Back woes.

[snowcat]

I probably like a fair few on here have suffered lower back issues for years, from time to time it will spasm and give me real grief for a few days and then subside to just the usual dull ache in the mornings, Last night I got in about 9pm after a not especially physically hard day got in the shower picked up the gell, and literally couldn't move for the pain, had to crawl out the shower lie on the floor for 10 minutes before crawling in the bedroom and not moving for the night, this morning after a restless night I tried to get up at 6.30 and couldn't had to sort of drag myself pull and breathe between the pain finally got downstairs at 8.10 never experienced anything like it for pain include broken bones burns etc.

Today I didn't work couldn't physically get in the truck or nor TBH would have been any use for anything anyhow, after a day of stretching walking etc, its tolerable.

I suspect its a combination of not listening when I was younger and lifted badly and bad posture from said strains that have caused it.

Im wondering what others have done, Its time to try and prevent it happening best I can, Im sort of very skeptical about chiropractors etc as it people either say there money takers with no outcome or brilliant.... Im also wondering if others have found exercises etc have improved it, Pilates seams to be the thing although I may feel a bit of a twit in a room full of sweaty women (or maybe not )

Seriously though any help would be appreciated.

 

[brightspark]

try not to aggravate it by hard work but try and keep moving

 

[pedrobedro]

Pilates seams to be the thing although I may feel a bit of a twit in a room full of sweaty women

It's probably best not to discuss what you are feeling in a room full of sweaty women When I get twinges I find that riding my bicycle seems to alleviate a lot of it.

 

[Rannsachair]

I have suffered with lower back pain for years, was really bad about 12 years ago after lifting a boat mooring (hydraulic valve block weighing 200+ lbs bedded into a sandy sea bed), was in agony for months. Eventually I tried the hospitals walk in physio service, 2 weeks of exercises and pain was gone. I kept doing 50 pressups every morning up to a year and a half ago and suffered no back issues. I also found riding my motorbike helped alleviate any twinges.

Unfortunately I ended up with cancer of the spine and surgery but that was unrelated to the lower back pain/damage.

 

[chunkolini]

I broke my back paragliding six years ago.
I also live with semi constant pain.
I tried Tai Chi, lasted five minutes and feigned an upset stomach to escape politely. I did not want to laugh and express my inner self to the sky.
Yoga was a bit better but the guy was a touchy feely creep around the women, especially my then girlfriend.
Pilates? I went to that for quite a while and have developed some stretches for myself based on it. I stopped going as I kept missing sessions to go out paragliding.
I would recommend giving that a go.
Also listen to your back. I am happy with most activities and and keep an eye out for it giving me grief. Eg sit around for an hour, wander around for a bit etc.
Work is mostly pretty good for it, lost of stretching and mauling things around helps.
Plasma cutting and long welding sessions are murder as they involve very static and stressed positions.
if you go to Pilates eat afterwards, trying to pass wind discretely as your bum is 3" off the floor is difficult.
Good luck with it. Last piece of advice, avoid painkillers they just hide a problem rather than addressing it.

 

[gaz1]

have you got issues with a sliped disc or slippinjg disc ?

as father suffered from them often

had to be careful one fast movement and it was gone fine other times but just one twist the wrong way and yeah his back was gone

one thing i wll say is he had a solid matress not a soft one more solid than i like however saying that even i sleep on a more solid one compared to sinking in matress

lifting too heavy gear and stuff is a good way to hurt the back when really you shouldnt be doing

his was relax and let the pain ease other times call doctor out and it was always the same sorry cant do much for you blah blah

 

[roofman]

Always remember what my back doctor told me 30 years ago, he was a physiotherapist for a pretty big football team near me. Anyway his advice was try to retain normal movement no matter how much you scream with the pain, aids recovery in the muscles twice as fast as resting them and always worked for me and still does as almost 45 years roofing my back and knees are my key to survival.

 

[daedalusminos]

I've suffered lower back pain for years, usually triggered by over straining though strangely it takes a few days for the pain to start...then it can last quite a week or so. What does seem to ease it is Diazepam (for muscle relaxation).

 

[daleyd]

Some good advice above but one thing I would disagree with is the “avoid painkillers” part.

If you think you need them then don’t be afraid to use them. If you don’t you tend to be less mobile, and hold yourself in awkward positions to try and alleviate the pain, whereas painkillers can allow you to move more naturally. Obviously follow gp or medical professional advice but I’ve been told by doctors and my osteopath and a physiotherapist I went to that while you shouldn’t be popping them like sweets you shouldn’t ignore them.

 

[daedalusminos]

Anyway his advice was try to retain normal movement

Yes, years ago would you believe they used to recommend bed rest!

 

[roofman]

I've suffered lower back pain for years, usually triggered by over straining though strangely it takes a few days for the pain to start...then it can last quite a week or so. What does seem to ease it is Diazepam (for muscle relaxation).

The good old Diazepams...Making the world smile for no apparent reason

 

[MysterG]

Mines being playing up lately first thing in the morning.
Feel okay in bed, get up and can't get dressed because of the pain.
I have an inversion table, and have found that once the pain has settled to a point I can clamber on to it, only a few minutes upside down (not fully) is all it takes to take the edge off and make the day bearable.
Next day rinse and repeat.

 

[My Old Landy]

I have had traction and even acupuncture along with the usual steroid injections. My advice would be similar as above, don't rely on painkillers as it will damage your liver in the long term.

 

[keithski122]

When I get back problems I alternate between ibuprofen and paracetamol (keeping within recommended doses) which eases things up then trying to carry on moving helps things get better.When things get real bad doc has given me co-dydramol and diazepam(which I haven't taken as its adictive).Things are worse when I don't move, I seize up.Normally things get better after a few days, interesting trying to get socks and shoes on without be able to reach your feet.

 

[daedalusminos]

I can see where this is going...

#shouldhavestayedonallfours

 

[More Amps]

Have suffered with back problems on and off over the years - usual causes - not lifting with back straight or sometimes just bending into an awkward position - always swear I'll remember the next time...but never do. The problem is further exacerbated by having a relatively long back. My experience with chiropractors has been varied over the years - I can think of three who have been excellent and several more who were more concerned with my diet and lifestyle (its certainly a profession that attracts more than its fair share of oddballs!) My history with them would suggest that a good one can see what the problem is and sort you out in under an hour, with maybe one or two follow-up visits if you feel you're not quite sorted. First session should take about an hour with further visits taking max half an hour. Costs typically around £40 - £50 per session.

The ones to avoid are the ones who claim that your entire body is out of alignment and it will take a course of treatment to correct it (i.e. come back once a week for the next year...) Finding a good one can be difficult, but if in doubt ask someone who has actually been themselves. Good luck with getting yourself sorted.

 

[Mma man]

I was in the same boat budy but mine went on site bent down to pick up my mag drill and ended up on the floor eyes watering and still 200 holes to drill. Go to your doctor budy. I should have gone years before really. He gave me relaxants and codeine. I was off work for 6 weeks and Havnt had much trouble with it since. Best nights sleep I've had through my entire life on those pills and it solved it

 

[snowcat]

Some good advice thanks,

The issues seam to be when I become seditory this time of year I spend a lot of time in the truck or driving machinery, which seams to stiffen it and then the slightest movements makes it go.

Although i am not opposed to painkillers my body is and they tend to give me sickness feelings so I avoid unless the pains almost impossible.

I always try and keep moving once it goes, walking I find generally helps but was actually in too much pain this morning to do more than a few steps, Ohh and I couldn't do my shoelaces up

 

[julianthegypsy]

Mine went very suddenly. While I was waiting for the NHS to spring into action I tried acupuncture, because it's worked for me before, a long time ago. It did nothing, but then I had a prolapsed disc, so it really had no chance. Painkillers stopped the screaming until I finally got the disc cut away, and then I religiously did the physio exercises at hospital for about three months. That got me back in shape and pain free for a year and then it started going downhill and has been slowly getting worse ever since. I personally don't get on with painkillers but I wouldn't say don't use them. If there were any that just made me feel normal and pain free, I'm sure I would. I'd say see the doctor and find out what's going on. It may be something that needs the operating table, or it could be something that acupuncture, physio, which is like pilates, or simple exercises and painkillers can deal with, but you're unlikely to find out what works until you know what's causing it.

 

[123hotchef]

I try to do my stretches and strengthening exercises each day maybe not evry day but it does help. pain is worse if I have a lay in on my day off if I get one!