In article <1120301838.664204.326190@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com>, Vetro Chelly <vcellucci@gmail.com> wrote:

You had the bad luck to ask at a time when some posters were
particularly irked by the behavior of other posters, and not feeling
very helpful.

Unfortunately, problems with the spine are common as the back ages, and
there are seldom any cures, just management.  Also, imaging of the
spine shows these kinds of changes in the backs of people who have no
symptoms at all, so imaging is not as useful for diagnosis as one might
wish.  It's possible that none of the things that showed up on the
MRI are what's causing your back problem.

I recommend you get one of the books by Hamilton Hall.  He's an
orthopedic surgeon who specializes in the spine, and is an
exceptionally good writer.  He writes a new book every 8-10 years as
the field changes.  I can't remember the name of the most recent book,
but the previous one is "The New Back Doctor", and I think it's a more
useful book.  His books describe the character and progression of back
problems, and what you can do to relieve the symptoms and reduce
recurrences, as well as diagnostic methods and treatment options.

Caveat: I am not a doctor.

Since certain positions aggravate or relieve pain from various back
problems, and the same positions may have different effects for
different people with the same problem, yes, intermittent pain or
discomfort doesn't rule out any of those problems, AFAIK.

You get tingling down your leg when something presses on certain spinal
nerves.  Often this is a disk.  The disk may shrink back into place in
a couple of months and the problem go away... until the next time.
The space for the nerve to exit the spine is very small, so small
changes in position may increase or decrease the pressure markedly.

IMHO, you should ask your doctor what he or she recommends as the next
step, if any.  Ask if there are any particular symptoms you should be
wary about, that should send you back to the doctor for reevaluation.
A referral to a physiotherapist specializing in back problems may be
helpful.  A physio may be able to help you identify things you do that
aggravate the condition (such as posture problems, or use of poorly
designed chairs or of desks at an inappropriate height, or bad methods
of lifting) and recommend exercises to strengthen the muscles that
support the spine and devices like footstools and support cushions that
may be helpful.

I hope this helps.  Best of luck to you!

The best thing you can do for your back pain is to stop asking your
doctor what to do for your back pain. If you keep doing that your
doctor is going to feel he/she must do something. That something will
likely be weighted to rcommending surgery. There. He/she's done
something for you. Surgery is not the answer. Learning to build your
musculature to support your spine properly is, and you are the one who
will have to do it.

You must take responsibility here.

Find a very good physical therapist who practises "active
rehabilitation". There will be a minimum of feel good therapy, and a
whole lot of sweat and tears. .

I would call my nearest university medical school faculty of
rehabilitation medicine and ask for names of three masters' degreed
physical therapists who work in active rehabiliation. I would also
contact the physical therapists professional association with a lot of
questions.

I am not speaking about something I've read about, or observed in other
people. I'm speaking from personal experience.

It works; for life.

Zee

I'm going to have to re-think my views on this one, since horror of
horrors, I agree totally with Steve Harris.

When did you change your tune on MRIs? The last time I heard anything
on this subject from you it was all about how backward Canada was not
having more than one per 100,000, what a real swell diagnostic tool
they were, and how much money they could save the medical system if
only there were MORE. Everywhere.

You made it clear you support MRI use and implied Canada having too
few--your judgement--was the reason we had such poor health care; your
judgement again.

So which is it? MRIsRUs{TM} or ... more restrained use?

Zee

Thanks for all your replies :)  I tried the physiotherapist thing...
maybe I had a bad one, because but the only thing she did in our
session was talk about my symptoms.  In 3 mths of physio I was given 3
exercises and alot of talking?!  I ended depleting my insurance so I
would have to wait until the winter to try another physio.  I do keep
up my excercises and after 4 mths I'm starting to feel a little
better... but I'm not sure if it's just time or both that are
contributing... I'm now seeing a physiatrist who is trying
manipulations on me... he says my facet joint is jamed... it's not
moving when I bend over...

Anyways thanks again for the replies... I will try what I can... maybe
time is all I need and there is no magic cure that people keep telling
me there is...
Vetro