Lower back / sciatica / pinched nerves

[saor]

Hurt my back a few weeks ago.
Just woke up with it feeling wrong.

Last few days I've had a pressure on my upper legs running down the back of the leg to my foot. The other day my arm felt strange. Yesterday the pain is completely gone. Today it's kinda back again but just in my lower back. It doesn't feel at all like a muscle pain - it feels like various nerves are being pinched on different days depending on whatever is happening in there.

Where to go first to get a proper diagnosis?
I'd probably prefer at least an xray - is this done through a physiotherapist?
Is it worth considering a Chiro?

Just not 100% sure how to proceed in the coming days.
Would appreciate any advice and recommendations for places to go in Cape Town. The Sports Science Institute (in Newlands) is just down the road if that's something to consider.

Thanks.

 

[upup]

Chiro or Physio, but as you said, go to Chiro.

We must all look after so many things, including our back.

 

[OCP]

MRI or CT scan to confirm slipped or prolapsed disc.
Usually the S5 vertibrae has a protruding disc which then pushes against the S1 nerve causing pain in leg all the way down to toes.

Numbness and wet feeling is also quite common.

Not much you can do other than rest and take it easy - should resolve itself painwise between 4 to 8 weeks.
If after 4 weeks the pain is still the same surgery becomes an option (the portruding portion of the disc is removed) but that only helps with the pain and does nothing for future prevention.

Surgery recovery is 4 to 8 weeks also and carries some risk so it's a difficult decision.

If there is no disc left and you are over the age of 50 they may recommend fusing vertibrae together.

Either way you need to wait for pain to subside to regain movement and then exercise to strengthen your core muscles which will go a long way to prevent further injury.

Nb - none of this is medical advice but front my experience with a slipped disc 5 years ago.
Made a full recovery without surgery and back is now stronger than before.