Lower back pain

[physiofi]

First of all, sorry to hear you've had what sounds like quite a nasty injury. It's quite common after a trauma (be it a fall or car accident/injury) for things to take a while to settle, unfortunately.

With regards to your neck, are you doing any exercises or things at home aside from the heat / TENS, or just having acupuncture? Is the acupuncture helping with your pain levels in your neck?

Have you had any x-rays or investigations done? I take it from your post that your back pain has been mainly right-sided and is now coming on on the left? Have you ever had leg symptoms prior to these incidents where your legs gave way? Generally, backs don't "give way" the same way legs do when injured...and with most people, it's the excruciating pain that causes your legs to give way, however, it sounds like there is a neural element with regards to the pattern of symptoms you're describing (alternating left-right sides and buttock/thigh/shin pain).

Are you getting any pins and needles / numbness / tingling in your legs or feet? No numbness or pins and needles around your groin? The leg symptoms to me sound like sciatica (is the pain coming down the back of your thigh?). Sciatica can be due to a number of factors....there is a muscle in the buttock (called piriformis) which runs over the sciatic nerve, so if this is irritated/injured or tight, it can cause sciatica symptoms (pain radiating from your buttock into your leg). Is the buttock pain less after a hot shower/bath?

If you have any concerns, I'd definitely discuss with the physio. Bear in mind, most back pain does settle itself eventually, but it sounds like you've bad luck with this injury (with regards to neck/bursitis and back) so give it some more time and if the pain is agonising, take some painkillers to give you some relief.

[scarletblue]

Hi
Thank You so much for your reply.
- I continue to do the neck exercises given to me by the physiotherapist, which have worked well for movement, however I am still experiencing pain between the shoulder blades and up into the back of my head. I am told these are typical symptoms of chronic whiplash and I could have them for sometime. The acupuncture takes the edge of the pain.
- I have had no x-rays, although immediately following the accident, I was seen by a consultant orthopedic surgeon who did a thorough examination of my neck and was satisfied there was no need for further investigation. This was also the case for the head injury. However since then, I took myself off to a chiropracter for an assessment. He examined my neck and also mentioned 'chronic whiplash' and 'pinched nerve'. What he did recognise though, was that the pain in my hip/leg (right side) was coming from my lower back, which then led to further investigation by the physio department, who have said that there is a weakness in my right side. I have a series of exercises that I do as often as I can, usually several times a day, these include pelvic lifts, leg movements and ensuring good posture. The good posture I have found difficult since having the two recent episodes of spasm ? in my lower back, as sitting brings on pain. I took up yoga, but found it difficult, I swim three times weekly which has helped. As well as the short wave diathermy, the physiotherapist works on the lower back, short sharp presses, which I don't feel helps much to be honest.
- No pins and or needles in the legs or feet. The pain is in the lower back, into the hip, top of the thigh where the leg meets the hip (front) and the shin (this is only when sitting), it is all to the front of the leg. The pain in the back is relieved after a warm bath, but the pain in the buttock, shin and thigh only happens when I'm sitting, it feels like sitting is causing it!!
I have been doing really well, the pain was definately improving and still is in my right side, but it all seems to have shifted to my left side, which has until now given me no trouble. I can't help but think I have maybe did some damage while sleeping or maybe overdone the exercises. I am due to see my physiotherapist again on Monday, this is after a two week break (because I had been doing so well) !!! She'll have a fit!! Very Many Thanks for your advice.