New York, NY
A 65-year-old female asked:
65 yr fem, herniated disc of lumbar mri show mild disc bulge from l1-l2 to l4-l5, slight degen. grade 1 retrolisthesis. had 1 month therapy. osteoporosis. i have severe back and left side pain. what next? acupuncture? pain mngmt? shot in back?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Heidi Fowleranswered
Psychiatry 27 years experience
Pain: First question - were any of these MRI findings believed to be the cause of the back and left side pain? Has an orthopedic surgeon been consulted? If not, recommend that. Depending on his/her findings - there may be a number of treatment options. Acupuncture won't fix the actual intervertebral disc problems but it can often reduce inflammation in the surrounding area & improve range of motion,
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654 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Heidi Fowler commented
Psychiatry 27 years experience
Provided original answer
circulation and lymphatic drainage. Acupuncture may be of significant benefit - but please discuss this with your medical provider. Per the World Health Organization - use of acunpuncture in the treatment of low back pain is categorized as "Diseases, symptoms or conditions for which acupuncture has been proved – through controlled trials—to be an effective treatment."
Jun 18, 2017
Last updated Nov 28, 2017
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