Lower back pain, doctor doesn't think it's slipped disc, what to do?

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Hi guys, 

I have had lower back pain for a few weeks now. It started after i performed very heavy deadlifts in the gym, then the following days my lower back felt really painful. The pain went away and came back sporadically, usually after intense exercise.

Anyway, to cut a long story short, about a week ago I was playing football and when i came home the pain was bad, so i iced it and rested up. In the evening that day, there was about 5 mins when the pain was really bad that i felt nautious and dizzy, but then it subsided. 

Since last week i have been performing core exercises and back extension exercises to help ease the back pain. I am still feeling the pain, but it is very mild pain. 

I went to the doctor this morning, he examined me and concluded that he didn't think it was a slipped disc and, instead, a sprain/strain in the lower back. The thing is, i am scared to perform any kind of intense exercise due to furthering damage to my lower back. 

I have heard that people can slip discs without knowing, so i am obviously not sure if the doctor has got his diagnosis 100% correct. Obviously, with him believing it to be a sprain/strain, he never suggested sending me for a scan or x-ray, so i don't know the full extent of the back pain. 

The pain is hardly noticeable at the moment, but i just don't want to further injure myself because i like working out. Do you think the doctor has got it right, or could it be a bulged disc? 

I want to think the doctor is correct, but i don't know. I can't afford an mri scan privately because my funds won't allow it, but what else can i do? An x-ray would only show so much, but not a lot. What should i do? 

2

If it was a slipped or bulging disc in your lower back it tends to be accompanied by leg pain either sharp and shooting or pins and needles or numbness.

With any back issue the treatment tends to be gentle mobility exercises with stretching and core work....which you seem do be doing.

If you get any leg or bum pain then go back and see your doctor.

Best advice is to listen to your body and do what it allows.

3

Thanks, pal. 

See, i don't really have any of those symptoms you describe. I occasionally have pain i feel in my lower back, but no shooting pains or numbness as such. 

To be honest, i think having this lower back problem has made me a lot more conscious of other signs & symptoms, and when this happens you end up mistaking any little sign for something worse. 

Thanks for the advice. If anyone else has had something similar, it would be great to hear your thoughts too. 

Thanks again, scott. 

4

Having been thru multiple spine issues in the last 3 decades...the latest of which was lumbar/spondylolisthesis surgery last summer by a neurosurgeon in the US...I definitely recommend an xray. I'm surprised your Dr. didn't send you for one. They are inexpensive and at least you'll have some peace of mind if it looks normal.

Considering you lift the weights you do and could certainly rupture a disc, it seems wise to do this. Meantime, don't move to fast to get back to lifting. I found over the years that really resting between episodes made a huge difference as opposed to jumping back into too much activity or exercising.  The patience is well worth it for letting muscles and sprains heal.