Go to your primary, or a good chiropractor.

 

WHOA!! STOP the presses!!!!! I whole heartedly disagree with a "cracker practor". Stay far away from a DO Chiropractor. Go to your primary care doctor and get them to get you into a Neurologist. You don't want some fool twisting and bending your back without knowing what lies underneath. You need an MRI and probably one with contrast. Been there, done that. And for the record I am 64.... "will you still need me, will you still feed me, when I'm 64".....

 

Well that would be your opinion. A Chiropractor will do a full set of spinal x-rays before any treatment. I know I have been to some good ones and saw but did not use ones that didn't x-ray first. I have also been sent to rehab by My PCP and Nerve specialist. All you get is exercises to help straighten and align the back.Sometimes it helps and sometimes it don't.

 

What TJ said, a good chiropractor is a lot different today. Many are doctors of physical therapy/sports medicine. Most of the ol’ back crackers are gone.

 

X-rays don't show soft tissue...... PERIOD. When I first started having back problems I went to a very good chiropractor and my back got worse. It wasn't until I stopped going and found treatment from a real doctor. Chiropractors are not full fledged many years of schooling doctors. I equate them to a guy flipping burgers at Micky D's and calling himself a chef. And your assessment of "All you get is exercises" tells me that you probably didn't follow the orders and do said exercises.....

To the OP. You can do and see whomever you wish, but I strongly suggest you skip the Cracker Practor.......

 

Funny. If you were to call any of the Physical Therapists I've been to a Chiropractor, they would throw you out of the office. So far, I've had my right shoulder repaired/rebuilt. Both elbows have been repaired (torn bicep in the right and a different tear in the left). I dislocated the left shoulder last March and am still dealing with it (never saw a DR about it. Put it back in place myself) It needs surgery as well. I don't feel like forking out $6K for the out of pocket expense. So, yes, I know about PT.

 

See your primary care Dr first. He may refer you to an orthopedic dr.

My wife is a RN/BSN. My close nephew and his wife are chiropractors. We are reluctant to go to a chiropractor before a full medical work up.

Xrays will not show everything. XRay, plus MRI is the gold standard for back issues.

As as I stated previously my wife went to PT which only aggravated her sciatica. Spinal injections from pain management dr did not work for her. She finally was referred to a Orthopedic Surgeon. Immediately after surgery her pain was GONE. That was 3 years ago.

This is may not be the answer for everyone but your primary will know where to send you.

 

My wife is a RN/CRNI plus some other letters LOL. Actually with the CRNI she is one of aprox 3000 nurses in the WORLD with that certification. She is currently working on her masters. I agree with Flyct. Go see your primary care physician and let them decide where/who you should see. As far as the x-ray/MRI Even though everyone knows you will need an MRI one must first have the x-ray done to satisfy the BIG INS BS.... Insurance in the country is really stoopid

 

I am a severe sciatica sufferer which is caused by a 10mm fragment of disc between L3 & L4 breaking off. How bad is my sciatica? When I woke up on my way to the floor about 3 years ago with a cramp in my right inner quad that felt like something was going to detach itself from my knee, I knew it was time to address this issue with something other than traditional medical approaches. Enter natural anti-inflammatories, yoga, a 17 F-150 and my current project of developing a 3 piece set of pillows to help sufferers of sciatic pain. So far the progress is good. I can not fly because of the extended periods of sitting. In the 2 years and just under 40,000 miles I have put on the truck running to see my elderly mother in MN I can honestly say F-150 seats are pretty good. The cure for the sciatica issue for me is to stop every couple of hours at a rest area and do a brief yoga routine to address the tightness in my lower back. The worst thing for causing a sciatic nerve issue is extended periods of sitting. Don’t place the blame on the seats because, unfortunately, the problem is with your core strength and posture. Welcome to the club and enjoy the modifications you are going to have to make to address your sciatica. You may get to the point you have to spend some money on a seat upgrade but be careful if you do this. Do not buy the cheapest seat because it feels better. Go name brand with a Recaro or Sparco. People that build great seats.
Good luck and welcome to the club.

 

I had severe sciatica prior to getting my 19 f150 and it has been improving in the months since. Sciatica is nasty, I have a herniated L4/L5 disc and it takes a lot of time to heal. Surgery is an option, but my neurologist suggested conservative treatment and after 7 months, my life is getting closer to normal, finally.

 

I've been to two chiropractors, the first was a classic old back cracker the second one I played football with in high school and have know going on 25 years so when he heard my name on the call list he knew I was likely in pain if I actually called to get in. The first time I went to see the one who is my old friend was after a youth deer season of sitting on a tripod seat in a ground blind and being leaned over as well as other chores in life at the time. The second time a few years later I told him exactly what I was doing and how my foot slipped while carrying a saddle after riding a horse when my back decided to puke and cause alot of pain. After several appointments I told him I wanted to find a good trainer and get back some of the strength I once had and get in better shape (keep in mind at the times we were both 37). Turns out the gym he owned on the other side of the building he had a trainer that worked with several of his clients, after a few months of torture from him I felt like I was 19 again when working, living, working out etc.
After not being with that trainer for a year and a half now I'm starting to feel more into my late 20's and when I ran into said trainer I got an earful on some of the weight I have gained back.. which got me back in the gym more frequently.

Back to the original post, yes a change in seats can cause back problems. The truck I used to own I never noticed that the seat was worn out on the door side of the drivers seat, my dad drove it and mentioned it and it kinda made sense because the opposite side hip always hurt. That being said I still had that truck when working out with a trainer where the issue went away and never resurfaced since owning that truck. I recommend a trainer and workout regimen over replacing the seats or an entire truck.

Also it may help if you raise the seat up where your arms can rest on the door and the center console more evenly to keep your spine more straight.