How to fix my back problem
How I did it: My lower back was becoming progressively more and more sore and more and more weak. I was 37 years old and some days moved around like I was 80. Getting out of bed after an active day before might take up to 10 minutes. I had sharp pains sometimes reaching for things and had less and less flexibility in my back. I thought maybe this was par for the course from playing soccer all these years or from my scoliosis. But finally I didn't accept it and talked to my primary care doctor. First she sent me to physical therapy. That didn't solve it. Then she sent me to a specialist, an orthopedic surgeon. He did x-rays and said he didn't see anything and it was probably just the aging process "even if you don't like to hear that". At 37, and in excellent health otherwise, no, he was right, I did not want to hear it and didn't think he was being thorough enough. Plus I didn't like his bedside manner, no empathy, very aloof, like he could care less. I asked my primary care physician to suggest another orthopedic specialist. This next one I went to was excellent. He spent time with me, listening to all my symptoms and anecdotes. He suggested and MRI. When the results of the MRI came back he showed me that the lowest disk in my spine (that connects it to my pelvis) was worn away to only 20% what it should be. NOW, FINALLY, I really knew what the problem was. Likely this was caused by aging. Just like some men go bald younger than others, some people have disc erosion earlier than others. But this doctor didn't ask me to just accept that. He gave me several options including surgery (which he, a surgeon, advised against). And we settled on steriodal injections. They worked utter MAGIC. I could move again. I can play soccer again. I can do anything I could do before. I'm so glad I pursued this and kept at it until I reached a solution.
Lessons & tips: Don't put up with pain or weakness or health problems assuming nothing can be done. See a doctor, and if you aren't satisfied with what they tell you, see another one, until you get answers that are thorough and make sense.
