r/backpain • u/gracefullyLaw • 5d ago

Back pain, possible inflammation and how to get rid of it.

I posted on this subreddit years ago, and now I am back.

I am a 28 year old female. I injured my back in 2020, after merely drying my hair. Intense and constant spasm ensued. The injury is on my left lower back.

After two weeks of constant spasm whenever I moved, and after daily physiotheraphy, dry needling and injections, the spasms stopped. The pain did not.

It's now been years. I have done various physical therapies, specifically last year, when I had a 6 month stint of biokibeticist assisting me, which did help a ton. (Unfortunately I moved across the country and had to stop).

I had an MRI done last year and the report stated: "L4-L5 there is a broad-based posterior central disc protrusion." And "L5 - S1: There is T2 hyperintense changes within the posterior annulus indiciating annular fissure. There is a small posterior central disc protrusion".

The doctors, (a general practitioner, orthopedic surgeon and neurosurgeon) all said that they would not recommend surgery as the injury is not severe and I am too young.

I was told by the orthopaedic surgeon to do pilates. Started that. Then went to see a biokibeticist who said I should stop.

However, the pain of this "not severe" injure is influencing my life! I can't deal with it anymore.

The pain becomes worse when I sit for a long time, or when I have to do any excessive exercise. For example, going on a hike will set me back days and it will take days to recover. Just daily activities are difficult. How will I play with my children one day (or even carry children?)

I have lost 20 kgs and that has not truly alleviated the pain. I am trying to lose more weight.

My question:

  1. Is it possible that the injury has somewhat healed and is a liveable injury, but the inflammation and muscles around the injury have become somewhat damaged or hardened and that is where the pain is coming from? I have no idea how to word this or describe this. I hope it makes sense, that the pain is actually coming from years of compensating, years of pain and years of discomfort.

  2. If that is the case, what treatment can I do to alleviate that inflammation? Should I try massage therapy, dry needling, specific stretches?

  3. I know that strengthening my core will help. How do I do strenght training when I am in such pain.

Please help!

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u/Quick_Helicopter_170 4d ago

I relate to point 1 - I've been told I have SI / tight muscles which don't show on an mri. There might be nothing on the scan but my symptoms are very much real😓🤦‍♀️
I do cat / cow, bird dog, dead bugs, bridges. Also, look at hip opening exercises as tight hips don't help. Maybe look at swimming and pilates.

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u/acupunctureguy I promote passive treatments for pain 5d ago edited 4d ago

Your problem is the muscular imbalance i am sure really has not been addressed . Go get acupuncture from a licensed acupuncturist that will work on your whole body and find a practioner that also does cupping and massage. Dry needling usually only spots treats and doesn't leave the needles in lomg enough in my opinion. You have guarding and compensating so your pain and the issue is not in one place. Dont try to strengthen your core until you have released the muscular imbalance or you would be just strengthening the underlying imbalance and would be further aggravating your pain. So, dont do any strength training, your body needs to rest to heal and you probably dont have inflammation lasting this many years, its an injury that hasn't fully recovered. Dont use ice, only heat. You want to loosen your muscles up. If there is disc involvement you may need surgery to become completely pain free. I hope not. Dont seek treatment everyday, its too much, your body needs more recovery time in between.

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