facet syndrome? or disc herniation?

12 days ago somewhere between taking a shower and washing my hair, something crazy happened to my back. The symptoms I exhibited included major pain in the whole lower back region (can't remember if one side was worse than the other, sorry), antalgia (to the right), sudden increase of pain w/laughing and changing positions too rapidly, and inability to sit for very long at all (could sit for a short while on the edge of the bed but not in a chair). My pain was relieved by lying down as long as my legs were bent. Walking was not comfortable but doable. I couldn't lean forward from the hips without a lot of support.

I never could pinpoint the exact moment it all happened. A couple days before one of the long muscles running to the right of my spine over my kidney was sore and tight and moist heat helped it. I contemplated a deep-tissue massage Tuesday or Wednesday but decided against it then Thursday morning Bam! Spasm hit, and I was done.

I was incredibly fortunate in that I was able to see a chiro within 4-5 hrs of onset of symptoms (and inexpressibly thankful since he had to leave his Thanksgiving celebrations w/family to see me!!). Among other adjustments, he was able to perform the lie-on-side-upper-leg-bent maneuver when I was lying on my left side and tested the opposite side but wouldn't force it. After treatment (as much as my rigid muscles would allow) he applied electrical stimulation, recommended ice, NSAIDS, and a brace all w/appropriate instructions, and told me some activity was okay especially to keep things from being stiff but to not overdo it. I was told to expect pain going from non-weight bearing positions to anything else.

Post-treatment I was still exhibiting the antalgia and pain but my mobility was quite a bit better. The next morning - less than 24 hrs later - when I returned for follow-up my chiropractor expressed pleasure w/my progress and repeated treatment. This time he was able to adjust both hips! I increased my activity _slightly_ that day but was still worn out. Ice, NSAIDS, and Dad's portable TENS unit were my buddies!

12 days and 2 more treatments later, I'm antalgia-free and mobility has returned. I did used the brace heavily for 3 days then decreased usage of it thereafter. I have restricted (almost eliminated) my lifting since the injury. I have begun doing stretches as per the chiropractor's recommendation- 4 days out of 7 so far. I feel tightness across the hips and lower back but this discomfort I recognize: this typically is how my back feels after long days of sitting or driving.

A quick back history: I'm a 29 yo female, first visited a chiro after sitting through 3-hr long college classes w/a couple 10 minute breaks. Like I said, I'm familiar w/the way my back feels now. I've had on and off chiropractic maintenance since then, only other major event was 5 yrs ago when I had some sacro-iliac joint problems. Usually the first thing someone (massage therapist or a chiro) says when they lay hands on my back "Wow! you are tight!" I have a high pain tolerance (sometimes a good thing, sometimes not) and I carry a lot of tension.


My questions for you are:

Did I slip a disc? or did I have facet syndrome?
The chiro I saw said facet syndrome when I asked exactly what happened but did mention something about disc injury to my family in the waiting room. Can facet syndrome present w/antalgia like I had? And if it's discogenic in nature, what can I do to prevent it happening again? (My confusion here largely stems from conflicting info I'm finding in my research. Some says antalgia happens w/disc herniation only; other sources say it's possible to have antalgia w/facet syndrome, too. Help!)

Should I be building back up to lifting things (while using good body mechanics, yes yes) or should I continue to abstain?
My lifestyle is built around travel so I live from luggage. :\ I am downsizing and switching to backpacks instead of folding garment bags w/only one strap.

I greatly appreciate any insight you can share in my endeavor to learn more about what happened to me. I hope I've not inundated you with too much info.

Hello OR,
I can't give you a definitive answer, but it seems from this distance that you have had a disc injury, the usual cause of antalgias. Were you leaning towards, or away from the pain? http://www.chiropractic-help.com/Postero-Medial-Disk-Herniation.html

I personally think antalgias are less common with facet syndromes, though I've certainly seen them, but mostly in older folk. Younger people of your age are more likely to have disc antalgias. No pain in your leg?

I seems to me that you have been well cared for by your chiropractor, excellent, a bottle of red wine for Christmas!

If your back is continually tight, ask her/her to evaluate you for a short leg.

I'm afraid back pain goes with your life style. Backs don't like sitting.

Yes, I strongly recommend an exercise programme done every morning before getting out of bed. But beware, the wrong exercises can make this worse. Be guided by your chiro.

http://www.chiropractic-help.com/Lower-back-exercises.html

Accept this will take 6 weeks to heal. You are now in the dangerous time, a set back will likely give you pain down the leg. Avoid deep luxury chairs, generally sit less for a month, and go down on one knee when picking something off the floor. Good luck.
Dr B