Back Problems

[drylok]

Who's had it and beat it? What were your symptoms and what did you finall do to cure it?

I'm 31 years old and I'm not going to live the rest of my life like this. Rather than just going to a doctor and doing what he tells me I'd like to get some experiences from folks who've gone through it.

My symptoms are upper middle back. Not lower not upper it's always upper middle in the same damn spot. I hate to pay choiroprator for what I can do myself by laying on the floor and pulling my chin to my chest but maybe it's going to come to that.

What I want to know is how do I keep it from getting out of whack in the first place?

[khigh]

I had the same problem after I had my daughter. The best advice I can give is sit straight with your shoulders back. My back tends to hurt after long hours at the computer and after a few times, I realized it was because I was slouching. I would suggest either doing Yoga core exercises (they do wonders for the back and the whole body) or getting a back brace to wear when you are sitting around.

[countmein]

Same problem, same place. I had a slipped disc in the center of my back. Rolled over in bed one night and it popped out of place. Started 19 years ago. Sorry, but the chiropractor is the only place I found relief. If you find a good one like mine, you only go when you need to go. If you go to a doctor, depending on the doc., they will just give you meds and even though you feel no pain, nothing gets fixed. My suggestion, find a good chiropractor. He will fix your problem and he will explain how to keep it from getting out of whack again.

[Bolshevik Hunter]

I dunno, but one thing I do know is, this forum has contributed to some serious back pain throught the years for me. Lower back, left corner. ~BH

[BillBrown]

I had lower back pain for two years straight.
I almost went on disability with it.
It went away.
I didn't do anything.
That's been over 10 years ago.

[drylok]

I sit my butt in front of a computer all day everyday this time of year and I admit I catch myself slouching. I'm really trying to make a concious effort to quit doing that.

But even in the months I'm out and about it happens. I'm tired of hurting and I've watched some family members go through this and I don't want that for myself.

I suppose a call to some different choiropractors wouldn't hurt and see if I can find one that is in it for the science and not just the $
I had a bad experince some years ago with a choiropractor and it's just left a bad taste with me since. Especially after I discovered some different techniques for doing it myself.

Have you guys ever heard of Walk Fits? They are things you put in your shoes. I've watched that infomercial and it does make sense the way they describe that if your feet aren't aligned the rest of your body falls out of allignment too.

I bought a pair some time back but stopped wearing them cause they just weren't comfortable.
Wonder if they've made any improvements on them. I think I'll go google them and see what's the latest.

The only way I know to describe this is I feel like if one person grabbed under my shoulders and another grabbed my waist and pulled in opposite directions it would feel better. Like a slinky when it's collapsed.

I don't know, I'm just tired of it....

Thank you for your thoughts and keep 'em coming folks.

[jimjames418]

I sit my butt in front of a computer all day everyday this time of year and I admit I catch myself slouching. I'm really trying to make a concious effort to quit doing that.

Thank you for your thoughts and keep 'em coming folks.
To stop yourself from slipping into a slouch, purchase a sling like they put on you when you have a broken shoulder bone. I was having the same back problems when I broke my shoulder bone and they put the sling on me (takes two people to put it on). Believe me you will not slouch, and it feels wonderful when the pain goes away. :D

[foxgurrrl]

I sit my butt in front of a computer all day everyday this time of year and I admit I catch myself slouching. I'm really trying to make a concious effort to quit doing that.

But even in the months I'm out and about it happens. I'm tired of hurting and I've watched some family members go through this and I don't want that for myself.

I suppose a call to some different choiropractors wouldn't hurt and see if I can find one that is in it for the science and not just the $
I had a bad experince some years ago with a choiropractor and it's just left a bad taste with me since. Especially after I discovered some different techniques for doing it myself.

Have you guys ever heard of Walk Fits? They are things you put in your shoes. I've watched that infomercial and it does make sense the way they describe that if your feet aren't aligned the rest of your body falls out of allignment too.

I bought a pair some time back but stopped wearing them cause they just weren't comfortable.
Wonder if they've made any improvements on them. I think I'll go google them and see what's the latest.

The only way I know to describe this is I feel like if one person grabbed under my shoulders and another grabbed my waist and pulled in opposite directions it would feel better. Like a slinky when it's collapsed.

I don't know, I'm just tired of it....

Thank you for your thoughts and keep 'em coming folks.
Sometimes if you are in general in a state of un-ease, it can cause back pains. Stress, if there are emotional issues, or stuff going on personally, issues you haven't worked out and are ignoring... these things can manifest physically. Just a different take on it.

I never had back pain until I was pregnant and it is just now going away (my daughter is 4 months old). I think physical activity and stretching helps a lot. Moving around into different positions, if you are sitting a lot...

Good luck. :)

[sgdp]

One word: Sleep Number





Wait a minute... :think:

[drylok]

One word: Sleep Number





Wait a minute... :think:

Oh, I would love a sleep number!

[sgdp]

Oh, I would love a sleep number!
I got me an old-school 3000 for $175. ;)

Unfortunately, it's actually a "Select Comfort". Same idea, but no number.

[Dreamy]

Geisha Girls

[Ballygrl]

Who's had it and beat it? What were your symptoms and what did you finall do to cure it?

I'm 31 years old and I'm not going to live the rest of my life like this. Rather than just going to a doctor and doing what he tells me I'd like to get some experiences from folks who've gone through it.

My symptoms are upper middle back. Not lower not upper it's always upper middle in the same damn spot. I hate to pay choiroprator for what I can do myself by laying on the floor and pulling my chin to my chest but maybe it's going to come to that.

What I want to know is how do I keep it from getting out of whack in the first place?

Chronic back sufferer here, and not much advice. The other day I sat down on my computer chair and moved the wrong way and had pain for a day and I didn't do anything different then I've done other times sitting on the chair. I do think for me at least, that the weather plays a part, I tend to have more back problems in the cold weather then I do in the warm weather. Getting rest is important, I have a tendency to try to keep up the same pace when my back goes out, and it's impossible of course. I also try to use the hard sprayer on the shower head and aim hot water towards the area that's bothering me, then I use mineral ice after the shower, and that seems to make it better for a few hours. I hurt my back the 1st time when I was about 20 and the ER Doctor said that once you hurt your back it never ever goes back to the way it was before you hurt it, and he was right.

[CaptainPike]

I have a spasmed muscle in my upper back and my doctor says it will always be that way. But a good back adjustment makes my back feel better for a couple of weeks.

For the longest time, I had this terrible kink in my back. I went to my doctor and he really popped it good. My back felt like it was brand new for a while.

[captusa]

Who's had it and beat it? What were your symptoms and what did you finall do to cure it?

I'm 31 years old and I'm not going to live the rest of my life like this. Rather than just going to a doctor and doing what he tells me I'd like to get some experiences from folks who've gone through it.

My symptoms are upper middle back. Not lower not upper it's always upper middle in the same damn spot. I hate to pay choiroprator for what I can do myself by laying on the floor and pulling my chin to my chest but maybe it's going to come to that.

What I want to know is how do I keep it from getting out of whack in the first place?

The YMCA has an exercise program called Ys way to a healthy back.
It is corrective and if practiced can prevent back problems.

The fact that it is in the same spot in your middle back indicates that it is more likely a strain and not a permanent injury.

Warm baths and rest and pain killers are effective but so is chiropractic.

If the pain is a spasm taking potassium is effective but more than one or two 99 gram tablets should not be taken without checking with a doctor.

I have had chronic back problems and damaged disks and have gotten relief from chiropractors and acupuncturists.(I was extremely lucky to find an effective acupuncturist because many are not)

[captusa]

Same problem, same place. I had a slipped disc in the center of my back. Rolled over in bed one night and it popped out of place. Started 19 years ago. Sorry, but the chiropractor is the only place I found relief. If you find a good one like mine, you only go when you need to go. If you go to a doctor, depending on the doc., they will just give you meds and even though you feel no pain, nothing gets fixed. My suggestion, find a good chiropractor. He will fix your problem and he will explain how to keep it from getting out of whack again.
I agree but pain killers along with the chiropractor will be more effective.
(The medical community finally admits that pain killers are more effective than anti spasmotics)

[gwhughes]

Do you smoke?

Can you feel the muscle that goes across your shoulder blades tense up?

1) Quit smoking if you do.

2) Let that muscle relax sometime.

I had the same backpain and resorted to being my own chiropractor(lock hands behind back, put thumbs in spine and arch back). Finally figured out it was all tension/stress related and just made myself relax that muscle by dropping my shoulders a bit while maintaining good posture. Back pain gone!

[goodlife]

oh man....I live with back pain every day of my life.
My problem is lower back though...5th lumbar area.
I believe I have a bulging disc. I'd like to have an MRI to confirm and that's my next step.
I can't remember when it first started but it was many many years ago. But the bad episodes are happening more and more often and every time I recover I lose a little more ability and mobility.
Just last week I bent forward about six inches to put my pants on and I couldn't stand back up. We were leaving to go on a cruise four days later and here I was unable to stand up straight, walk, move in general. It was so bad that I even drove myself to the emergency room that night and then ended up changing my mind when I got there and came home. I was in the chiropractor's office 2x a day that week just to be able to walk enough to go on the cruise.
The spasms were really bad this time too.
It's a truly horrible thing to go through.
About 8 yrs ago I went to an orthopedic doctor and they did an xray and said they didn't see anything wrong with me and wanted to inject some cortisone into my spine. I said thanks but no thanks...you don't even know what's wrong with me. The cortisone will mask the pain and I won't know when it's really bad and could end up hurting it worse.
I suffered a few more years and then went to a chiropractor. iIt's taking longer and longer to get better each time but the chiropractor is the only thing that helps. That and lots of rest. Well...that's hard for me to do because I work full time. I can't take off for 3 or 4 days every time my back goes out to just stay in bed. It's a big damned mess.
My chiropractor is sending me physical therapy to have someone work with me on trying to strengthen the muscles in my back. That should help. Over the years I've slowly begun avoiding anything that makes my back hurt which means those muscles have definitely gotten very weak.
The whole damned thing is quite depressing.

[Ballygrl]

oh man....I live with back pain every day of my life.
My problem is lower back though...5th lumbar area.
I believe I have a bulging disc. I'd like to have an MRI to confirm and that's my next step.
I can't remember when it first started but it was many many years ago. But the bad episodes are happening more and more often and every time I recover I lose a little more ability and mobility.
Just last week I bent forward about six inches to put my pants on and I couldn't stand back up. We were leaving to go on a cruise four days later and here I was unable to stand up straight, walk, move in general. It was so bad that I even drove myself to the emergency room that night and then ended up changing my mind when I got there and came home. I was in the chiropractor's office 2x a day that week just to be able to walk enough to go on the cruise.
The spasms were really bad this time too.
It's a truly horrible thing to go through.
About 8 yrs ago I went to an orthopedic doctor and they did an xray and said they didn't see anything wrong with me and wanted to inject some cortisone into my spine. I said thanks but no thanks...you don't even know what's wrong with me. The cortisone will mask the pain and I won't know when it's really bad and could end up hurting it worse.
I suffered a few more years and then went to a chiropractor. iIt's taking longer and longer to get better each time but the chiropractor is the only thing that helps. That and lots of rest. Well...that's hard for me to do because I work full time. I can't take off for 3 or 4 days every time my back goes out to just stay in bed. It's a big damned mess.
My chiropractor is sending me physical therapy to have someone work with me on trying to strengthen the muscles in my back. That should help. Over the years I've slowly begun avoiding anything that makes my back hurt which means those muscles have definitely gotten very weak.
The whole damned thing is quite depressing.

I also have a nerve issue in the lower back area, thank God I haven't had it for a while, but when that acts up? you literally cry. I have sciatica, piriformis to be exact.

My Father had very bad sciatica and they couldn't do anything for him because he was so sick with other issues, so someone recommended accupuncture, he was the type of guy who believed in conventional medicine only, but decided to try it, and it worked.

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

I have chronic back pain, sometimes bad enough that I get sciatic pain too. Occupational hazard. I live with it (for now) as I've witnessed first-hand how many docs and nurses treat those with chronic pain issues. No thanks.

[USAF Medic]

Who's had it and beat it? What were your symptoms and what did you finall do to cure it?

I'm 31 years old and I'm not going to live the rest of my life like this. Rather than just going to a doctor and doing what he tells me I'd like to get some experiences from folks who've gone through it.

My symptoms are upper middle back. Not lower not upper it's always upper middle in the same damn spot. I hate to pay choiroprator for what I can do myself by laying on the floor and pulling my chin to my chest but maybe it's going to come to that.

What I want to know is how do I keep it from getting out of whack in the first place?

Well that certainly is using logic. :rolleyes:
I have a medical condition but I'm not going to see a doctor and do what he tells me.
If your car was not running and you didn't know how to fix it would you say "well I'm sure not gonna go to a mechanic"?
My advice...buy some motrin and learn to live with it...otherwise get a proper medical evaluation.

[Oddball]

For all here, let me recommend that you go to a chiropractor who offers spinal decompression therapy for a consultation.

I've tried it....It friggin' works!!

http://drx9000spinaldecompression.blogspot.com/

[USAF Medic]

I have chronic back pain, sometimes bad enough that I get sciatic pain too. Occupational hazard. I live with it (for now) as I've witnessed first-hand how many docs and nurses treat those with chronic pain issues. No thanks.

Well some medical folks are jaded to be sure.
We see to many drug seekers, too many patients non-compliant in their treatment plans, follow-ups, referals etc.

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

Well some medical folks are jaded to be sure.
We see to many drug seekers, too many patients non-compliant in their treatment plans, follow-ups, referals etc.

Most of my patients (oncology) are chronic pain patients. They aren't labeled as such, tho'. However, let one come in with an actual diagnosis of 'chronic pain' or who is under the care of a pain specialist, and the eyes start rolling and the insults fly.

Just last week I laid into a new grad hire who was making fun of a young lady in sickle cell crisis. I explained to her that one of the established treatments for a crisis is pain control. She actually sneered and said, "Oh, do you really think they hurt that much??"

****ing idiots. I know these people and how they react. I'll be damned if they're going to judge me.

[USAF Medic]

Most of my patients (oncology) are chronic pain patients. They aren't labeled as such, tho'. However, let one come in with an actual diagnosis of 'chronic pain' or who is under the care of a pain specialist, and the eyes start rolling and the insults fly.

Just last week I laid into a new grad hire who was making fun of a young lady in sickle cell crisis. I explained to her that one of the established treatments for a crisis is pain control. She actually sneered and said, "Oh, do you really think they hurt that much??"

****ing idiots. I know these people and how they react. I'll be damned if they're going to judge me.

That's a tough field to be in, especialy pediatric oncology, wow my hat is really off to those serving in that field.

[Ballygrl]

For all here, let me recommend that you go to a chiropractor who offers spinal decompression therapy for a consultation.

I've tried it....It friggin' works!!

http://drx9000spinaldecompression.blogspot.com/

We have a clinic that opened up in our County that does this.

[Ballygrl]

Most of my patients (oncology) are chronic pain patients. They aren't labeled as such, tho'. However, let one come in with an actual diagnosis of 'chronic pain' or who is under the care of a pain specialist, and the eyes start rolling and the insults fly.

Just last week I laid into a new grad hire who was making fun of a young lady in sickle cell crisis. I explained to her that one of the established treatments for a crisis is pain control. She actually sneered and said, "Oh, do you really think they hurt that much??"

****ing idiots. I know these people and how they react. I'll be damned if they're going to judge me.

You might benefit then from alternative treatments such as accupuncture.

[drylok]

Well that certainly is using logic. :rolleyes:

LOL Well I guess that didn't come out right, I just meant I wanted to ask some folks about their experiences of what worked or didn't BEFORE I go to the doctor.


GW,
I read what you posted about the shoulder blade, I never really thought of that. But it does work when I do that.
I also figured out I can relax my body waist up and then push up on the handles of the chair and my back will pop. I do that frequently.

Lots of good reads here folks, thank you.

DL,

[supreme_war_Pig]

Who's had it and beat it? What were your symptoms and what did you finall do to cure it?

I'm 31 years old and I'm not going to live the rest of my life like this. Rather than just going to a doctor and doing what he tells me I'd like to get some experiences from folks who've gone through it.

My symptoms are upper middle back. Not lower not upper it's always upper middle in the same damn spot. I hate to pay choiroprator for what I can do myself by laying on the floor and pulling my chin to my chest but maybe it's going to come to that.

What I want to know is how do I keep it from getting out of whack in the first place?

I don't know you from Adam, so please don't be offended. But if you are carrying extra weight, drop it. Being overweight is a HUGE factor in back problems.

[MrShotShot]

I'd recommend a good physical therapist. He'll probably give you a series of exercises that will help relieve your current problems and will be helpful should you feel them coming on in the future.

I've always had lower back issues. A few years back I was in an all day meeting sitting in crap chairs and literally could not walk the next day. A few visits to the PT and I was good as new.

Also, if anyone has lower back issues, my PT told me one of the worst strains you can put on that area of your back is from rolling yourself in your desk chair with your feet. It puts tremendous strain on that part of your back.

[traditional_woman]

I had lower back pain for two years straight.
I almost went on disability with it.
It went away.
I didn't do anything.
That's been over 10 years ago.


Same w/ my husband. He'd have back pain a few times a yr and it would last anywhere from 2-4 months. Then it just vanished,it's been about 10 yrs for him too.

OP, the only thing that helped him was a chiro.

[Livey]

Do you smoke?

Can you feel the muscle that goes across your shoulder blades tense up?

1) Quit smoking if you do.

2) Let that muscle relax sometime.

I had the same backpain and resorted to being my own chiropractor(lock hands behind back, put thumbs in spine and arch back). Finally figured out it was all tension/stress related and just made myself relax that muscle by dropping my shoulders a bit while maintaining good posture. Back pain gone!

What does smoking have to do with tense shoulder blade muscles? I don't smoke, but I am curious.

[gwhughes]

I noticed, as well as my sister who recently started smoking and experiencing the same pain, that when inhaling that drag off the cig, that muscle tenses up. It does it to the point that when you want one, but can't have it, meeting, in office working ie stressful situation, that muscle would start tensing up without smoking at all. Kinda your body telling you you need a smoke is the way I took it. So I quit, made myself relax that muscle when I felt it tensing up, and it was all good.

[Livey]

I noticed, as well as my sister who recently started smoking and experiencing the same pain, that when inhaling that drag off the cig, that muscle tenses up. It does it to the point that when you want one, but can't have it, meeting, in office working ie stressful situation, that muscle would start tensing up without smoking at all. Kinda your body telling you you need a smoke is the way I took it. So I quit, made myself relax that muscle when I felt it tensing up, and it was all good.

I see. Congratulation on quitting! :clap::clap::clap::clap:

[angelicmadrigal]

Who's had it and beat it? What were your symptoms and what did you finall do to cure it?

I'm 31 years old and I'm not going to live the rest of my life like this. Rather than just going to a doctor and doing what he tells me I'd like to get some experiences from folks who've gone through it.

My symptoms are upper middle back. Not lower not upper it's always upper middle in the same damn spot. I hate to pay choiroprator for what I can do myself by laying on the floor and pulling my chin to my chest but maybe it's going to come to that.

What I want to know is how do I keep it from getting out of whack in the first place?


Well first I'd check with a Dr. to make sure you have 1) no real spinal abnormalities, 2) and clinical condition/disease (such as certain autoimmune disorders) that care realted to your pain. You also need to find out if your pain is nerve pain, bone pain, or muscle pain. Depending on that you can move forewad into treatment options.

Also find out what causes your back to hurt. Does it have to do with lifting, twisting, pulling, sitting, etc...

Find out the cause of your pain first.

[breezyjr]

I had to find this thread again because I have had horrid lower back pain for years. I tried going to my Dr. and he gave me muscle relaxers and sent me to physical therapy. Went through that twice and nothing came of it. Still back issues.

I had a bad experience with the voodoo bone doctors (chiropractors) many years ago also. But lately the lower back issues had gotten very bad. Last Saturday I was bent taking the clothes out of the dryer and my back caught and I could not move. I was the only one in the house and I was stuck at the dryer not able to move. Eventually I got my arms on top of the dryer, got myself lowered to my knees, and stayed there for a while.

Yesterday was my first appt. with the voodoo bone doctor. I told myself if he didn't kill me I would go back again. I went back today and I'm going back Monday. He told me my lower back looked like a bull riders back. After everything he popped yesterday, I didn't think anything would be left today to manipulate. There was more, lots more. I won't say I feel "better" but this morning I washed my face over the bathroom sink. Something I haven't been able to do for years. My back still caught afterwards, but I got it accomplished.

[USMCmom]

Well first I'd check with a Dr. to make sure you have 1) no real spinal abnormalities, 2) and clinical condition/disease (such as certain autoimmune disorders) that care realted to your pain. You also need to find out if your pain is nerve pain, bone pain, or muscle pain. Depending on that you can move forewad into treatment options.

Also find out what causes your back to hurt. Does it have to do with lifting, twisting, pulling, sitting, etc...

Find out the cause of your pain first.

Only once have I ever had chronic back pain and I thought I was going to die...but what I thought was back pain was actually a shoulder injury. I was shocked to find out that was the cause of my back hurting!

I would listen to Angel and have a Dr check it out!

[Spaceman Spiff]

I'm 41 and sometimes get a stiff back.

I just grab on to something about shoulder height and then move my feet backward until I'm facing the ground bowed backwards and stay that way or awhile.

Or get the wife to walk a few laps up and down my back.

Either way, I'm cured.

[lsue]

Who's had it and beat it? What were your symptoms and what did you finall do to cure it?

I'm 31 years old and I'm not going to live the rest of my life like this. Rather than just going to a doctor and doing what he tells me I'd like to get some experiences from folks who've gone through it.

My symptoms are upper middle back. Not lower not upper it's always upper middle in the same damn spot. I hate to pay choiroprator for what I can do myself by laying on the floor and pulling my chin to my chest but maybe it's going to come to that.

What I want to know is how do I keep it from getting out of whack in the first place?


From experience, do not give up on chiropractic. You have to
find a good one, mine is the absolute best. He has kept my
back tuned up for 20 yrs. A good one will show you the correct
exercise to do to strengthen your back. That is KEY. A quick
adjustment every several months does me just fine. THAT is
worth its weight in gold...to my back.

[lsue]

oh man....I live with back pain every day of my life.
My problem is lower back though...5th lumbar area.
I believe I have a bulging disc. I'd like to have an MRI to confirm and that's my next step.
I can't remember when it first started but it was many many years ago. But the bad episodes are happening more and more often and every time I recover I lose a little more ability and mobility.
Just last week I bent forward about six inches to put my pants on and I couldn't stand back up. We were leaving to go on a cruise four days later and here I was unable to stand up straight, walk, move in general. It was so bad that I even drove myself to the emergency room that night and then ended up changing my mind when I got there and came home. I was in the chiropractor's office 2x a day that week just to be able to walk enough to go on the cruise.
The spasms were really bad this time too.
It's a truly horrible thing to go through.
About 8 yrs ago I went to an orthopedic doctor and they did an xray and said they didn't see anything wrong with me and wanted to inject some cortisone into my spine. I said thanks but no thanks...you don't even know what's wrong with me. The cortisone will mask the pain and I won't know when it's really bad and could end up hurting it worse.
I suffered a few more years and then went to a chiropractor. iIt's taking longer and longer to get better each time but the chiropractor is the only thing that helps. That and lots of rest. Well...that's hard for me to do because I work full time. I can't take off for 3 or 4 days every time my back goes out to just stay in bed. It's a big damned mess.
My chiropractor is sending me physical therapy to have someone work with me on trying to strengthen the muscles in my back. That should help. Over the years I've slowly begun avoiding anything that makes my back hurt which means those muscles have definitely gotten very weak.
The whole damned thing is quite depressing.



The therapy is amazingly effective for me, rollers, electric, some
times ultrasound before the actual adjustment. My doctor gave
me a big blue exercise ball to roll around on to stretch my back
really good without causing injury. And believe me, when you
have a bad back, a simple sneeze can do you in.

The exercise has to target the specific area of pain. That's when
you'll get your relief.