Help! chronic back pain?

Question

I have a big problem with chronic back pain. I have tried so many things to try and aleviate some of my pain, but to no help at all. Only made it worse.
I have an injury to my low back, lumbar area, that keeps me from being able to move very much. Is there anyone out there that has found something other than pills that help with their chronic back pains? If so, I would love to hear about what you do to help yourself.

Answer 1

Hi Cowgirlduchess. Like any health problem, you need to find the CAUSE of your pain to be able to properly treat it. Obviously, drugs only treat the symptom of pain, but do not treat the underlying cause.

It sounds like it is time for you to see your family Chiropractor for a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Best wishes and good luck.

P.S. For now, your best bet for pain relief is cryotherapy (ice). If you do not have an icepack designed for this you can use a large bag of frozen vegetables (peas or corn work well). Place the 'icepack' in a thin pillow case/cover and apply directly to the area of your back with the most pain. Apply the ice for 20 minutes and then remove for one hour to allow for return of blood flow (to prevent frostbite). Repeat as needed. If you do this correctly you will go through a serious of sensations: cold, burning, pins and needles, ache and then anesthesia.

Answer 2

Get a massage. You will need to find a massage therapist who has significant training in pain management, anatomy, Swedish massage and deep tissue massage. Don't just take it for granted that a therapist knows what they are doing just because they are in business. Most states do not have a minimum requirement for massage and therefore you could get someone who never even went to school at all. A minimum of 800 hrs massage education and 1 year experience in the field is usually a safe bet. Call and ask before setting up the appointment. Then you need to have the therapist start out with a light Swedish massage only as much pressure as you can tolerate. Then over time (3-4 more sessions) work gradually deeper. If there is a Massage Envy near you try them first they are the cheapest and yet they hire only certified well trained therapist. http://www.massageenvy.com
Go every week for a month or two and then every other week and then once a month you should see a huge improvement after the first couple of sessions.

Answer 3

With out the old pamphlet I used to have it's kind of hard to explain what I did, but I'll try.

Get a good sturdy kitchen chair and straddle it, holding onto the back of it. Keep your back straight feet planted firmly. Breath in deeply and hold to the count of five. You should be able to feel this in your lower back. Exhale slowly. Do this about five times.

Next, round your shoulders, gently, like you're about to hunch over the back of the chair. Do the breathing thing again.

This helped me alot. I did this in the morning and evening. Back when I had the back problem, one rarely went to a chiropractor, but now they have a new thing that helps with this. I'm not sure what it's called but they literally stretch you and people swear by it. You may want to look into this.

The thing I've described is a 'gentle' workout for your back and will take some time to show improvement. Be patient and good luck.

Answer 4

Well, my mom has two cervical hernias and although she requires surgery, she's been under acupuncture, some medicines and even shots (IDK what kind of shots) and it has really helped her with her problem. At first she couldn't use her right side of the body, and had some breathing problems, but know she's doing a lot better without going through surgery, Try to find a specialist in spinal problems and who practices acupuncture and/or oriental medicine. Sometimes she's doing great, but every now and then she has pain. We believe her treatment is really worth it, specially because we have relatives who've been through srugery and ended worse than they were at the beginning.

A friend's momo also has a hernia in her lumbar area, and she told me pilates has really helped her feeling well.

Good luck! I hope you get better...

Answer 5

I hurt my lower back and lived with the pain for a couple of years before checking out a local Physical Therapist. They are well educated and licensed not some hack chiropractor. She recommended a series of light stretches which if done regularly, have eliminated my problem altogether with only a couple follow up visits. But then it depends on your injury, and determination to do what they tell you. Most physical therapy fails because the patient won't do the exercises.

Answer 6

Hi,
Sorry to hear about how painful it is...I understand..I am going thru the same thing.
I use a heating pad (helps a little) and then I switch to ice. It helps with any inflammation in there.
Have you tried Glucosamine? I have heard that it will really help!
Also, have you considered going to a Chiropractor? I have in the past and have had great pain relief!

Answer 7

I feel your pain girl, I've dealt with lower back pain for many years. The best thing I've tried is craniosacral therapy (upledger.com). It's a type of bodywork that it not invasive, but enlists your body's own healing mechanism to heal itself.

Answer 8

Have you already tried out Back Pain Relief 4 Life process? Start at this site : http://www.BackPainInstantRelief.com . This may completely guide everyone!

Answer 9

I've heard of bowen therapy fixing backs miraculously, and i've heard of magnets relieving the pain miraculously.