O/T: What do you all do for Lower Back Pain!?

haha sorry if that post seemd worthless i am just sayin that this thread was good and that i should probably seek a chiropractor


sorry

-dan

 

see a good chioropractor[sp?].....the one I visit when I get stupid ,really can restore me and get good results.

Another thing a friend[who had two surgeries] showed me is this....
Lay flat on the floor/arms at your side......
raise either leg straight up as far as possible-then while trying to keep your back flat on floor-swing the raised leg as far to the opposite direction as you can...
so if it is the left leg twist it to the right etc......
then reverse and do the other leg...

remember the idea is to remain with your back planted as flat as can be done while swinging the leg....

this somehow helps in minor misalignments of a disc at lower back.

I have noticed myself that when I am at my poorest physical shape say in winter months- that I get the back injurys easier...so excercise probably is key to PREVENTING the injury.

 

Are you meaning to imply that a MD has never killed or maimed somebody thru surgery? Would you agree that if the pain in your back could be reduced or eliminated WITHOUT surgery and WITHOUT meds, you would be ahead in the game? Conventional Md's treat with drugs and surgery, that's what they were trained to do. Sometimes there are other ways to achieve the same outcome.

 

I have suffered with lower back pain for the last 20+ years, and I'm only 35. I does **** badly so I know how you feel. Based on my experiences:

I would suggest seeing your family physician prior to seeing chiropracotor. They will be able to run/order tests that a chiro can't to verify what is and what's not wrong.

I'm a mess in the lower back. One of my legs is slightly longer than the other which throws off the whole kilter. Plus I have two compressed discs in my lower back. When it flares up hard I can't even walk. I don't recommend any sort of cortizone or other steroid shots on a regular basis. Maybe once or twice for slight relief. The injury is still there and the shots just mask the pain. To top it off I play ice hockey and get bounced around a bit. Sometimes when the muscles just get tense this actually helps, believe it or not. And I'm not saying you should take up skating either

The two things my doctor told me to do was to stretch out the back muscles on a regular basis and to loose weight/strengthen the abdominal muscles. I am fat (no P H) and loosing a few pounds does make a difference. And I'm not saying you need to lose weight...just my dr's diagnosis for me.

I used to visit the chiro three times a week and it did help so I am not saying they are not a good thing, just check with your PCP first.

Once I would start feeling better after a flare up, I would get back to going balls out and surer than **** my back would go into spasms again and sideline me for anothe few weeks. So I would suggest allowing ample time for the back to heal up before going back to the car. It isn't easy but it will help if you wait. I know it ****s but it will make a huge difference with your comfort level. Pushing it will make it worse.

I feel for you man. I had the same thing happen to me at the end of May. The lower back went ape **** and I ended up in the ER just to get some relief. I ended up with all sorts of stuff pumped into me for a few hours. It was so ****ed up they wouldn't give me a shot in the spine. they actually put me on an IV drip of about four different muscle relaxers and pain killers. And it totally screwed my original plans of having my car back on the road by the end of May. It's now the 9th of June and I am finally putting the finishing touches together to hit the road.

 

It sounds like it could be lower back strain or sprain. Being a fat ******* with a fairly hazardous occupation I encounter this about once a year. If you encounteer any numbness or tingling in your legs go to the DR or ER immediately, that's a sign of nerve damage. When I hurt my back it usually hurts for about 2 weeks then slacks off for another 2 or 3 weeks. This time I went to physical therapy and it helped out. If your insurance covers therapy I recommend it, at least a few visits until you learn the exercises enough to do them at home. I learned from my PT that I needed to strengthen some muscle groups in my legs and abdomen to help prevent future injury. The last time I hurt myself was the most severe, and it healed faster than ever with the therapy.

For now, rest in a position of comfort, either on your back or on your side. If on your side consider placing a pillow between your knees if it helps. You can use cold packs or heat packs, whichever helps the most. Use them in 20 minute cycles - on for 20, off for 20. If you use cold packs wrap them in a damp towel to keep your skin from getting too cold. Keep up the meds as prescribed and don't do anything that makes it hurt. Remember the old joke - "Dr, It hurts when I do that"
"Then don't do that"

Once you heal up you can do exercises to strengthen your back, legs, and abdominal muscles to prevent it happening again. Some basic stretches in the morning and before activity could help too. That's one reason we have so many back injuries at work, we go from sitting around the station to doing strenuous and stressful labor within a matter of minutes. Sorry about the book Hope it gets better.

 

I've had severe pain for years. So bad that if I sneeze I get electrical type jolts through my arms and legs.

regular docs say nothings wrong with me. I had to quit working as a mechanic because of all the bending and lifting. Its been over 4 years now and its much better. I still work on cars, but not on the line constantly. Repe***ive motion will get you.
If its a one time strain, or pinched nerve, go to the doc, chiro, or stretch alot.

Lift smart. I used to put ******s up on my shoulder to install them instead of using the jack. It catches up. I can barely pick one up now.

Take care of your back. its the only one you have. The post about the body stretching machine is correct. That has helped alot of people.
tell your wife/ gf that you need therapy daily. *** is really good for your back! I guess I dont get enough..

 

Desert, thanks for the useful information. Thats what my chiropractor said fromt he beginning, sprain/strain on my lower back muscle. But I am not sure if it interacts with the nerve? He told me the same thing, lay on the floor on your back with your knees raised. He also said to put ice on it at night. So, thanks again for the info. I know many of us in the car restoration gig have come across lower back pain sometime in our life! I am 29 yrs old and I also have a big gut (which I am losing as we speak). Overweight ****s!!!!!!! But them In and Out Double Double burgers rule

 

It shouldn't. Signs of nerve damage include tingling, numbness, weakness, slow reflexes, etc... in the legs. If you have any of these see your Doctor immediately. Sprain or strain means to muscle has been overworked, and just needs a break. They give muscle relaxers and anti inflammatory meds, advise you to take it easy, and apply heat or cold to it.

If it doesn't get any better in a few weeks that could be a sign of disc damage or other more serious problems that can be diagnosed with a CT scan or MRI. Good luck! I know it's a *****, but hopefully it's just a sprain or strain.

 

I'm also very interested in the replies to this post. My own back has been giving me troubles after standing for any length of time (like a 3 hour little league game) and it hurts so much to get into my truck and sit. Recently I had back x-rays and they said that I had compression of my lower discs. I'll lose weight and start stretching / excercising and see if that helps.

Thanks for the suggestions with all of the exercises.

Also some people that I know have inserted a sheet of plywood between the mattress and box spring to stiffen up their bed - claims it helped with their back pain.

 

Wheelnut, I have spent probably $6000 over the past ten years trying to find a quality mattress. I've had firm, soft,pillow top, coil, and everthing in between. We found a closed cell form fitting pad that goes over you existing mattress. Found it at Sam's and it is wonderful. About $150.00 I think. Best money we have spent. I have to go lay down now. All of this makes my back hurt. TP
.

 

A couple years ago, I was having chronic lower back problems, 40+ hours a week leaning over the hood of a car will do that. It got so bad I was out of work for a week, could hardly get out of bed. I went to the doctor, and he told me what a lot of other people have already said in this thread -- take aspirin or Advil (he gave me a prescription for 800mg Advil 3x a day) and do basic streteching excersises.

He also told me to ice it for 20 minutes, then heat for 20 minutes, repeat several times. The ice reduces swelling, and the heat promotes healing.

The important thing he said (and the reason I decided to post this) was: Back pain is a ***ulative thing. You can injure yourself months ago doing something dumb like tying your shoe, and today, you zig when you should have zagged and suddenly your back hurts. Because of this it is important to continue the stretches.

Bottom line is, I still do the stretching excersises he showed me, about three times a week. I have had zero back problems since.

 

well atleast i an't the only unlucky basterd with a chronic back pain <--- snowboarding accident long story but the problem with ciros is they want ya to come back on a weekly basis so if ya go only go for about 5 sessions and then wait. it will clear up if not drink lots of beer it solves everything

 

i bought a tempurpedic mattress

waste of money

sometmes my back hurts worse from it and having *** on it ****s

-dan

 

surfmonkey, why did you need that done? you injured yourself real bad?

 

You do realize that Dr.'s kill people, don't you? Far more people in one year have been killed by Dr.'s than have been killed throughout the entire history of chiropractic care.

BTW, the source you provided for that article, it's ****.

 

Try hitting it from behind.

 

Well versed in this area, Chiros work for some but you should have an MRI done before you risk them, they could make it much worse, which happened to me.

My neurodude whatever he was told me immediate surgery was my only hope, but said we could try an epidural just to see what it would do. That was 3 years ago and although I havent been pain free, I still have not had the surgery, which is hit and miss at best.

If you've got a disk problem try the epidural, at the very least you'll get temporary relief.

Try the chiros if its just muscular or out of line, but beware because xrays sometimes do not show soft tissue damage like a bulging disk

Fat wallet can really make your back hurt too! Good luck....

 

After a few years of living with it every day, you'll come to accept it as just a part of life.

When it gets worse, you'll hardly notice...because it will hurt to SOME extent EVERY day!

In the meantime, other new aches, pains and ailments will crop up to take your mind off your back for a while. One good infected nerve in a wisdom tooth will keep you focused on THAT pain for a week or two. Once you can live with back pain and other crippling pain everyday, and do a root c**** yourself with no anesthetic, you'll be tough enough to LAUGH at pain that would bring mortal men to their knees!

**** it up, trooper...you ain't yet BEGUN this fight!!!

 

I've had back pains since I can remember. I'm only 20. I used to ride BMX and do stuff like that when I was young and that probably caused it. Working on cars definately doesn't help. What I usually do is piss, *****, and moan. Doesn't make me feel any better but it sure does bring everyone else down haha.

 

I broke three of the small bones in my back water sking when I was 27. They never did heal and are floting around and every now and then just jab the spinal cord legs go numb and have fallin only once. The doctor told me that the opperation might work 50/50 I still work and my odds arnt bad Im 44 and they told me I may be in a wheel chair if the bones didnt heal properly. As for the pain I get I take 2 to 4 heavy strength tylenol and get back to work grin and bear it. MY doctor told me to stay home lay flat on the floor with my feet up tried his way but couldnt afford to stay home for a week every two months.If I work it goes away after three days or so. DO SEE A DOCTOR and try to find out the cause. Because mine is due to broken bones I cant go to a chiropactor.

 

Go to your Doctor! If the pain is shooting down your leg it's a pinched nerve. I strained my back, could barley walk, had to crawl up the stairs for days. could not get out of bed. It was the most horrible time in my life. My pain lasted just over a week.
Worst thing about mine was, I just drug home my '36, dropping off the trailer, and whammo, back went out!

 

Jaybee, I used to suffer constant and annoying lower back pain. Tried all sorts of different chairs and sleeping arrangements. When chest pains and a big gut kicked in I finally decided to do exercise, and eat less. Just some walking, crunches, pressups, etc. Two weeks later Mr Back Pain had gone away completly!
Primary cause of back pain is the trunk not being supported by the muscles, so it falls around all over. 'Core strength' is needed to keep all yer bits and pieces tensioned and lined up properly.

 

hangout in the hospital for a month and a half..get cut from stem to stern....then hang tough.

 

If yoy're the macho type don't finish reading this response!


About 10 years ago I was havin' all kinds of lower back pain. Most painkillers didn't help it much. My ex son-in-law worked as a concrete finisher for years. He told me to take MIDOL to alleviate the pain AND IT REALLY WORKS! I really don't know how the ladies do without it.

Guess you're now all gonna call me a *****!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

well, we'll see what happens. Even if I have to leave the chevy for a month, I'll do it. Back pain ****s!

 

stinks to see so many of us with the same problem.I hope you feel better soon.5 years ago I got hit by a drugged up s.o.b. while talking to a friend outside his car window.he pinned me between his car and truck and twisted me like a pretzel.still hurt almost every day.most are alright right some days i have to use a cane.suxs when you are feeling great walking around Walmarts with the wife and kid,sneeze scream out and almost hit the floor

 

dude,my back has been bad for 30 years,car wreck.all the mds want to do is operate,stay away from the md's.i go to a chiro.sometimes its years between visits,but pay real close attention,i'm 6'2''.250 lbs,and a woman or small man chiro cannot adjust your back,you need a big strong man to do it.my chiro has kept me walking and working for 30 years.my md wants to replace my knees,operate on my back etc..my chiro has even adjusted my knees so that i no longer have knee pain.. randy

 

Seriously... Midol has always worked for me except for the strange urge to watch Oprah after I take it.

 

I used to eat ibuprophen by the case and keep codene around for bad days.

Go to the doctor and get it looked at.

In the mean time try a hot soak and then lay on the floor with your feet in the chair (knees bent) if hot doesn't help try an ice pack.

Did I mention go to the doctor? I screwed around with mine and now its beyond repair.

 

You forgot about the "Puking in place part" that occurs during that proceedure as the pressure from your spinal chord leaks out vital fluids on the second or third try...!