Remedies for back pain?

[luvmy3jewels]

Anyone know of a miracle cure for back pain? Five years ago, I hurt my back (in the floor, not able to move my legs kind of pain) lifting on my child. I ended up in the emergency room, they threw some pain pills at me (no diagnostic work) and then told me to follow up with my Dr. I've lived with the pain off and on ever since. Usually it is bearable and I can live with it. However every now and again, I end up twisting it just the right way doing everyday activities and end up on my knees and in complete misery for a couple of weeks afterwards. The pain generates from the same spot in my lower back and shoots down both legs into my knees.

I've tried massage therapy (feels great, but doesn't really help long term with the pain) and a chiropractor (one time adjustment and I left in more pain than I went with). I've seen a couple of different Drs. (GPs) about it. One just gave me a hand-out about different exercises you can do to strengthen your back, the other told me about how he had hurt his back playing basketball with Michael Jordan forty years ago and said that it would probably be something I would just have to live with. The second Dr. did order x-rays which I was just told just showed some mild degeneration of the vertebrae. He said that they could contact my insurance company and try to convince them to pay for an MRI, but an MRI would just show where I would need surgery.

I've always been told not to let anyone cut on your feet and back, because you will end up worse off than you were to begin with, so I'm a little afraid of the surgery direction. As common as back problems are, I was thinking maybe someone on this board has experience (and advice) on what would help the most? I'm fairly certain this is a disc issue, given the symptoms and the fact that muscle relaxers have not helped at all.

I apologize in advance to any DISers that I may offend by asking a medical question on this discussion board. However, I am just about at the end of my rope in dealing with the pain and would like to hear any stories from people about what helped them the most. I am open to just about anything at this point (accupuncture, chiropractors, surgery, etc) if it will help me function normally again.

 

[Rora]

Try a Chiropractor, for sure!

 

[jsmith]

Chiropractor, for sure!

NO NO NO not without an MRI-if you have a herinated disk-which is what is sounds like from the description of the pain in your legs-a bad chiropractic adjustment can paralize you. chiropractic is AWESOME for things like mis allignment and muscle strain-but very very bad for things like hernaited disks. Go see an othropedist-they will probably order an MRI-but that does not mean surgury. Mildly herniated discs are often treated with phyical therapy and steroid injections that can go along way toward giving you some relief-my husband has two-has had for more than 10 years and has not had surgery. The bed you sleep in-how you lift things-and a number of other factors can impact how you feel-along with things like how you work out- a good Physical Therapist can do you alot of good.

 

[bumbershoot]

Acupuncture is lovely.

If you find a great chiro, settle in for seeing them for more than just one visit. Chiro is miraculous, but it's usually not totally done in just one visit. And YES it's common for there to be pain after one visit. I've had that happen (and I am, by profession, though I'm retired, a chiropractor!) when my body is really working on getting something back into place.

 

[Thumper_Man's Wife]

I agree with a PP who mentioned Acupuncture. I have had continuous back pain for the better part of 10 years from a stupid maneuver I did back in college during a Theater Production class. I've had the x-rays, I've done the MRI and nothing of course showed up on either. But the pain still lingers. I have not gone to the chiropractor as of yet, but I have tried acupuncture and that alleviated a lot of the pressure and pain that radiated down my legs from my back. I also agree that you should go to an orthopedist to have an MRI. That will tell you if you have a herniated disc or a slipped disc as it is a better picture of what is really going on in there. They can give you recommendations once they see what the problem really is. MRI's are not necessarily the last step before surgery, they can also be a great step in the healing process.

Do you have problems with cold or heat? I can't use ice on my back without having more pain than before, so I use a heating pad at work and at home when I have a bad day. I would suggest checking out your local wal-mart or walgreens to find a heating pad that has an automatic shut off so you can lay down on it without a worry of having to wake up to shut it off if you fall asleep with it on. or doing the Ice Packs a couple times a day if Ice works better for you. But do try seeing a specialist on this. It will get worse before it gets better if you don't treat it.

 

[Rora]

NO NO NO not without an MRI-if you have a herinated disk-which is what is sounds like from the description of the pain in your legs-a bad chiropractic adjustment can paralize you. chiropractic is AWESOME for things like mis allignment and muscle strain-but very very bad for things like hernaited disks. Go see an othropedist-they will probably order an MRI-but that does not mean surgury. Mildly herniated discs are often treated with phyical therapy and steroid injections that can go along way toward giving you some relief-my husband has two-has had for more than 10 years and has not had surgery. The bed you sleep in-how you lift things-and a number of other factors can impact how you feel-along with things like how you work out- a good Physical Therapist can do you alot of good.

Interesting.. just curious where you got your information? I was suffering from back pain while away at college and was diagnosed with a herniated disk from my MD. He sent me to my chiropractor (my father is a chiro, uncle is an MD. Both recommend seeing a chiro. Neither treated me). Not trying to "start" anything, just curious! I know there are a lot of different feelings on treatments. I'm always interested in hearing about them/reading facts.

OP- I hope you find relief and a method/DR that works for you!

 

[jazzielady]

I felt the same way as you about back surgery until the pain got so bad I looked like Quasimodo just trying to go about my daily business.

I finally consented to lower back fusion surgery - which is how bad it got - and the pain has improved a lot. Am I perfect again? No, but I'll never be 20 years old again either.

I've been to the World twice since the surgery and even jumped on my daughters' trampoline within a year of the surgery (which was one of my goals- it's important to set goals for your recovery).

Good luck. I hope you find a non-invasive therapy that works for you. I tried them all, and ultimately surgery was the only help.

BTW, the way you describe your pain as going down to the knees indicates that something is pressing on the nerves. The longer you allow this pressure to continue to damage the nerves, the more difficult recovery will ultimately be.

I learned this the hard way. Because of my hard-headed refusal of surgery, I allowed the nerve damage to go all the way to my feet, and the nerves will never completely heal, so I will always have pain to a certain degree.

Herniated discs will generally heal themselves w/in a few months. If it's been over 5 years, you need more serious medical intervention.

I know of a terrific website for back pain. It has a discussion forum and chat. If you are interested, pm me for the website, as I'm not sure I'm allowed to post it.

 

[golfgal]

Interesting.. just curious where you got your information? I was suffering from back pain while away at college and was diagnosed with a herniated disk from my MD. He sent me to my chiropractor (my father is a chiro, uncle is an MD. Both recommend seeing a chiro. Neither treated me).

OP- I hope you find relief and a method/DR that works for you!

But you had a diagnosis BEFORE you went which is what the poster was saying. I have to agree, get your diagnosis first. OP, you need to go to a back specialist (orthopedic) dr and stop messing around with your GP. Your GP should have referred you on LONG ago too, that is just being irresponsible.

 

[mnrose]

I highly recommend a book by Dr. John Sarno called "Healing Low Back Pain." One of the most insightful books I've ever read. I have a partially herniated disc at the L4/L5 level (and got this in my mid 30's). Yet for the past 15 years, I've been pain and symptom free. The book was a major part of it, along with an aggressive campaign to strengthen my core muscles, particularly the abdominal muscles. It really works.

 

[jazzielady]

But you had a diagnosis BEFORE you went which is what the poster was saying. I have to agree, get your diagnosis first. OP, you need to go to a back specialist (orthopedic) dr and stop messing around with your GP. Your GP should have referred you on LONG ago too, that is just being irresponsible.

Absolutely agree, or a neurosurgeon/neurologist

 

[robinb]

Pilates might help you. It strengthens both your back and your core which will help support your torso and back. Find a place that makes it OK to work within your own limitations and doesn't push you to do positions that hurt.

 

[jazzielady]

I highly recommend a book by Dr. John Sarno called "Healing Low Back Pain." One of the most insightful books I've ever read. I have a partially herniated disc at the L4/L5 level (and got this in my mid 30's). Yet for the past 15 years, I've been pain and symptom free. The book was a major part of it, along with an aggressive campaign to strengthen my core muscles, particularly the abdominal muscles. It really works.

For herniated/protruding discs it probably works. I read everything by him and tried everything and nothing worked. I had degenerative disc disease and spondylethesisis (sp) which is NOT effective with his treatments. Believe me, I wanted it to work!

 

[LindaR]

Yes, chiropractors are wonderful........just NOT when it could be a herniated disc!!! Very dangerous!

I've had two surgeries (1st a laminectomy, 2nd a spinal fusion) and I agree that surgery should be LAST choice.

Exercise to strengthen your core (and you have to do that for the rest of your life!), physical therapy, the cortisone shots.....may fix your problem BUT you need a proper diagnosis first. Some things may actually aggrevate the issue!

Because my spinal cord was compressed I have permanent nerve damage all thru my right leg (including toes).

Proper diagnosis and care NOW can prevent permanent issues later.

 

[jazzielady]

Yes, chiropractors are wonderful........just NOT when it could be a herniated disc!!! Very dangerous!

I've had two surgeries (1st a laminectomy, 2nd a spinal fusion) and I agree that surgery should be LAST choice.

Exercise to strengthen your core (and you have to do that for the rest of your life!), physical therapy, the cortisone shots.....may fix your problem BUT you need a proper diagnosis first. Some things may actually aggrevate the issue!

Because my spinal cord was compressed I have permanent nerve damage all thru my right leg (including toes).

Proper diagnosis and care NOW can prevent permanent issues later.

Absolutely agree! Which level(s) did you have fused? I've have L3-5 (first surgery) and C5-7 (second surgery - totally unrelated to 1st).

 

[ckay87]

Pilates might help you. It strengthens both your back and your core which will help support your torso and back. Find a place that makes it OK to work within your own limitations and doesn't push you to do positions that hurt.

Yes. Do anything you can to strengthen your back and core muscles. It stands to reason that the stronger you are, the more difficult it will be to hurt yourself. I never ever have back pain anymore since I've begun to invest a good deal of time into making myself stronger.

Pilates is great (done correctly) because there is no impact and it concentrates on everything being properly aligned while being stretched and strenthened. It's important, though, to get your instruction from a certified pilates instructor, whether on DVD or in person. If on a DVD, try not to bend your neck to look at the screen during the exercises.

 

[RC Fan]

If the pain is muscular, try some Yoga. It works for me.

 

[luvmy3jewels]

Thanks for all of the advice everyone has provided. It has definitely given me food for thought. I am planning on going back to the Dr. office tomorrow and the nurse and I are going to call my insurance company to see if they will go ahead and clear an MRI for me. I think some of you are correct in that we need to determine exactly what is going on. It seems like it is getting worse, and I can't bear to keep toughing it out.

I also have made an appt. with a local chiropractor who everyone in town swears by (we have a bunch, but there is one that I have heard nothing but positive things about). I may end up canceling the chiro. appt. though depending on the outcome of the insurance call tomorrow.

For those that have suggested exercise/core strengthening, I think it is a great idea. However I am afraid the horse is out of the barn on that one.

 

[Jennasis]

Have x-rays and MRI's in hand before you even talk to a chiro. A chiro nearly crippled me permanently by doing adjustments without knowing how badly my disc was herniated. I had surgery (microdiscectomy of L5/S1) 5 and ahalf weeks ago. Still recovering but the reduction in pain was IMMEDIATE as soon as I woke up from surgery...95% gone.

Nobody has any business touching your back without films first and complete diagnosis.

 

[dislaney]

Thanks for all of the advice everyone has provided. It has definitely given me food for thought. I am planning on going back to the Dr. office tomorrow and the nurse and I are going to call my insurance company to see if they will go ahead and clear an MRI for me. I think some of you are correct in that we need to determine exactly what is going on. It seems like it is getting worse, and I can't bear to keep toughing it out.

I also have made an appt. with a local chiropractor who everyone in town swears by (we have a bunch, but there is one that I have heard nothing but positive things about). I may end up canceling the chiro. appt. though depending on the outcome of the insurance call tomorrow.

For those that have suggested exercise/core strengthening, I think it is a great idea. However I am afraid the horse is out of the barn on that one.

Glad you are going to try and see what is going on first. I have had surgery and the thing that helped me the most after surgery was pilates and core exercises. I can't recommend them enough.

 

[tinkerdorabelle]

Pilates might help you. It strengthens both your back and your core which will help support your torso and back. Find a place that makes it OK to work within your own limitations and doesn't push you to do positions that hurt.

Really agree. My DH had such a bad back years ago that he would turn into a sidewards V shape. He was one time out of work for an entire year. This was many years ago. He had an excellent ortho doctor who got him into working out. He strengthened his back muscles AND stomach muscles and now rarely has a problem. He also has herniated disks. You must tho see if you can do this initially thru a PT or other professional to show you how to do this properly to avoid injury.