Lower Back Pain / Blow out

Para · 07-29-2004, 09:30

This is not an attempt to solicite diagnositic medical advise, more so to draw from a vast field of expertise and experiences from those who can relate.

Several months ago, while in Phase IV, in the Field exercise just prior to the insertion into Robin Sage, I experienced a very painful lower back injury. I have never had a back injury beforehand. We had been walking for maybe an hour with my ruck weight hovering around 125 or so. The weight was relatively light compared to the weights of the rucks in Max Gain just a few months earlier. We were waiting our turn at one of the negotiation stations. I squated down and lowered myself into the ruck sack flop. I don't remember there being any twisting of my body what so ever. We stayed there for about 15 minutes and when it was our turn to go I started to get up. I lifted a leg and thats when I felt it, a very intense, sharp and shooting pain run through my back. It took everything I had to just stand up and within a minute I was back on the ground.

The next few days I would need assistance just to stand up and could walk, but not without serious pain. The first few days was Tordal shots followed by Flexerall (or something like that). Within a week the pain had subsided down enough that I was able to insert and continue on with only stiffness and the occasional mild pain.

Forward a few months. Every once in awhile I can feel a pull between what would appear to be the lower spine and the interior of my left hip. Not surface muscles, but rather deeper. My flexability is not hampered in anyway, so I was not overtly concerned about it, until just the other day. I was working out doing back exercises when I felt a couple rapid sharp, shooting pains in my lower back. To which I immediately ended my workout session and have been left with a bit of stiffness in my lower back.

It has been recommended that I see a Chiorpractor. So here are some questions that I have that maybe you all can assist me on. I have been told this will probably be a reaccuring thing I may face for the rest of my life, but I have always been under the belief that proper strengthing of the supporting muscles can greatly assist in preventing further injury. What exercises would be recommended? Is a Chiorpractor plausable or should I steer clear of that as it will only increase the problem? Anyone have any recommendations for quality Chiorpractors in the Bragg area? Anything else that I don't know, that maybe I should? Should I be taken out back and be put down like a crippled mare?

**The Reaper** · 07-29-2004, 10:01

Para, get a referral to the Ortho Clinic, and you should probably get an MRI as well.

Just my opinion, but I have had back issues before. You need to fix it before you get to a team.

TR

Sacamuelas · 07-29-2004, 10:42

I agree 100%. You need to get to the REAL TMC14.

**The Reaper** · 07-29-2004, 10:49

Quote:

Originally posted by Sacamuelas
I agree 100%. You need to get to the REAL TMC14.

TMC 14 cannot fix his problem. He will need to go through Clark Clinic to get a referral to Womack Hospital.

TR

**Jack Moroney (RIP)** · 07-29-2004, 11:09

TR is absolutely dead on. I have been screwing with back problems since I was but a wee lad on an A-Team and unlike wine, Phrench wine exculded of course, it does not get better with age and can lead to other unintended consequences as your body attempts to compensate for you compensating for the injury. Believe me, you do not want to screw around with this.

Jack Moroney

Solid · 07-29-2004, 12:41

Having played Rugby for a while, I have recurring back pains including (sometimes) stiffness, but more often sharp or throbbing pains within the area. As a result, I have attempted to locate several cures or aids.
While chiropractic treatment may offer short term relief, I have found that long-term it can make the problem worse. When in need of short term relief, I use either medication (ibuprofen-40, for example, although I try to stay away from it to avoid building a tolerance) or stretching the area in such a way that it audibly 'cracks', relieving tension.
By 'treating' the problem in this manner, I have managed to greatly reduce my back problems despite ruck marching, running, and other demanding physical activity. Of course, I have not been doing these activities at a level even approaching that at which you have.
You might want to check the following things-
Feet. Are your arches overpronated or underpronated?
Stance. Look at your knees to see if the kneecap faces in the same direction as you feet, or if it points inwards or outwards.
Spine. Over curled, under curled?
Shoulders. Is there a large dip between your shoulder blades?

My doctor told me that all of these factors can effect strength, flexibility, and pain in the back. Many are interrelated, feet and stance especially impacts the lower back.

I am not a medical professional and am only relayed information given to me by professionals.

HTH,

Solid

Sacamuelas · 07-29-2004, 13:55

Solid, this man is not playing rugby. Delayed treatment and further damage resulting in chronic lumbar/sacral "back" problems could adversely affect his career as a SF soldier.

Para.. do as TR suggested and see a real Doc. Good luck

Solid · 07-29-2004, 14:16

Roger that, just trying to give supplemental information. My doctor was unable to help me.

Unassing the AO poste haste.

Solid

Para · 07-29-2004, 15:10

Thanks for the comments. Appoitments are in the works. Just seeing if maybe someone might be able to "enlighten" me with some supplemental information that comes from experience.

swatsurgeon · 07-29-2004, 16:03

follow all recommendations....NO CHIROPRACTOR. Seean orthopedic or neurosurgical spine specialist. An MRI is in your future and the L4-L5 disc herniation is likely your diagnosis???
I operate on the spine with one of our neurosurgeons weekly ...I expose the spine from the front or the side. BTW I have an L4-L5 blown disc, mild compression fx from years of the martial arts.
Get it checked....you may only need rest or an epidural steroid injection or (as I lick my lips........) SURGERY, which is a last resort.
Good luck and avoid the non-surgeon back guys....I could tell you stories!!

07-31-2004, 17:28

I as well have a herniated disc at L4-5 and the symptoms you describe mimic the chronic pain I have...mine was the result of a car accident.

See the orthopedic before you let any chiropracter manipulate your back...

doc t.

Para · 07-31-2004, 19:15

Will do Doc. It's the waiting another month before they will even look at my x-ray's that's the pain in the ass. Then however long it will take to be seen by someone else.