Chronic Back Pain Management

Has the cause of your back pain been diagnosed?
I know you said you fell off a horse, but did you break something? Is it a disc issue? Scar tissue?
(Probably a combination of things at this point)

My wife (and I, to a lesser extent) has back pain issues, specifically sciatica, but also muscle tension in her upper back and neck, causing, or at least contributing to migraines, etc.
The sciatica is caused in part by a hereditary predisposition (half her family seems to have it) and partly by having a very heavy physical job for over 20 years.

She manages her pain with a combination of things:
- regular low-impact exercise, especially core strengthening and stretching (like yoga, Pilates) as well as swimming
- Keeping her weight in check and eating healthy. She used to take glucosamine and a couple of other joint-friendly supplements but stopped.
- anti-inflammatory pain killers like Advil, but only of absolutely necessary.
- Treatments like Osteopathy and massage, with a little bit of physio. Again, she only books treatments if her regular self-maintenance doesn't cut it, the pain is impacting her sleep or preventing her from going swimming, etc.

I think the biggest change for her was when she discovered Osteopathy and the different approach of an alternative health practitioner.

Before that she went through years of the official NHS (we lived in the UK at the time) care and it was just aweful. She was taking loads of pain killers, having X-rays and MRIs, she had a fascial joint injection (which has worked amazingly well for some of her family but only made her sciatica worse). The final straw was when she was referred to a dirge on who told her he would fuse part of her spine. She was 26 and walked out of there going 'no way!'

2 weeks later she 'discovered' Osteopathy and, I know this sounds super corny, but it changed her life.

Unfortunately I know your pain all too well. It started with degenerative spinal disease followed by Facet Joint arthritis, so years of constant back issues. A few years back I had both of my hips reconstructed and while in traction they damaged my femoral and psoas nerves which made my back pain even worse. I have been back and forth between doctors for almost 15 years between the ortho and my pain specialist.
After an MRI they found the damage can't be reversed but it can be controlled. Here's what I do for pain relief, keep in mind I take ZERO pain meds now.
- Massage Therapy. Some insurances cover it, some don't. But if you can afford the $50 a month get a Massage Envy membership.
- Aqua Therapy. I hit the pool 3-4 times a week. 24 Fitness has a therapy pool at the one I go to which stays at 97 degrees, that way the muscles don't cramp from the cold. If not a low impact water aerobics class will keep you moving and feel great when you build muscles around the damaged area.
- Nerve blocks. This is a huge one and not to be taken lightly. I get a block in 3 root nerves every 6 months. This isn't a long term solution but it helps your body "re-route" the nerves and you feel less pain. I wasn't a huge believer until this past October when I had a triple block and now I am working out well 4-5 times a week and rarely need anything more that motrin.
- Core, core core. I can stress this one enough. Work on your core to support your back !
- TENS or STIM. I was perscribed a TENS machine and swear by it. It is almost equatbale to electroshock therapy but on a lesser scale. 20 minutes or so at a low voltage promotes healing. When I hurt a lot it helps so much, but if you turn it up too high you will be sore the next day in the surrounding muscle !

Sorry for the book. After 4 kids and some staggering injuries I am all too familiar and feel pain meds was the worst thing I ever did. And of course, weight management helps too

coppertop_4 wrote: »

So I fell off a horse in Junior High (got back on too) around 1993 and have had back issues since. I've been to (and still go) to chiropractors and massage therapists. I can get maybe a day per month where the pain is minimal. My neck and upper back are the issues. I spent 11 years with a phone pinched between ear and shoulder, hunched over a computer for as long as I've worked and I am just so tired of the pain. On a scale from 1-10, 5 is normal and it ranges from a 2-8. I just started taking Vitamin D and fish oil as recommended to me. I don't get much sun where we live and when I do see sun I'm wearing sunscreen cause I burn really easily!
Anyway............... I'm looking for answers, people who know what I feel, and people who are also searching for answers cause they are tired of the pain!
I like yoga- I'm also on that plan right now too to strengthen the muscles around the neck and spine in hopes of pain relief too.
Leave your thoughts and suggestions please!!!!! I like to be active, but sometimes its hard to get moving (And no, there aren't any depression issues except I'm depressed cause I don't see enough sun

Coppertop fish oil has been helpful for my arthritis pain for many years and I just got serious about getting my Vitamin D3 levels up out of the 20's range.

It may not be of help in your case but my 7-8 pain level has dropped to 2-3 on a 1-10 scale after I cut out most all carbs (<50 grams a day) and replaced them with fats.

I hope you can find a diet that will help with your pain. I too go to the chiropractor, massage therapists plus acupuncture.

I had chronic back pain for years until I lost weight and began a regimen of reflexology and therapeutic grade essential oils to reduce inflammation. I changed what I was eating (cut out most processed foods) and stuck with natural and organic ingredients as much as possible. My personal belief is chronic pain is an inflammation response. Squelch the inflammation and the pain diminishes. I had a treatment called raindrop therapy done and it changed my life and drastically rid me of pain. I also still go to the chiropractor twice a month, take time to myself, and limit stress as much as possible. Staying active helps immensely and I also love bio freeze! I used to take medications evey night for pain and haven't taken anything for back pain in a very long time.

Stretching even mildly really helps start my day right.

I herniated a disc and crushed my sciatic nerve, it remained crushed for months until I had surgery. I exercise to keep the pain at bay, as recommended by my pt. Building a strong core really helps but honestly I loved pt. Physical therapy is amazing because a professional guides you through and teaches you exercises that are targeted to relieve the pain and strengthen the area that is affected. Helps safeguard from future injury and relieves pain.

I also find core work is helping my back immensely. PT guided. Also, pool core work and stretching are great too. Massage, Mobic only when I need it. I also have DDD and a mild herniated disk. Biggest thing is to be patient with the exercises and follow all the guidance your PT gives you.

Ive always had back pain of some sort since i slipped a disc at the age of 13. Ive had 4 children over 20 years and put weight on which changes posture. But ive also been working as a maternity clinical support worker for 8 years.

In 2011 i decided to train as a midwife loved it. But in January 2012 my back was playing up and i started getting annoying pain down my leg. Anyway cut a long story short i had to step off my degree to get my back sorted in july 2012. However like someone else mentioned Nhs treatment has been awful and im saying that as someone who works within the nhs.
Ive had physio and after that i ended up with a complication. I have degenerative disc and my back just went again and trapped my S1 nerve which caused immediate numbness in my left thigh. I then had mri scan and nerve block and facet joint injections and nothing helps. In December last year my foot started going numb so i returned to my consultant as its now 3 years and over two years with numbness. Im going back to see my consultant this week with results of my second mri so im hoping fir surgery on the nerve issue as this is causing more pain.

Anyway through the time ive exercised daily until last December where things got harder. Since then ive struggled. But i try if nothing else do a walk. I stretch everyday and foam řoll but i cant foam roll my lower back. The best advice i can give is to keep active even if you dont feel like it. The minute you stop is the time it gets worse. I need to focus on my core as this is the worse area. I suffer from migraines too which is related to my back.

One day at a time

I had a really bad car accident a few years back, and after almost a year of every type of PT, I discovered Hellerworks.

I had a cervical spine (neck) injury several years ago. I live with nerve damage, chronic pain, and limited neck movement now.

In terms of exercise, I love aqua because I can jump around without the pain of impact. I've also had a trainer go through weight lifting stuff with me so I know what is safe, and what isn't. Otherwise I stay away from high impact stuff.

Honestly, I've found working out to be really freeing. I feel like I have control of my body again, which is really great.