Thread: Back pain. Oh no. Not again!

Hello Rgum,

I know exactly how you feel. I wont let anyone except my
osteopath touch my back. Until I met him I reckon I had been
to every physio, masseur, chiro, bone bender in Victoria
without success.

My osteo is fantastic but is now too successful.

I rang yesterday for an appointment, hoping to get in within
a couple of weeks. Result: He is booked out until March
next year. What good is that. By having such a large
customer base he is now going to lose touch with many
people and I will seek the services of someone else. I doubt
that I will get another as good as him.

By the way Glucosamine did not work for me.

Allan

Hi Rgum,

Feel for you. Got similar probs with my back.

Last Sunday back went out and was a killer for a couple of days.

I have acupunture treatment now. (Had it on Tuesday).

Within an hour after treatment she let me back out into the big wide world with the caution, 'don't do any thing silly, do you exercises...etc..." and at the moment I'm fine...till the next time. I won't let physio's , back crackers near me. I know my limitations and know the consequences.

Steve

It seems there are about a million different ways to treat back pain. I know cus I've tried just about every one of them.

I take glucosamine (for my knees, not my back), mainly because my knee surgeon told me it seemed to work for his dog. Not sure if it's helping me or not, but I'm now walking a lot further with less pain than I had before I started, so that's a good sign.

But back to the subject: backs. Here is what has helped me.
1. one of those injections in the back. I've actually had 2, each one has given me partial relief for about a year.
2. Exercise. I've always driven myself to work, until I moved to outskirts of Brisbane and decided to take the bus (cost of parking). I walk about 800M morning and night (nice flat walk), and my back is better than it's been in 10 years.
3. Heat. When my back gets really bad I use these. The heat lasts for about 12 hours, and keeps the muscles loose. At home I have a heating pad which I use as necessary.
4. Don't be a hero. Recognize the signs that your back is stressed, and give yourself a day off.

Hope you find something that gives you relief.

I've had back problems for about 8-10 years now. 26 years working as a Diesel Fitter takes its toll.
Got an MRI and found I have a prolapsed disc. I find I can manage it pretty well now.
You get to know the warning signs after a while, and you need to stop and have a big rest.

Talk to your Physio about an exercise program to strengthen your muscles.

I get great relief from "Bowen Therapy" (a type of massage) if I find it getting sore.

I spent a lot of time and money going to a Chiro early on, he didnt do much for me, and I reckon he introduced a couple more problems .

While your back muscles are in spasm ( they do this to stop you from doing more damage) a good massuer is worth their weight in gold.

I've had a fractured right femur for near 2 years now. Also the leg is now 30mm short, causeing lots of back muscle pain ..............TWO WORDS

TEN'S MACHINE Electrical impulses that massage the muscles and help interrupt the pain signals

Regards Troy

Ps. I use the CIRCULATION BOOSTER . It has 3 sets of pads that can be used at the same time as the foot pad

Skew?
I believe what you say is correct

Again, just yesterday I got off the table and was able to walk upright and 95% pain free. Got into the gate after walking home and WHAMMO!
Only a few secs but BIG!
I leant over only a tiny bit for the dog who was greeting me.

You're right Skew!
He said nxt time I could rest a while in another room. It takes me two hrs before I will allow myself to sit.
Bloody depressing sometimes but I'm resiliant. I'm not ready this crap!



Troy? I'll investigate your initiatives. Thankyou.

Back to work Mon. Gawwwd I hope I make it till Xmas hols.
I'll leave if I break down again. What good am I if I can't lift and move cabinets and set up kitchens? I'm the only one who does it. Everyone else has plenty to do already making the kits that I fit out for dispatch.
Aint no such thing as light duties here! Either you can or?

Cheers all

Hey guys, good debate here..

3 things have been shown to reduce the incidence of low back pain:

1. regular aerobic exercise - swimming, walking
2. regular flexibility based exercise - pilates
3. simple analgesia - panadol/anti-inflammatories

Glucosamine works for some people but takes three months to take effect. The type of work you do or did has no influence on back pain - it is as common in office workers as it is in heavy labourers

Back pain itself is poorly understood. If you MRI everyone over 50 most will have one or two disc bulges. Only a few have back pain.

Sciatica - pain radiating down the back of the leg - can be improved by cortisone injections into the epidural space or by a discectomy (operation to remove the disc)

That's pretty much a summary of working with a spinal surgeon for 6 months. The big message is lose weight and increase activity..

Cheers
Pulse

Norspan takes the edge off my back pain...
http://www.medsafe.govt.nz/profs/Dat...rspanpatch.htm

Originally Posted by disperse

I've had a fractured right femur for near 2 years now. Also the leg is now 30mm short, causeing lots of back muscle pain ..............TWO WORDS

TEN'S MACHINE Electrical impulses that massage the muscles and help interrupt the pain signals

Regards Troy

Ps. I use the CIRCULATION BOOSTER . It has 3 sets of pads that can be used at the same time as the foot pad

30mm!!! What were they thinking letting you go home like that, you must have some serious pain in your lower back, and what about the thoracic area?

I agree with Switt775 . "Don't be a hero." Give youself that day off and have something done about it. It's your back and you've only got one of 'em.

Take it easy..

Steve

rgum, Some good advice above; now for my 2 cents worth.
* I don´t go to chiropractors any more. they reall don´t have suffient traing and insight and I have yet to find one whoo warms the musles and relaxes thing enough befor they start any assault on your ligaments.
* Glucosamine has been helpful for me, but you need to take it constantly. There is plent of medical research to show it helps but does not cure.
*Committment to exercise, keeping weight under control and use of Fitball ( see PM ) are alll helpful.

Originally Posted by tea lady

One thing I did for a while in bed was fold up a blanket to fill in the gap between my ribs and hips. They were kinda twisting and tweeking. With the support in the middle it really gave the muscles a rest with the back properly supported and aligned. Felt nice to. Which is always a good thing. (When I grow up I am going to get one of those "beds for Backs" beds, which have similar support through your whole back. One day )

A physio told me to roll a bathroom towel lenghtwise and wrap it around just above your hips, though I find you can lay it across the bed at about the same position and it still works. This has the effect of placing your lower back into a slight extension, which relieves the pressure on the affected nerve. Idea is to use it when you've done your lower back in.