Your Back Pain Won't Heal? This Rare Condition Might Be Why

Severe back pain that refuses to respond to treatment may sometimes have a far more serious cause than most people realize. In this episode of Bendy Bodies, Dr. Linda Bluestein speaks with Dr. Forest Tennant, a longtime physician and researcher who has spent decades studying adhesive arachnoiditis, a rare but devastating inflammatory condition affecting the nerves in the lower spinal canal. Often misunderstood and frequently missed, arachnoiditis can cause extreme pain, neurologic dysfunction, and progressive disability. Dr. Tennant explains what the arachnoid membrane is, how inflammation can cause nerve roots to clump together, and why people with connective tissue disorders like Ehlers-Danlos syndrome may be at higher risk. The conversation explores common triggers, including spinal procedures and surgeries, along with the symptom patterns that may signal something more serious than typical back pain. The episode also dives into emerging treatment strategies, including anti-inflammatory protocols, neuroprotective therapies, peptides, and newer approaches aimed at reducing nerve inflammation and supporting tissue repair. For patients living with unexplained severe back pain, and clinicians searching for answers, this episode sheds light on a condition that remains widely underrecognized but increasingly understood. Takeaways: Adhesive arachnoiditis is an inflammatory condition affecting the arachnoid membrane in the spinal canal, which can cause nerve roots to stick together and disrupt nerve signaling. Severe back pain that doesn’t respond to typical treatments may be a red flag, particularly when symptoms worsen with sitting or include unusual skin sensations like crawling or dripping. People with connective tissue disorders such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome may have an increased risk due to underlying collagen abnormalities. Certain spinal procedures—including surgery, epidurals, or spinal taps—can act as triggering events, although complications remain rare. Early recognition and treatment targeting inflammation and nerve health may help prevent progression, making awareness critical for both patients and clinicians. Effective pain management is essential because poorly controlled, high-impact chronic pain can significantly affect both quality of life and overall health over time. Want more Dr. Forest Tennant? https://arachnoiditishope.com/ Go to ⁠cozyearth.com⁠ and use my Promo Code: BENDYBOGO Want more Dr. Linda Bluestein, MD? Website: https://www.hypermobilitymd.com/ YouTube:    / @bendybodiespodcast   Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠  / ⁠⁠⁠⁠   Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠  / bendybodiespodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠   X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠  / bluesteinlinda⁠⁠⁠⁠   LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠  / ⁠⁠⁠⁠   Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hypermobilitymd.substack.com/ Shop my Amazon store ⁠⁠⁠ https://www.amazon.com/shop/hypermobi... Dr. Bluestein's Recommended Herbs, Supplements and Care Necessities: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/hyp... Want to learn more about the UVA EDS Center? For Appointments and Questions: [email protected] UVA EDS: https://www.uvahealth.com/healthy-pra... UVA EDS FAQ: https://www.uvahealth.com/support/eds... UVA Pediatric Integrative Medicine: https://childrens.uvahealth.com/speci... Thank YOU so much for tuning in. We hope you found this episode informative, inspiring, useful, validating, and enjoyable. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to level up your knowledge about hypermobility disorders and the people who have them. Join YOUR Bendy Bodies community at ⁠⁠https://www\.bendybodiespodcast\.com/⁠⁠. YOUR bendy body is our highest priority!⁠⁠ Learn more about Human Content at ⁠⁠⁠http://www\.human-content\.com⁠⁠⁠ Podcast Advertising/Business Inquiries: ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠ Part of the Human Content Podcast Network FTC: This video is not sponsored. Links are commissionable, meaning I may earn commission from purchases made through links Chapters: 00:00 Peptides For Pain Relief 00:42 Podcast Welcome And Guest Intro 02:51 Dr Tennant Origin Story 06:35 Intractable Vs Chronic Pain 11:08 What Is Arachnoiditis 17:31 Causes Risks And Prevention 39:28 When Back Pain Won’t Resolve 42:51 Key Clues Sitting Worse 43:08 Autonomic Signs From CSF Blockage 44:52 Anti-Inflammatories That Reach CSF 48:44 PEA and Low-Dose Naltrexone 52:33 Peptides Support Myths and Next Steps