: How common is having a 6th lumbar vertebrae and does it make you more susceptible to back pain or problems? I can’t find anything on the net please HELP!
I also found out last year that I have a 6th lumbar vertebrae and I have back pain and discomfort on and off. It is hard to find info, and if you do find any, please inform me, thank you!
Wow! my son today was told he had this (rt. after his dr. performed a neurotomy). We are now wondering if the steroids injected into his 5th lumbar were not successful because the pain was lower (6th). Weird…that this didn’t show up on mri’s, xrays, etc. let me know what u find out. I will continue to check search engines. doc said he sees someone w/this every six months.
I have had xrays and MRI’s and it never showed up on any of them either. I didn’t know that I had it “The extra vertebrae” until I got a video flouroscopy. I’ve had severe back pain a couple of times where I couldn’t move at all. My chiropractor said it is common for people with this to have more back pain than someone without it.
Kimberly and others. I can’t speak to the commonality of a 6th L but I have great experience; I also have one. In most cases, there seems to be argument over whether or not you have a true L6 or it’s a elongated Sacrum or a seated L5 that is riding on top of the Sacrum. For me, it’s the real deal L6th confirmed via CT scan for a separate issue. I can say that I’ve became aware of mine at 27 years old. I’ve been out of choppers into the water at speed, played high school and college football. Big into weights back then….never had a problem. The first slip involved very little weight and bending at a slight angle. Since then, it’s fired off on me 1 or 2 times per year. The best recommendation I can make is to find a solid Chiropractor that has seen someone else with your issue and find them you will; this isn’t something so rare that you won’t. My Chiro will adjust all around it during a flare up to relieve pressure and then the therapy table. We typically do this once a day for 3 days and then he starts adjusting the L5 & L6. The initial pain relief is instant and, as you continue to go you’ll find a much greater mobility in your waste and hips. I’ve been dealing with mine for over 12 years now and put myself on a once monthly adjustment with the therapy table and increased walking which strengthens the lower abdominal and back muscles and keeps the blood flow to the area up.Slight change to your lifestyle and you’ll be like a kid again and forget it’s there.Best of luck.
6 comments
Jill Nicoletti
I was recently diagnosed with only 4 lumbar vertebrae. If this is congenital, how rare is this?
nicole arquette
: How common is having a 6th lumbar vertebrae and does it make you more susceptible to back pain or problems? I can’t find anything on the net please HELP!
Jacklyn
I also found out last year that I have a 6th lumbar vertebrae and I have back pain and discomfort on and off. It is hard to find info, and if you do find any, please inform me, thank you!
suzanne
Wow! my son today was told he had this (rt. after his dr. performed a neurotomy). We are now wondering if the steroids injected into his 5th lumbar were not successful because the pain was lower (6th). Weird…that this didn’t show up on mri’s, xrays, etc. let me know what u find out. I will continue to check search engines. doc said he sees someone w/this every six months.
irene
I have had xrays and MRI’s and it never showed up on any of them either. I didn’t know that I had it “The extra vertebrae” until I got a video flouroscopy. I’ve had severe back pain a couple of times where I couldn’t move at all. My chiropractor said it is common for people with this to have more back pain than someone without it.
Bill Meadows
Kimberly and others. I can’t speak to the commonality of a 6th L but I have great experience; I also have one. In most cases, there seems to be argument over whether or not you have a true L6 or it’s a elongated Sacrum or a seated L5 that is riding on top of the Sacrum. For me, it’s the real deal L6th confirmed via CT scan for a separate issue. I can say that I’ve became aware of mine at 27 years old. I’ve been out of choppers into the water at speed, played high school and college football. Big into weights back then….never had a problem. The first slip involved very little weight and bending at a slight angle. Since then, it’s fired off on me 1 or 2 times per year. The best recommendation I can make is to find a solid Chiropractor that has seen someone else with your issue and find them you will; this isn’t something so rare that you won’t. My Chiro will adjust all around it during a flare up to relieve pressure and then the therapy table. We typically do this once a day for 3 days and then he starts adjusting the L5 & L6. The initial pain relief is instant and, as you continue to go you’ll find a much greater mobility in your waste and hips. I’ve been dealing with mine for over 12 years now and put myself on a once monthly adjustment with the therapy table and increased walking which strengthens the lower abdominal and back muscles and keeps the blood flow to the area up.Slight change to your lifestyle and you’ll be like a kid again and forget it’s there.Best of luck.