Back Pain Relief...ANYBODY?

[lord jackel]

While I understand your pain (I have a 60 degree turn in my back) and everyone is trying to provide "treatments" which shocks me since if it were a snake we would tell you to go to the vet. No one on here is qualified to diagnose your issue and therefore cannot provide a treatment.

Heat - only works if your issue is muscle related it will make disk issues worse.

Cold - only works for inflamation and won't help if it is muscle related.

Pain Killers - Could mask the issue and cause more harm by making you think all is well and doing too much.

Chiropracters (sp?) - While do wonders on aligment issues if you have degenrative disk disease they can ruin your back permanently. My case (settled legally)

So you need to find a doctor who can diagnose you first before trying to find a home treatment you have to know the cause before you can fix it.

Hope this helps

[wilomn]

A friend of mine has a chronically bad back. It hurts him to sit or stand for long periods of time. He had tried painkillers but didn't like the side effects. Drinking was a good temporary relief, but again, the side effects were not pleasant.

So he tried a herbal remedy. Within a day he was more comfortable, sleeping better and able to sit in his favorite chair for more and half an hour at a time.

There are some side effects. He smiles more, is a little less uptight, has tatsy things to munch on and feels much better. These side effects he is willing to put up with. His family is also appreciative since he could be a real grump when the pain was bad.

Perhaps you could do the same.

[STORMS]

Go to the Dr. and ask for some soma's - I had them after a bad car wreck...they seemed to do the job

[avdnco]

I am so sorry to hear about your pain. I had awful sciatica and back pain when I was pregnant with my kids.. I can't imagine living with the pain on a daily basis.
Both My parents have struggled with back issues and eventually had back surgery. It is Not something to mess around with. If you don't like your doctor, find a new one. If you don't like that one,look for another,. You must find out exactly what issue is causing you the pain before you can begin to eliminate the problem. Pain medications can help you deal with the horrible symptom, but they are not helping you get rid of the problem giving you the pain in the first place.

Here are the things that were told to my parents by a barrage of specialists that may give you a little relief ( along with some of the things you are already doing)-Some may be obvious-
- Do you lug around a heavy handbag? ( this is a big one for women!)Get a lightweight nyon one and only carry essentials in it. It should be no heavier than 3 lbs total!!! Put your bag on the scale... I bet you'll be very surprised.
-Are you lifting many heavy things all day long: toddlers, heavy grocery bags, laundry? When you have to lift, do you try to bend your knees rather than bending over from the waist?

-You must wear shoes with good support, that fit you properly.NO Flip flops, no super high heels.

-Is your bed too soft? You probably should be sleeping on a firm mattress, and not on your stomach, Some times putting a pillow under the knees can help.
-Are you overweight? Start eating healthy and try to loose it.
- Do stretches every morning before you get going... Your Dr should advise you which ones are appropriate for what ever condition you have. Maybe you could even try a beginner yoga video from the library, AFTER checking with your Dr. You may feel very tight at first but if you keep at it , it will get easier.
-Do you excercise? My mother used to swim almost every day. it hurt and was hard at first, but she kept at it and got up to 1 hour a day. It held off the inevitable surgery for at least 2 years.

- Are you hydrated? Drink at least 8 8oz glasses of WATER a day.
Coffee, soda, juice, tea, flavored drinks do not count. Water makes everything run more smoothly in our system.

-Do you sit infront of the computer a lot? Make sure your chair is the right height, and that you are not hunched over the keyboard. There are back supports that can be added to your chair, and foot rests for the floor. if you don't already have them. There are many sites on 'ergonomics' if you google it.

- ANd the hardest: Relax! And Breath Deep. How stressed are you? Do you find yourself gritting your teeth Clenching your fists and shoulders or Holding your breath though out the day? I know that the pain has a tendency to make us do all these things, but they compound the problem. Your local library probably has or can get you breathing/relaxation tapes or cds that can help- if you keep an open mind and try them.

I wish I had a magic solution to give you. No one should have to deal with constant pain that way.

I hope you find at least some relief in these , and that you can find a Dr that will help you rid this back pain all together.
Good Luck!

[TheMolenater2]

Have you tried....ADVIL?!?!
I heard it was pretty good...Good luck!

[dsirkle]

An inversion table is useful for relieving pressure on a disk.
You can find them on ebay for about $100.

[blackcrystal22]

Wish you lived out here, my chiropractor is amazing and helps us money-wise.
I know what you mean with the money and no health insurance. My father needs a hip replacement. A HIP REPLACEMENT. Basically he's gotta have surgery when he could never afford it, and is falling apart all over.

Acupuncture works. I don't care what anyone says, it does. It's saved my life numerous times. I'm chronically asthmatic and I haven't had an asthma attack since I started getting regular acupuncture and adjustments. There are pressure points for relieving pain in the back, my dad got some. ;]

Unfortunately, it's a very difficult problem, but herbal treatment is also another strongly recommended suggestion in my book. (as well as homeopathy!) :]

Good luck!

[stangs13]

Amen to this; heat pad is the way to go. I was in physical therapy for a couple a months with lower back pain; all we did were stretches. The only thing you don't have access to that feels great is the electro stimulation they do on your muscles. That stuff is great.

DOOODE. I did the E stem as well, The higher it is the worse your pain is. I had it all the way up, she had to turn on another switch. It is the greatest thing that has ever happened to me.

[SapphireTigress]

Can you afford to buy a jet that fits over the side of your tub? That works great. Also, anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil) or Aleve will help, but Tylenol won't do anything for inflammation because it's designed only to help pain and relieve fevers.

Ice works to reduce inflammation, as well. If you've flared nerve supplies, it might be a good idea. Also, because it's summer, tissues tend to swell a bit, too, so give ice a shot and alternate with heat.

There is a massager shaped like a belt that can be bought, too. That's a help. Sometimes, you can buy TENS units on e-bay, which is portable electrical stimulation.

Some people also swear by girdles but, ugh. Not trying it. Sorry. Don't have any personal experience there.

Sensible shoes at all times, preferably with shock absorption or inserts that can be purchased.

I agree with the back exercises, and unless you've got someone you know who helps out in a physical therapy department and can show you how to do them properly, I wouldn't chance it. It's already tweaked. Don't want to tweak it more.

Good luck. I had a psych patient do a number on my back and it hasn't been the same since.

[butters!]

this has been working great for my father.
http://www.****ssportinggoods.com/pr...ductId=2790606