I want to cure myself of back pain?

Question

My new year's resolution is finally to cure myself of backpain that i received about 5 years ago skateboarding. I have gone to physiotherapy and chiro and they don't help. Yoga is alright but not the full solution. What can I do to fix it. I'm a regular surfer and it helps when I'm in the water but early in the morning I'm really stiff in my lower back.

Thanks everyone for all your responses. No I did not have a ruptured disc, only a bulged disc when I over rotated on a maneurver while surfing a big wave day. The type of pain is lower back with lots of stress on my left hip and gluts. At 29 I feel like an old man and at times I feel like it affects my sexual performance. I haven't had an MRI as I believe it is still muscular and can be alleviated by consistent strength building, which I now feel I am not doing enough of. Thanks for your comments again, I will start a regimen based on the examples given. I have tried electro therapy and even bought a slendertone to strengthen my abs, which I found also doubles as a tens machine when reversed and placed on my lower back. I also try to go to Saunas as well. At one time I found Tai Chi very effective but can't find a class near where I live. Thanks!

Answer 1

I can relate! I've had back problems since I was in high school. running on concrete was my downfall as I had an undiagnosed scoliosis and degenerative disc disease.Pain accelerated in my late 20's and I had 7 herniated dics when I was 29 and 8 after I had my first child.

Studies show repeatedly that time and exercise is the best medicine and I agree. At one point after the first herniation I had seen 4 doctors and finally a neurologist, after the 2nd herniation I couldn't even stand up to care for my son who was 6 months and my mother had to stay with me for a week and they suggested that I have the discectomy to try to release the nerve pressure. That's when I said forget it and started doing things my own way.

Here's what worked for me.. they are only suggestions and you can do what you like to alleviate pain.Firstly if it's intense pain then you have may have swelling and might want to take ibuprofen or something like that to reduce it. Secondly some of the things most overlooked with back pain issues is overall body muscle tone, and sleep habits.

Muscle tone: stretch those calves and hamstrings ! I can't emphasize this enough! Morning and night, everyday. Place your hands on the edge of the bed: stretch one leg back as far as you can without hurting yourself and stretch that heal to the floor or as close as you can get. Your upper body should be paralell to the floor, this stretches your back, upper shoulders and hamstrings and calves. Hold for as long as you can. Repeat with other leg.
2nd stretch:with hands still on bed, tip up your hips towards the bed as far as you can it's a little tricky at first, but gets easier with time.. key is to stand on tip toes leaning forward towards the bed and squeeze our buttocks. Great lower back stretch.

Never stretch standing straight up!

Also the stronger your stomach and obliques are the less back pain you'll have.. they hold up the back, put simply. Weight lifting.. not power lifting. Simple hand weights. Squat to an " almost sit" with each hand weighted movement : shoulders, biceps, back, upright chest flys, etc.

Sleep: don't use the pillow between the legs trick . This displaces the lower discs. If anything get a firm small pillow and rest with it under your ribcage/ oblique area for 10 min before sleeping.
What you want to do ( this takes some practice, but becomes a habit) is to sleep on your side ( either one) with knees and ankles together ( top leg stacked on bottom leg). This takes any pressure away and stablizes the lower and upper spine together. Eventually the pain goes away. Some mornings you may feel stiff but that depends on restlessness.

I hope some of this helps. Good luck!

Answer 2

You are absolutely not a bad person for taking pain medication. Sometimes it's really necessary. Have I actually had something other than medication heal the pain? Yes. Just last week I had a bad migraine brewing as our community choir practice started. As I sang the beautiful, complex music of the Messiah and the baroque song in German we were working on, the pain totally went away and stayed away. Whether it was the diversion or the music itself I don't know for certain. I just know it worked. I am able to "think away" some pain as well, usually more minor pain. I've found that pressure point massage therapy has healed much muscle pain I've had. I've also had amazing experiences with prayer healing the pain - and the illness or injury that caused the pain. For some types heat takes it away while for other kinds ice packs work better. I have also had many times when the only thing that would take care of it was medication. Do what works for you, and what you feel comfortable using and don't worry about what anyone else says. That's between you and your doctor.

Answer 3

I found many interesting info about sciatica here: http://curesciatica.toptips.org


While looking for a miracle cure, it has to be understood that sciatica pain in itself is not a disease. It is actually a symptom or a group of symptoms with an underlying cause that needs to be targeted if some sort of permanent pain relief is what one is looking for. But one thing is absolutely clear. Incorporating a few exercises that have a beneficial effect on sciatica pain in daily regime is of great help and whether a patient is taking drugs or not, these exercises ensure that his muscles are kept in a toned condition that lessen any flare up of pain. Just a few stretching exercises can bring about a drastic change in the levels of pain and signify the importance of exercise in the management of sciatica pain.
Best

Answer 4

Have you tried going to Physical Therapy? I suffer from back pain due to Degeniterive Disk Disorder. PT really seems to help along with daily exercise. Early in the morning, do some stretching exercises. Doing press ups, which are like doing pushups but leaving your body from the pelvis down on the floor. Work up do being able to do 30 of them. This really does help to stretch those lower back muscles. Yes, Yoga will help since it helps with stretching, toning and strenghening your muscles, which is what you do want to do.

Answer 5

Plenty of daily exercise will cure your problem,I also suffer from back pain,Been going to the gym about 4 times weekly and Ive noticed a difference.

Answer 6

I have the same problem, and I have been to many doctors. If it can't be corrected surgically, then the only way is to persevere and to do strengthening exercises for your lower abdomen muscles to strengthen your back. The best exercise I was told is Pilates that specifically aim to strengthen back muscles, which in the long term stop injuries from happening. Best thing for when you first wake up, and before you leave your bed, is to stretch your back muscles as well as your legs for at least 5 minutes before you move around. Try applying heat pads to stiff area of your back as well, then applying soothing gels.

Answer 7

the thing is you have not been specific as to the kind of injury you received. was it a prolapsed disc? in any case, do go see a personal trainer and get him or her to give you core stability exercises..that which strengthens your lower back and those deep abdominal muscles known as the transverse abdominus. i work with a variety of clients in the gym (yes, i am a trainer) who suffer from really bad back pains to the point of being crippled, and they have all come out well and stronger. in the meantime, try and stay off any sports that have high impact.....and watch your posture. good luck!

Answer 8

Have you had a MRI? Do not exercise until you do. For years people told me exercise but nothing worked, thank God I had that felling to just get lots off rest. Check out Acromegaly and see if you have other symptoms, if so do not exercise! I have to sleep on side and have read many places it is best. i have to lay on heating pad if on back.

Answer 9

Well it depends on how bad your back pain is and hopefully you dont require surgery. Most people with bad backs dont want to exercise their backs but that is necessary to strengthen your back to overcome the pain. Have you tried electrical stimulation?

Answer 10

I also suffer from back pain and maybe if you tried some stretching in the morning and doing any thing in the water is good. Try to stay as active as possible.............