OT: Back Pain

Defying · Jun 21, 2009

I seem to have done something to my back, yet again.

I am young, 24, but for the last 3 years, about 3 times a year, I pull my lower back. It swells, its very very painful. I cannot stand up straight. Its hard to move and walk. Its terrible.

I been going to a chiropractor since I was a preteen, mostly for neck pain and migraines. That has not given me trouble in years now. When I first hurt my lower back in 2006, I was a bartender, working, moving kegs, working on wet surfaces ect.. I went to a chiropractor right after, and he basically said my leg muscles are too tight and they are pulling on my lower back. Unsatisfied with this information, I stopped seeing him. He basically just use to strech my legs when I went.

Well ever since 06, like I states, it happens a few times a year. And here is it again. I don't know what to do. I have tried another chiropractor, who i really did not like. And it is very, very expensive. He recommended I go 3 times a week for 8 weeks. Without insurance, its $45 a visit. I do not know what to do, but I cant keep living with this pain. It interferes with my life.

Should I try another chiropractor, for the full treatment, and hope I am not flushing the money down the toliet?

Should I consider back surgery? Has anyone ever had it?

I am nervous. I need to look into buying my own health insurance. Money is a little tight now, but I may be able to swing it. Any insurance cover somethinglike back surgery?

Thanks for your help.

One more thing, Any tips to deal with the pain. I haven't been to the doctors yet. They always try to give me a muscle relaxer. But that makes me exteremly moody. I feel like a damn woman on that shit. I hate it. Doctors seem to be cautious about giving out pain pills, but thats the only thing that seems to dull the pain. I rotate ice and heat, and I try to not move, because just walking to the bathroom is painful.

mightyminnow · Jun 21, 2009

I went through the same shit. Cost me two days of triple overhead pavones about 5 years ago. But anyway yeah your chiro is right. You're tight and maybe a little weak in the lower back/glutes. I did Bikrum's and haven't had problems since. Gotta get those hip flexors loosened up and your posture straight.

Defying · Jun 21, 2009

mightyminnow said:
I went through the same shit. . I did Bikrum's and haven't had problems since. Gotta get those hip flexors loosened up and your posture straight.

I have heard about the weak back before. What is Bikrums?

Betallsports · Jun 21, 2009

First off, you Need health insurance !!!! and you Need to go see a REAL Doctor....Like a neurologist ( try to stay away from an orthopedist )

You might have a herniated disk ,and chiropractor will do nothing much to help your Back in the Long Run. ( well, he will keep taking Your Money )

Get the Health Insurance, than see a Neurologist.

DO NOT put down that you have a Back Problem......

mightyminnow · Jun 21, 2009

Bikrums is a type of yoga. In addition to a plethora of other benefits it will get your muscles, ligaments, and tendons limbered up and strenghtened. This in turn will get your spine naturally aligned and prevent you from operating in an overly lordotic position. All your muscles working properly with a straight spine will prevent all the pressure of your daily activities being absorbed by the lower back and you wont get those back spasms.

G.MONEY · Jun 21, 2009

Back Surgery, no matter what they say should be a last resort for you! I know to many people who have had back surgery, only to be much worse when it was all over

oldmanTED · Jun 21, 2009

I have been living with lower back pain for 20 years now. The first thing you must find out is if it is skeletal or muscular so you need an x-ray. You should be seeing a doctor and not a chiropractor to determine the cause. If it is skeletal, recommendations will be given to you to consider. If it is muscular, like tight hamstrings and body muscles, you can get physical therapy to eliminate the pain just by learning proper stretching exercises for the back specifically and exercise, like walking daily, which will strengthen your muscles and eliminate the back pain. As for your current acute pain, you can take an anti-inflammatory, like motrin to lower the pain somewhat and you should put ice packs on your lower back about every 2-3 hours to bring down the swelling.

silver7 · Jun 21, 2009

BetAll Gave The Best Advice

Many many yrs ago my ex used to notice a slight drag in my right foot when I'd had a few. If we were walking in the snow it was evident. But I was young, in the service and played Foots, Hoops etc! Never felt any pain. Over the yrs it got slowly but progressively worse. I've been to every sort Dr. you can imagine and had ALL the teste. No cause has ever been determined. Now I have constant pain (4000 mg vicoden a day), just takes the edge off. Will be in a wheelchair by next yr I imagine. Go to a RELIABLE neuro type right now. I put it off for 40 yrs and now completely screwed. True, surgery is no sure thing, still don't know if I'd have done it. But I did have a preety good run while it lasted. BOL to you.

silver7 · Jun 21, 2009

OMT As Usual Right On

oldmanTED said:
I have been living with lower back pain for 20 years now. The first thing you must find out is if it is skeletal or muscular so you need an x-ray. You should be seeing a doctor and not a chiropractor to determine the cause. If it is skeletal, recommendations will be given to you to consider. If it is muscular, like tight hamstrings and body muscles, you can get physical therapy to eliminate the pain just by learning proper stretching exercises for the back specifically and exercise, like walking daily, which will strengthen your muscles and eliminate the back pain. As for your current acute pain, you can take an anti-inflammatory, like motrin to lower the pain somewhat and you should put ice packs on your lower back about every 2-3 hours to bring down the swelling.

NO chiropractor!!! Mine is skeletal, the sciatica is so damaged now, that I can trace it all down my back to my toes. Cold packs do help some, but for me it's just temporary. The pain meds take the edge off and allow me to sleep. Ted drop a line when you feel like it. Always enjoy your sagacity!:toast:

SportSavant · Jun 21, 2009

pinched nerve? that is what I get from time to time and what my old man has also... lower lower back

Defying · Jun 21, 2009

Help picking the right insurance plan

I am looking into getting insurance. This is the first time I will have insurance since I been in college under my moms plan.

I have no idea what I should be looking for? I would like dental. I do have back problems, but no other health problems.

I think I will be using ehealthinsurance.com

Differences are as follows:
Plan types: PPO, Network, Indemnity
Deductibles: Range from $500-$7,500
CoInsurance: 0% - 30%
Office Visits: $30-$45

HELP!!

ProPokerPlayer · Jun 21, 2009

http://www.proadjusterlifestyle.com/locator/index.php

Take 10 seconds to look in your area. If there is somebody within a days drive of you go see them. My guy here in town is a miracle worker with this thing. People with back and neck pain for years see him once a month and have few probs. Its going to be a lot more than the $45 u pay now but give it 2 treatments at least..It cant hurt and i swear by it....

Presto · Jun 21, 2009

ProPokerPlayer said:
http://www.proadjusterlifestyle.com/locator/index.php

Take 10 seconds to look in your area. If there is somebody within a days drive of you go see them. My guy here in town is a miracle worker with this thing. People with back and neck pain for years see him once a month and have few probs. Its going to be a lot more than the $45 u pay now but give it 2 treatments at least..It cant hurt and i swear by it....

Can you give a brief 411 on Proadjuster? Is it a technique? A machine, or both?

par88 · Jun 21, 2009

Strained my lower back from lifting something about 2 months ago. It hurt like hell especially in the morning - I could hardly get out of bed. I couldn't even go into work it was so bad. Friend who has chronic back pain recommended that I go to an accupuncturist.

So I found someone in the yellow pages and made an appt. First appt was $85. She asked a lot of questions about my general health, lifestyle, etc etc. Then she started the treatment - she had me lie down and she put about 10 needles into each hand and about 10 more into each foot. (she kept pushing the needles deeper in and told me to let her know when I felt something but I swear I could barely feel anything from any of them).

She turned off the lights and told me to relax. I laid there for a half hour and just about fell asleep. Then she came back in and removed the needles and had me walk around. My back felt a little better and the pain was noticably less...

She recommended that I come back for 2 more treatments spaced 3 days apart. I went in for the second one ($50) and she did the same basic treatment without the interview. After that one I felt about 80% better. I cancelled the third appt because by that time I felt almost 100% OK.

I have no idea how acupuncture works and I'm pretty sure it will not work for all types of pain. But in my case it definitely worked. You should give it a try.

BAGIANT · Jun 21, 2009

I'd go to amazon.com and order a used TRUEBACK for about 46$ including shipping. I just got one the other day and it gave me immediate relief. If not try doing some situps to strenghten your stomach muscles. That will take the pressure off your back.

TheKinz · Jun 22, 2009

I stopped reading after seeing the word Chiropractor.. Please see a doctor. my wife had worked for an insurance company and dealt with Chiro's on a daily basis. What an unbelievable scam. Sure it may help a few but you have a serious issue that needs an MD...good luck.

TheKinz · Jun 22, 2009

GoBlue34 · Jun 22, 2009

My lower back hurt for years and I'm in great shape (34 now). Went to see a physical therapist and he gave me some exercises to do to help gain strength and the one move that would make the pain go awa almost right away was...

Lie on your back flat on the floor with your legs bent barely so that your heels are on the edge of the couch. From there, lift one leg off the couch and with the other raise the rest of your body off the floor (keeping your upper back and shoulders on the ground). Repeat on both sides.

My back was tight (and still gets that way from time to time) and this helps release whatever is tight.

Worked for me anyway, the guy I saw watched me walked and noticed I favored one side which help him tell me what I should do.

Good luck, back pain sucks

sparticus · Jun 22, 2009

My wife 57 yrs old suffers from adult scoliosis has been to 9 different Dr's including cleveland clinic, she has been to 6 different pain mgmt Dr's & still has gotten no relief. She is on percocet & methodone along with other meds as she also suffers from diabetis, depression & menopause. She spends about 23 hrs a day in a recliner as she cannot lay in a bed as it is too painful & it is really difficult for her to get in & out of bed so i have pillows around her to support her,very difficult but she wants surgery in the worst way but none of the Dr's we have seen will recommend it. Good luck as i can understand what you are going through as to what/how my wife suffers as it makes for a difficult situation for all. ANY RECOMMENDATIONS OUT THERE?

oldmanTED · Jun 22, 2009

sparticus said:
My wife 57 yrs old suffers from adult scoliosis has been to 9 different Dr's including cleveland clinic, she has been to 6 different pain mgmt Dr's & still has gotten no relief. She is on percocet & methodone along with other meds as she also suffers from diabetis, depression & menopause. She spends about 23 hrs a day in a recliner as she cannot lay in a bed as it is too painful & it is really difficult for her to get in & out of bed so i have pillows around her to support her,very difficult but she wants surgery in the worst way but none of the Dr's we have seen will recommend it. Good luck as i can understand what you are going through as to what/how my wife suffers as it makes for a difficult situation for all. ANY RECOMMENDATIONS OUT THERE?

I have suffered for the last 20 years with scoliosis and currently am in pain as recently the inflammation in my back increased once again. Very early on, I was placed on a program of stretching exercises for the back and spine and muscle relaxers and pain medication. I have found that the stretching about 30 minutes each day both strengthens my spine and relieves the pain. The pain medication was nearly worthless. Your wife spending 23 hours a day in a recliner is not good even though it might result in less pain. The longer she remains immobile, the tighter her muscles, particularly leg, hamstrings and back muscles become, which puts more stress on the spine. I highly recommend that you speak with one of the doctors and try to arrange a series of physical therapy sessions where she will not only be stretched but will learn the proper stretching exercises that she can do by herself or with your help in the comfort of your home. Believe me, I understand the level of pain she feels. Wishing her well.