Been for fist physiotherapy session, what are your experiences?

I have just had another mri on my back (I have 3 herniated discs, with sciatica, had a micro discectomy 10months ago). I was waiting 3 weeks for this mri, it all depends where about in the uk you are, with waiting times.

I too think you should get an MRI. The first time I had one, id just seen a physio who gave me the same exercises as you (good job as I'm also. on crutches permanently, for another problem). Anyways my I went for my mri, went back to the physio and it was a different lady. She said my back was so bad that there was nothing she could do and was recommending me fir an operation.

Insist on an MRI, you wont know how bad it is until you do.

As far as the codeine goes, I would keep that for times when it is most painful and see if an NSAID like diclofenac, naproxen or ibuprofen work, only because codeine is addictive.

Take care and Good Luck.

Hi Chris. I do sympathise with you as i was in the same situation and had to pester every GP in my practise before one agreed i needed a MRI. I was told by my Dr that the only way to get one quicker was to present at A&E and say you had problems with your bladder & bowels. I tried accupuncture and physio and think i did more harm than good but when the pain is excrutiating you try anything, rather than all the medication. i am happy to say i am now 3wks on from a discetomy, laminectomy and root de compression, im not pain free but it is early days. I really feel you should continue to harrass your GP for a MRI, sooner rather than later. Good luck

Go private

The girl I had told me she hated men !?? Little or no hands on gave me exercise sheet and had hydro which was a waste of time that was last year and I'm still in pain now I can't feel my feet or toes had MRI scan DDD L5 Si the specialist I saw said my back was fine now I'm seeing another specialist next week about my feet the only drug that has worked is amitriptyline.

Please be careful with pain relief medications, they can make pain worse plus they do not allow the brain to cope with the pain by producing your own endorphins. Also pain relief has a very high instance of constipation which can cause low back pain too. 

Im sure the physio is used to seeing people with spinal problems and knows  what helps. She is right in that physio is normally the first line of treatment offered, along with acupuncture, aqua therapy or a tens machine. 

I'm sorry if I sound like a stuck record but being medically minded means I look at this as a process. 

What would warrant an urgent MRI, a trauma that would have a high indication of spinal injury or disc prolapse. A job that puts the spine under heavy pressure e.g warehouse workers, cleaners, nurses, firemen and fire women etc. Next high risk category are people over 40 or people who have a medical condition that affects the spine. 

A male aged 33, no trauma and onset less than 3 months commencing as a twinge in a butt cheek. Lots of people have periods of bad back pain which recover with some intense physio and heat/meds. Lower back pain is one of the most common causes of time off work and visits to a GP. 

Hope the physio helps and try Pilates which is really good for building core muscles. We are not far away from June now, and your date for  the MRI is not far away now.