back pain solutions

Glad to hear it, Galaxee!

 

Galaxee, this is awesome news!!!!!! As I've said before, my experience with massage effects were cumulative. I bet he starts to see even more relief over time. I do, however, think it's necessary to find out what caused the imbalances and improve on this (i.e. posture, muscle imbalance, etc.) so that the pain doesn't occur in the first place. A good physical therapist can help him identify these deficiencies in the first place and provide him with strengthening or stretching exercises to help him avoid the pain in the first place. This all comes from my experience with my husband's pain and what's allowed him to live his life in a more pain free fashion. Don't rule this out. I hope the good results keep coming. What a blessing and a relief for you both!

I don't usually appreciate Aveda products but they used to make a really nice massage oil. I think it had Eucalyptus or menthol in it and it would really warm the muscle nicely for a while after the massage therapy. If you can't find this, other oils like Tiger Balm (I think) offers similar benefits. This may enhance the massage effects for him.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ Mar 20 2007, 11:32 AM) [snapback]409057[/snapback]</div>

When I was a kid my mom decided to cut my hair. How hard could it be? She did such an awful job that I was given the choice between a shaved head or a Mohawk. For a very long time, whenever we played cowboys and Indians, I had to be the Indian.

There's a lot more to massage than just kneading and pressing, and people take a fairly intensive course in massage school to learn to do it right, and even then some are much better at it than others. I've had massage therapists who could get rid of my pain (in my case, over-use from hiking) and others who gave me no benefit at all.

Don't be too quick to take your DH off of professional massage and on to amateur home massage.

But if this really turns out to be the solution, you might want to try to find the time to take a course at a proper massage school to really learn how to do it right.

 

Hey Galaxee,

Late but I wanted to chime in, too. I'm an FP and I see, well, more back pain than anyone except the right kind of surgeon, some neurologists, or a dedicated pain specialist.

More than 80% of the time, in chronic nonmalignant back pain, the imaging studies are all normal, so it isn't surprising that all that imaging just added normal results to what is known. Sorry to hear it was frustrating.

In terms of evidence, very little actually "works," except time. One thing that evidence shows is that avoiding total bedrest (which we used to recommend) is beneficial -- that is, total bedrest has strong evidence to show adverse effects. Activity, in nonmalignant pain, is helpful. Whatever he can do to stay active within his limitations is important.

Yoga is one of the best ideas posted in this thread.. Pinto Girl mentioned that he's got to modify activity; that is true. I've seen young guys with back pain who want to take percocet and keep being warehouse workers.... so, obviously those are not reasonable choices to make together, and I tell them that. It's quite possible he will have to totally change what he does for a living, depending on how they can accommodate him at work -- because once he's over this episode, he is at risk to have another flareup, unfortunately.

Why did his doc think he might have the fibromyalgia syndrome? And why did you get so upset, if you're willing to share that?

Other pearls:

Anyone with long-lasting nonmalignant pain should have a serious evaluation for depression. Untreated depression (and by treatment I don't just mean SSRI's) makes good pain management basically impossible.

Acupuncture is coming more into vogue, and has no significant risk except cost, if needles are sterile and the practitioner is licensed, etc.

Long-term narcotics: don't do it. But you knew that.

Lastly,

Time is your friend. Even with herniated discs and very bad radicular pain, the main factor that improves the situation is time, and not the various things that people try. That, and the avoidance of curling up into a ball and doing nothing.

I wish you and the DH the very best. I am so sorry to hear that you are struggling with this.

- Seth

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ Mar 15 2007, 08:33 AM) [snapback]406098[/snapback]</div>

ZOWIE! I have been going though all kindsa stuff, but NEVER HEARD of "trigger point." OTOH, dahlink--YOU doing the massage could indeed skew the scientific validity of your results, unto 21 yo dh, no? I'm pretty sure my 56 yo dh could not achieve the same results on 47yo moi... (But we started together way later than y'all did...) Gonna google MTs here in the land of fruits and nuts though, fer sher! (And hope your unscientific sample carries through!)
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(zapranoth @ Mar 20 2007, 11:34 PM) [snapback]409441[/snapback]</div>

Good call, Seth. An evaluation for this--AND THE IMPORTANCE OF FULL BUY IN FOR AT LEAST A VIABLE TRIAL TO RECOMMENDED DRUG/NON-DRUG treatments cannot be overemphasized. Trust me...It CANNOT!

I have found value for myself in this combo...the toe bone is connected to the kneebone is connected to the backbone is connected to the neckbone is connected to the brainbone. My husband and son, despite SEEING these connections in me, continue to deny them for their own problems. ABSOLUTELY not to be sexist here, but women ARE more often treated for depression than men. And, recent studies are suggesting that it is NOT because women are more susceptible than men, but because men often won't discuss the symptoms that would lead to a correct diagnosis. This is also not to say that some physical difficulties are not just and only that--physical. But some of it can be chicken and egg stuff (and, no galaxee, this is NOT aimed at you and dh, just overall--hey, unlike you and my dh, I didn't do postgrad, but my BS minor WAS in psych!)--are you depressed because of the pain, or did the pain cause the depression?

(Seth--what's an FP... )

 

I feel for anyone with pain. 25 years ago I had back surgery on L-4 L-5, L-5 S-1. It was successful however I managed to screw up another disk. I am trying to avoid additional surgery on my back if I can. One thing my Doctor told me to do was sleep only on my side with a pillow between my legs. I have been doing that since my surgery and I believe it really helps. Plus exercise and lose weight. Good luck.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ Mar 21 2007, 10:17 AM) [snapback]409620[/snapback]</div>

I'm cautious with the diagnosis of FMS. I only use the word when I'm pretty sure, AND when it actually helps people to have some hope and to move in a constructive direction. It really doesn't sound like either end has been accomplished. In any case, so long as he doesn't decide to give up and lose hope, at least the treatments are helpful in his circumstance.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ Mar 21 2007, 10:17 AM) [snapback]409620[/snapback]</div>

gah! I hate the whole disability for fibromyalgia thing. I'd be upset, too, in your case. The benefit is to focus on positive function and to try to keep a person as active and engaged in life as possible -- whatever the diagnosis may or may not be.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ Mar 21 2007, 10:17 AM) [snapback]409620[/snapback]</div>

Agree, there, too. I often won't even try amitriptyline first in young people, although the pain people often encourage it... I get a few people who really do well on it, and then so many situations like his. I'll often use the less anticholinergic TCAs first, and ramp my way up towards amitriptyline if they fail -- that way the whole class isn't frightening.

I agree that emphasis on lifestyle changes, activity, and not medicine is the best approach. That said, there are a fair number of tweaks to medicine that can be singly tried that may be helpful in the long term... ah, good luck. It's especially hard to be young and to have long-term pain.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ Mar 15 2007, 08:33 AM) [snapback]406098[/snapback]</div>

It has helped me quite a bit; my PT does it. Actually, now that the muscles that were "tight" and "muscle guarding" are loosened up, I keep them that way with some specific stretches and exercises she gave me (and she has moved on to other techniques to try and cure to foot drop problem I have).

Since this is working, you might see if there's a physiatrist near you ... see http://www.aapmr.org/condtreat/what.htm for an explanation of what they do. They are usually teamed with a PT or massage therapist in the same office. They are a rehab type of doctor, and I know some people have had great luck with them when they have bulged discs. I can't remember if your DH actually has herniated discs or not (I would expect him to be considering surgery if they are herniated). some physiatrists claim that bulging discs can always be treated successfully by PT, massage and other techniques, saving surgery for only after the disc actually herniates.

 

It's good that the problem is structural in nature instead of spinal injury. Deep tissue massage will relieve the pressure but won't fix what's causing the pressure in the first place. Yoga is a broad issue with many different kinds of yoga and with many good and many not so good teachers. I would suggest an Iyengar based yoga class, preferably Anusara if you can find a teacher who's certified for it. I've been practicing yoga for many years and my practice has changed considerably since I began. Your husband has a lot of work ahead of him but he'll feel better after the first class. If you can't find an Anusara class for him, go with a slow-flow class that emphasizes the breath and developing a flexible spine. Stay away from the faster-paced classes such as ashtanga-vinyasa. A great book to read is called The Heart of Yoga and you can find it fairly easily at Borders or Barnes & Noble.

 

I have to disagree with the part about "trigger points" and "muscle guarding" not being the source of the pain ... to a degree. In my case, the irritant is the disc herniation, but it doesn't cause pain for that long. The muscles tense up, and then stay that way for weeks. So relieving them does take away the pain for a long time, until I somehow "re-injure" my back.

Best of luck with the alternatives ... I didn't have any luck with chiropractic, but did with PT (which was a disaster for your DH). The stretches and exercises were the thing for me, but they only made your DH's situation worse. The back is very complex, and there are as many different situations as there are people with back problems.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ Mar 26 2007, 12:49 AM) [snapback]412163[/snapback]</div>

The yoga will help if he's not flexible enough; needs stretching of the muscles.

I have the opposite problem; no yoga for me.

I have lower back pain with two herniated discs and piriformis syndrome with the sciatic nerve putting the piriformis into spasm.

Two years ago I was in constant pain although the degree of pain varied. Now I am pretty much pain free as long as I am a good girl. I wear my ugly shoes. I don't pick up anything heavier than 20 lbs. I try not to bend over. I don't have to wear my girdle anymore unless I know I'm going to be on my feet a lot or be carrying or lifting (even though it's under 20 lbs.)

Please don't rule out a chiropractor. Just be sure to find a really good one and be patient.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Godiva @ Mar 26 2007, 02:16 AM) [snapback]412189[/snapback]</div>

I have practiced with several people over the years who have herniated discs and have been able to relieve the pain and avoid back surgery because they practice yoga. Personally, I was able to remove a lot of tension in my hips that was causing lower back and knee problems. If I hadn't found yoga, I'd probably have had a hip or knee joint replacement by now. I wish that I could work with Godiva and galaxee's husband because I know that I could help. It's frustrating to have the answers for someone's pain and not being able to truly share the solutions.

 

Our physical therapist is making a PT website with exercise instructions:

http://www.findyourmove.net/content/view/14/40/

Consult your physical therapist and see if any of these exercises might help your DH.

 

I wonder if this particular back pain is common among mechanics. With all the bending over, it seems reasonable.

I'd say the condition is 50% repetitive stress injury to that section of the back. And 50% is mental, in that people tend to focus on one point of pain in their body, and this focus, increases the pain over time, ESP. when under stress or anxiety. Some carry their tension in their neck or head and get headaches, some carry it in their back, and some, like me, carry it in the pelvis (esp. with a sit down job).

The soultions is also 50/50. Half of it is mental, in learning FIRST, to not obsess over it (increasing the stress and anxiety), but also how to NOT tense those particular muscles so much, and to make an effort to relax those muscles and keep them that way.
The other half is the physical therapy of working the trigger point out. This takes time, repitition, and FOCUSED relaxing. He should stretch out before work, and then after work, spend 30 minutes in a comfortable position (try a pillow under the knees and behind the back) and keeping the mind focused on something else, like TV or a book (preferable alone in relative quiet).
If it is FMS, the best pallative for it is illegal (wink). None of this costs any money, but it requires learning how to focus on relaxing (mentally and the muscles themselves) and not on the things that make you anxious/stressed or focusing on the discomfort. It took me about a year to slowly change my focus and my pain lessened week by week once I started noticing how my muscles were tensed and how to use focused relaxation to stop doing it.