Does anybody else have a bad lower back??? Any solutions?

[JanMichael]

Mine keeps going out, not a slipped disk, every so many weeks. Basically its a inflexibility in the lower right side which gets inflamed occasionally and then prevents me from doing my only damned hobby's of working out and martial arts.

Anything? Drugs only go so far. Yoga?

[XemaSab]

1. I get lower back pain fairly often

I find that being REALLY conscientious about sitting posture is a big one, and walking helps ease up the inflexibility.

Good luck with that. :(

[MichiganVote]

2. Yoga.

[trof]

3. heating pad.

I keep one plugged in and ready to turn on by the bed.

[Deep13]

4. Don't evolve from a four-footed animal into a vertical two-footed one.

:shrug:

Sorry, but it is a built-in defect.

[Zavulon]

5. With all due respect to my fellow Loungers,

unless you get a response from a licensed chiropractor, don't take any advice you get here. See a chiropractor yourself ASAP. If someone here recommends Yoga and you try it when you're not ready, you could seriously hurt yourself.

My boss and I are currently the same height. He used to be at least 2-2.5 inches taller than me, but now he walks around slouched over as if he were suffering from a gunshot wound to the stomach. Why? Because when HE had lower back pain, his wife had him try some stupid remedy she read in a magazine.

(And no, I won't tell you the remedy.)

He seriously effed up his back from this advice, and even surgery hasn't fixed the problem. Go see a chiropractor NOW, even if you have to go into debt to do it. It's too important.

If you don't believe me, ask my boss. He can sit down in a chair like any normal person, but watching him get up from one would give you the impression he's 95 years old. As it stands, he is just shy of 50.

[MonkeyFunk]

6. LOL!

A chiropractor is probably just as unreliable as the Lounge.

He should see a real doctor, one who won't invent something called "subluxations" to describe the problem.

[trof]

9. yep

[havocmom]

48. Physical therapist is a GREAT place to seek help

Pay the money and get a tailored plan for what ails you.

[libodem]

7. I used to go the the chiropractor

and loved it when what ever was out of place could be crunched back in. A friend of mine has had low back pain for the last 3 months and finally the other day the chiro pulled on his leg and reset that ball and socket joint. He commented all evening how amazing it felt to be pain free. I believe in the chiropractor! I went until I couldn't any more. Now my neck and lower back are fused with hardware. I have disgusting permanent nerve damage in both legs. I've been trying to get off all my drugs and am a big whining mess. I have relaxation tapes and an exercise ball to sit on. I also have 24 pool exercises that I need to get off my exercise ball and go do. I swear when you hurt the freaking experts suggest exercise. God, I hate them. Try alternating heat and cold packs.

[JanMichael]

10. Already seeing one. Not certain about results.

He seems ok but I'm not really 100% convinced that the adjustments are worth their weight in "insert expletive here".

He's offered a diagnosis which seems plausible...I've been 3 times, will go again 3 more times, then see.

[Cannikin]

12. I was being trained to convince people like you that your problem could be fixed that way.

I had to sign a discloser that I would not reveal any of the information I was given with the threat of a large fine. I will tell you, all of the training involved business models established by L Ron Hubbard.

Please dont waste any more of your money.

[JanMichael]

14. You attended one of the schools?

Which one? PM me if you don't wish to post it. Was it a real hard sell place?

Like I mentioned earlier I agree that many chiroprators are full of shit but even Quackwatch has mixed views on all.

[Cannikin]

16. ...

.

[Cannikin]

17. oops

Oh my...not sure how I did that.

[Cannikin]

19. I was going to be sent a school in California after a 90 evaluation period.

In the mean time, I was being trained by staff there. A man from a consultant firm run by scientologist ( I was told by someone who had already attended the school) and he would check our numbers. There were levels... Distress meant that patient numbers were falling and more people who had stopped coming had to be called to try to get them back in. It went up to 'prosperity'...I think that was the name...this meant patient load and profits were up and employees got bonuses.

When a new patient came in, it was all about the 'sell'. There was no discussion of the persons condition or whether or not they could be helped. It was all about how likely they were to come back, did they agree to pay a full amount up front for a set number of treatments that was the same for everyone. there was no individual treatment plan.

Few times did I hear anyone on staff ask the patient if it was working for them. There was no concern about it being a waste of time or money for the person. It was all about keeping them coming back.

The job was a nightmare. Toward the end I was coming home sick to my stomach. Working in physical therapy for a few years, I had heard bad things about DCs, but I needed the job and they liked my resume.

PTs are totally different people. Where the chiro reminded me of a used car salesman, PTs are actually concerned about getting results and if they aren't effective, they will at least send you back to your doctor or tell you that they cannot help your condition if it is severe.

[Cannikin]

8. Get physical therapy. Chiropractic 'doctors' are crooks.....imho

I've seen the world of chiropractic from behind the scenes. They will tell you anything they think you need to hear to keep you coming back. Its snake oil, folks, not science.

I quit the day the 'doctor' looked at me and expected me to back up his claim to a patient that he could fix her back. She had degenerative disc disease...you will NOT fix that by popping your back.

Get your doctor (a REAL M.D.) to send you for physical therapy.

[JanMichael]

11. Was going to a PT when it went out again.

My MD suggested to try the chiropractor.

EDIT: I agree that many are indeed crooks. But even Quackwatch trusts certain types.

[TZ]

28. Find a new chiropractor

A lot of them are con artists. Some haven't even gone to medical school.

[JohnnyBoots]

30. Or even better go see a D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathy) who are real doctors and take a

more holistic approach to medicine. Many specialize in OMT technique which is like physical therapy crossed with what chiropractors do.

[Digit]

36. I went to a DO for a bad neck injury from a fall, jamming my shoulder into my neck

I had been to numerous chiros in the year that it happened and then I found my DO.
He fixed it in ONE visit!!!
He did say it was almost permanent since I had injured myself almost a year earlier.

I felt so wonderful, I went home and did some heavy lifting. Whoops! The pain came back immediately, so I dragged my guilty butt back to the doc and he told me I was not wonder woman. He fixed it again and told me to take it easy for 30 days.
That was 19 years ago.
I believe he did some accupressure along with some chiro type adjustments, plus an anti-infammatory.

[zanne]

39. A DO can do a "manipulation" of your torso...

It's surprising what just one session can do for you. And they're doctors, which can give you a better feeling about it.

[Orsino]

40. My GP gave me an exercise regimen that seems effective.

I had terrible back trouble as the result of a fall, but it's not bothering me anymore as long as I do my exercises regularly.

[BobMorr]

13. backache

Had a lower backache. Its gone now. Turned out to be caused by a kidney stone. Make sure your back ache isn't caused by something else.

[Inchworm]

15. I hang from a bar

It works well enough for me. Mine just gets sore on occasion, not a specific muscle but the whole lower back.

Hope you find your way.

:hi:

[JanMichael]

24. Interesting. How long?

Also have you tried inversion?

[Inchworm]

26. Not sure 5 to 8 minutes

I also arch and such to stretch stuff. When it is real bad I'll do more than once through the day.

Nope, I've not tried inversion. Who knows though they say thats a trick too.

:)

[MonkeyFunk]

34. My inversion table should arrive tomorrow

or the day after. I'll let you know.

My back's been REAL bad for two months now - seems to be a herniated disc.

I've had the bf pull gently but steadily on my legs to stretch out the spine, and it felt great, so we're gonna try an inversion table (or a perversion table, as he calls it).

[Inchworm]

44. Have, umm.. fun with that

:evilgrin:

Seriously though, I'm curious as to how they really work. Let us know.

:hi:

[nytemare]

18. Do you have flat feet?

I've read that flat feet sometimes lead to lower back pain. Orthotics would help, if that is the case.

[JanMichael]

21. No. I have very healthy arches.

It's a slightly rotated disk, not slipped though, but a very slight rotation and inflexibility.

[5LeavesLeft]

20. Sit on a tennis ball

No kidding. My chiro told me to do it. You put the ball right under the cheek bone and sit on it for a few minutes. This works for muscles spasms and tightness. If it's a bone thing, don't try it. But it sure works for me!

[NMDemDist2]

22. my husband has a broken back, and a black belt in Tae Kwon Do

he takes manganese daily

keeps the swelling down and the arthritis manageable.

worth a shot, it's cheap and won't hurt you a bit. but MANGANESE not magnesium

good luck!

[Tuesday Afternoon]

23. scar tissue from surgery causes my lower back (also on the right

side). I have various techniques to alleiviate the pain to keep me mobile. Yoga, is one good thing. Drugs are another, pharmaceutical and homeopathic... I ain't picky when it comes to chronic pain. :D

[JanMichael]

25. You nailed it with the "not picky" comment.

It's bad enough that I've started considering real questionable methods. It's creates real desperation once it curtails something important like exercise or anything else.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

42. Pain can really affect attitude. I wish you all the best --

:hug:

[yellowdogintexas]

27. I was in so much pain that I had to pull on my desk to get up out of my chair

I broke down and went to the doctor. She determined I did not have herniated discs or cracked vertebrae or other dangerous problems and that I do have osteoarthritis in my lower spine and muscle spasms which when triggered can set off the acute phase of this pain syndrome

She put me on mega dose ibuprofin and muscle relaxers for 3 months. It helped, and she also wrote a prescription for a truly ergonomic chair. THIS WAS KEY. it was the missing link in my previously futile attempts to corral my back. The chair has a seat that adjusts for height, angle and (very important!) length so it actually fits the length of the thigh bones and you sit in the chair properly. I also have a foot rest and a keyboard rest and a cool thing that goes across the corner in my cubicle and turns that 90 degree angle into a straight edge. She also wrote an order for me to have 5 minutes away from my desk up on my feet every hour. I did this for 6 months; getting off my tailbone helped more than I had ever imagined it would

After the muscle relaxers, IB and the new chair, she ordered deep tissue massage therapy for me. My massage therapist is awesome and really has helped not only with the low back and the knots in the muscles over my shoulder blades but also with the hip joint arthritis and shoulder pain I have also suffered with.

If you get massage therapy you want someone who is trained in deep tissue therapy and myofascial release.

Occasionally I need a muscle relaxer but not very often. I took them after some intensive dental work a couple of months ago where my jaw was propped open for a long time.

I have been essentially pain free in my lower back for over a year, longer than any time in my adult life.

I now walk daily on a treadmill and do yoga 2-3 times a week. Both have helped tremendously.

Good luck with this. When I get sore now in my shoulder or hip, I use a topical treatment that has Capiscin and salycilic acid in it. It feels wonderful

[Adams Wulff]

29. I would recommend a Massage Therapist who is very knowledgable

about Psoas work.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

31. Mine's just starting the process

I was just diagnosed with degenerative disks in my lower back. It's been getting very painful on a fairly regular basis for about three months- sometimes I can't get out of the house because of it. So far I have nothing more than my regular arthritis meds and a vow to stop crawling under desks to inspect computers...

[joneschick]

32. I was treated for back pain (unsuccessfully ) for years

physical therapy, muscle relaxers, chiropracters, etc. and then on the morning of my brother's funeral, I ended up in the emergency room where an xray showed kidney stones. Sudden onset lower back pain that would hang out for days and just as suddenly be gone. duh.

[FlyingSquirrel]

33. Quit caffeine, if you drink it.

Will help a lot. Have to quit gradually over the course of a week or so by reducing your caffeine intake each day to avoid the worst of the withdrawal symptoms.

[MonkeyFunk]

35. wow

I have just the opposite experience. Coffee is the only thing that HELPS my pain.

[Lil Missy]

37. I've been cured and saved by a chiropractor a couple times now.

I swear by them. I could walk in there with a major pinch and pain in my neck, and a headache, and hardly be able to move my my head from one side to the other.

After he popped and cracked me from neck to back, I was cured and ready to roll. And it only took a couple weeks.

[zanne]

38. Warning: If someone mentions that you need a "discogram"...

Be advised that it isn't as much fun as it sounds.

[elocs]

41. I ruptured a disk at work about 9 1/2 years ago.

I had surgery 9 years ago on February 2nd. I had horrible sciatic pain down my right leg and surgery was the only solution. I had a laminectomy where the neurosurgeon went in and removed all of the ruptured material and then sewed the lamina up again so nothing would leak. My doctor had just come from the Mayo Clinic and he was great. I was in the hospital for just one day and was sent home with a bottle of vicodin and I never took a single one. Within 2 days I was walking a mile total (not all at once).

Next month will be 9 years since I have missed a day of work and that was not for my back. I occasionally get some pain in my right leg which is caused by inflammation and I simply take ibuprofen, but if I buy a big bottle it will expire before I can use it all. My personal doctor is not very concerned about pain in the actual back (which I seldom get), but he says that pain that is referred down the leg is more worrisome. Overall, with my back and surgery, I feel very, very fortunate with the way it turned out.

Basically, for simple back pain just figure out what causes it and don't do that. Learn to lift correctly with your legs. Lose weight. Ibuprofen for inflammation. For guys, don't carry that wallet in your back pocket--that was the first thing I changed.

[zanne]

43. Wow! I hope it's that easy for me.

I've just been diagnosed with a ruptured disc and another degenerated disc. I had to go through a discogram to get the results. Ouch! I waited five years for a diagnosis; I'm incredibly happy that they found something wrong with my lower back! Woohoo!

[snacker]

45. I had the exact same experience...

the surgery was so easy and went very well. Mine was 13 years ago and, like you, I never needed a pain pill after. I was in terrible pain before the surgery and had instant relief afterward. I rarely have back pain, but if I do I wear one of those magnetic back braces for a couple of days and I'm better right away.
Good luck to you.

[elocs]

46. Also, they have found many, many people who have ruptured disks,

but have no symptoms. As long as the ruptured material is not compressing a nerve, there is no pain. My ruptured disk was diagnosed by an MRI so the test was painless. My neurosurgeon showed me the results so that I could see it for myself. "Fortunately" for me I was hurt at work and so all of my expenses were covered by worker's comp and for this particular injury I am covered for 10 years, meaning that if I hurt my back at work and it is the same disk (the famous L5/S1) and I miss work, then the clock goes back to 10 years again (I only have 10 months left).

[havocmom]

47. Yoga, and if you spend time at a desk, a 'kneeling' chair

Talk to a physical therapist about specific stretches that may help when a flare is coming on. My favorite for my condition is laying in a doorway, one leg up along the door frame, other extended flat on floor, butt right up to the door frame, so my legs are 90 degrees. Just relax a while. At some point (longer when first starting) my hips will 'unlock' and I feel them shift to the more natural position. Change sides of door frame, put other leg up and 90 degrees from floor.

If it helps, do several times a day, just for a couple minutes.

But, seriously look into those kneeling chairs if you spend much time at a desk. REALLY big help.