BACK PAIN: Seeking Advice

"Then there are exercises maybe?"

Yes, but be careful. Some yoga exercises are helpful...some. I suggest doing an online search for home exercises for back pain. Be as specific as you want.
I will definitely keep that in mind. (y)
 

Exercises that help my back most are ones that strengthen my abdominal muscles.
Yes. I'm not sure if I need to strengthen my muscles or limber them up. It's always that question: Do I hit a nerve because my muscles are too stiff or because weak muscles allowed the nerve to come in contact with something else?
 
I have a belt that is not so "invisible" (except beneath my shirt and trousers) but I only use it when it's almost too late. I know I'm stupid but I've always been.

Well, yesterday I made a list of the 19 chiropractors in town and I was thinking of going around to what appears to be the best ones and see what they have to offer. Maybe I should wait? The thing is, I don't live in the US where you can just drop in and ask for a general check-up, x-rays, and an ultrasound inspection. Our bureaucracy sucks and can be very frustrating. But there might be a back specialist (as you say) and generally, the private ones are easier to contact. I'll have a look today. Then there are exercises maybe?

Exercises are great...but the right ones. Murmur is correct yoga, unless you have been doing that for umpteen years are a no no. I am very careful which yoga exercises I do and would highly recommend the cat stretch. Here's a video with a few exercises, have a look and if done properly they can help tremendously.


At 8.40 on the video is one exercise I do whenever I am sitting at my desk...it's become a habit now. Good luck Verisure.
 

thank
Exercises are great...but the right ones. Murmur is correct yoga, unless you have been doing that for umpteen years are a no no. I am very careful which yoga exercises I do and would highly recommend the cat stretch. Here's a video with a few exercises, have a look and if done properly they can help tremendously.


At 8.40 on the video is one exercise I do whenever I am sitting at my desk...it's become a habit now. Good luck Verisure.
Thanks for the tip(s)! I just now copied a page from Medical News Today (https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323204#lower-back-rotational-stretches)
and I was just about to try them out but clicked on your post instead. The cat stretch you mention is part of the routine. The problem is that I have one prosthetic knee and I don't yet know if I can kneel on it.
 
thank

Thanks for the tip(s)! I just now copied a page from Medical News Today (https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323204#lower-back-rotational-stretches)
and I was just about to try them out but clicked on your post instead. The cat stretch you mention is part of the routine. The problem is that I have one prosthetic knee and I don't yet know if I can kneel on it.

You can get around the cat stretch Verisure, by doing the Cat/Cow stretch which provides similar benefit and easy on the knee:


 
Verisure, MY view of Chiropractors is, they are nothing more than MASSAGERS with a Doctorate. They did absolutely nothing for me after 40 visits after I got rear ended hard. Long story, but it infuriated me.
Unfortunately mine have not relieved any of the pain in mine either...After starting with tens machines , and NHS Physiotherapists/Chiro's ( don't get me started on that) .. I paid privately for better treatment .The first one told me that backs were beyond her remit ( this was a a Chiropractor recommended by my own General Practitioner) :eek:..during this period I was having cortisone injections for herniated discs...she was nice,wore a white coat had a small practice room, but basically she was just a masseuse

It was then recommended that I see a Sports Physiotherapist instead ''because they are always dealing with men and injuries''...I saw her twice. she talked a good talk, but did very little manual manipulation..., and cost a lot of money after every session....

After the 2nd appointment she was suddenly not available when I called for another appointment, so now I just manage my own back pain with exercises from online Chiropractors/Physiotherapists... , and exercises like the Alexander technique .
 
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I don’t know if anyone mentioned this, but, have you ever seen the Bret Farv back belt? They sell it at places like Walgreens in the As Seen On TV section.

Let me give you some background on this.

I was working one day when a customer asked where he could find the product. As I took him back there, he explained that he had been practically bed ridden with back pain for years. His wife wore this belt and one day he tried hers and over a short amount of time, his back pain disappeared.

I’m always a big one for customer testimonials vs tv or magazine commercials, so I bought one because I suffered from lower back pain too. Put it on and lordie did I notice a difference. So I was telling some of my friends, who also had back pain, about it. Three of them bought the belt and raved. So there ya go!

it is very light weight, closes with velcro, can’t be seen under your clothes, comfortable to the point that you totally forget you have it on, and best of all, inexpensive.

so, it wouldn’t hurt to at least try it and see if it helps you at all. At leastI didn’t have to take 3 xtra strength excedrin and 2 advil every four hours when I was working 😊
 
You can get around the cat stretch Verisure, by doing the Cat/Cow stretch which provides similar benefit and easy on the knee:

Thanks. Problem is that I also have a pacemaker and rolling my head, neck, and chest in that way might be difficult. I'll try the cat thing and maybe put a cushion under my left knee.
 
Verisure, MY view of Chiropractors is, they are nothing more than MASSAGERS with a Doctorate. They did absolutely nothing for me after 40 visits after I got rear ended hard. Long story, but it infuriated me.
Yes, chiropractors don't have a very good reputation. Same thing with acupuncture. I have two experiences with them: both were quacks.
 
Thanks. Problem is that I also have a pacemaker and rolling my head, neck, and chest in that way might be difficult. I'll try the cat thing and maybe put a cushion under my left knee.
Perhaps the Best approach for treating any chronic pain is to First find out the cause.....via X-rays, or an MRI scan....and then engaging in a treatment, based upon the results. To just dive into some exercises or drugs, without determining the cause, could make the issues worse.
 
Having had severe lower back pain for over 40 years due to a diving accident, I've found the only thing that works for me when it comes on is floor exercises - specifically knee-to-chest exercises with a rocking motion followed by lying flat on hard surface. Family doc said arthritis had set in after having x-ray and scan. Chiropractor didn't do crap and I didn't want surgery so exercises it was and so far it's worked when needed.
 
Perhaps the Best approach for treating any chronic pain is to First find out the cause.....via X-rays, or an MRI scan....and then engaging in a treatment, based upon the results. To just dive into some exercises or drugs, without determining the cause, could make the issues worse.
I've had MRI's on my back...from that diagnoses I was given Cortisone injections several times, over a period of 5 years but eventually they just don't work ,and the doctor won't do any more..
 
Yes. I'm not sure if I need to strengthen my muscles or limber them up. It's always that question: Do I hit a nerve because my muscles are too stiff or because weak muscles allowed the nerve to come in contact with something else?
Your abdominal muscles support your back. Keeping them toned helps keep your spine aligned - improves posture and therefore prevents weakening of the spine, further injury, spinal stenosis, and acquired scoliosis. Keeping the spine aligned also keeps the nerves aligned.

I'll repeat this one because it helps a lot with alignment - find a way to hang upside down at a 45 to 80 degree angle, feet at the high end, head at the low end. Do that for at least 5-10 minutes once or twice a day. While doing this, it should feel a little bit like traction...gently stretching/pulling your spine into alignment. I used an inversion table but if you can't get one or don't have something like it, a padded slant-board is ok, and you can hang by the backs of your knees instead of your feet. You can buy slant-board or build one.
 
Perhaps the Best approach for treating any chronic pain is to First find out the cause.....via X-rays, or an MRI scan....and then engaging in a treatment, based upon the results. To just dive into some exercises or drugs, without determining the cause, could make the issues worse.
I agree with you but our bureaucracy is stiffling. It's difficult to explain but if you've read anything by Franz Kafka you'll have an idea. It could take months before I finally get an x-ray or MRI scan and the way leading up to it can be extremely frustrating. What they will do is the same thing I am doing or worse. Painkillers and exercises (physiotherapy). Getting our doctors interested in finding the cause of an ailment is like getting a dog to speak.
 
Having had severe lower back pain for over 40 years due to a diving accident, I've found the only thing that works for me when it comes on is floor exercises - specifically knee-to-chest exercises with a rocking motion followed by lying flat on hard surface. Family doc said arthritis had set in after having x-ray and scan. Chiropractor didn't do crap and I didn't want surgery so exercises it was and so far it's worked when needed.
Yes. I guess if the problem isn't skeletal then proper and specific exercise is the only hope we have.
 
Your abdominal muscles support your back. Keeping them toned helps keep your spine aligned - improves posture and therefore prevents weakening of the spine, further injury, spinal stenosis, and acquired scoliosis. Keeping the spine aligned also keeps the nerves aligned.

I'll repeat this one because it helps a lot with alignment - find a way to hang upside down at a 45 to 80 degree angle, feet at the high end, head at the low end. Do that for at least 5-10 minutes once or twice a day. While doing this, it should feel a little bit like traction...gently stretching/pulling your spine into alignment. I used an inversion table but if you can't get one or don't have something like it, a padded slant-board is ok, and you can hang by the backs of your knees instead of your feet. You can buy slant-board or build one.
I see the importance of your assessment of spine/posture alignment but with my prosthetic knee and pace-maker, I don't think that I can use your method. I'm sure it can be done some other way, though. Also, I am 74 and not as limber as you.
 
Most of the complaints, that I read, were over poor fit and no returns.
I don’t know about other places, but Walgreens takes back just about anything if you have a receipt.
I don’t know Holly. Just thought it might be something inexpensive to try.

🌷🌷I checked out that belt Kathleen...it seems great judging from this video. Worth considering (if there is a ladies fit) for my horse riding: Thanks for mentioning it.
 
If it i not your back you would not sleep differently on the two surfaces. Most couches are softer than mattresses. Are you sleeping the exact same way on both surfaces. I sleep on my left on my couch but on my right side in bed. Above all never take medical/financial advice from someone online!!!!
 
If it i not your back you would not sleep differently on the two surfaces. Most couches are softer than mattresses. Are you sleeping the exact same way on both surfaces. I sleep on my left on my couch but on my right side in bed. Above all never take medical/financial advice from someone online!!!!
Good question. The sofa doesn't allow much movement. And then there's the bed. I ALWAYS wake on my back although I sometimes go to sleep on one side. It seems as though I sleep well on the sofa no matter how I fall asleep whereas sleeping on the bed will leave me in terrible pain when I wake. As far as taking advice online it is a matter of exchanging suggestions and alternatives. The solution to my back problem is "out there" but I won't know that I've found it until I do. Everyone who's made suggestions on this thread has been helpful.
 
I agree with you but our bureaucracy is stiffling. It's difficult to explain but if you've read anything by Franz Kafka you'll have an idea. It could take months before I finally get an x-ray or MRI scan and the way leading up to it can be extremely frustrating. What they will do is the same thing I am doing or worse. Painkillers and exercises (physiotherapy). Getting our doctors interested in finding the cause of an ailment is like getting a dog to speak.
oh you're with the same Doctors surgery as me then ? :( we have the same problem with ours...right now it's 8.30am, I have been trying to get our surgery to answer the phone since 7.30am... they don't.The problem being that if you don't call before 9am, you can't get an appointment to see a Doctor that day
 


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