Hi,

Just briefly...

1. one cortisone injection won't hurt (except the risk of infection because it is piercing the skin etc etc). Just make sure it gets done under fluroscopy

2. You have chronic low back pain. I don't think anyone would dispute that. The evidence is in favour of an active rehabilitation model. It sounds like your chiro is on track. You need to get MOVING.

3. If it doesn't hurt, don't worry. If you have been doing the back exercise for a week now and it doesn't hurt, keep going.

4. The worst thing you can do is decrease your activity. You should know your limits by now - do as much as you can without aggravating the back.

5. www.back-exercises.com has a good explanation on stability. Don't have to buy their stuff ok! It is for knowledge about stability etc.

6. At this stage, repeated manipulations won't help. You have had the chiro for some time now and your problem still exists. I wouldn't worry about him treating you differently - he sounds good and will have noted the compression signs anyway - and yes, physios and chiros are usually much better at reflex testing than doctors!

7. Get active, get active, get active. Just need to do it with caution. It is called "pacing".

Hope this helps. I would definitely see the surgeon though. All those pain and nerve signs are not good.