Bad back

[hyperD]

I found a poor seat and posture exacerbates mine so I bought one of these:

Posturite Chairs

Been fine ever since. In actual fact, when the back feels a little twingy, a couple of minutes relaxing on this works a treat.

[BrilloPad]

physios/pills/doctors

My Physio recommended pilates. But I didn't bother. Fortunately my problem has not come back since I stopped seeing her.

But anyway, the reason for posting is that the answer is to find a good Physio. This problem will not get better any other way. The physio will help you with the short term problem and should tell you what is wrong with your posture to have caused it in the first place.

Taking pills to stop the paid is a dumb move (unless you really can't live without them). You will simply allow yourself to continue using your back wrongly in the short term and will end up permanentyly crippled in the longer term.

tim

usually I find physios very good (over 20 years) - but my last few episodes of pain (2 years) physio did not help much. In the end I needed an MRI scan and my bottom 2 discs are knackered. I guess it depends on what is wrong.

I agree over the pills. I am fairly immune to painkillers and I got into alot of arguments with the doctor. My uncle is lecturer in pharmaceuticals so I knew what to ask the doctor for(just as well as they kept giving me the wrong drugs) but the painkillers were almost ineffective.

Doctors are no help atall for backs. 1 doctor told me to bend at the knees - when I said my knees were bad she said "well you are in a bad way then". Another doctor said swimming was good - except one stroke - except for breast/back stroke - she couldn't remember which.

[lukemg]

the painkillers were to enable me to sleep for the first time in 3 days, not so I could do gymnastics....Combined with anti-inflam's and spasm reducers I was able to relax for a day which improved things 70%, it was sorted a few days later (obviously muscle related rather than disks etc).

[malvolio]

Touch wood, Mal!

Quickly...

Can't - me back's gone and I can't get out of the chair....

[malvolio]

Feck that hurts

Works for me, at 56 and 17 stone... OTOH I do lift weights and used to be a fairly quality badminton player (although at rather less than 17 stone!)

I said "gently". If it hurts, it's because you're stretching things that don't stretch like they should. Keep at it and it stops hurting. The back muscles you're pulling are the strongest in the body, and they're cramping to support the weakened joint. You have to loosen them gradually.

Then again I did mine in carrying a 240 pound concrete birdbath when I stepped off a kerb I didn't see. Left me with a permanent weakness that I've learned to work around - lift things properly and recognise when it's getting overstrained so you stop before you do the damage. Haven't had a serious problem for around 10 years now (says he, tempting fate... _

[Troll]

Thanks for all the replies - like the song says - you don't know what you've got 'till it's gone!!

I have always had a 'strong' back so this has come as quite a suprise - but I did injure the back 30 years ago in a motorcycling accident -never given me a problem to date so I don't know if this is related.

You basically need to stretch out the muscles that support the lower spine. The one I use is flat on the floor on your back, bring one knee up, cross the other leg over it so your ankle is on the knee then twist (gently) to one side so that foot touches the floor, with your shoulders still flat. Hold it as long as you are comfortable. Repeat for the other side.

Feck that hurts

To ease it, lie on your back and pull your knees to your chest. Crouching down with your head between your knees also works.

I don't think I could ever get my knees to my chest when I was 20 ish...crouching is definately out!

I have also found relief by losing weight

Middle aged spead goes with the territory

[tim123]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,,1774836,00.html

Try the 5 excercises in there.

I have also found relief by losing weight(slimming world) and pilates.

My Physio recommended pilates. But I didn't bother. Fortunately my problem has not come back since I stopped seeing her.

But anyway, the reason for posting is that the answer is to find a good Physio. This problem will not get better any other way. The physio will help you with the short term problem and should tell you what is wrong with your posture to have caused it in the first place.

Taking pills to stop the paid is a dumb move (unless you really can't live without them). You will simply allow yourself to continue using your back wrongly in the short term and will end up permanentyly crippled in the longer term.

tim

[lukemg]

You have my sympathy. Often it's regarded as a comedy illness since the days of it being the most popular for the workshy. I have had a few doses of it and it is bloody painful and also affects every single movement of the body. In fact even staying still didn't help to stop the pain. Struggled to the docs and got as many drugs as I could. I was permie so didn't rush back to work.

[BrilloPad]

We can rebuild you

http://www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,,1774836,00.html

Try the 5 excercises in there.

I have also found relief by losing weight(slimming world) and pilates.

[EternalOptimist]

I had it last year for about three months, what a b@stard. Its the type of thing you shrug off when you are 20 but its a real crippler when you get to 50.

Didnt stop me driving down to work in London tho kerching, oww, kerching, oohhh, kerching, oooww

[malvolio]

You basically need to stretch out the muscles that support the lower spine. The one I use is flat on the floor on your back, bring one knee up, cross the other leg over it so your ankle is on the knee then twist (gently) to one side so that foot touches the floor, with your shoulders still flat. Hold it as long as you are comfortable. Repeat for the other side.

Stop twisting as soon as it hurts (although try and hold it there for a while), and take it very gently until you're a bit looser.

Then go and find your local McTimonie Chiropractor (not any other kind, make sure it's a registered McTimonie one) and get a course of treatement - a bit new world but it works.

[stackpole]

I've managed to pick up a lower back ache - not a niggle.. but a full blown can't get out of my chair pain.
I was looking at inversion tables - they seen reasonably priced - has anyone tried these or have any recomendations for helping back pain?

You want to ease it, not help it!

To ease it, lie on your back and pull your knees to your chest. Crouching down with your head between your knees also works.

[threaded]

Cycling and a rowing machine (proper one like a water rower etc.)

[Troll]

I've managed to pick up a lower back ache - not a niggle.. but a full blown can't get out of my chair pain.
I was looking at inversion tables - they seen reasonably priced - has anyone tried these or have any recomendations for helping back pain?