Question
Hi, Im sure you have heard this many times but I was in a car accident in 2005 which resulted in whiplash and a back injury. I was diagnosed with sprain/strain of my thoracic and lumbar region and also as the result of an MRI, lumbar scoliosis with convexity to the left. I did physical therapy for about 3 months then just quit going becuase I moving to Virginia from Texas. My lawyers said I wouldnt be able to continue my therapy there. Since then I have had a constant back pain in the middle of my back that shoots pain pretty much all over my spine. Some days are better than others. But recently I think I aggravated it at work and the pain is just too much. I try to lay on my side and it hurts, any pressure on my back it hurts. I cant even drive without my back hurting but thats how it has been for the past 2 years. My legs get numb if i sit to too or when Im tryin to go to sleep. I am overweight so Im sure that has something to do with it also but I just cant take anymore. What advice if any can you give me? thank you.

Answer
Although I am not a physician, I can tell you that the physical therapy is the key.  You'll need to lose weight, do strengthening exercises for your abdominal muscles and your back muscles, and do slow, controlled stretching exercises to relieve the muscle tension and associated pain.

Thank you for your question, Valerie.  I hope that my answer was helpful