From the Case Files:
The Mysterious Case of the Garden Injury

From Julie Buttell, PT, MPT, COMT, CWHT (aka the Detective)

The Scene

A 45-year-old patient came to Empower after an ER visit for severe low back pain and difficulty standing upright. The pain began after he spent the weekend digging holes and lifting heavy bags of mulch in his garden.

At the ER, an X-ray was taken, and he was told he had muscle spasms. He received a pain shot and a prescription for muscle relaxers, but despite following those instructions, his pain worsened. He even tried yoga and stretching, hoping for relief, but nothing helped, and he was now struggling to sleep at night.

On the Case

When he came to Empower, I performed a thorough evaluation and determined that he was dealing with a disc herniation, not just a muscle spasm.

Disc herniations are one of the most common causes of ER visits for low back pain, yet they often go undiagnosed because X-rays typically don’t show disc injuries. MRIs are the gold standard for evaluating disc conditions, but many patients are sent home with a diagnosis of “muscle strain.” Unfortunately, activities like bending forward, lifting, and prolonged sitting can worsen disc pressure leading to severe, band-like pain across the lower back and limited mobility.

The Conclusion

After educating him on proper posture and body mechanics to reduce pressure on his disc, along with targeted exercises and personalized treatment, he began experiencing significant relief in just five days. Over the following weeks, we focused on flexibility, mobility, and a gradual return to normal activity.

If you or someone you love is struggling with back pain, give Empower a call. Our therapists specialize in spine care and can help you heal naturally, avoiding unnecessary injections and imaging.