Back Pain

[HiJumpr111]

After months of intense back pain and an MRI, I was recently diagnosed with a ruptured disc in my lower back.
I will begin seeing a "Back Pain Specialist" this week.

If any of you have ever undergone treatment for slipped, herniated or ruptured discs, I'd really like to hear about your experiences as I do not really know what to expect.

I know there are many alternatives for treatment from surgery to injections to "exercise."

[ehh]

Re: Back Pain

I have spondylosisthesis L4/L5 (not a ruptured disk but worse) which lead to sciatica and other fun things - ultimately ending my college basketball career.

That being said, it ****ing sucks. I've had ever kind of injury imaginable; broken bones, conclusions, knee problems (surgery coming up in the next few weeks probably), pulled muscles, etc and none of them compare to back problems - they are by far the worst.

I tried everything for treatment. PT, stim, ice, whirlpool, magnets, acupuncture, chiropractor, etc.

What finally worked best for me is core strengthening, yoga and ice every day. Your treatment will at physical therapy will be a lot stretching and core exercises. They work but they key is to do them every day. If you don't keep up with it your core will weaken and the back pain will continue. Not sure how serious the problem is for you but I hope it isn't something you'll have to deal with for the rest of your life like I do.

[KingV2k3]

Re: Back Pain

I have spondylosisthesis L4/L5 (not a ruptured disk but worse) which lead to sciatica and other fun things - ultimately ending my college basketball career.

That being said, it ****ing sucks. I've had ever kind of injury imaginable; broken bones, conclusions, knee problems (surgery coming up in the next few weeks probably), pulled muscles, etc and none of them compare to back problems - they are by far the worst.

I tried everything for treatment. PT, stim, ice, whirlpool, magnets, acupuncture, chiropractor, etc.

What finally worked best for me is core strengthening, yoga and ice every day. Your treatment will at physical therapy will be a lot stretching and core exercises. They work but they key is to do them every day. If you don't keep up with it your core will weaken and the back pain will continue. Not sure how serious the problem is for you but I hope it isn't something you'll have to deal with for the rest of your life like I do.

This worked for my ruptured L5, but when it bacame herniated I was sent to PT, back surgeons (NEVER) and finally got lasting relief from my amazing chiro who litterally 'massaged' the herniated tissue from about 90 per cent of it hanging off of the bone to 90 per cent back in place...miracle of sorts...

Problem is finding "the guy"...

I was fortunate to befreind a master chiro, who learned in Japan in the 50's, came back and formed a groundbreaking practice and trained the guy I have now...who also has 4 herniated discs himself, so he knows firsthand...

All of the above posters advice will work before and after, but finding "the guy" is the key, as far as I'm concerned...

Some of these guys have machines and massage and electrodes and whatnot, but an aggressive, hands on series of "kneading" into place is the trick...

Then, after it's been in place, hit core training hard and avoid jacuzzis, and saunas...sux but they expand the tissue and set things going backwards...

Good luck!

[Aggies7]

Re: Back Pain

I wear a gun belt for 10 hour shifts and my back is starting to hurt as well. I just started wearing suspenders under my body armor and it is actually helping. Maybe a version of suspenders may help you. There not the coolest things, so maybe want to hide them under your shirt or something. However if you already have a ruptured disks, therapy or surgery might be your only issue.

Good Luck

Aggies.

[ehh]

Re: Back Pain

This worked for my ruptured L5, but when it bacame herniated I was sent to PT, back surgeons (NEVER) and finally got lasting relief from my amazing chiro who litterally 'massaged' the herniated tissue from about 90 per cent of it hanging off of the bone to 90 per cent back in place...miracle of sorts...

Problem is finding "the guy"...

I was fortunate to befreind a master chiro, who learned in Japan in the 50's, came back and formed a groundbreaking practice and trained the guy I have now...who also has 4 herniated discs himself, so he knows firsthand...

All of the above posters advice will work before and after, but finding "the guy" is the key, as far as I'm concerned...

Some of these guys have machines and massage and electrodes and whatnot, but an aggressive, hands on series of "kneading" into place is the trick...

c/s 100%. I went to six chiropractors before settling on one. 3-4 years ago I'd go see him twice a week because my back was so effed and he was so helpful. Since I took up yoga I only go to him once or twice a year of I take a hard hit on the basketball court and knock something out of alignment.

Most chiros are overaggressive and want to pop and crack every part of your body. That's not necessary and IMO does more harm then good. My chiro would do my lower back every time, my mid-back sometimes and every once in a while my neck - that's it. Every time I walked out of his office I instantly felt better. With the previous five bad ones I'd often be sore for a few days or they would make things worse.

[KingV2k3]

Re: Back Pain

c/s 100%. I went to six chiropractors before settling on one. 3-4 years ago I'd go see him twice a week because my back was so effed and he was so helpful. Since I took up yoga I only go to him once or twice a year of I take a hard hit on the basketball court and knock something out of alignment.

Most chiros are overaggressive and want to pop and crack every part of your body. That's not necessary and IMO does more harm then good. My chiro would do my lower back every time, my mid-back sometimes and every once in a while my neck - that's it. Every time I walked out of his office I instantly felt better. With the previous five bad ones I'd often be sore for a few days or they would make things worse.

Agreed...

I have him do my lower back (crossing on leg over the other while on your side, flip to other side and repeat) after poping my mid back while lying on my stomach AND THAT'S IT!

All chiro visits end with that head popping thing while on your back that I dubbed "The Chiropractor's Handshake" b/c it only serves to make your kinda light headed and feel like something major was accomplished...it's a leftover from the shady days of the past...

My Chrio loved that nickname for it, and admitted I was more right than wrong about it's origin and actual usefulness...

Find a chiro in your area and ask him or her who they would go to...

I