Lower back Pain Conflicting Options Physio/Osteopath

[Bod88]

I have had really lower back pain for best part of 6 months.

Physio tells me I have degenerative disc disease L5 and my osteopath says no, your pelvis is slightly misaligned and the pain is coming from your sacroiliac joint. I saw another osteopath who claimed it was all muscular tightness.

Whilst all three had different opinions, what they all had in common was that non of them could fix my pain and I just ended up wasting my hard earned money.

I have lost all confidence in what the so called experts have been telling me.

Has anyone else had a similar situation? I am awaiting yet another GP telephone consultation but sadly I have the same level of confidence in the NHS at the minute.

Obviously not looking for a diagnosis but any advice from individuals who have had similar experience of conflicting views appreciated. Is it just a question of trying different people?

[Madlegs1]

How easy is it for you to get an MRI?I'm not familiar with UK set up.

[BenHall1]

Hi,

Well based on my own experience a misaligned pelvis could well impact on yer Sacrilliac joint and it can do really weird stuff. Over the years I have used Physio, Chiropractor and Osteopath. Best results have come from Osteopath. But once I have found a good one and who can give the correct manipulation stay with that one and make regular visits over a long time. I have done this and it pays. Also try and consider your sitting posture and more often something overlooked is your sleeping posture. I have issues with both right and left Si Joints ... BUT ... the worst is the right. If my sleeping posture is bad then it can kick my right Si joint off.

Hope this helps.

[Viklou]

You need an MRI. This could show what the issue is and perhaps be referred to the correct method of treatment

[cyberbarn]

An MRI would be a good next step. I have had the same situation where a physio said likely osteoarthritis in the hip, GP said not muscle spasm, just one of those things, one rheumy said fibro (withdrew that after I made a formal complaint) and another who just used to say 'ummmmm....ah....ummmm...ah....

By the time they got round to arranging the MRI the inflammation that probably caused the problem was gone, but it did confirm according to rheumy 2 wasn't osteoarthritis. however, it also transpired that rheumy 1 had said an x-ray was clear when in fact it showed spondylolisthesis which was probably what caused the spasms in the muscles around the pelvis.

So make sure you request any reports on your x-rays and MRIs and any other imaging, sometimes clinicians think they know what is causing the problem, but there is a lot of uncertainty in medicine and sometimes they are both wrong and right at the same time!

[Helly666]

my sister has the same awaiting mri results which will decide next course of action . Very best of luck

[Batty1]

I had a misaligned pelvis and actually it does cause pain in your lower back … I was sent to a sports therapist because I was told I had arthritis in lower spine the sports doctor laid me out on table and pushed around my hips …. She said your hip is out of alignment and she pushed and my hip popped and wow did that feel good … was clear of pain for a long time.

[ZKJ69]

You really need an MRI and need to really insist on this with your GP especially as the problem has been going on for 6 months and not resolved.you don't say if you ha e had any x rays which should have been done by now.This would show any degeneration at L5, which coukd be degeneration due to age,?? You don't say how old you are. I had problems with both my SI joints due to hypermobility in the joints. A combination of physio exercises to strengthen my core and corticosteroid injections has helped keep this manageable .I also have degenerative disease in my lumbar spine. I developed more intense pain than I was used to and recognised it was in different places in my legs as well. Luckily I was under pain management and had a referral to spinal made. I had surgery eventually and have since had this revised and then had a minor surgery at S1.

The crutch of this is get an x ray if not done and insist on an Mri, so that you can get a proper diagnosis and then a treatment plan.

Hope this helps.

[Bod88 in reply to ZKJ69]

Many thanks for all your replies, they have been most helpful. I think the way forward is an MRI so fingers crossed it sheds some light on the situation.

[Stickyman]

Ask your Dr for a NHS physiotherapist referral. With luck you won't wait long for one. They are really good and if they cannot help then they will refer on to a spine specialist on NHS and NHS will organise an MRI. It is important to exercise. I have degenerative disc disease and herniated discs and take gabapentin very low dose which helps a lot. I have belonged to a gym for 25 years and exercise is good together with the correct exercises given by a physio therapist - your physio can advise what classes might be best for you. Aqua fit is on most days at my gym and also pilates and yoga nearly every day. Things like Zumba also good for cardio. Pain levels can go down after exercise. It's worth joining a private gym as that way you can go every day and not pay separately for classes. It's just a monthly fee and all the classes are included. You need a plan. Degenerative disc disease can be very normal as you get older.

[Moonshine15]

Hi I’m so sorry you are in so much pain I can empathise with you as I was given many different diagnosis.

I’m afraid I can’t add much to what’s already been said, I agree an MRI would be the most helpful to give a definitive diagnosis

[Konagirl60]

All the above advice is wise.

Have you been seen by a doctor who can assess if you have a leg length discrepancy? ( LLD ).

I know many people who have had lower back pain and their back issues healed with the right orthopaedic shoes and insert(s). I suggest you get this done to.

Good luck. Keep us posted.