After a work-related back injury added to Brent’s ongoing low back pain, leaving him with severe pain, numb legs and unable to work, he turned to chiropractic care for help.

As a heavy equipment operator, 45-year-old Brent Pataki needs to regularly lift heavy loads for his job at a paving company in Sudbury. After surgery to remove a herniated disc in his lower back, he had some ongoing lower back pain. Four years later, he turned to family doctor Dr. Raymond Jacques for help. Under Dr. Jacques care, Brent was able to manage his pain with a stable, low dosage, opioid prescription medication.

Unfortunately, a few years later, Brent twisted while filling and lifting sandbags. He immediately felt “electrical pain” shoot through his back and into both legs.  This injury left him with severe low back pain, numbness in both legs and unable to work. Brent had difficulty walking, driving, sleeping and participating in daily activities.

A Conservative Treatment Plan

Recognizing the value chiropractic treatment might provide, Dr. Jacques referred Brent to Dr. Lindsey Rebeiro, a local chiropractor. With input from Dr. Jacques, Dr. Rebeiro assessed Brent’s condition. After discussing options with Brent, she recommended a conservative treatment plan that included:

  • Soft tissue manipulation
  • Gentle mobilization of the back and hips
  • Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) therapy
  • Self-management recommendations on positions and postures that would give him relief

She saw Brent two times a week to deliver treatment. Gradually she added acupuncture and spinal manipulation therapy to his plan. As Brent’s pain declined and his movement improved, Dr. Rebeiro prescribed therapeutic exercises. She also educated him on safe lifting techniques to reduce his injury risks and keep his pain at bay.

Return to Work and Daily Activities

Six months later, Brent returned to working 13-hour shifts full-time. It was a huge relief for Brent. Being off work was a financial strain and a major stressor. Brent saw the biggest improvement in his daily activities. He was now able to do tasks around the house, go for walks and ride his motorcycle again.

This story was adapted from this article: Share the Care, Spare the Meds: Collaborative Approaches to Managing Acute Back Pain: A Case Study, which was published in the Medical Post.

Photo by Djordje Petrovic from Pexels.