back pain solutions

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ Jan 29 2007, 12:00 PM) [snapback]382246[/snapback]</div>

Well, as a seasoned tech., he's probably already done this, but Wth, he might not have, who knows, and it bumps your topic!

-The easiest is to put your hands on the hood, and use that for support... You can use one hand for support, the other to tinker...

- Use really long extensions... 18-22", that sort of thing, and really good lighting...

- jack up the back end only

 

Gal~

Has he tried a Chiropractor?

OMG, MS that is too funny. Its always nice to see a little humor in every thread. :lol:

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ Jan 28 2007, 08:33 AM) [snapback]381939[/snapback]</div>

If you can afford one, get a jacuzzi/hot tub/spa. The relief is absolutely astounding. The warm water coupled with the water/air jets is amazing. Try to find somewhere you can try one out. I know they have them set up and you can try them at my spa store. I have a similar problem in my neck and it will wake me up out of a sound sleep. I go out, climb in the spa and let the jets run on my neck for 10 minutes or so and I'm ready for sleep again.

 

I certainly understand DH's reluctance to try another chiropractor. I've had good success with mine, but they were square with me from day one. Also, depending on the damage there's only so much adjustment can accomplish. If the damage to your husband's back is too bad, adjustments won't be able to repair it ... only alleviate the pain for a little bit.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Display Name @ Jan 28 2007, 02:07 PM) [snapback]381995[/snapback]</div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ Jan 29 2007, 10:00 AM) [snapback]382246[/snapback]</div>

He may be freaked out about needles, but it wouldn't hurt to talk to an acupuncturist and find out what it's about. I went to one a couple years ago. Not for pain, but for allergies and was amazed at what it accomplished. I got more relief in 3 months of acupuncture than I'd had in 4 years of allergy shots. The sensation is just a small stick ... like quickly sticking your finger on a pin. Having at least a consult couldn't hurt.

The only problem is it probably won't be covered by insurance unless it's specifically suggested by a doctor.

 

Galaxee,

I'm checking w/ my husband to see what his experience has been with his degenerated disk. I'm not sure but I think that if your husband works to strengthen his core, as well as the supporting musle tissue around the disks. this will help greatly to support the area and alleviate pain. My husbands chest was overly tight compared to his neck and back muscles from lifting weights and scrunching at his desk. He had to learn slowly which exercises were hurting him and cease them. He still does all the physical therapy exercises and he's in a lot less pain. It's unfortunate but he's had to go through trial and error for many years. I'm hoping that your husband gets to a similar end.

Also, I wouldn't do anything with hot or cold treatments until you learn exactly what you're supposed to be doing. Hot and/or cold are to be applied very specifically for different injuries. You can actually do harm with the wrong application, like causing unecessary inflamation.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ Jan 28 2007, 08:33 AM) [snapback]381939[/snapback]</div>

We work on a regular basis with Pain Management Anesthesiologist specialists. Nerve blocks can be and often are a permanent solution to intractable pain. Patients have generally had positive results after treatment with "nerve blocks", i.e., epidural steroid injections AND other types of injections. There are other types of nerve block joint injections which are used depending on the condition and location of pain.

Option #1: Recommend going to a Pain Management Clinic, which are staffed by pain management Anesthesiologist doctors who are specialists, as he has already had evaluation by an orothopedist. After initial discomfort from the mechanics of the injection itself, the steroids begin to reduce the swelling and inflammation which put the pressure on the nerves within a week. Nerve blocks, i.e., the epidural steroid injection shots, are administered in the epidural space near the nerves, and usually start in a series of 3.
*There are other types of therapeutic joint injections and pain management that can be employed.

Option #2: TENS Unit (needs to be prescribed) - Transcutaneous electrical stimulation
It is amazing how well this device works, and some relief is noticeable almost immediately. Although your friend may want to start with a Pain Management Clinic, a doctor or physical therapist can prescribe a TENS unit. It is a "pad" that you place on or near the area of pain. When you turn on the unit, for approx 30 min at a time, electrical stimulation begins. Soothing pulses (a tingling sensation) are sent via the pads through the skin and along the nerve fibres. The pulses (controlled by the user at all times) suppress pain signals to the brain. TENS also encourages the body to produce higher levels of its own natural pain killing chemicals called Endorphins.

*We even recommended this TENS unit to another doctor who was having pain and had no luck with some injection he was receiving. After a few sessions with it, he was able to return to work.

Hope this helps.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ Jan 28 2007, 11:33 AM) [snapback]381939[/snapback]</div>

My mother has degenerative disc disease (disorder, whatever). Same thing that you describe with your husband, including pain shooting down her leg (she almost couldn't walk), and she also had NO feeling in one of her arms. She had to get two of those injections at the site at different times (that they anesthetized her for), then several weeks of PT.

Now, she still has weakness in her left arm, but her leg and back are okay. During PT, the main therapy was "stretching." She was basically getting her neck stretched.

Hope this helps. This too shall pass.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ Jan 29 2007, 09:47 AM) [snapback]382332[/snapback]</div>

I swear by acupuncture best for pain relief and works on nerves. Some insurance plans cover it also check yours. Putting DH on the prayer and good thoughts list. Entering my 8th year of chronic pain and it is no fun.

Wildkow

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Wildkow @ Jan 29 2007, 10:07 AM) [snapback]382340[/snapback]</div>

Check into a TENS unit (transcutaneous electrical stimulation), based on the same principals as acupuncture, as I just posted. It is amazing how well and how fast this simple unit works. My mother was prescribed a TENS unit by her physical therapist after all physical therapy and doctors did not help. There is a tingling sensation, and some relief is immediately noticed. It even helped a doctor friend we recommended it to who was hardly able to work. He is back on track now. A doctor can also prescribe the TENS unit.

 

Galaxee,

Here's my husband's reply.........

"Find a good orthopedic doctor who has a good physical therapy
department.
Don't rush into surgery but instead first try physical therapy and give
it a 100% effort for as long as it takes.
These things usually go away so the object is to let it resolve - by not
doing anything that causes more pain or at least as minimum as possible
-it self while building postural muscles that hold the spine in place by
doing physical therapy. Strengthen the postural muscles around the
spine lessens the amount of impingement on the nerve and stabilizes the
joints ultimately gives you more mobility and less pain.

If the herniated portion of the disk is impinging on a nerve severely,
it is very painful and if is impingement is causing any type of body
function abnormalities other then pain, such as sever numbness or loss
of muscle strength or loss of bladder control, it is a very serious
condition that might require surgery very soon.

Other then that while doing physical therapy and during the healing
processes the key is to try to cope with the pain.

Massage

Acupuncture- maybe with electrical stimulation (Galaxee, this is my comment - the electrical stimulation when doing the accupuncture, provided my husband with great relief but it was only temporary. I don't think our insurance covered this so you'll definitely want to check about that before selecting this option.)

guided Imagery - which is altering the focus from the pain and training
your mental process to ignore it.

Pain medicine - although it should only be used when absolutely
necessary

Physical Therapist - Amy Ross. She works for the Rehabilitation
Institute of Chicago. This is the number 1 rehabilitation center in the
country. They have doctors there were you can make a appointment to see.
They will assess your condition and recommend what to do. They are
located at 1030 n Clark Suite 500. I think this is the number but not
sure: 312 238 7561. They also have sattelite offices but I recommend
going there if possible."

Best of luck Galaxee.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ Jan 29 2007, 02:47 PM) [snapback]382332[/snapback]</div>

sure, if you assume the car is always placed on a lift for everything, all the time... I did not make that assumption...

 

For what it's worth, my husband said that the accupuncture wasn't painful at all. The needles are soooooo small in diameter. Coupled with the electrical stimulation, it provided him w/ a "high". I think there's a neuro chemical response.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(HBO6 @ Jan 29 2007, 10:17 AM) [snapback]382344[/snapback]</div>

Great suggestion! Most acupuncturists use this unit in conjunction with the needles now adays. That way the stimulation goes right down the needles to the nerves. I wish you were closer my very good friend is a medical doctor and an acupuncturist I could get you a free session just to see if it would help. Isn’t it time for a vacation? He just got back from China a couple months back where he studied acupuncture the “Old Fashion†way. They used bone needles in those days! :blink: Truth be told I prefer the more modern 32+ gauge needles.


Wildkow

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ Jan 28 2007, 11:33 AM) [snapback]381939[/snapback]</div>

Oh gosh, I'm sorry. Try to remember that, as a caregiver, your efforts *are* appreciated, even if they're not always acknowledged. I can imagine how difficult it must be.

I've had some pretty serious bouts with lower back pain and L5 sciatica. I've managed it with varying degrees of success for the last fifteen years, using a series of stretches and a greater consciousness of my posture and movement.

There is a book which I happened upon years ago while buying one of those multi-adjustable, super expensive, super back friendly office chairs at the local back store (this has helped). I put it "in a safe place" somewhere at home and now for the life of me can't remember where that is or (at this moment) the title, but I'll see if I can't get that info for you.

The gist of the whole thing was that some of us tend to not arch our lower backs enough, and this is at the root of many types of back pain, including sometimes sciatica. I know it sounds simple but this idea quite literally changed my life. Also, and what I found particularly encouraging, was that I could manage my pain by being careful how I move. This reduced the 'lack of control over the whole thing' feeling which I think really bothered me.

Anyhow, when seated, the 'correct' position feels (initially) to overly arch the lower back, to the point of having your stomach protruding significantly (which is one reason guys tend to not arch their backs enough: it makes the stomach appear smaller). When standing, the position feels somewhat similar.

The idea is that you should *maintain at all times* the correctly arched back position. If you can, the pain can be reduced. This is the key: to MAINTAIN at ALL TIMES correct back geometry. I know it sounds harsh, but I still ocean kayak and two years ago built a dry stack rock wall using 6 tons of rock and 10 semi-trucks full of dirt...all of which I moved myself over the course of a Summer.

I'm not bragging, I'm just trying to say that there's nothing particularly special about me...if I can do it, lots of people probably can, is all. I guess this is me being hopeful.

Ugh. I'm really sorry I can't think of the author's name now! [sigh]

Here are a few more tips. Pardon me if you're already familiar with this stuff, but it sure seems to have helped me (along with lots of pills so I could get through the bad times and get mobile again). Suggest to DH that he:
--Keeps his shoulders *back* and his shoulder blades *together* at all times. This forces him to keep his back arched and his CG centered over your lower body. It also helps prevent over-extending when he reaches for something. If he has to slump his shoulders forward to reach something, especially if it's on the ground, it's actually out of his reach and he needs to reposition your body.
--Squatting is a *back un-friendly* position. Better to kneel.
--When using the bathroom sink, always brace his knees against the vanity.
--Be *very* careful making the bed. Lots of back injuries happen here.
--He should never, NEVER let the angle of his upper body and his lower body/legs become less than 90 degrees.
--If he's bending down to pick up something on the floor or load the dishwasher or take something out of a lower cabinet in the kitchen, instead of bending at the lower back, he might kick out one leg backwards like (he'll love this) a ballerina...this was taught to me in physical therapy; helps preseve the arch in his back and the 'greater than 90 degrees' thing, too. Just be careful that he doesn't thwack something behind him, as I have.
--Be careful how he sleeps. There's a position where you lie on your side and draw one knee up towards your chest (while the other leg remains straight)..this is *bad* for his back and should be avoided. Laying on his side the fetal position is good, and with a little scooching around he can find a 'neutral' position that's good for his back. Or lying on one's back with knees bent; that's also good.
--Go for a walk!!! Then go again. About four years ago I had a really bad bout with the L-5. My leg was very, very numb and my foot especially; I was limping because of it. There was also some concern about bladder function, etc. Anyway, I couldn't move for a while but gradually I became ambulatory. Then I walked and walked and walked and walked. And walked some more. Around the block, shuffling, at first, but then further and further. I think I got up to perhaps 45-55 miles/week; this was very time intensive but I credit this for making the limp go away entirely.
--Avoid distance running/impact sports. Tennis isn't good, either. Do eliptical work at the gym instead.
--Careful using a rowing machine at the gym.
--Lose weight. It's easy to gain when you're not feeling yourself.
--Do stretches every day. Mine include: (1) lying flat on my stomach, then propping my upper body on my elbows to gently arch my back. You can go higher if you'd like, but I don't push it. Just work it gently and slowly and feel the stretch happen. (2) Do some 'cat backs' (where you're on your hands and knees). Arch, then let your back sag and repeat. (3) Tight hamstrings and butt muscles can be a big problem. Lie on your back and bring one leg up, unbent, as far as you can. Even if it's just a little bit. The trick is to grab your raised leg at the knee with your hands or a towel wrapped around it...BE CAREFUL doing this if it's causing you to lose the arch in your back. If you do it right, it'll stretch the back of your leg down through your butt while your back remains arched. Don't forget the other leg! (4) Bring the leg down. Now, with feet on the ground, bring them towards your butt and then (knees together) grab your knees and pull them up and towards your chest (getting into the fetal position). Hold for a bit and relax. (5) Remain on your back. Bring both feet toward your butt. Arms straight out in a 'T' position, to brace your upper body. Now, keeping your knees together, bend at the waist. Bend to one side in a *slow* set of five, then do the other. Feel the stretch happen. (6) Once you're feeling better, here's one to strengthen your core. Stand against a wall. Then let yourself sink to a 'seated' position while still keeping your back *flat* against the wall. This one is a lot more difficult than it sounds.

**When the pain is really bad and you can't do any of the above**, lie on a carpeted floor, on your back. Now, if the pain is more on, say, the left side of the lower back, bend your hips "away" from the pain (towards the right) just a little (do the reverse for pain on the right). Now just lie there, in this position, for a few minutes or longer. Listen to your heart beat and the sounds of the world and try to release the tension and the anger and the frustration with your health.

When I was laid up, I did my best to get really selfish and focus on my recovery. This is key, and for me, it wasn't easy. He needs to get better and it's important to do whatever is possible to ensure "a return to maximum functional effectivness" as we used to say in the ads. It's his obligation to push himself, not just take pills and get shots (as I was begging to do at the beginning).

Also, I don't know if there is a medicinal marijuana program in your state, but my doctor recommended participation, which I did for a while. It helped a lot. Made me really mellow and less angry about "having a bad back", and better able to feel what my body was doing, too.

Sorry to be so verbose; I hope something here might help in some way.

 

Just out of curiousity, and nothing derogatory to Galaxee's DH, how many of us started feeling back pain around the same time that insulation was added to the front?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ Jan 29 2007, 12:47 PM) [snapback]382332[/snapback]</div>

Hmm. See, my Chiropractor is the one that initiated the "Time for one every two weeks. " "You're ready for once every three weeks." "Let's try once a month". We tried once every 6 weeks but it was too long between. I'm back to once a month.

I'd say you had a bad Chiropractor. It happens. I had a bad primary care physician at Kaiser before the one I currently had. I mean, I was recovering from an appentectomy and unbeknownst to me was coming down with shingles. It was already starting to itch and I had some blisters at my waist. He looked right at it when he was examining me and said nothing and ignored what I told him. Two days later I was back and the doctor on call took one look and said classic shingles. If only I had come in earlier they could have given me something. Dr. Moron relocated to L.A. thank goodness. I've got a great MD now. (Dr. Moron's stock answer to my complaints was "Well, you're not getting any younger."."You're not as young as you used to be." "Well, you are getting old."

I'm 52.

 

I've had the worst back problems of my life recently.

I had a cold or flu, then started getting severe muscle spasms in my back. I went to the ER and was prescribed muscle relaxers and Darvocet. The muscle relaxers did nothing. I found out with a Google search that the combination of those two drugs will cause problems so I quit them as quickly as possible.

I tried my chiropractor, and things seemed worse.

My next visit to my doctor's, and his assistant said she had seen people with viral issues recently who had back spasms associated with that. Anyone ever hear of that?

My back is slowly getting less painful. I found it helpful to sleep on my back with pillows under my lower legs, to elevate my legs.

At the worst, the back spasms were so severe that I almost called 911 to have them come and haul me away. That was bad...

This thread reminds me to get back to my stretch routine: lay on floor, pull one knee up to stretch, then the other, then both. I usually follow with sit-ups, but I can't do any sit-ups right now.

The thing that helped me the most was getting up and walking around. Sitting too long or laying in bed too long brought on more back spasms.

Harry

 

Like many, I suffered with back pain for many years. I really don't suffer from back pain any more, but then I doubt my bouts were as bad as your “DH†to begin with.

I tried the chiropractor, meds, doctor, etc . . . <_<

The one thing that I have tried which I know works for me - YOGA!

How do I know it is the yoga that works? Because when I am a lazy boy and don't do it for a while . . . ouch, the pains start to come back. It never fails. . . stop yoga for a couple of weeks and the back complains!

I'm not suggesting “DH†get right in there and become an instantaneous swami – but incorporate yoga into his back maintenance regime.

I started off being a non-believer . . . yoga schmoga!
But now? I don't go anywhere without taking my yoga with me. [oh, that's right, it's not a physical thing. It's not a pill . . . it's not a contraption, I don't have to make an appointment (now that I have done the classes). Yoga is with me all the time, available for me to do anytime and anywhere I want, at my convenience.]

Find a good yoga instructor in you area and take the classes with him. He is more likely to continue if you do it too.