Getting Over Back Pain/Problems

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Anyone else with a Dysfunctional Sacroiliac Joint?

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manderson27
manderson27 Posts: 3,510 Member
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I have suffered with flare ups of this since my early 20's

I would get a flare up every couple of years that would land me flat on my back for anything from 3 days to 6 weeks in one instance. Lately it has gone from chronic to acute and I was getting several flare ups a year. I was advised by my old doc to just be careful what I lift and take painkillers when I got a flare up.

I was scared to do anything much and had lost a lot of mobility in my back. Then about 6 months ago a new doc referred me for physio at my local hospital and I met an amazing young lady who (to cut a long story short) helped me overcome my fear of moving, got me excercising and now, I go to the gym, I lift heavy, I do cardio, sit ups, even planks because I am no longer scared of putting my back out. My mobility has improved from 60% up to 90%

My back feels more stable and I feel so much stronger and of course I have lost weight so all is good. I will still get flare ups but she thinks they should be much less frequent and hopefully I will recover faster.

Anyone else have the same problem?

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  • manderson27
    manderson27 Posts: 3,510 Member
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    Just me then :)
  • mdawnt11
    mdawnt11 Posts: 3
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    I know what you mean! I have had SI pain and sciatica for several years. I've tried injections, PT, pain killers...you name it. It's scary to do anything too ambitious when you're afraid of hurting. I see a specialist in a couple days to be fitted for a shoe lift to balance me out (my left leg is 1/2 inch longer than the right). I'm hoping this helps!

    Good luck to you!
  • manderson27
    manderson27 Posts: 3,510 Member
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    I think it is the fear of doing more damage that has kept me from excercising in the past. But since I have started (I do 15 mins of gentle back excersises every morning given to me by my phyisio before getting out of bed) it has helped a lot. I also started heavy lifting about 8 weeks ago, I try and go at least twice a week, but with my lifestyle at the moment it is sometimes more, sometimes not at all. However I feel much stronger and haven't had any more than a couple of very minor flare ups since.

    I really hope the specialist can help you, back pain of any kind is so debilitating and depressing. No one who hasn't suffered with it really understands how it affects every aspect of your life.

    Good luck and keep trying to find a solution that works for you. :flowerforyou:
  • tjm0108
    tjm0108 Posts: 3
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    This is me right now! I had a fusion of L4/L5, L5/S1 almost a year ago. While my leg pain has improved hugely & my back is much better than it was, I'm now plagued with horrible SI pain! I'm wearing an SI brace/band which helps a little, my PT who us also an acupuncturist has been working with me a lot but dang this is painful!
    Back pain is a miserable thing to suffer from, it's already cost me my career....I refuse to let it take my sanity too!!
    Ideas welcomed :)
  • abbeyl11
    abbeyl11 Posts: 73
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    I have SI problems, and had to wear an SI belt when I was pregnant with my third child, wish I knew about it for my first two!! I've found that where I'm at right now, when I lose 5 lbs my SI pain disappears. When I let myself go and gain 5 lbs it flares up and throws me off track. It's this vicious cycle, I lose 5lbs and feel great and then for whatever reason I decide to slack off for a bit and gain it back, only to have my back/hip pain reappear. Best thing I can suggest for SI pain is core strengthening exercises and losing a few lbs. Seriously. SI joint pain comes from instability which = weak core and is exacerbated by excess weight putting strain on the joint. Unfortunately I'm an expert on the subject, hopefully you'll take my advice better than I do ;-)
  • manderson27
    manderson27 Posts: 3,510 Member
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    Abbey is right about the core strength. If you can tighten up your muscles it acts like a corset and holds the joint more firmly. The problem is getting to a point where you can excercise enough without causing a flare up. I can now do heavy lifting without fear of the joint flaring up on me.

    Weight is a big issue with backs, the lighter you are the less problems you will have.

    Fear is another issue, it is scary to even think about excercising when you have a bad back but it is essential to keep the joint mobile and so if you can you really need to try and overcome the fear. Start slowly and build up your excercise, do this with the advice and help from a physiotherapist and or a personal trainer who has experience with back injuries. It is scary and could be expensive but it would be worth it.
  • officegirl27
    officegirl27 Posts: 33 Member
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    I could not agree more but its hard getting to loose the weight when you don't feel good!!! I know all the right things to do but it
    hard when its an everyday struggle!!! I keep trying!!:wink:
  • vbutlerb
    vbutlerb Posts: 44 Member
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    This is me right now! I had a fusion of L4/L5, L5/S1 almost a year ago. While my leg pain has improved hugely & my back is much better than it was, I'm now plagued with horrible SI pain! I'm wearing an SI brace/band which helps a little, my PT who us also an acupuncturist has been working with me a lot but dang this is painful!
    Back pain is a miserable thing to suffer from, it's already cost me my career....I refuse to let it take my sanity too!!
    Ideas welcomed :)

    Similar history here except my fusion was in 85. I go through bouts of severe SI pain. Right now it has stsbilized and I credit Anat Baniel. Her dvd's.

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