...it could be caused by virtually anything.

Therefore recommending a chiropractor, accupuncturist or anything else just isn't on imo. Original poster, go back to your doctor and explain that the pills did nothing and you want further investigation. Ask him/her for advice on all the various options including chiropractors and anyone else who might be of help.

/thread.