Hips and lower body numbness

[ohammersmith]

I thought I had a letter around here somewhere from the radiologist with an explanation, but I can't find the darn thing for the life of me.

I do have the CD of pics, though.

I didn't know which ones to grab so I just randomly picked ones that looked reasonable.

http://img.skitch.com/20090329-mq425...dudhdj3iqs.png
http://img.skitch.com/20090329-xjrs1...1yh516jush.png

I'll probably delete those in a few days.

Thanks, guys.

[russ]

The first image shows some disc bulge at L5-S1. The other levels show some early degenerative disc disease, but nothing to write home about. I can't assess the facet joints from that image alone. The second image is normal. I gather your problems are at L5-S1?

[ohammersmith]

I'm not really sure to be honest. Most of my actual symptoms aren't in the back, so much as hip inflexibility and glute tight/soreness.

In any case, confirmed spinal stenosis with the doc. He said it's weird in a 33 y.o. We're gonna set up a surgical consult more of a "what to avoid so I don't need you" than a "hey cut me open." Mostly because I was asking questions he really couldn't answer.

He meant to have one of the PT's in and help me out with some stretches exercises but we forgot. Gonna leave him a message or something to maybe get a referral.

I discovered today that making a point of contracting my psoas helps. A lot. I have to be careful not to contract glutes at the same time. It's like when I'm trying to not move my ears when I wiggle my nose. I can do it, but it's weird.

Anyway, so I know:

* pidgin/priformis stretch helps a bit, but not for long
* contracting psoas helps a good bit, and basically aligns me good and suchlike.
* better shoes, esp earth shoes help stretch the calf & hammy but I can't handle it for long periods of time (multiple days)

So, other than the current, "lose weight and exercise" any thoughts on something specific I could do that would help?

I did some deads on the freemotion machine as well as some rotational cable stuff. The deads felt awesome, the rotational stuff felt like if I went very heavy or gave too much range of motion I'd have tweaked something.

Long winded... thanks in advance.

[Willie]

Throughout all of my disc problems (bulges at L4-L5 and L5-S1), I never had any back pain. In fact, I often remarked to the doctors that my back had never felt better.

Would you be open to Acupuncture? Helped me, A LOT.

[ohammersmith]

Might look into it. The chiro didn't help much but did some. mostly the massagy table thing was the help.

How much does that sort of thing usually cost? I assume around the same as a chiro if not a little less.

[Willie]

Originally Posted by ohammersmith

Might look into it. The chiro didn't help much but did some. mostly the massagy table thing was the help.

How much does that sort of thing usually cost? I assume around the same as a chiro if not a little less.

My insurance covered the Acupuncture, minus a $20 copay. If nothing else, I figured it was a really great, $20 nap. And, it's like one-stop shopping. I'd go in, and he'd ask how I was feeling. If I said, "oh, this muscle is sore," or "I have the sniffles and a headache," he'd give me a needle for those ailments as well!

[UConnJulie]

Stenosis at 33 ... I would assume congenital versus degenerative.
Best exercises typically are those that strengthen your abs and put you in a slight posterior pelvic tilt. Strong hamstrings and glutes.
I'll be interested in what the surgeon says ... when do you go?

[ohammersmith]

cool, I had /just/ figured out the pelvic tilt thing.

appointment is may something... haven't listened to the voicemail again, yet.