Long term lower back pain - help please

[jlm1983]

Hi there, first time poster here.

I have been suffering from some back pain for the last year. The pain seems to stem from the two muscles running down either side of the spine towards the hamstrings. This pain can also occur higher up the back (midway). Rotating the shoulders seems to cause a crunching sound which I'm sure is related.

To give you a bit of a background, I work as an engineer (sitting down desk job) and don't particular engage in any form of manual hard labour. I like to keep pretty active (ride mountain bikes / road bikes several times a week - play basketball as well). I am 6'2" and 90 kgs.

Over the last couple of months, I have been seeing a chiropractor between 1-2 times a week to help sort out the problem.
The first time he saw me, he did mentioned the following things
- Neck was tilted to one side
- Shoulders were out of alignment and my muscles are fighting to keep the spine protected and hence the back / muscle pain.
- My feet pointed outwards (standing / walking)
- I tended to weight most of my bodyweight on one foot.
- Feet roll inwards due to high arches

Special consideration has been made to treat the hamstring muscles which he claims are over compensating to protect the back itself. He claims my case is a pretty straight forward one but despite following all the hamstring stretching exercises, my pain remains (and sometimes is worse).
I have also noticed that my quads / thigh muscles feel very bruised and well used (when no serious exercise has been performed). He has specified to rub these muscles with a billiard ball to get the blood flowing and advised magnesium supplements to help the muscles recover.

My question is, are these symptoms the root of the problem or is there another underlying issue?

After visiting the chiropractor, I do walk away feeling light and pretty good for at least another day but then the pain returns (especially when sitting down on a soft couch or in the afternoons at work). I feel that lying down on a hard floor is preferred rather than sitting on a couch.

Any ideas? Should I find another Chiro / Physio etc?

Any advise would be appreciated.

James - Melbourne, Australia

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[Judith Mollet]

Has this guy mentioned the fact that you should NOT be sitting like a couch potato for hours at a time? Part of your treatment should include basic ergonomics at the work place and please don't slouch using the laptop!!! Part of the problem is Posture. You don't mention how intense the mountainbike and road (racing?)bike activity is but that will probably be with a rounded back as well. AT 6'2'' you will be probably looking down at people most of the time and slouching your upper thorax, bad shoulder posture and so on. Focus only/primarily on the hamstrings is probably not going get you further. These sore quads would suggest to me that you are overdoing it somehow despite your statement that "when no serious exercise has been performed". Your back is rather telling you what it wants at the moment...less bent positions. I can't say this guy is doing it all wrong on the basis of your information, he may be doing stuff that you haven't mentioned that is OK. Have you checked on his qualifications etc? Have you been to any other specialists? There must be loads of good physios around, I think it may be time for a change. I can't diagnose online but you may well benefit from a Mackenzie regime for your back. And a serious look at "giving" real stability and well balanced muscles to your "core" first before taking away the hamstrings compensation "stability"