Back Exercises/MRI Scan?

A2fan

I have a troublesome lower back for 10 months - have been to chiropractor on 4 occassions and we are satisfied that there are no disc problems, probably a ligament problem when it occurred first...
Chiropractor said that back muscles seemed to be very tight & the pain moves between lower back and right-side hip...the ulstrasound massage does help but after a week or two the same niggle returns...and I can't seem to shake off the problem...
Any suggestions on what exercises would help..?
Also just wondering what is the purpose of an MRI scan and would it be worth considering....in order to establish what the root cause is...

littlefriend

An MRI is kind of like an x-ray except you can see soft tissue in it so disc's etc are visible.

To get an MRI done privately it will cost around 500 euro. A GP can refer you for one but if you are going publicly then you will have a fair wait before you get seen to [probably months]. If you have VHI or similar & your GP refers you then you will probably be seen quickly enough.

If you are near Dublin check out this place - http://www.sportssurgeryclinic.com/. Its pretty impressive. I've been there a few times & I'd recommend it.

Personally, I wouldn't go near a chiropractor [your own GP will tell you this]. I'd stick to physio or osteopath. If your back is really bothering you then I try to get it sorted sooner rather than later as ongoing pain like that can really send you crazy.

Good luck. PM if you need any other info.

M cebee

the cat stretch is good
and lying on the back(pillow under shoulders) and stretching out arms away from feet

i got those from the physio-they've worked well for me

chocgirl

An MRI is the only way you can really rule out disc involvement.

Nobody here can advise you well on specific exercises for your back as they haven't examined you, what works for one person could really aggravate the next, there's no one size fits all formula.

It is however really surprising that you haven't been given specific exercises for your back after ten months, usually the first step.

ilovelamp2000

A2fan wrote: »

Chiropractor said that back muscles seemed to be very tight & the pain moves between lower back and right-side hip...the ulstrasound massage does help but after a week or two the same niggle returns...and I can't seem to shake off the problem...

That's a similar sounding pain to the one I get. I've got very tight hip flexors, and they are causing my back problems.

It would be cheaper to go to a physio / physical therapist to get your hip flexors and back muscles checked out than it would to get an MRI done.

BossArky

A2fan wrote: »

I have a troublesome lower back for 10 months -

Any suggestions on what exercises would help..?

Please get professional medical advice. Good luck.