Ligament Sprain or Herniated Disc?
July 26, 2011 by Dr. Marc Darrow, M.D.
Filed under Back Pain
Damage to ligaments is estimated to be responsible for up to 70% of all cases of lower back pain. In my clinic, I would estimate these causes to be even higher.
Many people, over the age of 50, have disc problems but don’t even know they have a disc problem because the disc has not been causing them any pain.
But if someone tweaks a ligament in their lower back, usually the iliolumbar ligament, which connects the pelvis to the spine and they have an MRI done and it shows a herniated disc, their doctor is going to want to operate when it is not needed in the many cases I see. That disc may have been herniated for years and had not been causing any pain.
If we palpitated the area above the pelvis, where the iliolumbar ligament is, and it is pretty sore, Prolotherapy could help heal that injury without surgery.
So what does the Prolotherapy do? It strengthens the ligaments, and gets rid of the pain by stabilizing the spine. We also use the MedX exercise machine. The MedX works by strengthening the musculature of the back and increasing its range of motion, both of which have been found to decrease back pain. We would also align the spine with applied kineology. Combined, these treatments usually put us in very good shape. So if you were in a Los Angeles car accident, or a collision in some other city, and want to try pain relief therapy that can heal the damaged joint, insurance may not cover it. But if you can prove it was reasonable and necessary expense, your car accident lawyer may be able to recover you money damages to pay for the therapy.
