Need advice for back pain (page 2)

Maverick

When I slack off on the sit-ups and stomach crunches my lower back will get sore. Once I start doing my light workouts the back feels fine! But I have always been in reasonable shape and have a 30 in waist! if you have injured your back forget what I'm saying. Maverick

mouthy

Oh poor you. I had mine for ages.. But I have magnets.... A fellow in our group was selling them. I dont usally believe any of the recommended things- I had cortisone didnt help...!!!! but he was telling me in a conversation that his wife lost her job- so feeling sorry for them( he sells them) I bought them $175.00 Canadian. Didnt really believe in them BUT!!!!! To my surprise it is fabulous...I have great pain in my feet & legs so I bought the innersole for the shoes called "magstep" I find they are fab too.....they cost me $75.00 but it was worth every penny FOR ME!!!!..

Double Edge

Dr. John E. Sarno is THE guru doctor for back pain. I read his book a few years ago... it helped tremendously. Bottomline... Get Out of Bed. Check this out:

http://www.health-books-web.com/Healing_Back_Pain_The_MindBody_Connection_0446392308.html

Rabbit

New Light,

I just had back surgery, after going thru amost 5 years of phys. therapy, cortisone shots, and the series of shots called 'EPI's where the spinal nerve roots are bathed with a type of cortizone and other 'stuff.' I had a herniated disc that was pushing against the nerve root and 'Stenois' which is a narrowing of the 'hole' between the facet joints. When I laid down or arched my back or stood or walked, was when my pain was so much worse.

There is a lot of confusion about 'Sciatica', do you have pain that starts in your back (L4 -L5), then goes down your butt and leg -- all the way down to your feet or toes? If so it may be the Sciatic nerve.

Mine started one level up..L3 - L4, the "Lateral Femoral nerve" the pain would start in my back...the "Stenosis" would start crushing the nerve...the pain would go around my upper leg to my groin, then down thru my thigh, causing constant painful spasms.

Each level causes different symptoms, I would try to get insurance asap or go thru a county hospital if you qualify financially. Luckily, I had good insurance.

Here's the thing...depending on the severity of your problem and what it is, you could end up with permanent nerve damage, if you don't get help. Try different things first, but don't wait too long.

BTW, "Google" back pain, stenois, WebMD.com, Mayo Clinic and the best in my case, Texas Back Institute. These are some good places to start to help you start narrowing down your particular back problem.

It's been 3 weeks since my surgery, it's the first time without pain in all that time, except from the surgery itself. I wish I'd done it earlier!

Good luck, PM me if you need to, I've had more experience than I ever wanted.

Mulan

Ice packs help alot, to shrink inflammation. My chiropractor says 20 minutes on 20 minutes off during extreme pain times. Stretching exercises but nothing too strenuous or you irritate it. Try to bend over and touch the floor with your palms................stretch to do it, gradually. I don't know why, but that seems to help.

As for drugs, Ibuprofen (Advil) works well for me, and occasionally Aleve. I don't take any prescription drugs for mine. Antioxidants have helped me too. I was reading last night that potassium supplements help with sciatica, and that was a new one for me. Have to try it.

Also, be careful how you sit, and don't use couches or chairs that are too soft or make you sit too low. Straight backs are best. Bummer, I know.

I had a water bed, but my chiropractor said that was not the problem. We got a new bed anyway, and it didn't help. For me laying down was one of the worst times, but it wasn't the bed, it was me. I have a herniated disk from a childhood injury that finally caught up to me about 15 years ago. Massage didn't help me because I had to lay flat, and getting up was excruciating.

Ice is still best in my opinion. Don't use heating pads and they make the area swell. They feel really good, but don't help in the long run. Hot baths are bad too.

blondie

Ibuprofen (OTC--Advil or prescription) works because it deals with inflammation.

Also<, I have wondered about beds like Tempur-Pedic. But they ain't cheap. Has anybody tried one of those?

The best thing is to get some good medical advice as to the possible source so to avoid making it worse. I have dealt with my back pain for 9 years now. The cause is a mystery in some ways. I do have a degenerative arthritic condition and am paying for the athletic sins of my youth. Ice is good and a lifesaver for me. Just can't get that ice pack to stay put at work (smile). I do moderate exercise as well and am working on my weight.

The reason why we even feel pain is a mystery yet today but there is hope.

Blondie

Vivamus

My matrass is vital for my back. When I sleep on another one for more than a couple of days, my back pays the price. Besides that, I go to a chiropractor to keep the upper back straight and well functioning, thereby preventing my lower back to hurt like hell. Unless, I neglect the chiropractor for three months (cuz I felt fine ...), and throw out my back, and sit here typing this, practically weeping from the pain.

I have a good therapist tho, won't stop going, even tho insurance doesn't cover me going there .....

FirstInLine

It sounds like you have tight lower back muscles that are getting "tweaked."

You need to stretch them. The best and easiest way to stretch your lower back is to lie on your back. Then one leg at a time pull your feet towards your head. If you arent flexible enough for that then pull you knee to you chest and bend you head forward.

Need advice for back pain

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