The Multiple

Many times patients present with more than one problem, this always makes it more difficult and time consuming to get great results.  If you look in the lower part of this lumbar spine you will see the bottom space, where the disc should be, is very thin when compared to the 2 discs immediately above.  This is the L5-S1 and it has been herniated and is now severely degenerated or broken down.  This collapsing will at times cause the disc to swell and bulge which can cause back pain, leg pain, numbness, tingling and/or weakness.  Here is a close up of this area.

Also note the size of the holes that are formed behind the discs.  These are the IVF's and the one behind the L5 disc is much smaller, this is called stenosis and it is very problematic.  

But on closer inspection of the entire lumbar spine you will find more problems.  Let's look at a close-up of the upper lumbar.

Notice that two of the vertebra have a different look, the front edge of the square is smaller than the back edge.  These 2 vertebra have been fractured.  We call this kind of fracture a compression fracture.  Compression fractures permanently destroy the biomechanics of the entire spine.  With these problems triple teaming him, he must be persistent in keeping the pressure off the spine and improving the complete range of motion, exactly the things that proper chiropractic care does.