Back pain

At some time or another many of us experience back pain. Many seek out doctors who dispense painkillers, others seek chiropractors or acupuncture. What really works? In S.A. we have a number of good masseuses, but you feel good while on the table but it doesn't last.

I look forward to your feedback.

Oden, in my civie occupation (I work with athletes), I have seen acupuncture do great things. It's a shame that the medical field does not consider it a legitimate medical practice, so treatments are out of pocket.

My next recommendation......YOGA, YOGA, YOGA!!!! Improving your core strength does wonders for your back. And no doubt, you will probably get to see some hot women if you join a class!! Good luck!

I second Bliss's recommendation about improving core strength. Even something as simple as planks, starting with short intervals and gradually increasing duration, can really help.

I do need to check out a yoga class, tho . . . Relaxing, and scenic, too!

Krav Maga (weekly), yoga (daily) and free-climbing (twice a week) and the back pain is gone.

Go see a really good orthopedic surgeon who only does backs. Anything else is temporary relief.

My approach is to avoid doctors, particularly surgeons. I figure that if you go see a surgeon, you'll end up having surgery whether you need it or not.

Pilates did wonders for my back pain 10 years ago. The pain never returned.

Get evaluated first!
Find a good spinal specialist, most MDs don't have a clue about back, or a good chiropractor, and get a proper diagnosis! You cannot compare someone's back pain to yours because there are a thousand different types of back pain- some a lot more serious than others. A good doc should provide an accurate diagnosis and then a proper treatment plan to get you out of pain, and keep your back healthy long term.

In most instances, back pain results from "dunlap syndrome."

Your belly has "dunlapped" over your belt.

"Pushaways" from the dinner table after eating a balanced diet and daily exercise are cures for his condition.

You are then treating the problem and not the symptoms.

A chiropractor almost ruined me once. See a good DO to make sure there is no nerve damage. If you have numbness going down a leg, absolutely get a medical diagnosis. Barring any real problem, the yoga, pilates or anything else that will increase your flexibility and core strength are the way to go. Be sure to stretch it out at least once a day.

I periodically "throw my back out" and am really dibilitated by it when it happens. Once, I was walking out of a lunch appointment, and literally dropped to my knee because of excrutiating lower back pain.

I've seen chiropractors which sort of help over time, but I feel like my back wouldv'e gotten better by itself over the same 10 week period. The pain has always subsided after a while by itself, so I haven't seriously considered surgery as an alternative even though I've spoken to back surgeons about it.

I'm 210 and 6'1, and exercise regularly, so while I could drop a few pounds, I don't think my particular issue is due to being overweight.

About 3 years ago, I found a routine that eliminated my back pain. It consists of a stretching exercise, and some situps. I am pain free within 2 weeks after doing each of these things everyday.

The Stretch:
Phil Mikelson was having excruciating lower back pain, and got me turned onto this stretch via Golf Channel. Lay flat on your back on the floor with your arms outstretched, palms facing down. Throw your right leg across your body, and try to extend it, so it is perpendicular to the rest of your body. Your right shoulder will want to come off the ground. The stretch is using your ab muscles to press your right shoulder back to the ground while keeping your right leg in place. Hold the stretch for about 30 seconds. Then change sides.

Situps:
If you go to a gym, they have situp machines that keep you well supported. Get the one that allows the largest range of motion. If you don't go the gym, you could do it the old fashioned way by sticking your feet under a couch or something, but that in itself hurts my lower back. It's better to get a stability ball, or a bender ball. Do it until you can get up to 80-100 reps. It will probably take you a week if you do it everyday.

I know how bad it sucks to have lower back pain. I hope this helps you out.

I agree with the stretching, I forgot to mention that one. I could put you through some stretches that would make you hate me during, but love me after!

Back surgery......LAST RESORT!! Try to manage it with the other helpful hints you have received here. The majority of back pain is due to a lack of core strength. If your abs are not in shape then your back muscles end up taking on the support of your core, which causes pain and stiffness.

I have know about 20 people who have had back surgery, and only one person received long term relief. I also don't believe in prescription pain killers or muscle relaxers, temporary and dangerous in my opinion.

If down the line you do get back surgery, see a neurosurgeon. A fair bit of the back surgery that neurosurgeons do is to correct problems that originally started with surgery done by an orthopedic surgeon that got sloppy. Though not all orthopedists are sloppy, you might find out yours was only after additional pain and treatment.

The Stretch:
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Situps: Originally Posted by smiley

I'm with you on the exercise! One that I find helps me a lot is this device at the gym. I'm not sure how to describe it, but you use it to do knee raises. You sort of hold yourself up with your forearms and let your feet hang freely above the ground and then raise your knees up.

Ab work in general really helps with the back.

I also find that having stronger abs helps reduce my transient back pain, but a lot of ab exercises contribute to my back pain as well. Catch-22.

What I've found that I can do without wanting to rip my spine out afterward:
- Captain's chair (bent legs, NEVER straight)
- Balance ball
- Pilates (when taught well! I'm a Pilates snob -- when poorly instructed, it can really eff up your back)

My approach is to avoid doctors, particularly surgeons. I figure that if you go see a surgeon, you'll end up having surgery whether you need it or not.

Pilates did wonders for my back pain 10 years ago. The pain never returned. Originally Posted by Smokin Joe

Not if you see a good one. And I disagree about neuros versus orthos. Frankly, if anything, I've found the neuros work to be inferior. And I see about ten operated backs a year. They're too concerned with nerve endings and not concerned enough with stability of the joints.