Question
Thanks for your time and explanation. I am living in asia, so may not able to get good chiropractors. You mentioned about healing through nutrition. Can you advise what are the nitrition food or medication that I can try for my nerves ? I am presently taking Daneuron which is prescribe by doctor. Since I may not able to find a good chiropractors, what other ways I can try to let my nerves heal better ?
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The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
Dear Dr Eric,


I am a 30 yr old lady, I had a prolapsed disc on L4/L5 after a day doing some situps which happened on mid of yr 2004. That caused sciatica for there is a disc compression on the nerves. After went through more then a year pain, I had a micro discectomy & laminectomy surgery done on the 27/07/2006. The thing is I'm still experiencing pain on the right buttock, which giving me another set of problems. That I will feel the urgency to go to the loo whenever I sit down and press again certain part of my buttock. And I have pain in my right foot that affect me from walking properly. Sometimes, I feel abdominal pain which seem it is from the back and to the front. I still having some problem in sleeping also, as I can't lay too long on my back that will cause back pain, buttock pain cannot allow me to sleep on the side...The only thing that the surgery helps me, is that I don't feel my lower part of my body as heavy as before, climbing up slopes and stairs are not so hectic for me

My questions:

Do you think that all these foot pain, nerves irritated that cause urgency to the loo will go away over time? Is it normal for patients to go through all these symptoms before recovery.

Another thing is, I feel lost of some sensation while having sex with husband. Is this normal after spinal surgery? And if it is normal, do you think that it will recover?

And have you heard of abdominal pain due to back pain? if yes, do you know why is the cause?

Thanks and regards,
chua

-----Answer-----
The foot pain could from the original nerve irritation or from the surgery irritating some of the nerve.  Depending on how long the much damage to the nerve was caused between the incident and the surgery, it could take a while for the nerve to regenerate.  
This same explanation could hold true for the loss of sensation during sex and the abdominal pain.  The bundle of nerves that exit the vertebrae at L4-5 is very large and carry many nerves, including the nerves to the perineum and to the abdomen.  These nerves may or may not get back to normal or they may end up less effective, that answer cannot be predicted by any doctor.  My only other suggestion is to seek some natural care.  Since the surgery is done, there is nothing else a medical doctor can do.  A naturalist can help the healing process with nutrition and other treatments.  I am a chiropractor and would not hesitate to help your situation.  I would look down that path now.  I am part of a wonderful group of chiropractors that treat the whole body, and use a low force technique (little "popping") that is used especially for current or former disc injury sufferers such as yourself.  This your lingo I don't know if you are in the U.S., but this group is found all over the U.S., Canada, and Europe.  Go to www.sorsi.com to locate a doctor near you.
Good Luck and if you have any other questions or concerns, please feel free to email me.

Dr. Starbuck

Answer
Acupuncture would be a great way, and they may know some other natural healers also.  As of nutrition, I am unsure what is available in Asia, but you can research homeopathic medicines for neurologic complaints on the internet.  There are many natural "roots" that help with neurologic symptoms.  You could also ask the acupuncturist about nutrition.  Good Luck

Dr. Starbuck