Has she tried massage? My DD had a gymnastics back injury and did everything -- rest, back brace, PT, accupunture, chiro...but the one who made a REAL difference was a sports-med massage therapist.

I've found PT to be much more effective than chiro--with the right PT (I've had some crappy PTs who seem to operate as insurance billing machines). But it tends to be slow improvement.

I've also had luck with myofascial release through a qualified massage therapist.

Mostly now I can fix most problems with self massage. I use a lacrosse ball while lying on my bed to work through the knots in my IT bands, quads, and glutes, as necessary. Doesn't work so well for hamstrings; for that I have my trusty Backnobber.

I recommend physical therapy - specifically sports medicine if you have a place near you that specializes in that. I am going to PT now (heel/achilles tendon) and the sports therapy place is GREAT. They seem to have the newer methods and besides pain relief and getting you over the injury, they work with you on strengthening the affected area in order to hopefully avoid another flare-up. The place I go to has a therapy area and a full blown gym both. They also have a chiropractor (I do not see him) there several days a week to work with patients if that's desired.

Personally, chiropractic sets off my pinched nerve. PT, exercise and monthly massage keep me going.

I want to second the recommendation tinam61 gave about going specifically to a sports physical therapy place. I, also, am going to a sports physical therapy place for my heel. Although there are several physical therapy places close to me, including one 5 minutes away, I drive an hour and a half to the one I'm using because they are head and shoulders above the rest. I told my doctor that I wanted to get better as quickly as possible and I was willing to drive in order to get the best PT, so she recommended this one. I am stunned at the difference between the physical therapy I'm getting now and the physical therapy I've gotten elsewhere. I realize your daughter might not have time to drive a long way, but she may want to ask her doctor for more recommendations. I had to specifically tell my doctor I wasn't happy with my prior PT and ask who was the very best I could see. Hope your daughter gets better soon.

Thanks all for backing up our decision to go to PT in the am. She has managed it well for the past several years but I think the stress of the next few weeks has caught up with her. I have suggested therapeutic massage as well. We will see how it goes.

I agree with the others, PT is the preferred treatment. BUT, what Sammy said, start with a medical diagnosis!!! Also, google McKenzie Method (I am not affiliated) and do a little research to determine if this might be the way to go for your daughter. Keeping a strong back is a matter of lifelong maintenance. This method saved my back and kept me out of the operating room.

I'm a believer in chiropractic care, but there's a lot of variation in the quality and style of chiropractors, and it can take a lot of recommendations of friends and trial and error before you find a good one.

Mine uses a massage machine to help relax the muscles before he moves you, and then moves with gentleness and gradualness so as not to hurt you.

The problem with PT is, if the bones are out of place putting pressure on the nerve, PT can help alleviate the resulting muscle spasm and build-up of lactic acid, but by itself, it doesn't tend to reposition the spine to alleviate the pressure on the nerves.

Both. I've found chiropractors help with immediate relief, PT's help with long-term relief. I've had just ok and fabulous practitioners in both fields, so find someone good.

Sports PT for sure. Johns Hopkins has a great department for that, but so should any teaching hospital if she is near one.

The most important thing she can do right now is to RELAX when the pain gets bad as tensing up causes a reaction that leads to more pain. I suffered for 15 years with back pain and every treatment available from 3 surgery's and acupressure, acupuncture, chiropractor and pain clinic, to wacky ideas. All helped a bit but not long term. I was on this forum when someone mentioned back pain and a book was suggested. I ordered the book ten minutes later and five days later I was 70% more pain free. I continue to do what it takes and I understand why the pain lasted so long. It's because tensing up sends a message to the brain that something is happening to the body and it reacts. This morning I woke up with sciatica, went right in to action, relaxing my body (yoga) and telling myself I have no pain. It was gone in half an hour. Here's a link to the book. All his theories are now scientifically proven. back book

I would guess that the OP's daughter has seen a doctor. You would need a prescript for the PT. Also, many (most I would guess) PT places (including sports medicine) use therapeutic massage. Mine has been doing pressure point massage. Good luck!

Well she felt a release in her lower back when moving while in bed last night so woke up a smidge better. Her wonderful PT gal worked wonders and sent her with good exercises to do. With PT 3 times a week for the next two weeks, hopefully she will be able to walk down the aisle fairly normally.

My old chiropractor had medical issues so I tried his replacement. Not good. But I needed relief. I had a rib out of place and I could tell as it hurt to breathe. So I tried meditation. I lay on a hard surface flat on my back and did a 30 min relaxation meditation and all of a sudden, I felt the rib move back...the meditation helped my body relax enough that the bone could move. The pain had stopped and I could breathe comfortably again.

Wow Annie. That's amazing. Something to think about...

How did the rib get out of place?? Scary.