Help with Back Pain Guys!

[gqchris]

So it seems like every year I get a back pain episode! Its almost like clockwork. The last three days have been a living hell. Let me just start out by saying you guys that live unfortunately every day of you life with this pain, you have my condolences. I cant imagine dealing with this daily. I just cant fathom it.

So Friday, Im looking in a boats engine room and twisted towards the bulkhead looking for a switch. I did the bend over leaning twist action! Well, didn't hit me till bout 20 minutes later. Holy hell! Couldn't even walk. This was three days ago. Today, (Sunday), still having trouble even moving. Its my lower back. Feels like muscles just spasm'ed. Even down my legs. Doesnt feel like my spine or bones per say. Just a muscle tightness and EXTREME pain! I been popping Tylenol 3's with Codeine, not even denting it. Been icing it. Been using ICY Hot patches. Nothing works. What do you guys use? Its hard to even sleep. Bout to go out and buy a cane so I can get some errands done. Cant bend over to pick things up. It just hurts like hell. I tried the Chiropractor last year year, but felt like he was just trying to get me to go to more sessions, and was a little too "holistic" for my tastes. Not that Im against natural remedies, but he was a little out there. Open to all suggestions. Thanks guys!

Chris

 

[Outnumbered]

Find an excellent Chiropractor with references. Mine has done wonders for me. A Herman Miller office chair has also helped a lot.

You need to build core muscle strength to keep your back lined up. The Chiro can help you with the exercises. You really have to be aware of what you are doing when lifting/straining. One wrong bend can take you out for a week or more. Mine has spasmed so bad that I dropped to the ground and cound not get up, but I have been pretty good for about a year now. I do wake up real stiff sometimes but so far so good.

 

[Crazyhippy]

Try a different Chiro or 2...

Found one out in Phx that works for me.

 

[Roaddogg 4040]

Welcome to the club Chris. Oxycontin seems to work a little bit but in all reality nothing seems to work very well. Maybe Phebus will chime in here. Good luck...

Steve

 

[little rowe boat]

Find an excellent Chiropractor with references. Mine has done wonders for me. A Herman Miller office chair has also helped a lot.

You need to build core muscle strength to keep your back lined up. The Chiro can help you with the exercises. You really have to be aware of what you are doing when lifting/straining. One wrong bend can take you out for a week or more. Mine has spasmed so bad that I dropped to the ground and cound not get up, but I have been pretty good for about a year now. I do wake up real stiff sometimes but so far so good.

X2

 

[Deleted Account]

X2

X100...

 

[HavasuHank]

So it seems like every year I get a back pain episode! Its almost like clockwork. The last three days have been a living hell. Let me just start out by saying you guys that live unfortunately every day of you life with this pain, you have my condolences. I cant imagine dealing with this daily. I just cant fathom it.

So Friday, Im looking in a boats engine room and twisted towards the bulkhead looking for a switch. I did the bend over leaning twist action! Well, didn't hit me till bout 20 minutes later. Holy hell! Couldn't even walk. This was three days ago. Today, (Sunday), still having trouble even moving. Its my lower back. Feels like muscles just spasm'ed. Even down my legs. Doesnt feel like my spine or bones per say. Just a muscle tightness and EXTREME pain! I been popping Tylenol 3's with Codeine, not even denting it. Been icing it. Been using ICY Hot patches. Nothing works. What do you guys use? Its hard to even sleep. Bout to go out and buy a cane so I can get some errands done. Cant bend over to pick things up. It just hurts like hell. I tried the Chiropractor last year year, but felt like he was just trying to get me to go to more sessions, and was a little too "holistic" for my tastes. Not that Im against natural remedies, but he was a little out there. Open to all suggestions. Thanks guys!

Chris

you mentioned you feel pain in your legs ... does it feel like a sharp pain running down the length of one leg?

 

[Outnumbered]

Welcome to the club Chris. Oxycontin seems to work a little bit but in all reality nothing seems to work very well. Maybe Phebus will chime in here. Good luck...

Steve

you mentioned you feel pain in your legs ... does it feel like a sharp pain running down the length of one leg?

Leg pain is pretty typical when the nerves in the back get pinched or pressured from misalignment. Also, masking the pain with pain killers is dangerous and you may hurt yourself worse. You need to fix the cause, not mask the symptoms.

 

[HavasuHank]

Leg pain is pretty typical when the nerves in the back get pinched or pressured from misalignment. Also, masking the pain with pain killers is dangerous and you may hurt yourself worse. You need to fix the cause, not mask the symptoms.

you are correct ... if that is the case, it may not even be his back. it could be sciatica. i had to deal with this quite a few times. i went to the chriopractor a couple of times without any signs of getting better.

i did some reading on sciatica, and one of the most highly recommended things was to go walking. walk about 2-3 miles a day (do only as much as you can of course).

i started walking 3 miles (almost daily) with my wife down to my local 7-11. sure enough, within a weeks time, the pain was gone. haven't had any issues since.

 

[HBCraig]

Back pain is very common. Dont heat, only ice for now. Ice your low back and stretch your hamstrings religiously. I have a very sizeable disc bulge and refuse to get surgery because I dont want to.

Work on your "core" strength and fight is as much as you can.

 

[Tom Brown]

X100...

x101

 

[Parker Dreamin]

Ice the shit out of it....... pop 4 Aleve every 6 hours..... when you are able to, stretch your hamstrings and other leg muscles.

IMO dont let a chiro touch you, your tight muscles will just pull you back out of wack.

 

[TPC]

Ask your doctor for a shot of Dilaudid.
Ya have to have some one drive you there.
http://www.rxlist.com/dilaudid-drug.htm

Forget Chiroquacktors. They're snake oil salesmen.

Epidurals are next.
Ask your doctor if that is for you.

 

[HavasuHank]

i have a good stretch. it's hard to explain, but i'll try.

lay on the edge of your bed on your left side ... take your right leg and hang it over your left leg (so its kind of hanging down towards the ground) ... with your left arm, grab behind your right knee and try to press down and at the same time pull the leg up to you ... while you are doing this try to turn your upper body the opposite way. this will stretch your sciatic nerve. turn over and repeat on your right side.

if you aren't able to grab your knee, have your wife, girlfriend, etc try to lightly push on your leg. it worth a shot, but it's a good stretch that worked great for me.

another one is lay on your back and bring one knee to your chest (hold with both hands) while keeping your other leg straight. hold for a few seconds and repeat. if you cant do it, have your wife, girlfriend, etc help you.

good luck and hopefully these work for you.

 

[gqchris]

THanks guys for all the great tips. Its relieving to know alot of others are in the same boat when it comes to this. Ill try the stretches and work on core muscles. Im sure my belly pulling my front down doesnt help the cause either. "Soft Belly, Soft Back" as they say right?

Going to ice my back as we speak.

 

[DustinU]

I racked my back a few years ago wake boarding and was laid up for about two weeks. I bought an inversion table "teeters hangups", there are many out there.. worked/works for me. I love it. I use it even to to get rid of stress and what not now that builds up in my back. Big 5 has them on sale every now and then... also as previously mentioned walking and core exercises..

Hope this helps.

 

[Carlson-jet]

Don't sit at a desk in a computer/office chair. Walking is the first baby step to getting better. Good luck.

I just went through a few weeks of my right foot being numb from a back issue. My calf muscle went weak at the same time. Good thing it happened 2 days before I went back to work. :skull

 

[RVRKID]

If it's spasms find some Flexoral, muscle relaxor.

 

[BigQ]

As others have said ICE no heat. I would forget any heavy meds since they will only mask a problem. Loose the flabby gut If you don't like a chiro you can also go to a message specialist. They have good exercises for the core and the best I have found is using a weight and simulate choppy wood with it. Do it smoothly from top to bottom of stroke. Also get a rowing machine:thumbsup

 

[BoatCop]

My wife used to work for a DO. (Osteopath) 1/2 of his practice was fixing what Chiropractors did to people. A DO does manipulations like a Chiro, but concentrates on the whole body systems as being interconnected. (which they are) They will concentrate on the muscles, pressure and trigger points, spine and hip alignment, and pain control.

Due to my 35+ years of boating, walking on steel decks, climbing ship ladders, sleeping on sub-standard military mattresses and throwing in a malformed L4 vertebrae, I've suffered from back pain for pretty much my whole life. Tried Chiros, which just made it worse.

I only have to see my DO maybe twice a year, rather than most Chiros who'll want to see you 3 or 4 times a week.

NSAIDs (Alleve) for inflammation, muscle relaxers, regular stretching, and an occasional pain pill have kept me going at 100%. Even doing the physical things I did as a teenager.

 

[Motor Boater]

IMO dont let a chiro touch you, your tight muscles will just pull you back out of wack.

Agree Chiroparactors are witch doctors. Stretch, Stretch, Stretch and then stretch some more. walk, work the core and lose the belly.

 

[Outnumbered]

Ask your doctor for a shot of Dilaudid.
Ya have to have some one drive you there.
http://www.rxlist.com/dilaudid-drug.htm

Forget Chiroquacktors. They're snake oil salesmen.

Epidurals are next.
Ask your doctor if that is for you.

That is a broad brush your paintin' with TPC. It really depends upon the injury and how severe it is. A good Chiro will promptly admit when the injury is too much for adjustments and/or rehab/therapy. There is no doubt that my Chiro helped me out. You may have some more severe injuries that require surgery and heavy drugs, but to say that they are all snake oil is just plain false.

I say start with the basics and then see what happens, but to go straight to heavy meds is a big mistake.

 

[Yellowboat]

I would not let a back cracker touch me for any ammount of money.

While wrestling in college, the school brought one in, messed me up for a month. I could not get out of bed for a week.

 

[Gelcoater]

That is a broad brush your paintin' with TPC. It really depends upon the injury and how severe it is. A good Chiro will promptly admit when the injury is too much for adjustments and/or rehab/therapy. There is no doubt that my Chiro helped me out. You may have some more severe injuries that require surgery and heavy drugs, but to say that they are all snake oil is just plain false.

I say start with the basics and then see what happens, but to go straight to heavy meds is a big mistake.

i agree with this the key word is GOOD chiro. and maybe in a few days if stetching doesn't do it have your family doc take an x ray to make sure of no spinal abnormalitys,just dont lay around it only makes it worse.doing what i do im always bent over a mold or over extending my back reachin to the center of a boat. keep moving,stretching,and maybe an advil at most. good luck man.

 

[lebel409]

A few thing to say up front...49 1/2 old, problems for 15 years on and off, some reasons for it, some randomness...

Part 1. Muscle spasms are a retaliation for how you back is treated. Wait them out, take flexoril, but that shit is pretty much done until it works itself out.

Part 2. Lift correctly, ask for help, and stop when things start to get uncomfortable..before you break something....

Part 3. Age...I was diagnosed with "age related" osteoarthritis. Basically the cartilage is going the way of my hairline...Three things to do, exercise to keep the blood flow going to you back, take gloucosimin and chondroitin to supply new cartilage to you joints, a take some pain relievers to let you function until things get back on an even keel.

I tried to learn to surf a few weeks back...I can paddle, I can catch a wave, I can stand up...but the evil moment between catching the wave and trying to stand...F MEEE! Just not gonna happen, maybe next lifetime...All age related and nothing to be done except make do and trudge on.

 

[WTRR]

I was recently laid up for 2 months with a bulged disc. After a month of muscle relaxers and Jim Beam I went and had an epidural pain block. Two days later walking with no pain. Started physical therepy a month ago and they tought me some simple but very effective back exercises. You would not believe how much better I feel. I do the exercises once a day and take 2 Alieve every morning. I also walk/run 5 miles a day but have been doing that for several years. The physical therepist also taught me to lift using my hips. Amazing how just a slight shift in body mechanics can make such a huge difference. Also Physical therepy is a big crap shoot finding a good one. Two years ago I developed a severe case of tendonitis in my right shoulder. Went to P/T that was part of my ortho's group and it was made up of young kids right out of school. They had a routine and it didn't vary from patient to patient. Wasted 2 weeks there and tried a second one. This second one was owned and operated by a lady from Europe in her late fiftys. She and her staff had a totally different outlook on therepy. In a month I was trhowing the ball around with my kids again. So be careful if you decide to seek P/T.

Good luck and hope it gets better.

 

[lawbreaker2]

Well Now you all did for me, I have back back pain and my legs hurt or so bad sometimes hard to walk, 41 years old and thought that this is part of getting old and that I live in a very cold wet place called Cleveland, LOL My wife keeps telling me to go in and get check out and I almost did a few weeks ago, I said this morning to set up a doc. apt. next friday, Now I'm not sure I want somebody to touch me, But I sick of living on pain pills, cuz I know that covering the pain only Hides it for awhile.

 

[Baja Big Dog]

Norco....not the town, the pills, ya it masks the problem, but its nice to have a little relief while fixing the problem!!

 

[TPC]

That is a broad brush your paintin' with TPC. It really depends upon the injury and how severe it is. A good Chiro will promptly admit when the injury is too much for adjustments and/or rehab/therapy. There is no doubt that my Chiro helped me out. You may have some more severe injuries that require surgery and heavy drugs, but to say that they are all snake oil is just plain false.

I say start with the basics and then see what happens, but to go straight to heavy meds is a big mistake.

Yeah, you're right.
Some tout the hang upside down gizmo that I hear helps alot.
Neighbor uses it and swears it helps the pinched nerves pain.

 

[Rexone]

My wife used to work for a DO. (Osteopath) 1/2 of his practice was fixing what Chiropractors did to people. A DO does manipulations like a Chiro, but concentrates on the whole body systems as being interconnected. (which they are) They will concentrate on the muscles, pressure and trigger points, spine and hip alignment, and pain control.

Due to my 35+ years of boating, walking on steel decks, climbing ship ladders, sleeping on sub-standard military mattresses and throwing in a malformed L4 vertebrae, I've suffered from back pain for pretty much my whole life. Tried Chiros, which just made it worse.

I only have to see my DO maybe twice a year, rather than most Chiros who'll want to see you 3 or 4 times a week.

NSAIDs (Alleve) for inflammation, muscle relaxers, regular stretching, and an occasional pain pill have kept me going at 100%. Even doing the physical things I did as a teenager.

I have an excellent Chiro in Upland if you need a recommendation that does exactly the type of work Alan indicates. I have bulges in L1 through L5 and have had episodes just like you that put me on the ground. I injured it originally in a small ski race boat on a Catalina run about 3 decades ago and it only got worse from working and I used to do a lot of long distance running. I usually start with 800 mg doses of Advil to help relax the muscles, and ice packs. Since I have been seeing this guy I rarely have lower back episodes now. We work on pressure points, stretches, deep muscle work, and very little what you would call adjusting. He works on many athletes (not that I am one).

If you have a bulging disc or suspect you do you should probably have an MRI done so whatever doctor you choose has a basis of your condition.

 

[Rexone]

Yeah, you're right.
Some tout the hang upside down gizmo that I hear helps alot.
Neighbor uses it and swears it helps the pinched nerves pain.

I have one of these at my office and it does help me. Uses body weight to stretch the spine and take pressure off the discs. The one I have occilates with arm movement (balance point) and is not the type you just hang upside down on. You can go to any degree of beyond vertical you choose. A couple minutes on the thing generally helps me quite a bit.

 

[Nord]

I just threw my back out yesterday. It runs its course. Starts as a muscle spasm in my upper back then ends up in the sciatica. Time only prevails. I usually end up having to pop pain meds with muscle relaxers and it takes about 2 weeks for it to feel better. Then its about a month after that when the pains slowly goes away. Have fun

 

[maxwedge]

Routine hamstring stretching and ab workouts help a lot. Once it actually reaches that point where it spasms and you collapse on the ground and can't walk anymore, it's going to hurt like hell for at least a week and probably more like three. During that phase you are just going to suffer and/or take drugs. Dilaudid did nothing for pain in my case, but it did make me dizzy and I hallucinated that the swirly pattern on the curtain in the ER was moving, which was quite interesting.
Something I've learned since my original Doctor I had most of my life retired about 15 years ago, is that most doctors seem to have little interest in doing anything other than selling drugs. Most vets too unfortunately.
That said, I recently had pretty good good luck with the NSAID prescription Voltaren (Diclofenac Sodium), but I only take it when absolutely nessecary. Ibuprofen does nothing for me except give me heartburn. None of those drugs are particularly good for you so I try to use them only when necessary. As was mentioned before exercise is key and I find that if I exercise and stretch it helps keep the major episodes at bay for the most part. I'm always a bit stiff especially in the morning or if I bend over a car engine very long.
I watched a high school soccer tournament the other day and I was completely in awe that those kids bodies could take that kind of abuse for an hour and a half...and then they played another game two hours later! Didn't seem so painfull when I was that age, now 20 years later, I wouldn't be able to handle 1 minute of that crap without a hospital visit. I nearly called the child abuse hotline for them.

 

[HavasuHank]

my back usually starts to get irritated after some extensive yard work. all i'll do afterwords is stretch and maybe go for a walk. it'll be sore for a day or two, but usually clears up after that.

no pills needed here

 

[mbrown2]

Ice your back for the 1st 24-36 hours off/on....don't start heat until after you relieve swelling.

I would stay away from the strong drugs...if anything go with a an anti-inflamatory to help bring the swelling down...like a Naproxin.....the key is the reduce the inflamation so you can start to stretch..

Chiro's are like Dr's some are good, some bad....they like to get you on a program so you can come in 2-3 times a week...and they can help some folks...

Personnally, I would try and find a Pilates studio that takes Physical Therapy patients....so you could get it covered under your Insurance like Chiro....3-4 weeks with 3 sessions a week to begin (after inflammation subsides)...you will not belive the difference in back/core strength...

I thought it was a joke too before the Dr prescribed it and convinced me to go....now Pilates/Yoga are part of my normal routine.

 

[gqchris]

I just threw my back out yesterday. It runs its course. Starts as a muscle spasm in my upper back then ends up in the sciatica. Time only prevails. I usually end up having to pop pain meds with muscle relaxers and it takes about 2 weeks for it to feel better. Then its about a month after that when the pains slowly goes away. Have fun

Hope you feel Better also Nord. This shit sucks. Day 4, feels the same! Trying to move around and work today outta be just a blast! Taking everyones advice and icing and Advil.

 

[Abc123]

My gf works for a chiropractor. She gave me this stuff called Bio-Freeze, it comes in a spray or creme. Boy howdy does it take the pain away instantly! I went in for a few adjustments a few months ago and have been feeling pretty good.

 

[HavasuHank]

My gf works for a chiropractor. She gave me this stuff called Bio-Freeze, it comes in a spray or creme. Boy howdy does it take the pain away instantly! I went in for a few adjustments a few months ago and have been feeling pretty good.

i have had bio-freeze before ... good stuff:thumbsup

 

[Tube Sock]

I have a bulging disk and do core strenth excercises and stretching everyday and have not had an episode in nearly 5 years.

Prevention is the key!

 

[Flyinbowtie]

Hello, fellow traveller.
I am the guy with two experimental artificial disks. (google Flexicore disc, thats me, got two in a stack) I am at the very end of very, very, long road; one you have just started down. I've done the chiro's, the epidurals, the diskograms, the therapy, etc, up the wazoo, in extremis.

First things first.
Find out exactly what the problem is.
Ask around your area and find a good doc, one who specializes in backs but is not necessarliy a cutter. He (or she) will send you in for a bunch of tests, MRI, CAT scans, etc. Get them done and find out. Your pain sounds alot like the aforementioned sciatica.
Got that, too. It generally does not go below the knee. With me, it is all on the left side.
The nerve pinching can be caused by bulging discs, pinching the nerve and casuing pain.
Other phrases you'll hear are spinal stenosis, herniated discs, and the dreaded advanced degenerative disc disease, which is what I am fighting now.
A good doc can give you a straight up diagnosis which is where you need to start.
For a little relief, find a pool, put on a ski vest, and float around with your body dangling below you. Give it about 30-40 minutes and you will see some relief. I walk 1 mile 5 days a week in a olympic pool. It is helpful, no impact and keeps me from getting any fatter.
Good luck with this, I hope it is not a long term deal for ya.

 

[angiebaby]

Funny, October has traditionally been my month for back pain as well. I've slipped discs 3 times, all in October. Must have something to do with the temp change.

I haven't had back issues in a few years, probably jinx myself now. The only thing I can attribute it to is taking better care of my body. Eating better, taking supplements and working out regularly (4-5 times a week). My weight is about 15 pounds more than I'd like it to be, but physically, I've never been in better shape.

Alternating ice and then Jacuzzi were the only things that really helped my back pain.

Sorry to hear you're in pain. I've done back pain and child birth and I can honestly say that back pain is worse.

 

[Deleted Account]

I had never been to a chiro until a few months ago. I got hurt pretty good and they had me come in every other day for a few weeks. I pulled some muscles as well and the pain was pretty bad. I couldn't sleep, that bad. My sciatica was pinched also and the pain in my left leg was killing me... After three weeks we slowed to twice a week, then once a week and I have not been back for about a month. Not good when you drive a ton also...

I told the doctor I never came before and if I was lucky I wouldn't come back. He got a laugh out of that. He is pretty well respected and he got me handled.

I stretch quite a bit now and do a lot of exercises to try and keep from ever letting that happen again. I took a fair amount of drugs just to sleep at night and I'm not in a hurry to try that over...

 

[Nord]

I just took a couple motrin and will wait for them to take off the "edge" It will all be better in a couple of weeks after it takes it's course.........

 

[gqchris]

Hello, fellow traveller.
I am the guy with two experimental artificial disks. (google Flexicore disc, thats me, got two in a stack) I am at the very end of very, very, long road; one you have just started down. I've done the chiro's, the epidurals, the diskograms, the therapy, etc, up the wazoo, in extremis.

First things first.
Find out exactly what the problem is.
Ask around your area and find a good doc, one who specializes in backs but is not necessarliy a cutter. He (or she) will send you in for a bunch of tests, MRI, CAT scans, etc. Get them done and find out. Your pain sounds alot like the aforementioned sciatica.
Got that, too. It generally does not go below the knee. With me, it is all on the left side.
The nerve pinching can be caused by bulging discs, pinching the nerve and casuing pain.
Other phrases you'll hear are spinal stenosis, herniated discs, and the dreaded advanced degenerative disc disease, which is what I am fighting now.
A good doc can give you a straight up diagnosis which is where you need to start.
For a little relief, find a pool, put on a ski vest, and float around with your body dangling below you. Give it about 30-40 minutes and you will see some relief. I walk 1 mile 5 days a week in a olympic pool. It is helpful, no impact and keeps me from getting any fatter.
Good luck with this, I hope it is not a long term deal for ya.

Thanks Bowtie, will try the Pool float. Sounds like a great idea. Funny, alot of guys mentioned Aleve and to try it. So I did last night. This morning woke up, and I gotta say, it took the edge off a little. :thumbsup...hmm maybe coincidence, but alot better than the Tylenol 3. Gonna pop some more.

 

[Flying_Lavey]

I threw out my back a few months ago lifting my ex (only weighs about 120) and I immediately collapsed. She took me to the emergency room and the doc said it was just a strained back from lack of use and proper exercise. I cant remember the anti-inflammatory he prescribed for me but he prescribed that and Valium. Now, keep in mind I am only 23 but, I could hardly walk to get into the doctor's office. Within 2 days of taking that, I was moving around nice and free. Within a week, no pain and back to 100%. Ill check tonight to see what the relaxer was that he gave me. I still have damn near the entire bottle since he gave me enough for 2 weeks and I stopped taking them after 3 days. lol!

 

[gqchris]

Well, I cant believe that this was in 2009, and I am still feeling the affects of this original "incident".. Just an update as I was searching for backpain relief here again and found my initial thread. Never had back pain before that incident. My lower back is always TIGHT. I look crooked in the mirror which is more noticeable in mornings.

Multiple Dr visits later, MRI's, Chiropractors, and I suffer daily. This seems to be worse in the morning and "loosens up" in the day. Tolerable at least after some time and 3 daily Aleves. MRI shows l5-l6 degeneration, which I just had a Televisit this morning with my Dr. and he says is normal with most people as they age.

I am looking up inversion tables as we type. And I got a referral to an Orthopedic specialist finally. Before that was only Neurologist.

I am trying to lose the belly. I know the weak core is the main problem. Scared to work out in fear of making myself bed ridden.

This sucks. I feel better when I am in the floating in the lake or laying down. Anyways, just seeing if anyone has had any miracle cures lately? Hell, Ill try CBD if someone says it helps.

 

[stephenkatsea]

Some have received back pain relief from CBD oil. There is a ton of "CBD" type of products. One of the most common is Hemp Oil. When it come to pain relief Hemp Oil is not going to help you, but it shouldn't hurt you either. It is just a diet supplement, contains no THC whatsoever. Full Spectrum CBD may contain trace amounts of THC, under 0.3%. I do not know if those trace amounts would show on a drug screen. Full Spectrum CBD has brought pain relief to some.

When it comes to back pain, back problems and back surgeries etc, just remember Everyone is Different. There are so many variables.

 

[PaPaG]

So it seems like every year I get a back pain episode! Its almost like clockwork. The last three days have been a living hell. Let me just start out by saying you guys that live unfortunately every day of you life with this pain, you have my condolences. I cant imagine dealing with this daily. I just cant fathom it.

So Friday, Im looking in a boats engine room and twisted towards the bulkhead looking for a switch. I did the bend over leaning twist action! Well, didn't hit me till bout 20 minutes later. Holy hell! Couldn't even walk. This was three days ago. Today, (Sunday), still having trouble even moving. Its my lower back. Feels like muscles just spasm'ed. Even down my legs. Doesnt feel like my spine or bones per say. Just a muscle tightness and EXTREME pain! I been popping Tylenol 3's with Codeine, not even denting it. Been icing it. Been using ICY Hot patches. Nothing works. What do you guys use? Its hard to even sleep. Bout to go out and buy a cane so I can get some errands done. Cant bend over to pick things up. It just hurts like hell. I tried the Chiropractor last year year, but felt like he was just trying to get me to go to more sessions, and was a little too "holistic" for my tastes. Not that Im against natural remedies, but he was a little out there. Open to all suggestions. Thanks guys!

Chris

Bet anything it is your Sciatic Nerve...smallest wrong move can trigger it, turning especially. Pain so bad it is crazy, shocking pain down either side of the rear end and leg sometimes all the way down to your calf and below...the main thing you can do is lay down and put 2 pillows under your knees, it typically goes away after 1-3 days. Pain killers help but the injury is still there. Ice it as well...once healed you have to drop stomach weight and start to do some very light crunches to strengthen the lower stomach muscles which in turn strenghtens the lower back area...I have lived with this for over 35 years and have it down to a science...

 

[warpt71]

I was in soo much pain at one time the only way I could get to work with my carpool was in the passenger seat reclined back all the way so I was laying down. Like you, mornings were the worst and I would loosen up as the day went on. I did see a couple chiropractors and had some success, the best was an elecrto-shock machine, not a TENS, this was stronger! Those sessions were 20 min, 2-3 days a week and added up really fast! The idea is to break down the tension in the muscles and slowly build up strength. It worked to a point. I then went to a small gym with a personal trainer. I was afraid to do anything that involved lifting or running. This trainer had me come in to his Pilates class and modified everything for me. Essentially, it was a stretching class for me that led into some resistance training that did build up my core muscles. I was also taking turmeric pills for a couple of months, its a natural anti-inflammatory. I havent been to the guy in probably 8 months and still feel good, havent been taking the turmeric either. Lately I have been stiff again and I know what I need to do. I will swear by that damn Pilates class, as gay as it sounds, it helped me.

 

[JD D05]

Well, I cant believe that this was in 2009, and I am still feeling the affects of this original "incident".. Just an update as I was searching for backpain relief here again and found my initial thread. Never had back pain before that incident. My lower back is always TIGHT. I look crooked in the mirror which is more noticeable in mornings.

Multiple Dr visits later, MRI's, Chiropractors, and I suffer daily. This seems to be worse in the morning and "loosens up" in the day. Tolerable at least after some time and 3 daily Aleves. MRI shows l5-l6 degeneration, which I just had a Televisit this morning with my Dr. and he says is normal with most people as they age.

I am looking up inversion tables as we type. And I got a referral to an Orthopedic specialist finally. Before that was only Neurologist.

I am trying to lose the belly. I know the weak core is the main problem. Scared to work out in fear of making myself bed ridden.

This sucks. I feel better when I am in the floating in the lake or laying down. Anyways, just seeing if anyone has had any miracle cures lately? Hell, Ill try CBD if someone says it helps.

I have had 2 back surgeries both were a huge success. With that said I still need to manage it to keep it feeling good. My pain comes from tight hamstrings which lock my ass up tight which pulls and puts pressure on my lower back. The only thing that works for this is stretching and consistent deep tissue massage. You just need to find one that will work yore ass over good if you are like me...