Severe lower back pain after suffering a mini stroke

After suffering a mini stroke three years ago that only slightly affected my right leg when walking (by interfering with the coordination with my left leg). It resulted in a slight limp which was only a small discomfort.

However, after two weeks in re-hab and over the following few months of walking, I began to develop a very painful lower back.

When I subsequently referred this matter to the Stroke Unit at the Austin Hospital, I was advised that this wasn't unusual. However I could not get any reasons why this would occur.

I suffered badly for nearly 12 months during which I consulted two GP's, getting Scans etc, I was referred to a Physiotherapist who specialized in back problems. After a series of consultations and being placed on a specially designed exercise program, I was soon on the mend and completely recovered in a matter of weeks.

What I learnt astounded me about back problems. I had always imagined bad backs were soley problems with the bone structure. However what I learnt was that in my case (and perhaps many others) it was due primarily due to a weakness in the muscles that hold the back bone structure in place and thus causing part of the bone structure to come into contact and aggravate the nervous system.

So the answer was to strengthen those muscles with exercise. The Physio told me that where a person has been inactive for a matter of weeks, it can lead to a loss of as much as 50% of your muscle power and of course people who have suffered a stroke can be in this category.

This may be of interest to fellow sufferers.