Low back pain

by Joe
(Easton, MD)

I have a crushed T12 vertebra. Two years ago I hurt my R lower back in a twisting injury. This was a sailing racing injury and the season lasted another 6 months and so the condition became chronic.

Then 9 months ago I developed L sided pain while carrying a heavy object. That L sided pain was the same as that I had experienced 30 years ago when I found out that I had the crushed T12 vertebra. Only this time the pain did not radiate into my groin but stayed just across the R side of my back at the level of my iliac crest.

I have no buttock nor leg symptoms. Could I have Maignes-syndrome from the T12 nerve roots? And if so would Maignes exercises be appropriate? I have tried them and find that the extension of the lower back is very painful.

My MRI shows severe arthritis and spinal stenosis particularly of L2-3 and L3-4.

Any advise would be appreciated. I do go to a Chiropractor.





Hello Joe,
A good exercise reaches the pain, but don't enter the painful zone. Just get to the edge of the pain, and then go back into the flexion phase of those Maignes syndrome exercises.

Regularly excercising those facet joints is what bring fresh nutrients and oxygen to the cartilage lining the joints. So do them, gently, several times a day, it only takes a few minutes.

Extension pain points to a facet syndrome, consistent with what the MRI shows. Maignes syndrome is essentially a high lumbar facet syndrome.

Re consulting a chiropractor, you have to use your own sense about it. Certainly it's not a condition to rush in with heavy treatment where angels fear to tread. But backs like yours I deal with on a daily basis. McManis chiropractic traction would be one good option.

Is it slowly getting better? Or worse? When you know it's not improving, then it's time to try something different.

Dr. Barrie Lewis


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