Back problems ~ any advice?

[trampledamage]

Handily enough, this month's Men's Journal has a special article about the back in it. I recommend buying it anyway since it's got Gerard Butler on the cover and a lovely interview with him, but here's the back exercises they recommend (now that I've got a minute to write them down!).

These would be exercises to do once your back is better, to strengthen it. I haven't actually tried them myself yet - only just finished reading the interview with Gerard

1. Bird Dog: Kneeling on all fours, with your back flat, extend your right leg backwards, then your left hand forward. Hold for five seconds. Repeat 15 times, then switch sides.

2. Hip Flexor Stretch: Kneeling, place one foot flat on the floor in front of you. Lunge forward and raise your arm straight up on the opposite side. Hold the stretch for 60 seconds five times on each side.

3. Single-leg Bridge: Lying with your arms at yours ides, extend one leg straight out and raise your hops off the floor. Hold for two seconds; repeat 15 times on each side.

4. Downward Dog: From a V-shaped position (going by the photo - making a V with your legs as one side and your arms and back as the other, so with your hands and feet on the floor) lift your heels as you shift your weight to the balls of your feet; hold for three seconds. Lower your heels, pointing your toes upward; hold for three seconds. Repeat 10 times.

 

[marillion]

Two things..

Go see a chiropractor and get adjusted. I know the back and forth on the practice, but it helped me and my considerable back problems, which resulted from weight loss.

The other is get a better bed if you can afford it. If you get a traditional mattress, make sure you turn and flip it every six months.

Also, if you can, get a Select Comfort.. I cannot tell you how good mine has been for my back.. No more pressure points, no tossing and turning.. The basic model doesn't cost much more than a really good mattress and their warrenty and customer service is amazing. Ours is 8 years old and is still perfect. The only problem, as I quickly found out, is that a select comfort completely spoils you for other mattresses. I travel quite a bit and have had a hard time sleeping in lower end motels and their awful beds. When I'm out on a forest fire, I have to have an air mattress in my tent. LOL

 

[Kestra]

ETA reply to Kestra. I think you're totally right with keeping up the exercises and agree with the 'randomness!'. I should do more ab work ~ they are, obviously, the "front of your back" (that does make sense doesn't it?) and need strengthening too keep a healthy back.
Oh it's just a pain in the ass...

Be careful which ab exercises you do - sit-ups actually damage your back.

Yeah, I agree, and when I'm talking about exercising I'm not talking about running and all. That has its place, but not in relieving back pain!

I think any person who suffers from back pain has to be very conscious of it and protect their back when being active. I'll sometimes do modified yoga poses because I don't want to chance injuring myself even more.

 

[gturner]

Also, if you can, get a Select Comfort.. I cannot tell you how good mine has been for my back.. No more pressure points, no tossing and turning.. The basic model doesn't cost much more than a really good mattress and their warrenty and customer service is amazing. Ours is 8 years old and is still perfect. The only problem, as I quickly found out, is that a select comfort completely spoils you for other mattresses. I travel quite a bit and have had a hard time sleeping in lower end motels and their awful beds. When I'm out on a forest fire, I have to have an air mattress in my tent. LOL

Thank you Rush Limbaugh.

Oh, did anybody hear that?

No, that chirping sound.

That's the sound of invertabrates laughing at us.

Shut up you crazy squids!

Calimari. It's what's for dinner.

 

[MANT!]

/\ Damn that must be some fine bud you're smoking...

 

[Nardpuncher]

I've hurt my back twice in the gym and once taking chicken out of the oven.

Be sure to bend carefully and keep the back straight. I threw my back out with the chicken because I twisted at the same time.

My idea is that weight-lifting can help. Learn how to deadlift properly and the area will become stronger.
Many people make the mistake of taking it easy for many months or even years after hurting their back, knee or shoulder.

Here's mark Rippetoe, one of the greatest strength coaches explaining how to deadlift: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Syt7A23YnpA

 

[Bob The Skutter]

I jarred my back last summer and ended up with sciatica, when it first happened it was excruciating and I could barely walk, I happened to go in to hospital because of an infection a few days later and nothing would shift the pain, they tried increasing the dose of morphine and then changing to Oramorph, neither helped, eventually they gave me Oxycodone which made it bearable. I still have pain now mostly it's if I've been stood for too long, or sat in bed with my legs stretched out, but it's manageable pain.
I've been told to try and stretch it and use pain relief. I've been told Anti-inflamatories would work best, but unfortunately due to other medication I'm on I can't take any.

 

[K'Ehleyr]

Thanks all for advice

Handily enough, this month's Men's Journal has a special article about the back in it...

Thanks Trample, but still just wondering why you buy Men's Journal?

Two things..

Go see a chiropractor and get adjusted. I know the back and forth on the practice, but it helped me and my considerable back problems, which resulted from weight loss.

The other is get a better bed if you can afford it. If you get a traditional mattress, make sure you turn and flip it every six months.

I am a bit sceptical about chiropractors ~ and a bit shy of the cost *insert scrooge icon* What bad luck to get back problems when you've lost weight .
I do have a good mattress though and make sure it's turned, but I do sleep in odd positions which doesn't help

I've hurt my back twice in the gym and once taking chicken out of the oven.

Be sure to bend carefully and keep the back straight. I threw my back out with the chicken because I twisted at the same time.

That's how I did mine ~ not with a chicken but lifting and twisting. Thanks for the link

I jarred my back last summer and ended up with sciatica, when it first happened it was excruciating and I could barely walk...
...I've been told to try and stretch it and use pain relief. I've been told Anti-inflamatories would work best, but unfortunately due to other medication I'm on I can't take any.

Sciatica is a bitch, that's how mine came out originally but now the pain is coming upwards No doubt the random doctor I'll see tomorrow will explain all

I think the best plan is stretching and anti-inflamitories or similar. I really don't want to 'pain-killer up to the eyeballs' as I can't get time off work and that cappuchino machine can be scarey

 

[John Picard]

This resolved my back issues, but I don't really recommend it.

I have a bad neck which was made worse in an automobile accident in 2008. The neurologist told me it was a case of "when", not "if" I have to have neck surgery. He showed me the new replacement discs that were first used in Europe, which is a far better route than fusion.

 

[Bob The Skutter]

I jarred my back last summer and ended up with sciatica, when it first happened it was excruciating and I could barely walk...
...I've been told to try and stretch it and use pain relief. I've been told Anti-inflamatories would work best, but unfortunately due to other medication I'm on I can't take any.

Sciatica is a bitch, that's how mine came out originally but now the pain is coming upwards No doubt the random doctor I'll see tomorrow will explain all

I think the best plan is stretching and anti-inflamitories or similar. I really don't want to 'pain-killer up to the eyeballs' as I can't get time off work and that cappuchino machine can be scarey

I have morphine on hand for my ankle/foot pain and I've tried taking that for the sciatica and it's bloody useless. It doesn't help the pain at all, I generally feel a little bit dopey, but not dopey enough to forget the pain just enough to lose concentration.
I'd prefer to take ibuprofen or naproxen, they usually seem to help more but not allowed, so I put up with useless painkillers.

By the way, any of the doctors around here know much about hypotrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy? My doctor is supposed to talk to me about some treatment but the appointment isn't for another few months.

 

[John Clark]

Your company has a responsibilty to provide you with a comfortable working environment. Talk to HR and explain your needs and if nothing gets done tell them you'll sue them

I could make a comment about that, but just to be on the safe side, not on a public forum

 

[kimc]

I get upper back pain. Pilates has helped. I don't know if you do videos or go to a studio but if you can find an instructor who has worked with people with back problems it's worth it. Also, back pain is the perfect excuse to splurge on regular massages.

 

[trampledamage]

Thanks all for advice

Handily enough, this month's Men's Journal has a special article about the back in it...

Thanks Trample, but still just wondering why you buy Men's Journal?

I believe I mentioned it had Gerard Butler on the cover? Last month was Alec Baldwin and the month before that was Viggo Mortensen

Seriously, it's a good magazine - in this month's as well as the interview with Gerard Butler, I've read an article on different places to live in America depending on what you're looking for, an article on a soldier back from Afghanistan who has severe PTSD, the stuff about keeping your back healthy and I'm only half way through the magazine!

 

[K'Ehleyr]

So I finally got to the Docs this morning and she has kindly supplied me with a whacking supply of co-codamol. It has helped as I am less tense and get to survive a 7 hour shift on my feet Also looking forward to a nice long drug induced sleep. Please note I do not usually rely on these, but needs must until, as it usually does, the pain will go away!

I get upper back pain. Pilates has helped. I don't know if you do videos or go to a studio but if you can find an instructor who has worked with people with back problems it's worth it. Also, back pain is the perfect excuse to splurge on regular massages.

I do use a dvd (which is a stupid way as when you're flat on your back you can't see what you're suppose to be doing)and would adore a full massage, sadly my birthday has passed or it would have been a perfect pressie.

I work at a golf club and they have a sport's therapist there. Unfortunately he is the creepiest guy ever otherwise I would gladly feed him free for a week for a good going over, but just the thought ~ sends shivers down my rickety spine

Thanks all for advice

Handily enough, this month's Men's Journal has a special article about the back in it...

Thanks Trample, but still just wondering why you buy Men's Journal?

I believe I mentioned it had Gerard Butler on the cover? Last month was Alec Baldwin and the month before that was Viggo Mortensen

Seriously, it's a good magazine - in this month's as well as the interview with Gerard Butler, I've read an article on different places to live in America depending on what you're looking for, an article on a soldier back from Afghanistan who has severe PTSD, the stuff about keeping your back healthy and I'm only half way through the magazine!

So that'll be an American magazine ~ I don't live there! But I admire your reasons for reading it

 

[kes7]

I've had bad back problems ever since my second pregnancy. The only thing that has helped is Pilates.

 

[K'Ehleyr]

^ Pilates good Children bad Well I s'pose they're ok 'til they get to 17 and get an attitude

 

[Captain Ice]

I've had back pain on and off for about 12 years. One thing that works for me when it gets really bad is to simply stretch out on the floor flat on my back for a good couple of hours.