Understanding Your Limits During Recovery

Serious low back problems including sciatica, arthritis, herniated and bulging discs require special care.  A lot of patients come to my office with these problems after seeing other doctors because I utilize IDD Therapy and Laser Therapy, both of which have the benefits of relieving pain quickly and rebuilding the muskuloskeletal component for long term relief.

Sheila was referred to my office by her daughter.   I consulted and examined Sheila and determined she had lumbar disc problems, sciatica , arthritis and muscle spasms.  We began treatment utilizing IDD Therapy and LiteCure Laser therapy.  I explained that after 20,000 patients over the last 17 years I have found a pattern for relief.  I shared that good pain relief occurs by the 3rd week, a flare occurs in the 5th week, and full relief is established by the 8th week.  Sheila asked, “Why is there a flare in the 5th week?”  I explained that after a few weeks of feeling well, patients overdo it and cause muscle soreness.  Sheila, like everyone else, said “I wont overdo it! I don’t want the pain to come back.”  I once again said that 99% of the patients say that and still end up overdoing it, which is fine because it shows that they have made excellent progress that has allowed them to increase their activity.

 

 

Today was Sheila’s 3rd visit and she has had no pain since her first session.  I asked how she was feeling and she replied, “I have a lot of pain in my lower back and legs.” I asked her if there was a specific reason why her pain had dramatically increased.  To that, Sheila replied, ” I did some gentle weeding, but took it easy and spread it our over many hours.”  I laughed and explained that while her disc and joint pain has eased, we haven’t had that time to recondition her muscles, which led to the flare.   I also explained that it was great news that she felt good enough to do an activity should hasn’t been able to do for years.

Sheila now holds the record for the quickest patient to disregard my warning about overdoing it: 2 visits.

Wishing you good health,