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Lower Back Pain + Tingling In Both Arms/Legs

Posted , 7 users are following.

jon.kf.x45
jon.kf.x45

2014 fall I injured my lower back via Squats and DeadLifts. I didn't have correct form and was rounding my lower back. I had been lifting incorrectly for almost half a year. I went to see my physiotherapist doctor that said that I had slight scoliosis and suggested that I perform a series of stretches and core strengthening exercise daily. I have been doing these exercises daily ever since then.

Last month, my back began to get much better. I have gained more then enough flexibility to touch my toes while standing up straight, and a lot of core strength to perform 12 solid reps of hanging leg raises. Although my back still felt a bit sore, I figured that I can start my Squating and DeadLifting slowly.

Two weeks ago, I think I must have pulled something as the next day my back was extremely sore and I couldn't even touch my toes. A few days later, I felt like my entire body was very tired. A few days ago I started to feel concentrated pain on my lower back just to the right of my spine. Also, I started to feel a tingling sensation mainly in my right foot, and occasionally in my left foot, and both arms. Today, my fingers and toes would periodically start feeling ice-cold, and I would sometimes get a bit dizzy.

I had done a bit of Googling and it seems like this is pointed to a pinch nerve. Tomorrow morning I am going to book an appointment with my doctor, but in the mean time I am wondering if anyone can help diagnose what issue I have? In addition, I have a bunch of questions:

1) What sort of problem do I have? Do I have a pinch nerve? Is this a serious issue, or will it go away? What is the worse that can happen?

2) Should I get an x-ray? Or see some sort of specialist?

3) Are there any stretches/exercise/positions I should avoid?

4) Are there any stretches/exercise/positions I should definitely do to accelorate the healing process? 

5) When I slouch, my back feels better. Should I continue slouching?

1 like, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • mel77
    mel77 jon.kf.x45

    Posted

    Hi jon:

    I believe you are still pretty new here as you have expressed some on going condition and mentioned the word diagnosis.  It is possible you have over did it on the excercising.  You physical therapist should keep track of what you perform, weight and repitition of various excercises that you do.  Yes, the way you tell what has happened to you, it does seem like a back strain of some sort.  Feeling this tingling situation, numbness in the legs could be a pinched nerve.  I am no doctor so I am unable to advise or diagnose this situation.  I am just like you , a patient who ask questions and get some helpful advice of where to search out more information on your computer and have it to present to your doctor.  What is causing your dizziness is something only a doctor can test for and send you to a specialist if need be.  These are some of the points you should discuss with your doctor.  Whether he will offer x-rays, or other tests, that I wouldnt know.  Not always can doctors pin point the exact cause.  Sometimes it has to be gradual of what they would want to test for.  Also, it can clear up by itself.  The doctor would be the person to confide in this instance and see where you stand.  I wish you good luck and just hang in there.  Everything will be alright.

    mel

  • lindagkelly
    lindagkelly jon.kf.x45

    Posted

    My boyfriend had a minor surgerie - a laminectomy I believe which fixed his back, later he did have some more pain, but he got some injections and an RFA and has not had any problems since then.

    Good luck!

  • lindagkelly
    lindagkelly jon.kf.x45

    Posted

    P.S. He hurt himself the same way you did.   He recovered fully and works out 4 times a week with a trainer.  He is 67 years old and in great shape!

     

  • christine22151
    christine22151 jon.kf.x45

    Posted

    Hi Jon I had hiernated disc in my neck and my symptoms are post op cold feet only at night I justt had my 12 month check doc said my spine was badly compressed for 18 months before I got the scan 5. docs at my surgery failed to spot it I had tests to no avail till I demanded a scan try not to let them put you off the scan the longer you wait the worse it got so my nerves are I hope will heal but it takes time my neck pain as gone and my fatigue it's my cold feet at night and left arm burning and my walking I do hope to improve further with time I would leave heavyweights alone till you get scan I'm booked for another will let you know how it goes hope you get sorted ....
    • lindagkelly
      lindagkelly christine22151

      Posted

      Hi Christine

      You definitely have some nerve damage to your feet and probably your arms too, you poor thing.  I take gabapentin to help with the nerve damage in my feet and it does help.  they have also just started me on amitriptyline which helps with nerve pain  But I am only going to take it at night because it WILL make you sleepy.  Best of luck to you.  I hope you continue to get better.  I recently had a sympathetic nerve block in L3-L4 and it helped with my foot pain for a few days so they followed it up with an RFA.   radio frequency ablation.  I have had 3 days of relief now ,which is a great sign.  The pain you are feeling in your feet and arm is called neuropathy. 

    • christine22151
      christine22151 lindagkelly

      Posted

      Hi hope you continue to improve the doc said injection for me no good I have to go 6 more months for improvement he thinks but as ordered a M R I for me so will see what's going on in UK I think they are different to you in U S ....
    • lindagkelly
      lindagkelly christine22151

      Posted

      do you know where they are scanning, did they say lumbar, or thoracic or cervical? Lumbar would be your low spine, L1-S1, Thoracic would be the middle of your back, I think it's T1-T12, Cervical would be your neck and C1-C7
  • Amos2015
    Amos2015 jon.kf.x45

    Posted

    Hi Jon.

    I would suggest you go to doctor and ask him for an mri scan to be done.

    I suffered with back pain for 2.5 years. The scan showed stenosis in my neck and lower back disc problems. Each one requiring surgery first 25th April 2016 2nd to follow later in year after all clear from first.

    I'm being seen by a physio and he told me no exercise until after all operations.

    Wish you luck in finding out answer to your problems.

  • iellen32
    iellen32 jon.kf.x45

    Posted

    The best advice I can give you is to do not do anything before a doctor consultation.

    Wish you the very best.

    Take care.

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