Mr. G's case study
Two months ago, I suffered an unfortunate fall down a flight of stairs, severely bruising my right buttock. Immediately thereafter, I began to experience pain and numbness that radiated from the bruised area down the back of my right thigh.
Medical consultation revealed a lumbar disc herniation. Despite undergoing medication and traction treatments, there was no discernible improvement in my symptoms.
On my own initiative, I looked into pelvic correction exercises and incorporated them into my routine, which has somewhat mitigated the pain. However, throughout the day, I still experience discomfort and tingling sensations that span from my buttock to the back of my thigh. While I find relief when lying down, lifting my right thigh while seated sends sharp pains down its rear.
Primary Symptoms of Mr.G:
Sharp pain down the back of the right thigh when lifting it while seated.
Persistent tingling sensations and pain from the buttock to the back of the thigh throughout the day.
A feeling of heaviness in the center of the lower back after prolonged sitting.
No pain experienced when lying down.
Post-Treatment Progress:
After the first session: Approximately 30% improvement in symptoms following chiropractic treatment.
Third session: Post-treatment symptoms reduced to below 50% of the initial intensity.
Fifth session: Mr. G no longer experienced the primary four symptoms. Therefore, after three weeks from the onset of treatment, a total of six sessions were concluded.
Director's Remarks:
The current symptoms resulted from bruising the gluteal muscles after the stair fall.
Although diagnosed with a herniated disc at the hospital, tests for lumbar stress, sensory reflexes in the legs, and other indicators showed no abnormalities. Hence, we concluded that the hernia might not be the direct cause of Mr. G's symptoms.
When muscles are injured, they tend to stiffen as they heal.
This hardened muscle area, spanning from the buttock to the back of the thigh, couldn't stretch as before, causing discomfort when moved.
Furthermore, even though no anomalies were observed during the pre-treatment examination, the tightened gluteal muscle could have mildly pressed on the sciatic nerve, possibly inducing sciatica.
Besides treatments, given Mr. G's job nature involving prolonged sitting, we recommended exercises to improve hip flexibility.
Video Guide: Lower Back Pain Care with Just One Tennis Ball
For those who've hardened their gluteal muscles due to injuries, consider using a tennis ball while seated to alleviate the tightness. Individuals who often sit for long durations, such as during desk work, might unknowingly stress their gluteal muscles, causing them to stiffen. Trying this method might prove beneficial.
The affordability and appropriate firmness of a tennis ball make it an excellent massage tool, suitable for various parts of the body. It's highly cost-effective, and I recommend keeping one at home or in the office for regular use.