The phsiotherapist tried acupunture for pain relief which produced sharp unbearable pain and very strong numbness radiating down left leg from numerous points she called trigger points. The orthopod feels it is more chronic pain and no longer nerve root irritation pain but the symptoms seem to have basically remained unchanged from my viewpoint over the last year. Some days pain only in low back, some days sharp low back spasms, and some days leg aching or burning causing me to limp. Leg numbness has decreased but is still noticably present. Also wondering if the is any evidence of a genetic component to propensity for disc herniation as I have 3 brothers, all who have had disc herniations confirmed by ct's or mri's.
Any info is much appreciated.
Dear Michelle, Back pain is a common malady. The pain in your buttocks and leg may be due to pinching of S1 nerve root though the MRI doesn't sound very impressive. A symptomatic disc should be treated initially with conservative therapies as it will usually shrink on its own, relieving the symptoms. If the pain is from a significant disc pinching the nerve and a patient fails conservative therapy, surgery may be considered. It isn't clear why you had such trouble with the acupuncture as the needles don't go very deep in the skin.