WAG Questions about physio

[Somekiwichic]

Hi, this isn't totally Gymnastics related but since back injuries are more common in GYmnastics I thought I'd get some opinions. So last Spetember I hurt my lower back while I was at work (I work in the Chilled and Frozens dept in a supermarket). I was putting something on the top and shelf and slipped, to catch myself I bent and twisted. I didn't notice anything was actually wrong until I was staking half a pallet of ice cream away when my back started to get really sore. (It wasn't a bending and lifting wrong I made sure I was doing this correctly). So I'm not actually sure if the slipping was the real cause of the injury.

Went to the doctor 3 weeks later, said I'd sprained it and just to take the week off work.

It never got better though and I kept avoiding doing anything about it since it wasn't a constant pain. The pain is in my lower back and sometime goes down my butt and into my leg.

So I finally went back to my doctor and he said it's a muscle issue and physio should fix it.

Went to physio yesterday and she said my back muscles are very tight and that my back is spasmsing. She did a few things, one was to twist my back to make it click I guess. It was clicking higher up but not my lower back at all, it just hurt alot.

So question one, is it physio meant to hurt so bad and be sore for hours after?
Also, did you or your kids have tingly feeling down the leg that I wasn't getting the pain down? I'm not asking for medical advise, I am seeing a physio and have a GP just wondering what your experiences at the physio were or if you think I need to call them and talk about it or see my GP about it?

Also, I was planning on going back to the tumbling class, even if it's just to do some conditioning and light tumbling in 2 weeks? Do you think it would ok or should I wait?

Sorry this is so long! Thanks in advance

 

[Deleted member D3987]

Mri............

 

[CAGymmie]

A tingly feeling is one of the things that both physical therapists and doctors that I have seen (about my lower back) ask if I have first. It is very important because your back has essential nerves running through it. You should definitely tell your doctor about this.

I hope that all made some what of sense.

 

[MVJ]

I'm not completely sure for the physio part as I never went for my back. It's supposed to hurt only a bit and feel somewhat uncomfortable but if it's such a strong pain and you have a tingly feeling that brings you to ask for advice, you should notify your doctor. Better safe than sorry, right?

IMO, it's not a good idea to go back in 2 weeks, especially 2 weeks and tumbling (even if it's light)! Actually, has your doctor cleared you for training?

 

[Somekiwichic]

Mri............

I don't know if they would do one? My Doctor had said it was a muscle problem and wasn't anything serious when I went last week. Plus here in NZ medical care is paid for through our taxes so if it's not an emergency I don't know how long it would take to get one in public health care if it's a hospital thing. Also I don't know what an MRI really is lol I've never had anything serious expect Oseomyelitis (sp?).

CAGymmie

A tingly feeling is one of the things that both physical therapists and doctors that I have seen (about my lower back) ask if I have first.​

They did ask me this but I'd never had the pins and needles/tingly feeling until after the physio.

has your doctor cleared you for training?

I did ask if I'd be able to do Gymnastics and he said 'probably'

​

 

[Dizzy]

Try a chiropractor

 

[Pineapple_Lump]

What you have done is an injury. This is covered through ACC which to my knowledge uses mostly private services. I doubt the physio is a public health service for example. Did you claim it as a work injury?

 

[Somekiwichic]

Yes I did claim it as a work injury through ACC. Physio is covered under it . I thought the MRI if needed would not be done privately.

 

[iwannacoach]

Pain hurts. You may have to make your pain become an equal nuisance to your GP to make it hurt where it counts...... the GP's schedule. Call and visit the doc frequently enough, and you'll be more likely to get an MRI, which may be necessary to properly diagnose your problem.

Just a quick answer about physio and pain...... It can happen, and is not in itself an indication of improper diagnosis or therapy.

 

[Iwannabemargo]

any form of manipulation can make you sore however tingling points to nerve issues. I have lower back and leg pain from a botched epidural which damaged my sciatic nerve. Get back to the doctor and get a referal.

 

[Somekiwichic]

I went to the physio yesterday and she said the tingling would indicate nerve and disc issue and was going to give me a referral for an xray but I said I was going to the doctor so didn't bother. Soo I went to the doctor and but he said that it's still a muscle problem and that it's just irritating the nerves. He gave me pain meds and a muscle relaxer. So now I'm confused and have no idea which person is right

 

[Deleted member D3987]

MRI............................physio is warm....

 

[Somekiwichic]

The physio can't refer for MRIs I don't think, only x-ray. And I don't think the doctor would since he doesn't think it's disc and nerves. He did give me a referral to a muscle and skeletal specialist (Says he's a sports physician though but then says deals with musculoskeletal) but he said to wait a few weeks before I make an appointment. So should I just keep doing physio and go see him in a few weeks? I'm just concerned because they're giving me 2 different opinions.

 

[Kiwi]

Sports physician sounds like a good idea, but what was GP's reasoning for waiting a few weeks? It could also be worth seeing a chiropractor, mine has helped me a lot when I've done horrible things to my lower back.

 

[Somekiwichic]

He wants to give physio a try first to see if that will fix it

 

[flipperdad]

Tingling and pain down a leg indicates a nerve issue. It's called a radiculopathy. It can be caused by a disc injury or muscle spasms. If caused by muscle spasms, it usually resolves in 1-2 weeks, but herniated or bulging discs can cause prolonged symptoms. Based on your story, sprain/strain at first but physio may have irritated the nerve or disc with manipulation. MRI is the gold standard to rule out nerve issues. Tingling in a specific pattern on the body strongly indicates nerve. Also make sure there is no isolated weakness that suddenly appears. This is a sign of a more serious problem. If you have access to a heated pool, consider hanging in deeper end with 2 noodles/floats and let legs hang. This creates gentle traction and may provide relief. If unsure, see a spine specialist/Ortho/neurologist for a more specialized exam. MRI is the way to go.