Back pain- who do you go to?

CelebrityStatus

I have always had slight back pain, and always attributed it to the fact that I was so overweight. When I was sixteen, I fractured two disks in my spine (c6&c7, slight twist on the c5)... but it is my lower back only that causes a lot of pain.

I have been lifting for a few weeks and do NOT think that is the cause of the more recent pain. The rest of my body feels GREAT, aside from a bit of muscle soreness. But my lower back has been hurting a lot in the last month or so, a bit before starting to weight train. Sometimes, if I stretch just right, I can get a good pop in my lower back and it will be excruciatingly painful for a couple of minutes and then feel 100x better for about 8 hours. Other than that I have mild/moderate back pain all day long.

I have just suffered through it for the last five years (basically since I was sixteen), but now that I am trying to get more fit as well as lose weight, it is really affecting my running (doesn't bother me much lifting)... I love both and would like to continue to run and lift, but at times after my runs, my back hurts so badly that I struggle to put my street clothes back on, let alone go and do my lifting as well.

Who do you go to for your back pain? Doctor? Chiro? MT?

steve0820

I feel your pain literally. Most days, I have a back pain, everyday when first waking up as well. Working out has helped tremendously!! If you haven't already, go see your doctor for advice. I did, but really was no help. they only offer meds, which is not the route I want to take.

So I started with a few things a few years ago.

* Being a healthy weight and not carrying any extra lbs around the midsection.
* Having a weak core. Having a 6pack doesn't mean you have a strong core. Started heavy lifting with compound exercises again.
* Having a weak trunk. We tend to focus on the stomach and not all the way around. Focus on front and back. work your back, especially lower with superman's, things like that.
* Weak legs, especially hamstrings, will directly affect your lower back, if lower back pain is already an issue. Focus on that
* Properly warming up and cooling down for your workouts
* Foam rolling
* Long periods of standing or sitting. I work in an office, So I tend to walk around when I can, stretch, to avoid being immobilized for too long.
* If you are lifting "heavy" with squats or deadlifts, learn proper form. Watch and read everything. People with lower back issues tend to stay away from theses because they are "bad" for your lower back. Nope, they are the best, but can be the worst with poor form.

Theses are some of the things I have done through the years to help my back pain and it has helped. Almost 4 years ago, I had a trampoline accident, and the Dr told me I was lucky to not be paralyzed. So it can be done.

Good luck

yogicarl

I go to my yoga teacher, class and daily mat.
Serious answer.

Shawshankcan

Massage and physiotherapist

Pinkranger626

For me I've found that massage has made a huge difference in my back pain. Before choosing a therapist I would discuss what their specialties are, you may find that a sport massage or orthopedic massage therapist would be able to help pinpoint your issue. Deep work would probably also be beneficial for you. Swedish massage, although it feels good, won't target the issue that you're describing so make sure that they understand that you're looking for more targeted work, rather than a general relaxation massage.

For your issue in particular, you may find a combination of chiropractic work and massage may help alleviate the issue. For me personally, I would make sure that they take xrays and know exactly what's going on with my discs and spine before I would let them start adjusting. You may be out of alignment.

I also find yoga has made a HUGE difference in my pain and in my running. Going consistently along with massage has made my back pain almost disappear completely.

The above suggestions for self care are also really good advice and can help you in the long run. Good luck!

JazmineYoli

Bump to read later. I am going through similar issues. I just saw a chiropractor yesterday but he seemed like a total quack. I was thinking about a Orthopedic Surgeon but I don't know yet.

Dewymorning

Chiropractors are specialists of the spine, I recommend seeing a chiropractor.

Sunnydale14

I suffer from back pain that stems from a teenage injury too. Go and see your doctor first, and ask to be referred to a physiotherapist. A physio can help you find the source of the pain and advise on the right exercises to help it. I saw a physio last year and was given a program of stretches to do daily to loosen the muscles and ease the pain. She also advised me to take up pilates to strengthen my core. A strong core supports your back and helps reduce the risk of injury.
Personally, I find any good stretchy exercise is soothing, like pilates or yoga. Good fitness is a help in general. If it's particularly tight, a hot water bottle or one of those wheat bags you put in the microwave is good for easing things enough for you to sit or lie down comfortably.
If you're lifting, consult one of the gym staff or maybe take a session with a trainer to make sure your form is right and you're not straining anything.
Backs are important. Be careful!

GillianMcK

Have you considered a Cranial Oesteopath??
Google what they do as I just won't be able to do it justice.

We actually first heard of one when in a last ditch attempt for one of our horses that had become unrideable on the left rein.
We had tried everything with the vet, nerve blocking, magnetic therapy, physio, you name it we tried it, this was the last thing we were trying before the horse was written off.
She came out worked on the horse and asked if it had had an impact to it's shoulder at any time, months prior the horse had been in a collision with another horse in the arena at a canter (riders errors of not paying attention and neither horse took evasive action), it was a couple of months after this that the problems first arose, the horse would rear if you asked for canter on the left rein, then progressed to anything on the left rein.
After several treatments to horse was back to normal, this is probably the only reason I believe in it as the horse can't get the 'placebo effect' from reading up on what the cranial oesteopath does.

I used to have problems with my shoulder/back after a car accident and that's how I got sorted.

Worth a try if nothing else works, mine took me without a referral from the doctor (and also referred my mum for a MRI scan because of issues with her shoulder)

tattygun

Chiropractor. Also foam roll glutes, hams, hip flexors and quads regularly (anyone who lifts should roll regardless of back pain) periodic deep tissue massages also

granturismo

I fractured L3 L4 and L5 in 2010, rods were inserted to stabilise and these were removed in 2012. I now have one shortened disc, one shortened vertebrae and an additional slight curve in my lumbar spine

Please dont take any advice from strangers - my consultant's final advice to me in 2013 was to be 'back aware'. I attended hospital physiotherapists and when I felt I needed to progress more I attended a private physio in 2010 and again in 2012.

I now use a selection of stretches and exercises that both these physios prescribed as I healed and my back muscles regained some strength.

Go to a physio and if you're not happy with the level of exercises they give you change physio. I was lucky because my hospital physio sessions were free of charge, had to pester the hospital to get them but after 6 months, I felt they were not strenuous enough but I still use some of them to warm up.

tattygun

Have you considered a Cranial Oesteopath??

Is that the same as an osteomyologist?

GillianMcK

Have you considered a Cranial Oesteopath??

Is that the same as an osteomyologist?

No I would expect a cranial oesteopath to be a registered practioner, Osteomyologist tend to be oestepaths or chiropracters that have been refused to be regulated by the general oesteopathic council or the general chiropractic council (either for politcal or philosophical reasons)
This is a google search description of it-
What is Cranial Osteopathy?
Cranial osteopathy is a refined and subtle type of osteopathic treatment that encourages the release of stresses and tensions throughout the body, including the head.
It is a gentle yet extremely effective approach and may be used in a wide range of conditions for people of all ages, from birth to old age.
Osteopaths may have different specialities including sports injuries, paediatrics, and visceral osteopathy (treating the internal organs of the body). Cranial osteopathy embraces all of these.

It's recommended for babies as being born is one of the most stressful things your body can go through.

The one that treated our animals also treated us, she treated my friends daughter who suffered from chronic back pain, but was brushed off by the doctors because she was only 23 years old, after a treatment (and taking medical history) she asked my friends daughter if she was born with the cord round her neck (her dad didn't know as he was in the army and not there at the birth), when she asked her mum it turned out she had been born with the cord round her neck which had caused a type of compression which was resulting in the sore back, sorted that and her back has been (to my knowledge) fine since.

It's worth a google search and a bit of research, but as I said I would expect them to be registered.

GillianMcK

Have you considered a Cranial Oesteopath??

Is that the same as an osteomyologist?

Can I also add that if I had just read about cranial oesteopaths I would have probably written it off as some new age treatment that was in the minds of the people being treated, it was only because of the dramatic improvement in the animals she treated that I actually would recommend it, she also treated a dog on the yard, it had been the runt of the litter and was very grumpy, after treatment by the oesteopath it was a different dog, it was grumpy because it was sore and didn't want anyone touching it!!

tattygun

Have you considered a Cranial Oesteopath??

Is that the same as an osteomyologist?

No I would expect a cranial oesteopath to be a registered practioner, Osteomyologist tend to be oestepaths or chiropracters that have been refused to be regulated by the general oesteopathic council or the general chiropractic council (either for politcal or philosophical reasons)
This is a google search description of it-
What is Cranial Osteopathy?
Cranial osteopathy is a refined and subtle type of osteopathic treatment that encourages the release of stresses and tensions throughout the body, including the head.
It is a gentle yet extremely effective approach and may be used in a wide range of conditions for people of all ages, from birth to old age.
Osteopaths may have different specialities including sports injuries, paediatrics, and visceral osteopathy (treating the internal organs of the body). Cranial osteopathy embraces all of these.

It's recommended for babies as being born is one of the most stressful things your body can go through.

The one that treated our animals also treated us, she treated my friends daughter who suffered from chronic back pain, but was brushed off by the doctors because she was only 23 years old, after a treatment (and taking medical history) she asked my friends daughter if she was born with the cord round her neck (her dad didn't know as he was in the army and not there at the birth), when she asked her mum it turned out she had been born with the cord round her neck which had caused a type of compression which was resulting in the sore back, sorted that and her back has been (to my knowledge) fine since.

It's worth a google search and a bit of research, but as I said I would expect them to be registered.

Interesting stuff, thanks!

CelebrityStatus

I *think* that I am lifting with proper form. I have read everything I can get my hands on and watched lots of youtube clips on a multitude of lifts (most of them from here, so hopefully you guys are pointing me to clips with proper form lol) ... I was hoping to get a PT to show me the proper techniques for lifting, but my gym doesn't offer PT anymore.

I am working really hard to lose the weight and it's coming off slowly (which is good) but surely, so I know that I can get down to a healthy weight.

For the person who said yoga, I do take yoga! Four times a week. I love it for a multitude of reasons, but I don't find that it helps all the much with my back. Some poses feel great on my lower back (standing forward bend, child's pose, cat&inversion) but I don't find that they really help much with the pain on a daily.

I think that I may go to my GP and see if he can suggest a good physiotherapist or if he suggest chiro.. and go from there!

BrianSharpe

Anyone but a chiroquacktor......they're under-qualified physiotherapists. Seeing your GP for a referral to a PT is a great idea (if he suggests a chiro change doctors)

cafeaulait7

Definitely get at least an X-ray, and other imaging if your Dr will do it. Otherwise, the doctor probably won't know much. There are just so many things it could be. So my advice is to see a really good physical therapist, yes. They will be able to tell if there are structural imbalances doing it. With the lower back, there often are. So you might get exercises that fix that if it applies.

As far as relief goes, you might try acupuncture, seriously. I have a really bad cervical spine issue that causes spasms and 'pinched' nerves and the acupuncture was actually helpful. It takes strong meds to help mine, so I was surprised! But it's too expensive a therapy for me because my back needs it every other day But that's not always the case. Some people go once a month

Definitely keep up the yoga. I get relief for my lower back (strong as a bull's, but I overload it due to compensating for my upper back problem) by flowing from different asanas just for the lower spine back-to-back. You want to hit the full circle of movement, and doing the individual poses too exactly misses some spots, so flow from one to the next. I hope that makes sense, lol. Just think of circles and it'll come to you