Lower Back Pain

I had almost identical symptoms to you about 4 years ago.

Gradually things got worse and worse, the sciatica really kicked in and I ended up having an operation to repair a torn disc in my lower back.

I am by no means saying that this is what will happen to you, but my very strong advice would be to find a physio who specialises in back injuries and go and see them. This may cost you a bit, but is 100% worth it in my opinion.

The physio who sorted me out after my operation said that if I had gone to her when my back first started playing up she could have given me exercises to do, and I probably would have avoided surgery all together.

Seriously mate, go and see somebody. I wish I had. They may tell you its nothing or they may fix you up. Either way its money well spent.

I never remember ever doing any damage to mine.

The surgeon who operated on me explained that some people are just genetically pre-disposed to suffering from lower back pain. Its all to do with how wide the channel near your spine that carries your nerves is.

Kinda fascinating actually, but rather a bit too much for me to explain on here.

Let me know how you get on.

Your profile doesn't say where you are. If you're in the UK and going to the doctors, be prepared to be forceful.

Took me 10 years of recurring back pain (doc would prescribe pain killers/anti-inflamatories and physio then I'd be back in a year later with the same issues) before I finally got sent for an MRI. I have a bulging/herniated disc, when it bulges it traps the nerve down my right leg. They won't operate cos it ain't that bad, but at least now that I know what it is, I can stop it recurring. Consultant said no running ever again and no twisting and flexing from the waist at the same time.

So far so good!

Good luck with yours.

First, get it checked by a doctor to make sure you don't have any damage. If no damage the doctor may recommend seeing a physical therapist. I had severe lower back pain last year. I'd always have some from carrying most of my weight in the middle but had an episode last year where I could barely walk.

My issues turned out to be a contracted psoas muscle that put my hips out of alignment which pinched the sciatic nerve. I was sent to a physical therapist who taught me how to stretch properly. Luckily, I had no damage and the stretching has helped. She also recommended that I strengthen my core by taking Yoga or Pilates, which I now do both.

Don't know if this would help but you may wat to try it.

I would walk into the locker room at my club and wonder why they even had a cold water plunge, I never see anyone in it. My legs have been killing me for the past year from squats, tennis, etc... so finally after trying everything else, I decided to try the cold water plunge. After a leg workout, I walked into the pool up to my thighs, I thought my legs were being beaten with a bat! It hurt so bad, but I stayed in for 45 seconds, I got out for a few minutes and did it again, I did this three times. By the time I got home, I thought someone had replaced my legs with new ones. It was unbelievable!! I have done it every day now for a week and now i do 3-5minutes 3x. I love it!! I also started doing some reading and searches on the topic and found out that this is nothing new, in fact it is a very old treatment for many things. It has incredible health benefits too, like boosting your immune system, releasing edorphins, speeding up recovery, and the list goes on...

For anyone out there experiencing leg, arm, back or any other body aches, TRY THIS!! Just try it once! I tried stretching all day, muscle relaxers, advil junkie, everything, but nothing came close to this. It will hurt the first time if you are not used to it, but you get acclimated real fast!!! Try keeping a warm towel on your neck or a cold weather cap on your head, it will help.

One other note: you can do this in your bathtub if you don't have access to a cold water plunge. The temp needs to be between 50-60 degreees. Good luck if you try it!