Anyone with a bad back?

[asagaai]

Five years ago rock climbing in Thailand, doing an overhanging cliff of some 150 metres, top pitch, sat on a stainless steel bolt drilled into cliff- gave way, fell 7 metres onto a belay ledge -wedge fractures to two vertebra in thoracic spine.

First 6 months had to take it very easy, now back into doing rock climbing and even having little falls onto ropes-have to make sure I do not load compressively my spine in similar fall scenario as the fractured bone have lost strength.

I still get pain in the spine, bending over desk working on files under stress, whipper snipping garden with a heavy petrol unit over 1.5 hours-but you just learn to live with the pain.

What I do is swimming in an outdoor ocean pool- laps, and gym with pull ups and hanging. Orthopaedic surgeons always advocate to back injured people, give up smoking, swim, and exercise, and keep weight down.

A lot of other "treatment" is snakeoil....

[blackf6]

Scoliosis, degenerative disk disease. Neck and lower back in bad shape. Nearly no disks between. Chiro every fortnight. The life of a trucker.

[Uncle Tone]

I used to have two weeks off flat on my back every three months. Went on like that for a couple of years after I bulged a disc. Then went and saw a guy, he gave me excercises to do, I do them, and I haven't had a day off work since. That was ten years ago.

Most important excercise for me I think is traveling lunges carrying two 10kg Dumbbells. 3 sets of 30 steps. Hurts the next day, I can tell you! Another one is the toes balanced on a fit ball, and doing push-ups wobbling about with your hands on the Dumbbells. I'm nice and steady now, but before I used to fall off all the time.

It's all about the core. If you don't have a decent set of glutes, you don't have anything.

[cram_it_frog]

I have was born with spodalosythus something like that

the disk wears down and the disk slip into the nerve canal

I have had a spinal surgery S1 L5 when I was 35

Now at 62 the disk above the fusion has got a number of tears and facit joints are all stuffed

there is only one cure for this is called death so I just live with it the best I can

average 5 out of ten pain is a good day

[LTDHO]

I have suffered back pain (and associated head aches) for 20 years.

I have tried, Gym, Chiro, podiatrist, Osteo, etc. Nothing works longer than a few weeks at best. I no longer take pain killers as my body got immune.

Fortunately it only hurts when I either stand, sit, walk or lie down.

[beardo]

So you just have to run everywhere then? Kidding, thats pretty bad, no anti inflammatory works?
My doctor wants me to get blood tests to see if i have arthritis (I'm 29) but he ****ed me off so I'm not doing it

[mechanic]

Originally Posted by Uncle Tone

I used to have two weeks off flat on my back every three months. Went on like that for a couple of years after I bulged a disc. Then went and saw a guy, he gave me excercises to do, I do them, and I haven't had a day off work since. That was ten years ago.

Most important excercise for me I think is traveling lunges carrying two 10kg Dumbbells. 3 sets of 30 steps. Hurts the next day, I can tell you! Another one is the toes balanced on a fit ball, and doing push-ups wobbling about with your hands on the Dumbbells. I'm nice and steady now, but before I used to fall off all the time.

It's all about the core. If you don't have a decent set of glutes, you don't have anything.

I'll go along with that. I do different exercises, more traditional weights.
The result is the same though, squats, leg raises, calf raises and hamstring exercise create a solid core so that muscles do the work rather than pressure on the joints.
I know this works because if I get lazy and take time off my legs and back let me know real quick.
I don't enjoy doing these exercises and never look forward to them but find a weird sense of discipline and feeling good after doing them when I feel like crap and there's 50 other things I'd rather be doing.

[cram_it_frog]

How many epidurals have you had for pain I have lost count and sadly they no longer work as well

same as narcotics what i take now would put a mule to sleep for a week anther side effect is if I have any type of surgery it take s a lot more

I am waiting for what teeth I have left to be removed in Broken Hill hospital as no dentist will work under normal pain drugs

I am now on methodone 30 mg twice a day

[cram_it_frog]

my major problem is bending or twisting I lost that ability and I have lost depth perception on my left leg

I sort of fall down a lot and people think you are drunk ( I wish I was )lol

[beardo]

^^^ I think the frog wins. I feel like a whinger now

[SYZ]

Originally Posted by superyob

I will never go to a chiropractor. I have been informed by many (including a physio therapist) that they can do more harm than good. Is this true?

You need to be extremely diligent in choosing an accredited practitioner. Chiropracty is still considered to be "alternative medicine" by mainstream medical professionals, and there's lots of quacks out there who're possibly endangering patient's lives. You might like to check out THIS site.

[comagutsa]

I did a bulging disc L4/L5 years ago and intense physio/chiro and exercise got me back but I had to watch what I did for years but then I hurt it again and I put up with the pain for years. man it killed me sometimes
then we booked a trip to the US and I thought I didn't want to be an old man and I wanted to enjoy myself while there (I was 35 or so at that time)
so I saw a specialist and I went and had back surgery, the took away some bone in my spine so the could access where the disk was hitting on my spinal cord and nerves and scrapped away the disc
woke up with instant relieve, no pain in my left leg/*** and back took 6 weeks off work to heal as no bending lifting or twisting in that time
did my exercises they gave me and physio and took it easy for a while as the disc will never be the same as you have lost the hard coating that holds the gel in
but it you watch what you do eg lifting etc it will be fine
its been about 4 yr now and its still going great .. wished I did it earlier and didn't have to put up with all the pain for years
I been going to a chiropractor since I was a kid and still do, love it

but exercise and core work have helped me big time .. after surgery I didn't do any exercise for about 1.5yrs and I was worried I would hurt myself but after putting on 15kg I though I better do something. started walking with core stuff, then walking turned into running and more core work
and I lost the 15kg and don't run as much now but still walk and do core and back feels so much better/stronger after losing the 15kg and I'm back doing everything I used to do , but when it comes to lifting I don't push it and if its heavy I get help now
I'm now 39 nearly 40

[cram_it_frog]

chiropractor do have a place in medical just as some Chinese procedures and even exercise


What people do not understand is most of us suffer from back pain because we stand up monkeys and other animals do not

But it is the degree of injury I am at the wrong end of scale but a week end in the garden can cause just has much pain but after rest and hot shower it goes away that is the diference

I can walk but I can only do light exercise in the hydro pool and under strict supervision

Finally the best way to deal with a problem like this is learn to understand your own body and what is going on and if you know what a doctor is saying is wrong speak up , many GPs just give pain meds or order physo when you do not need it .

[cram_it_frog]

we are so lucky now when I first had back pain when I was 20 it was just take as much narcotics as you wanted sort of treatment.

Doctors were gods and patients were idiots

Today they now realize pain is a separate medical problem and they set up special pain clinics for people with chronic long term pain

But you only get into pain clinics if you have sever serious pain over a long time

Drugs have changed now they use anti epileptic medication which helps nerve pain but be warned some people and I am one of them who when given anti epileptic drugs actually have fits


Be warned read side effect of all drugs you are given but be carefull it may scare you and as I said if you do not like what you read talk to your doctor

I often refuse medication because of what I read on side effects ( this is what I mean by understanding your own medical problem and you own body)

I think if 50 years or less pain will be a think of the past there is a group of people who do not feel any pain and they are looking at what is different in these people

Also In Afghanistan The army doctors now use very little pain drugs they block the pain with injections direct to the nerves closest to the injury

imagine 50 years ago they have very little pain drugs and often cause more problem than the injury so we going forward

[mik]

The poor old back cops it ,
i had a bit of sciatica when i was 23 , i did not think i would ever walk or work again, i was off work for weeks in recovery.
i did lots of heavy lifting over the years in various jobs , one in particular involved picking up 50 kilo bags off the ground in a hurry and loading them into machines , i did that for 5 years , among many other labor intensive jobs, the last chiro i saw told me i had a curved spine from leaning over the gear shift in the truck and i would require manipulation to my back as long as im walking or still alive .
We dont think our bones and cartilages can wear out ......but they do, certain ways i move at times my bones rattle ......seriously .
one of my trucking jobs , we as drivers where expected to help unload , i remember one day i had a 9'6" high x 40 foot container out of our depot full of clay pots ....... inside of clay pots ......inside of clay pots ......24 tons net of clay pots ,

i delivered 3 of these in the one day and helped hand unload every one .... the joys of trucking .
i live with rattly bones torn muscles and dodgey back , but still get into it , it hurts but i do sit ups every night and bike riding , beat my recent record last night with 155 sit ups.
i still can do stuff , but im much more careful how i do it , i lift gently, no sudden movements , and if it looks ridiculously heavy , i`ll get help or think of a better way than busting the pooper valve .... or the back.

[damo76]

When i was young i used to work on the drill rigs and had no problems running with drill rods on my shoulders, jumping out of trucks, carrying 50kg bags of gravel on my shoulders and using 48 inch stilsons to break the rods... Now i'm stuffed.
39 years old, i need to sleep with a fan blowing on my legs every night and i get a restless sensation from my lower back when trying to sleep, sometimes i cant sleep because i keep tossing and turning depending on how bad it gets. Riding the motorbike on a rough road will incompacitate me for a day or 2, I can't sit on a lounge and relax for long before my lower back sends weird sensations down my legs and my legs get restless then i have to move or get up... I thought i was invincible when i was young... everyone told me i wasn't and it'll catch up with me, well it did.. I also cant run or i can feel my back jarring with every step. ect... I have put up with it for years but unfortunately it is getting worse.

[cram_it_frog]

damo I also had restless leg before I had surgery to remove the the pressure

tyr drinks like lemon bitter Schweppes drink with quinine in it there is also tablets from the GP

Who has had surgery on there back ?

they say once you have surgery your back is never the same

today it is rare operation and only done as last resort

but there is one thing we must all realize when in pain there is always some worse off situation than you a sad but true fact

[Express]

Originally Posted by superyob

I will never go to a chiropractor. I have been informed by many (including a physio therapist) that they can do more harm than good. Is this true?

I have ongoing shoulder and elbow problems caused by sports injuries suffered as a child and my Orthopaedic Surgeon told me that Chiropractors were a gift from God.

Most of his patients come from them.

[cram_it_frog]

express yes I agree because many back problem are just stiff or swollen facet joints

The chiropractor do some training and if you find a good one that is fantastic

I have not said this before but the 1960s gave the back a bad name because so many people all over the world used it for a day off

In those days it was hard to prove if you had a real or imaginary injury so it was a great way to get a sickie and many used it for compo claims

Today MRI and new technology they get 3 d images mine is amazing and as the doctor said a total mess

he showed me where the facit joints were damged and the disk was torn and other problems

Unfortunately a chiropractor or physo will not touch me because they will end up doing much more damage so all i can get is epidural and hot packs

[1TUFFUTE]

Anyone ever tried 'cupping'. Some chiros do it. It's basically little shot glasses on fire then put on your back at the inflamed areas. The temp change makes the glass suck the skin and so on up with a lot of pressure! It's actually really nice if you just have a sore back.....and not a chronic injury. Feels like a pack of sucker fish on your back!
A bit Like hot stones aswell!

[F6RCD]

I have muscle pain in my lower back, who should I be talking to about this? Chiro, doctor, physio?? Thank you.

[cram_it_frog]

Frcd first port of call is always the GP they will decide on which path you need to travel


you will need a referral to see any type of specialist and only the GP or specialist can do this

at home for now heat pack on the back and radox bath will help cut out sex drinking and any other pleasures you enjoy lol

pain is exacerbated by too much stress and tension so just relax as much as you can

[F6RCD]

Thank you.

[bathurst-racer]

At 25 years old I had the usual "mechanics back". At one point I was bedridden for a couple of weeks but it eventually came good. When I was 26 I was involved in a car accident coming home from work one evening. Two shattered femurs and all of the issues fat embolism cause along with a head injury from the A pillar coming back as I was going forward.
The femurs caused a 3cm difference in leg length and my spine was damaged from the head impact. So now I have chronic back, leg, neck and other pain but it all comes down to I now hurt from head to foot. I just get on with it as best I can because nobody cares. I'm not whinging just saying it like it is and I genuinely sympathise with anyone who struggles with their pain.
My best relief comes when I have a deep hot bath, the latest car magazine, a large block of dairy milk chocolate with a big drink of milk.
That's when the whole world can get stuffed

[mik]

I remember reading that swimming is supposed to be good for strengthening the back muscles which helps keep all the bits in place,
even bike riding i have read is good for the back , because the constant balance thing happening which you dont even notice that you are doing and helps to tone up back muscles, of course the aerobic benefit is a plus too .

[cram_it_frog]

MIk yes swimming is good

a good tip is go to SA and cover your entire body in seal oil and just up the road from Ceduna jump into the ocean and when you have a 20 foot white pointer up your **** thinking your dinner you tend to swim really fast and build the body up

o yes you forget all your problems as well

[Denim]

Ive been going to chiropractors for the past 30 plus years.. if Chiros are that bad.. im lucky to be alive then huh?.. have a good think of this.. how many patients, have you heard of dying thru chiropractic practices, and how many patients have you heard of, dying thru mis-diagnosis, wrong medication given, or thru unnecessary surgery?? Chiropractors, Physiotherapists, and Doctors ALL have their place in society, YOU just make sure you go to the right person, for the right sort of treatment, and keep an open mind, dont let someone elses fears of Chiros, influence your better judgement.. cheers..

[blackf6]

My problems come and go. I was as good as gold yesterday. Even at 00:00 hrs when I started work. But 30 minutes later, I was crawling around on a service station fore court. Dipping tanks for my delivery. Thank god the servo was shut, and everyone was sleeping.

[damo76]

Originally Posted by cram_it_frog

damo I also had restless leg before I had surgery to remove the the pressure

tyr drinks like lemon bitter Schweppes drink with quinine in it there is also tablets from the GP

Who has had surgery on there back ?

they say once you have surgery your back is never the same

today it is rare operation and only done as last resort

but there is one thing we must all realize when in pain there is always some worse off situation than you a sad but true fact

Thanks for the advice.. what was the surgery for? was it to cut away the bulging disks? and what pills can you get from the doctors? i have tried most pain killers but the only thing that comes close to working in having a small bit of pot.
Curious to know as after all these years its really starting to get to me... time to do something

[cram_it_frog]

quinine tablets

I am on Persephone now and that is methadone

The surgery was was a spinal fusion and lanonectomy S1 L5

removal of the disk

if you are in constant pain ask your GP for a referal to the pain clinic there is a long waiting time for them but they are good and if you need narcotics they will say so

Today you need a pain clinic or specialist referral for any narcotics

but narcotic drugs is a big step they rote your teeth and can cause tummy hassle