Question
QUESTION: My lower back (low as the pelvic bone and few inches higher than tail bone) began hurting randomly exactly 3 months ago, as if I was on my feet all day. I am a healthy, 18 year old female who danced for 8 years, quit a year ago, and took up sprinting every other day for exercise 6 months ago. The pain has been constant for 3 months, and I find that sitting hurts more than standing. Stretches relieve pain as I do them, but within an hour the pain becomes worse than before. Anything but having a straight back makes the pain worse. My entire back also seems to be fragile now. Leaning in one position for just 10 mins causes a new pain in a new part of my back that lasts all day...in addition to the lower back pain. I also have pain in my mid-back when I take deep breaths, and 90% of the time I can hear/feel my back crack when I take the breath, which has never happened before.
My doctor took X-rays, blood and urine tests and found nothing wrong and did not give me advice. I do not have any sports medicine physicians in my area either. I miss being active and tired of being in constant pain...I am too young for this!
I don't know who to see or if anyone can even help me, as it isn't an obvious problem like a gash or broken arm. Help me please!

ANSWER: Hi Barbara,

You have a very common problem.  It is the main problem that chiropractors deal with on a daily basis.   All current guidelines suggest that x-rays are not necessary and cannot determine where the source of pain is.   You need to find a good chiropractic doctor to examine you and try a short course of treatment.   Check the following sites and find someone you like:  www.westhartfordgroup.com  www.acbsp.com   www.grastontechnique.com

It is revealing that stretching reduces the pain.  It points a mechananical underpinnings to your condition.   If all goes well, and you find a good practitioner, you should find relieve in as little as two treatment sessions.  

p.s.  no more x-rays...

'Best regards,

Dr. G

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Sorry for replying to this as I know you have more questions to answer, but how exactly do I find a good chiro? The majority of individuals tell me to find a physical therapist because most chiros only want your money (no offense! not my words), and it is nearly impossible to find one who truly has your best health in mind.
Any advice on finding a "good" one?

Also, I tried doing the course of stretches and I don't think I made it clear, but I hardly feel any pain at all when I do the stretch/bend over. However, as soon as I stand up again or straighten my back, the pain is back in an instant and the stretches made it 3x worse than before. So my back muscles are happiest (well, for the first min only) when it is extended all the way over, but as soon as my muscles constrict back, the pain is so much worse. So it seems that stretching just makes it worse.

Also, I can actually feel tender spots on random parts of my two back muscles (whatever major two are on either side of my spine), and the muscles are seem to be the cause of my pain also.

Last thing. I am terrified that this pain will never go away. I don't want to spend the next few years in constant pain and popping medication. Do back problems generally clear up?

Answer
Barbara,

It's too bad your friends have such a negative opinion on chiropractors.  What I want you to do is to go to the web sites I listed.  I'll list them again below.  I promise you, that the doctors on the www.westhartfordgroup.com site are surely the best you'll find anywhere.   Also, any chiropractor that achieves the DACBSP degree is very well trained: see www.acbsp.com    Also, DC's that take the time and expense to become certified in Graston Technique are interested in learning the best way to address soft tissue problems, not steal your money.  See: www.grastontechnique.com    

'Regards,

Dr. G
www.drgillman.com