I would suggest you look for a fellowship-trained spinal specialist. This can be either a neurosurgeon or an orthopedic spinal surgeon who devote their practice to issues of the back and neck. You will probably need a MRI to find out what's going on. X-rays do not show soft tissue and would not reveal a disc problem and many other issues as well.

Chiropractors are good for some issues, but I think you are probably wasting a lot of time if you don't have a proper diagnosis. If this is a disc issue and there is nerve compression, a chiropractor could make the situation worse, rather than better.

I regret wasting a year listening to my internist telling me everything on my MRI looked "fine for someone my age." At that time I didn't know to request a copy of the MRI and of the radiology report, so I just took him at his word and kept doing what he suggested. The first spinal specialist I went to spent about two minutes with me and then sent me across the hall for flexion X-rays. He then could see within minutes what was wrong and that the only thing that would help my pain was to have a fusion. So I went from thinking nothing was wrong to being told a fusion was the only option. I wish I had gone straight to the spinal specialist. It would have saved me a lot of years spent in pain, time, money, etc.

Good luck. Sounds like you might want to stop PT for now until you actually know what is wrong.

Gwennie

Thanks for the reply.

I have stopped the physiotherapy and they are going to try acupuncture on me. This is the next step to being referred to a spinal surgeon and an MRI scan.

I will just have to see what happens during the next few weeks.

I'm a bit surprised that the chiro was unable to find the problem yet mentioned uneven leg length.
You can get that when a pelvic joint is either loose or locked up, and the pelvis doesn't sit right with the spine.
Pain is as you describe.
Pain killers hardly make a dent.
An x-ray or MRI of the area should pick it up.
Or try a different chiro, and tell him what you suspect it is.
I get that very frequently when I twist my lower back too much, and one of the pelvic joints locks up.
The chiro fixes it up immediately with a forceful treatment. Painless though!

I am with Gwennie on this one. You need a diagnosis. With the referred pain to your thigh and groin, you may have nerve compression. The longer spinal nerves are compressed, the more damage can occur. Over time, some of the damage can become permanent.

For your reference, here is a map of the areas affected by spinal nerves from the lumbar discs: http://www.backpain-guide.com/Chapter_Fig_folders/Ch06_Path_Folder/4Radi...

Best to you,

Marianne

AND MRI SCAN /CAT SCAN would be a good idea .but have you tried a good quality TENS ? it wont get rid of your pain but it may help reduce it .as for pain killers go and see you doctor and get some stronger ones..ice and heat may help .but get yourself a scan and dont take no for an answer you need to get a firm diagnosis ..as we all know on here constant pain from your back is the worst thing so feel free to ask any questions you will find many people on here willing to help
STRAKER