Re-occuring back pain.?

Question

Hi.
I have had lower back pain now for 5 yrs & I'm sick of it. The doctor can't find anything wrong, the chriopracter (SP) keeps popping it at the same spot, but says everything is fine. The x-rays show nothing. I do exercises recommended by the chrio, wear heating pads (which helps some), & take advil. I've had an upper & lower GI done (nothing wrong), it is not gas, constipation, or cramps. I feel better when I wear a corset, which makes me think it might be bad posture, but I'm not sure how to fix that (yes I have a large chest, but not so large that according to doc to harm me). I am 10 lbs over weight for my height, & eat healthy. The pain starts when I get up for the day & only sitting hunched in a chair do I feel it lessen. If I try sit-ups or curls I'm unable to move. No injuries, no accidents.I'm still able to work & function, but I would like to fix this. Does anyone have any serious answers or suggestions?

Answer 1

WEbMD states. "Some exercises can aggravate back pain. If you have low back pain, avoid:

Straight leg sit-ups.
Bent leg sit-ups or partial sit-ups (curl-ups) when you have acute back pain.
Lifting both legs while lying on your back (leg lifts).
Lifting heavy weights above the waist (standing military press or bicep curls).
Toe touches while standing." In fact, as you have found they can aggravate the pain. I have listed a few sites below with recommended exercises to help strengthen your low back muscles. Start out slow and do not push too fast. In addition, quit slumping. Poor posture does not help the problem and will cause other problems down the road. "It's important that you don't let fear of pain keep you from trying gentle activity. You should try to be active soon after noticing pain, and gradually increase your activity level. Too little activity can lead to loss of flexibility, strength, and endurance, and then to more pain.

Exercises that may help reduce or prevent low back pain include:

Aerobic exercise, to condition your heart and other muscles, maintain health, and speed recovery.
Strengthening exercises, focusing on your back, stomach, and leg muscles.
Stretching exercises, which keep your muscles and other supporting tissues flexible and less prone to injury" (WebMD).


http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/booklet/view_exercise.cfm?Thread_ID=18&topcategory=Spine

http://www.nismat.org/orthocor/programs/lowback/backex.html

http://www.back.com/articles-exercises.html

Answer 2

I cured my sciatica with this natural treatment http://cure-sciatica.info
Normally, I would not answer a question like this as my expertise is generally in medication but I had severe sciatica while I was pregnant with my 3rd child (after having had twins) and I had sciatica so bad that I was finding it difficult to walk. I tried massage therapy and physical therapy and could not take medication
I went to the chiropractor and the pain was instantly relieved. My hips and lower back were out of alignment because I had carried twins the year before. On occasion a Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) can also work but they usually only work on one joint at a time - the chiropractor will do your whole back which works faster. Anyone who does not believe in chiropractors will tell you they are quacks - don't listen.
I don't necessarily believe that chiropractors can cure things like diabetes but they can definitely relieve some types of back pain especially if a pinched nerve is involved which is usually the cause of sciatica.

Answer 3

I think that you answered your own question. If the current exercises that your chiro is giving you, give no relief, then either you are not performing the exercises properly or he/she needs to give you more appropriate exercises for your condition. If I don't see any changes in my patients pain levels after two weeks of exercises- I try a new set of stabilization exercises. You mentioned that you feel better with a corset which means that you are taking a load off of your spinal stabilization muscles (don't do this too much as they will become even weaker). You also mentioned that it FEELS better when you slouch. Your muscles and other soft tissue have adapted to your poor posture. (google the terms Creep, Hysteresis, and Set). This is very hard on your musculoskeletal system (imagine getting into a 5 mph car accident, you get out, the car is fine, you drive for a couple of thousand miles and then you realize that one of your tires is bald, your cars alignment is out putting excess stress on that tire). You need to be aware of your posture at all times. Pretend as if there were a string attatched to the apex of your skull, stand tall, sit tall- do not slouch. Consider pilates or yoga- I recommend this to ALL of my patients in ADDITION to prescribed exercises. Active Release Technique (performed by a chiro that is certified to do as such, see your local providers at Activereleas.com).

Answer 4

Have you tried swimming? Sometimes in the water you can move better than out of water, try excising in a pool.You say that it fees better when hunched in a chair, have you always sat hunched over while sitting? Sometimes we don't sit straight up, when sitting and then when walking, standing, or even sitting up straight our backs tend to hurt very bad. And if you wear a corset to much your back will get use to it and when you go without your back will hurt.
I have had two back surgery's and I now know to really be aware of my back. I hope it gets better soon, or you get the answers you need to fix the problem.

Answer 5

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Answer 6

go get a massage... tell the therapist what is wrong and they will probaly start with your QL and go from there.... thats what i did when i was in massage school and had patients with low back pain and it seemed to work well.... thats all you can really do... also try sitting in a hot tub with the jets on ur back.. for about 20 min...

Answer 7

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Answer 8

Do you exercise? Walk? i know it's hard when you are in pain, but it really can help. Also, see if you can go for some physical therapy. They can help you with posture and proper body mechanics.

Answer 9

the muscles are tight they will keep pulling the vertebrae back to the way they were if you see a massage therepist to loosen the muscles that should work they are like rubber bands

Answer 10

Kidney stones will cause constant back pain. Check with a urologist.