Any back / spine specialists out there??

[Ally T]

In early January I just suddenly noticed that when I get into bed at night, the area of my spine above the small of my back but below the shoulder blades, was sore. This is not a pain like a back ache, doesn't hinder movement or daily activity - there is nothing AT ALL until I come to lie down on my back on a flat surface like when I get into bed. It was also troublesome when I pressed my left foot on the clutch pedal in my car (manual gears in the UK!) and again, the spine area sort of arches the wrong way (into an outward curve) & pressure is applied from the back of the seat. This has eased considerably, but the sitting into bed, swinging my legs up & rolling backwards is still painful.

It's really weird. It feels like it's in my skin but there has been no bumps, no bruising, nothing to see & absolutely nothing to feel. But if I arch backwards & grip the skin when it become looser, it feels tender. On Monday I saw a new Physiotherapist who did a complete examination. She pointed out some lower back / pelvis issues I have had for over 20 years since a car accident (lower spine area below the small of my back is very ridged, flat & can ache a lot, plus a hip injury) & also felt the bony spurs on the lower vertebrae were all at alternate angles, compensating for one that's obviously been thrown out in the deep dark past. She assured me i didn't need to see a Dr as technically, I am not ill with this & there is absolutely no impact upon my daily life, exercise, work or activities. I have no sciatica or other issues, I am fit, I run & do HIIT training weekly - it really is a mystery!

Could it be an inflamed nerve? Is that even a thing?? I have used the same Physio for years since a break to the neck, but this lady is a fellow mummy from school who offered to pop buy & check me out for free. She is also coming back next Monday between clients to have another go at me. She feels it can be resolved & is just something that has appeared due to the issues immediately lower down. She felt if we addressed these obvious things, then it may very well resolve itself. It's worth noting that I am a recovering hyperchondriac & I try not to rush to my Dr too often. Nine times out of ten, things resolve themselves for me if I can not panic or be impatient, which my mother AND the Physio friend has told me not to do with this as it really obviously is nothing serious, just tender.

Has anyone out there every experienced anything similar? A slight bruised feeling upon applying pressure, but no other pain or mobility issues? I am now into month 3 & whilst it is definitely less painful, it is still bothering me

 

[Slickk]

I don't have much time right now but I wanted to direct you to look up Enthesopathy. I've also had cervical neck surgery and I have titanium implants and a harms cage, but I have found that in that area that you're talking about, I've had flare ups of enthesopathy. It feels like it is in the skin and it gets very tender. I'll check back later. Feel well!!

 

[Ally T]

Thank you @Sandeek . I have never heard of that, so shall have a look when the children are in bed later & I have a bit of peace! It almost feels like a pressure sore from sleeping on my back!

 

[Slickk]

Thank you @Sandeek . I have never heard of that, so shall have a look when the children are in bed later & I have a bit of peace! It almost feels like a pressure sore from sleeping on my back!

You're welcome! I am in between meetings...
I am no expert, but I have a long history of genetic spinal ailments...Google Spinal Enthesopathy symptoms. I find it presents as a very tender bruise-like 'pain' which I also feel when laying on it or moving a certain way. It does come and go...
I'll come back when I'm done and hopefully you've had time to look it up.

 

[Ally T]

@Sandeek Yes, it definitely seems it could be something like this. A bit more unusual in the spine, but can occur. I shall try to look up some strengthening exercises for the back & possibly take things a bit more easy at work - I twist a lot whilst lifting heavy objects. I shall also mention it to the Physio friend! Hopefully it will respond by itself.

Would you recommend I see my Dr, or shall I hold off & exercise it etc to see if it disappears as quickly as it came, which was literally overnight?!

 

[missy]

@Alex T I don't have any info to share but just wanted to say I hope you feel better soon.

My only thought to share here is that since you do have a physio friend definitely have her come and take a look and perhaps she could help guide you through some exercises that might help without harming? My only concern about you doing this without an expert's help is that if the exercises are not done properly you could hurt yourself further.

 

[Ally T]

@missy Good advice. I shall message her this morning & let her know, so that she can do some homework before she gets here on Monday.

 

[OoohShiny]

If your spine is all over the place, as your physio friend suggests it might be, you should consult a chiropractor - they are likely to take X-rays as part of their initial assessment, which would help diagnose any spinal column alignment issues, and they can then manipulate things back to how they should be over a few weeks. They are not cheap (or at least mine isn't... lol) but I do feel better for being 'unlocked' regularly. If combined with (qualified) massage or physiotherapy, to train the muscles into the shapes they should be and stop them pulling your spine back into the wrong alignment, it does help a lot IME.

 

[Ally T]

@OoohShiny I unfortunately refuse to see a chiropractor, as it was an incident with one of those whilst realigning my spine & neck that snapped my C7 vertebrae. As you can imagine, I shudder whenever I hear the very word 'chiropractor'!

I know many people really rate their treatment, but I have happily stuck with the same Physiotherapist ever since, who managed to gently put my neck back together. He has now kept my body ticking over for 11 years. I have spoken with my mummy Physio friend to see if this new information is something she will take on for me (I'll have to pay her & have proper sessions) or if she would prefer me to see my long standing chap instead.

 

[ilovegemstones]

No input sorry but I think you might find more spinel specialists here than spine specialists!

 

[JDDN]

All good advice so far, and personally I am not a huge fan of chiropractic care, especially for the C-spine. I used to tell patients if they absolutely loved their chiropractor and felt a lot better, fine, but please avoid for any neck issues.

I just wanted to say if it persists to the point where you are very bothered by it or if it gets worse, you'll want an MRI. The X ray is great for structural and alignment information like Ooooh Shiny mentioned. It is the MRI however that will give you information on soft tissue, so things like a pinched nerve, collapsed disc, etc.

 

[lyra]

See a doctor and get a referral? Maybe to a rheumatologist just in case. Do you have arthritis or psoriasis in your family? An MRI would be great, but I don't know how easy that is to arrange where you are. Here it takes a referral.

 

[Ally T]

@lyra it needs a referral here from your Dr too, and the NHS is, well, a bit of a waiting game unfortunately, even for some urgent but non life threatening issues. I am going to phone my Physio chap & talk him through things. In the past he has saved me many Dr appointments as generally he can fix me. He has only referred me to the Dr on one occasion.

No history of arthritis in my family, no. I have no swellings or joint issues & my spine feels completely as it should do, so it would appear this is a wear & tear issue. Gosh, I really am knocking on a bit!!

 

[Ally T]

Thanks @JJDN Hopefully I can nip it in the bud & not let it get to that stage. As @Sandeek says, it can come & go, so is manageable, thankfully.

ETA: I have phoned my usual Physio. He advised to see a Dr if the pain was unmanageable, but to book in to see him too because he can realign, strengthen & ease to nip in the bud. He knows I don't have any arthritic issues. Obviously I am not in any pain apart from when I roll into bed at night, so he said just to go see him, so all booked in.

Thanks everyone. Hopefully I'll be fixed before it gets too out of hand!

 

[OoohShiny]

@OoohShiny I unfortunately refuse to see a chiropractor, as it was an incident with one of those whilst realigning my spine & neck that snapped my C7 vertebrae. As you can imagine, I shudder whenever I hear the very word 'chiropractor'!

I was thinking about this after I read your post - although I disagree with the trend towards blame culture and compensation culture in recent years, if you have been injured in the course of treatment by a trained, qualified, insured medical practitioner, you should seek redress accordingly.

 

[Ally T]

@OoohShiny I did. He doesn't practice anymore. And I didn't seek compensation on a whim either, which I know is absolutely not what you are implying in this instance, but there definitely is a ridiculous blame & compensation culture in the U.K. It was a long road to recovery for me with a dizzy, drunken head for 18 months due to severe nerve damage, muscle tears & a loose piece of bone still lodged 3 vertebra lower that occasionally causes me pain. I had Physio for 2 years following the accident & have had to go pretty much every winter since, as the cold makes the muscles lock up. I also now have a head that can 'over rotate' (not quite to the extreme of an Owl ) which causes aching at the base of my skull. I am a creaky cracking sound display!

 

[OoohShiny]

@OoohShiny I did. He doesn't practice anymore. And I didn't seek compensation on a whim either, which I know is absolutely not what you are implying in this instance, but there definitely is a ridiculous blame & compensation culture in the U.K. It was a long road to recovery for me with a dizzy, drunken head for 18 months due to severe nerve damage, muscle tears & a loose piece of bone still lodged 3 vertebra lower that occasionally causes me pain. I had Physio for 2 years following the accident & have had to go pretty much every winter since, as the cold makes the muscles lock up. I also now have a head that can 'over rotate' (not quite to the extreme of an Owl ) which causes aching at the base of my skull. I am a creaky cracking sound display!

I'm glad to hear that you were suitable compensated and he is no longer a risk to anyone else!

I quite want to see your owl impression, though lol