I've had problems with my back for about a year now.
About a year ago my back went very stiff and I was misaligned. I went to an osteopath who said that my sacroiliac joint was slight 'out'. After several sessions, I was pain-free and standing straight again. It happened once again in July 2007 and I had the same treatment again with great success. On both these occasions, I took diclofenac for a short time.
In December 2007 I started with back pain again, so once again visited the osteopath. This time I had severe pain in my left buttock which was radiating into my calf and foot. After nine sessions I was walking upright, but still suffering from pain in my legs and tingling in my toes. As I couldn't afford to pay for any further sessions I visited my GP who referred me to an NHS physio.
I have been attending for seven weeks now and doing exercises up to four times a day. I am slightly better, but my main problem is that I cannot stand for my than a few minutes without the need to lean on something or sit down. I have two year old twins and a seven year old and it's so frustrating to not be able to do day-to-day tasks.
My physio has now said he will refer me for an MRI scan as although I'm progressing slightly I cannot stand or walk for long.
Has anyone else had a similar experience? The osteopath didn't think that my disc was bulging?
Sara
Health writer at Selfcare central