Question: Asking about thoracolumbar fascia and if it might be the issue causing my lower back pain. Although I have mild disc herniation at L4-5, I do not have pinched nerves. 3 neurosurgeons and orthopedic drs have reviewed MRI's, xrays and all agree the herniation is mild and "shouldnt"
cause pain, however they can see I have been suffering for 2 years at least. The pain I experience does not fit the description of what I have experienced previously from herniated disc in my cervical spine and had surgery to correct. Fused C5-6. The pain I suffer does not match what people describe as herniated disc pain and I am at the end of my rope dealing with pain meds so I began researching people's different low back pain and i finally came across a blog and found someone who described my exact type of pain and when/how it occurs. When i am sitting i have zero pain, does not matter if sofa, hard chair or floor. No low back pain. I can walk about 1/2 a block and my lower back from side to side just above top of buttocks about 4 inches vertically and it stretches across side to side ending ar about mid - to outer butt cheek on each side(above butt though) It begins to hurt bad and escalates to deeper stronger pain quickly, with every step. The only way to stop it is to sit down. When i sit, the pain immediately disappears. If i stand or walk,
it immediately comes back unless i sit for a long period of time first. Same pain when i empty my dishwasher and about 1/2 way to loading it, the pain starts and continues to escalate to excruciating and i have to sit down. Same thing if i sweep the floor or vacuum. Can only do a short time before pain begins, Escalates quicky to terrible level forcing me to sit down. I have high pain tolerance. But this pain i get in a very specific location becomes unbearable. This does not match what I have felt with a pulled muscle or spasm or nerve pain.That type of pain does not go away by just sitting down. For muscle pain i would use a muscle relaxer and get relief and then in a few days or even a week the pain is gone completely. I have a sedentary lifestyle as i work at computer. But recently made big changes in diet and want to exercise but Literally cannot wAlk long enough to build up my endurance and strength and eventual weight loss. I am finally motivated to get healthy but this is really hampering any exercises i can start with. I thought maybe the pain i feel is from complete lack of any muscle in my lower back but i can carry groceries and do most tasks but i decided to force myself to push through the pain as long as i could bear it in hopes I was building a muscle. But i came across info about thoracolombar facsia and what it is and it makes sense to me and wanted your opinion. I found some exercises mainly yoga type stretches i started this am. My shoulders are actually a bit sore which further leads me to think its the "sling" thoracolumbar fascia. I also have shoulders that are rotated in probably from bad posture howeved coukd it be related to thora fascia issue? When i lay on my back on a narrow exam or massage Table my arms naturally go out away from my body. I have to use effort to keep my arms by my sides on the table and sit on my hands. If i am correct about TF, how long does it take to properly stretch this area and rid myself of the pain? And then I assume muscle building willl be next after i get past this irritating and painful issue? Or will muscles be building gradually underneath the fascia as i am stretching and working the fascia area? So frustrated - i dont want to sit anymore. Im 51, 5'5" 225 lbs distributed(i dont have huge lower half or upper half) why havent i heard of this? Couldnt a dr see this on an MRI or xray? Are there other types of long term (years) back pain/injury that get immediate relief from just sitting?