What type DR for back pain?

[GhostOfTomJoad]

I need help badly, folks. Tweaked my back a week ago Sat. and have been in pretty much constant pain since then. I actually thought I was having a kidney stone attack last Tues. due to the pain's location, intensity & other symptoms (really weakened urine stream). I went to my urologist who quickly determined that it wasn't stones (two series of MRIs confirmed this) but rather that it was muscular spasms. He put me on carisoprodol & told me to stay off my feet (this was last Thurs).

Things have improved slightly & I'm more mobile than I was last week, but still can't do things like bend over to tie my shoes or even touch my chin to my chest. I fear sneezing as it brings me to my knees w/ shooting pain (all radiating outward from my lower lumbar to the back of my pelvis...not shooting down my legs at least).I know I need to see a different doctor (my urologist was supposed to give me a referal before I left his office last week but forgot). I came into the office today but it's taking all of my energy to simply breathe in & out while I sit at my desk.

I don't have a family doctor (need to get one, but I'm the type who never gets sick so have put it off). Should I start calling orthopedists? Neurologists? I'm in friggin' agony here.

 

[accuratehorn]

If you have insurance you may need to start with a family doctor, who will most likely refer you to someone else.
Depending on what the problem really is, different treatments may help, and you may have to try different doctors or chiropracters to find the answer (they can fix some things related to back pain). Your problem may be muscular, nerve related, an actual crack or fracture, spinal cord stenosis, may require minor surgery.
I had a pinched nerve resulting in sciatica in my left leg, and tried a referral from the family doctor for a chiropracter, did not help, then physical therapy, did not help, then a cat scan, x-ray found the bulging disc, so minor surgery by a back surgeon removed the bulge, instantly fixed.
Your problem may be completely different, and probably is.
But your journey to relief may be similar.

 

[jmrob93]

I had back spasms a few yrs age--about 3 times a yr-- the first time, the Dr thought kidney stones

can't stand up straight kind of pain

I did the whole med/ physical therapy thing and nothing, happened again 3 months later

I finally went to a chiropractor and after about the same amount of treatments and money I had spend on physical therapy had great relief-- I go about every 3-4 months now

My chiropractor is cool-- gave me about 5 stretches to do and 5 exercises to strengthen my core to keep things in allignment and ultimately have to see him less

I messed up my back in the Army on a night jump when the AF dropped us out over trees--hit one and bounced off landing on my neck 20 ft down-- mid back and neck was where the trauma was, however my hips were off due to them compensating to have me stand up straight

Only go to a chiropractor if you get a couple of references from friends-- like a surgeon--nobody's cutting on me unless I know their good--same for cracking my back

I know there have been detailed discussions here about massage vs chiro-- when things are out of allignment--them muscles try to pull thing back into allignment, usually unsuccessfully--relaxed muscles help the pain go away temporarily, but until the allignment is there, they won't relax for long

exercises-- side bridge, front bridge, pelvic lift were my main ones at first-- the side bridge is tough to hold. But it truly helps. I do yoga type exercised and stretches instead of anything med wise. 3 yrs ago, anti-inflamitories and pain pills almost all the time. I lost 50 lbs also, but couldn't lose the weight until my back got stronger and felt better.

 

[jmrob93]

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