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Getting Back at Back Pain

15 suggestions to find back pain relief

Back pain is a thief. It can rob you of a good night's sleep, an honest day's work or the ability to give a child a piggyback ride.

An estimated 50 percent to 80 percent of American adults will have back pain at some point. For some, it will set up shop slowly. For others, it will come on suddenly and with great force.

Back pain can be crafty, using many circumstances to get into your life – a traumatic accident, a simple sprain or strain, fibromyalgia, arthritis of the spine, a fractured vertebra or ruptured disc.

Fortunately, no matter the cause, you can find back pain relief and, in many cases, keep back pain from returning.

Sometimes, fighting back pain requires quick and aggressive action. If you have an infection, tumor of the spine or a condition called cauda equina syndrome (in which the nerve roots that supply the bladder and bowel are compressed) you may need surgery right away. But in most cases, you have time to try several options.

"About half the time, back pain gets better within two weeks," says David Borenstein, MD, clinical professor of medicine at George Washington University Medical Center in Washington, D.C. "About 80 percent of the time it improves within two months."

Whether you've been in pain just a few days or beyond the two-month point, the following suggestions may help you ease your pain. Try a few of these 15 options to get back at back pain. As the old saying goes, "Living well is the best revenge."

1. Some like it hot

For some people, nothing soothes a sore back like heat. In a recent study published in the journal Spine, researchers at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey – New Jersey Medical Center (UMDNJ-NJMC) discovered that the continuous (eight hours daily) application of low-level heat (104 degrees F) eased acute back pain better than either of two commonly used drugs, ibuprofen and acetaminophen.

Heat may be dry or moist. Dry heat sources include heat lamps, heating pads or "wearable" disposable heat packs such as ThermaCare wraps or Grabber MyCoal. Moist heat sources include warm baths and washcloths soaked in warm water. See which works best for you.

Soaking in a warm tub can be a good way to apply heat to all parts of the body at once -especially if you ache all over with fibromyalgia or if you have arthritis in several joints as well.

If you find that pain and stiffness are worst in the morning, try warm-water therapy when you wake up. If pain increases through the day, a warm soak before bedtime might make it easier to get to sleep. Some people, including those in the UMDMJ-NJMC study, find that continuous heat administered by a wearable heat pack eases pain and stiffness all day.

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Aamir
14 May 2012, 13:46
This is for sheeba.b., Let me know your e-mail id. I will suggest you some ayurvedic medicine. My mother was suffering with knee pain since 2 yrs. then she got this medicine, applied for 6 months know she is much better than before thanks to almigty without taking any oral medicine.. It is just oil available in India.. they have home delivery too.. my e-mail is razzak_asba@yahoo.com
bye
www.tpgold.com
29 Mar 2012, 21:41
Why Does TP Gold Work?
TP Gold penetrates through the sub-epidermal level of the skin; therefore, blocking out pain transmittors, starting localized healing
Donna
27 Feb 2012, 16:43
I would like to ask anyone if anybody has the samething as me.I have arthrites in my back & buldging disc.It has been bothering for a year now.I have to start therapy this weekfor sixs weeks.I have a bad stomach.I take regalan & have high blood presure.Could I get S.S.D.Should I try it?I clean for a living.I have a hard time standing, sitting.bending over.Have a hard time getting out of bed in the morning.Im only 45 & feel like 80.They said its going to get worse.
sheeba.b.
22 Feb 2012, 04:52
Hi I'm Sheeba i have back and neck pain for past 4 years i live with pain there is no solution for this back pain can you suggestion me best doctor in chennai any one can help,i have lose my weight also kindly help me.i'm 30 only.

Thank you

Sheba.b.
Shan
11 Feb 2012, 11:25
I am 32 and have struggled with joint and back pain most of my life due to various accidents and possibly heredity. As a teen I had X-rays, mri's, physical therapy, mental therapy, massage, chiropractors, muscle relaxers, pain killers..etc for treatment..I have never wanted to explore surgery as an option unless absolutely needed...at my strongest in my early twenties I could ride a bike and walk or hike virtually pain free..now because of stress, a sedantary job, and not rigorously maintaining a healthy diet the pain has returned mostly now in my lower back/hip area which "went out" you could say and the pain was excruciating i couldn't walk stand or sit and the joint would not adjust itself..I was afraid perhaps it was broken..my husbands family has been seeing a very good and very traditional Chinese accupuncturist for years and while I'm one of those people who thinks feeling or rather not feeling is believing when it comes to pain..I hobbled into his office on a cane in despiration for any relief..I couldn't bear the thought of sitting at the er waiting for xrays and meds feeling this way..without any drugs I walked out of his office an hour later with NO pain in that moment!! He told me the joint was injured and needed healing power to be able to get better on my own..besides the needling, cupping and maxa which did not hurt, he gave me some herbs in the form of tea pills to take. It's been two weeks and I have not been to the hospital or felt the need for a doctor..the condition has not been debilitating as before and less frequent, less painfull and less persistant..I feel like walking and stretching more and am inspired to watch my diet to lose 20 extra pounds to take some pressure off my joints, perhaps even some light weight lifting soon!...while all accupuncturists may not be created equal, I will definitely be seeing mine again!
Jo Nichols
10 Feb 2012, 09:03
Glad to have found this community, as I too, have suffered from severe back pain for over 25 years. It started in the Correctional Academy in CA and has progressively gotten worse. 2 herniated disks in the L4, L5 area, have had every treatment there is, nothing helps. There are no pain meds made for me, they all just make me sick so I use nothing. Ibuprofin is a joke and I basically need to be knocked out to sleep. Last year I was in such debilitating pain, I couldn't breathe. Went to ER twice, to have absolutely nothing done. Ended up in a pain clinic, given epidural, that didn't help. Was there for 6 hours. Dr said she had never seen a case like mine. Now I live in South America in a tiny coastal town with such outdated treatments I may have to move back to the States. When you have absolutely no support system,are alone and in chronic pain, you just want to die. Nobody understands how I feel and some laugh at me. No wonder I live like a hermit in the fetal position half my life!
Barbara
04 Feb 2012, 08:11
I have suffered with lower back pain for ten years now. I have an L4,L5 injury which caused the disc to "die", a spinal fusion is the only course of action. I will not have this procedure unless I am confined to a wheelchair!! I found heat, chiropractic care, back strengthening exercises and stretching helps tremendously. I also have hip bursitis and surprisingly enough the cortisone injections I receive for that helps my back!! I also had a knee replacement approximately 3 years ago and the shots even help the muscle pain I have along that knee!! Hang in there, fight hard and get those muscles strong around your mid section, it helps to support your spine and reduces pain!! Also, you gotta lose the weight if your overweight!! Good luck and don't let your pain define you!!
d wilson
19 Jan 2012, 00:48
I too have suffered from severe back pain most of my life. I had an accident as a child living on a farm. A cow stepped on my lower back over and over. Needless to say I was not taken to a doctor as this happened in the mid 70's. I worked several heavy lifting jobs since I was 16, and as my 20's and 30's were going by I had 2 children and when I was 36 a doctor finally took me seriously and I had an MRI. I had a broken vertebra L-4 was sitting on L-5. Had a fusion 3 months later. It took 2 yrs before I felt like I could run, and I had not done that since my teens. June 2010 I tried to get out of bed and my back was frozen stiff. Unable to move I went by ambulance to the ER nightmare from there. Tried everything under the sun. Therapy went back to work, after seven wks it happened again. Surgeon said my fusion (which only had my bone used in 99) needed instrumentation added as it had failed and my vertebra were now going sideways more than 50%, surgery was cancelled the night before I was to have it. Took several more months injections, discogram, water therapy etc. All for nothing I can't work and haven't for over a year and a half. I was finally told that my fusion has failed and there is nothing they can do because surgery would be too risky. I also have carpal tunnel in both hands, chronic vertigo, psoriasis (from stress), and osteoarthritis. I can't take much for pain because every drug out there causes dizziness, and I have fallen down due to that. I now sit in a recliner watching TV and think about how much I miss my life. I sought head shrink help only to be told to get over it, and because I don't need a wheelchair most doctor's do treat you like you could be faking it. Miss my motorcycle, quilting by hand, cooking, cleaning, my job, the ability to help others, and yes even yard work. We don't even decorate for holidays anymore because I can barely stand long enough to do dishes 2x a week. Have an atty. for SSD but it's a long road no one can prepare someone for a nightmare that seems to last forever. Never wrote a comment before but it's better to know that so many others know what an unfair world it is. Thanks for letting me vent.
Corrie
16 Jan 2012, 12:22
Katelyn,
I am having the same problems as you, I had an MRI and it showed a hurniated disc and 2 bulging discs that are pushing on my S1 and S2 nerve roots I can do nothing but lie on my side it is starting to drive me crazy. I live in Ontario Canada, and have had so much trouble finding a doctor that can help. I am on pain meds (pain patch and tylenol 2) but even that doesn't really help and I also feel terrible for my husband as it really affects his life too
ian williamson
23 Nov 2011, 18:33
Hi, i had a heart stent put in the end of September. My heart is doing fine but now I have developed severe leg pain. My dx is a herniated disk. I would like to have an epidural injection but I am on Plavix. is this posisble?
tom
17 Nov 2011, 13:17
i had back problems for 17 years ago from a car accident and i always delt with the pain but in the last year my back pain is getting so bad all i can do is lay down what to do
Jeffery Platt
08 Nov 2011, 11:11
18 years ago i was hit by a drunk driver and herniated 4 disc in my lower back. i recently have been having feelings of my left leg going numb and tingle alot. i do not work cause for last 5 years i have lived with constant pain have no insurance and i need help anyone have any suggestions on what route for me to take
Joyce Garza
04 Nov 2011, 17:16
Lately I have been having some problems first it was just the noise rusty hinges like in the intermediate phalanges, then after a while it got worse I believe its because of my constant writing but anyways they just stayed bended like if they were stuck in a weird double jointed way. Also I have a dent on the right side of the mid saggital line of my frontal dorsal skull.And my Dorsal axis cracks every time i lean back anywhere so yeah I feel concerned. I will appreciate if you comment back!
Kay
02 Nov 2011, 11:29
I am in pain all the time. I had a fusion three years ago and needless to say I'm still in pain. I did finally fined some relief with a chiropractor here in La. And I'm serious when I say it was the only thing that ever stopped all of the pain, I quit going becuse I was feeling so good, I really need to go back and will as soon as I have a good day that I'm up to it. He uses what is called an activater gun to align the spine and it really really worked, so if you can fine a chiropractor that uses this you all should really try it, I'm so sorry I stopped going because it helped so much I was a different person. You can look up his website his name is Dr. John Sullivan his website is www.doctorjohn1.com He would have healed me completely had I not stop going, my family and friends could not believe how I was out the house and doing anything that I wanted. Had I known about him earlier I would not have had back surgery, and ins. Pays for half
maxandra
05 Oct 2011, 02:47
To Katelyn,
I care about you!and I have been through all of the things that you have described. I understand the desperation and heartbreak and I too have suffered the humiliation of hateful doctors and ignorant people. My suggestion to you is to go to a Social Security Disability Lawyer and apply for disability. Soc. Sec. Dis. starts accumulating from the day you apply and if you are approved you should receive a nice little lump sum payment. Now, out of that lump sum,the lawyer will take 25% to pay for his services so you don't have to pay up front and if you don't get approved the lawyer gets nothing. A lot of people will do all the work on there own but Soc. Sec. turns down over 75% of first time applicants so its quicker and easier to just get a lawyer in the first place. It's OK if you don't have much in the way of documentation because they will send you to one, no cost to you. If you are approved you will get a monthly check and they will get you health insurance so you can get a doctor. You don't have to stay on disability forever if you don't want to. You can just use it as a bridge to get where you want to be.I hate to say this and I hope it won't be true for you but even with insurance don't be surprised if 95% of the doctors you see still treat you badly. When you "claim" to have back pain most docs automatically assume you are drug seeking and if their own incompetence keeps them from finding the problem right away they will label you a junky so that any other doctors you see will be less inclined to help you the way they should. It is so degrading and it makes it take even longer to finally get the right help. I have 14 herniated discs and it took 12 years for anyone to even acknowledge that I was in pain!! I have been hurt down to my soul by the callousness and compassionless treatment I have received from so-called healers (doctors) during my ordeal. It wasn't bad enough that I was in excruciating, constant physical pain, they had to heap on the emotional pain and I am very cynical now when it comes to doctors. I don't think I will ever get over how harshly I have been treated in the past but I finally did get some help and I am grateful for that. I have gotten really close to my God as a result of all this and a few other difficult trials and now I can honestly say that I wouldn't change anything even if I could because now I know that God can take care of everything. Maybe you can try to get to know God in your life if you don't already. I sure do hope that you will get some good help, don't give up, and keep coming back. There are a lot of people here that care!
Katelyn B.
28 Aug 2011, 13:40
Hello,

I've been trying to find help for my lumbar back pain for 10 years. I don't have insurance because I can't work, so what little care I have had I've paid for out of my own pocket. I have chronic pain, 24/7. The pain is so intense that it literally makes me pass out at times. I have tried EVERY therapy that was suggested to me, nothing has helped. I've tired TENS, ultra sound, swimming, VAX-D, Feldenkrais, steroid injections, PT, chiropractic, osteopathic (All manipluations just made the pain even worse), acupuncture, exericse; swimming, pilates, yoga, walking etc. Steroid injections do nothing except make my back so stiff I could not even bend down to tie my shoe-lace.
I have seen 16 different doctors since I first started having pain. I have been laughed at, mocked, ignored, and ridiculed in my long attempt to find some help. I am no fool, I'm highly educated so I can articulate my thoughts and feelings very well. I have explained to physicians that I need help in order to hold down a job, so that I can be productive. I have explained that I want to finish my degree, but that I cannot do that without some help. No one cares, literally, not one single person I have seen about this cared enough to even order me a set of xrays on my spine. I've been treated like a non-person because I don't have insurance. My life is awful, my quality of life is non-existent. I cannot stand for 5 minutes without feeling faint. I cannot sit at all even for 30 seconds, sitting is completely unbearable it makes my heart-rate go through the roof, my blood pressure go up, and makes me break out in a sweat. I go to bed in pain, and I wake up in pain, the moment I sit upright the pain intensifies. All I can do right now is lie on my side in bed. My partner is getting sick and tired of seeing me like this. He doesn't deserve to have to end up taking care of me all the time because I should be able to take care of myself. Yet like this, I can't.
What am I supposed to do to get help?? A friend suggested I lie down in the middle of a road and wait for someone to call an ambulance. OR hobble into an ER and scream for help. I'm seriously ready to try either of these because I have gotten nowhere doing things my way; scheduling an appointment with a family doctor, sitting in excruciating pain, waiting for help, and getting nothing in return.
Does anyone have any suggestions or comments? I HATE living like this! This is not a life worth living, it's existing. I'm a responsible person; I've tried my best to be a good, decent woman and yet I cannot get one single medical professional to take me seriously. I believe I have advanced osteoarthritis, or splondyitis, some sort of degenerative condition because my back snaps, pops, shifts, cracks and causes me so much pain that every day is just a struggle. I can't take any pressure on my lumbar back at all, can't wear trousers with a belt, can't lean back against a seat or pillow, it feels like all the nerves in my lower back are exposed and the slightest pressure is excruciating to me.
Help, please? ANyone, who can suggest what I should do, I'm willing to listen to anyone's ideas.
Thank you to anyone who replies.
Joe
26 Aug 2011, 01:29
low back pain on right side began a month ago. in bed, when i wake up, the pain is about an 8 level, and have to roll out of bed and lift myself slowly to an upright position. pain disappears after 5 mnutes. this happens every time i fall asleep.
oni bola
25 Aug 2011, 10:56
For the past 3 months have been suffering from pains in one of my legs. I taught it was muscle pull, but have been taking some pain relieve but am still feeling the pains. please what else would i do to stop this pains.
upper back pain treatment
17 Aug 2011, 02:05
To get as well as fast relief from upper back pan treatment, so we have to do regular exercise for his good body.
N ANCY J TANNER
04 Jul 2011, 21:05
For Lisa and others- I wear the pain patch,also, but I have to use tape to keep it on. Do you do that??? I know just what you are going thru after 3 operations, now have more herniated discs, it has been over 30 years since I first hurt my back working as a nurse.
David D.
21 Jun 2011, 17:29
I had a injury to my back back in 1997,and found out that I have Spodolothesis,have had two surgeries on my L5-S1 Vertebrae.. One interior with BAK-cages and the other with a rod and screws... In 2000 I went to a Nerology doctor in Nashville TN and he and a group called Medtronic implanted a device with implanted battery just under the skin in the side of stomach,it has two leads that run into my upper back and it is like a tingling feeling as if you have hit you funny bone in your elbow.. You have a cordless battery operated device that you touch to the implanted battery stimulator which you can increase and change the frequecy of where you feel the tinkling sincation... Now grant you even with this it doesn't take away the pain completely and I still have times where it doesn't seem to help that much at all,and I am still on meds but it does help some.. The email link to find out more about this is Medtronic.com and again it is called a Stimulator... I just wish somehow through workshops that are families and friends can attend and try to understand what it is like to have Chronic back Pain.... Takecare all of you from someone who truly understands your pain.. David D. BG KY
Wendy
08 Jun 2011, 14:36
I understand why you want pain meds. Any normal person would. The problem with back pain and pain drugs is that eventually the drugs won't work anymore and there you are, addicted to drugs that no longer help. EVERYONE gets addicted when they use opiates long term, it's just a fact, and even though one takes the drugs for legitimate pain issues, there is always a stigma to being an addict. I have suffered severe back pain now for 14 years. It took 6 years before I could get a doctor to believe me and by then the damage was done. I let the pain drive me insane and I did things that I NEVER thought I would to try to get rid of it. Since the doctors wouldn't help me I got into street drugs. I started buying Percocet but they weren't strong enough so I moved on to Oxycontin. When I couldn't find the Oxy I had to buy Heroin to keep from getting withdrawals. I was so consumed with getting rid of the pain that I sent my "recovering" addict husband out to get my fix. He's not "recovering" anymore. Long story short - we lost EVERYTHING. The ONLY thing I cared about was getting rid of that constant pain gnawing at me and I did not care at all about any one or thing else. When the doctors finally believed me they gave me the Fentanyl Patch. I was so happy. The pain was finally gone - but - (and there is always a "but")I was gone too. I slept almost 24/7! It also threw me into an early menopause. (I know of 2 other women who have had the same reaction.) I lost all desire for life and even when I was awake all I could do was stare at the TV. Once again I found myself in the hospital detox. When I got home I put myself on a low-fat high-protein diet (I gained 55lbs laying around) and I got outside and worked my butt off in my garden every day and to my surprise, the pain went away! I have no idea how! If anyone out there can explain it please let me know. I went 9 months with no pain but when I went off the diet the pain came back and I started pain meds again with the same results. Now I am on Suboxone. When I get off it I will not take pain meds ever (I hope) again. I am starting the diet again and I am in constant contact with my Father in Heaven. I just wanted to tell you my story and let you know that, as bad as the pain in your back feels, there are pains much, much worse, especially when you get mixed up in the pain drug nightmare. (I have 14 disks in varying degrees of herniation and many other pain issues do to my having Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Hemochromatosis, tested and verified by two, independent geneticists) Please, think twice before turning your life over to these drugs.
Arlys Benson
07 Jun 2011, 18:03
After staying off my stationary bike for 2 weeks with a virus, my constant back ache went away. When I started my bike program again the back ache came back. What am I doing wrong? I have followd the direction as much as possible. My knees are better!
Arlys Benson
07 Jun 2011, 18:03
After staying off my stationary bike for 2 weeks with a virus, my constant back ache went away. When I started my bike program again the back ache came back. What am I doing wrong? I have followd the direction as much as possible. My knees are better!
george william
07 Jun 2011, 14:48
lower back pain (chronic)i take 2 liquid aleve pills and sleep all night, after 14 to 16 the pain returns.
Lisa
07 Jun 2011, 13:04
This is for Ina Sheets. I tryed your email and it doesn't work. So I'm placing my response here & hope you get it & if anyone else out there has any advice I would be happy to here it :
I was reading ur problem with pain & patches. I've got & used Flector patches & another patch. I was told to put on at site of pain. My question is that are u saying that or you saying at pressure points? Which are at most times no where close to the actually site of where the pain is. As in acupressure. So would you please clear this up for me. I also use Voltaren Gel since in summer months the patch don't stay on well. I have bulging disk in several locations, ddd, fibermyalgia, neuropathy, Tarlov cyst & 2 types arthritis. This is the major of conditions that cause pain. There are also other dxs. At this point I'm still able to walk, but Bearly can twist or bend. I do have an implant pain pump but it doesn't completely control pain & I don't want it where I'm so doped up that I can't have at least a little of life. That is to give you some idea & I'm trying to stay off as many po Meds as possible.
So that was off track. So place at source of pain or at a pressure point for that pain area. If at pressure points could to tell me which ones & where they are located or attach a picture with there locations. Especially for C5-C6 which are bulging & will cause swelling when inflamed & migraines. It is hard to get a patch to stay at neck area even with cuts placed for curved areas. I know the fibromylgia is at point of connection of muscles verses center where pain usually feels like location.
Any feed back will be greatly appreciated since I'm only in my mid 40s.
Thank you & will be waiting for your response.
Lisa
Shithappens@vzw.blackberry.net
Thanks to everyone.
MK
07 Jun 2011, 11:15
Here is an article from Arthritis Today for back pain AKA hip pain
Charline
07 Jun 2011, 09:59
Before I even get out of bed in the morning, I spend 6-8 minutes stretching; upper body, shoulders, knees, neck, feet, hands, etc. Talk with your doctor about good exercises (or Internet for specifics, as well), PT person, etc. For me, it makes all the difference in the world about my day. I don't change this routin unless absolutely essential - have to go to the bathroom quickly - but I go directly back to bed and do them then.
Annette
02 Jun 2011, 23:12
Hello, I am very curious in finding out if people "feel" better in different climates. I know of a family member that moved to Arizona due to breathing problems. My question is this, Where are the best places to live for people who suffer daily with OA, DDD, Fibro and the worse being arthritis?
Email:
annette2@otelco.net
David
16 Dec 2010, 06:20
We have all at some point of time gone through these Bad pain days.
The worst part is that they stay there for long and do not go away fast.
We usually pop in pills without proper recommendation and that brings more harm in the long run.
If you too are facing such pain problems then visit Findrxonline as it helps in providing people with good knowledge on medicines, its effects and is a good online catalyst too.

regards,
David.
Amanda
25 Nov 2010, 23:23
I have a stiff back when I sit down even if it's for like 10 minutes. When I'm bending over to tie my shoes or anything like that I come back up and my back will feel very stiff and it will hurt bad for about 1 minute after I get back up. Sometimes in the morning when I gt up it gets stiff and painful. I havent been to the doctor yet about it, I want to make sure its nothing really bad. I am only 19 too.
Decompression Therapy
24 Nov 2010, 19:36
Has anyone tried decompression therapy? I am looking into it.

My doctor just confirmed that my upper back showed some mild arthritis and my lower back has one area that has some more advanced looking arthritis.

Thanks for the feedback in advance!
Linda
17 Nov 2010, 02:24
LAURA

You won't see the needle and if your doctor knows what he is doing, you shouldn't feel any pain, just a little pressure and you might get a great deal of relief for a long time. It certainly beats walking around all fogged out on Morphine. "Man Up" and give the Epidural injections a try. I did!
alma
09 Nov 2010, 21:37
Have been in terrible pain for years. Have been to different pain clinics they just wanted to do the injections which did not help. I have rhumatoid arthritis, fibrumylgia, stenosis and neuropothy so I am in constant pain sometimes I don't know how I am going to continue like this. on Oct 4 I had 2 infusiond in my spine L4 andL5 so far the pain has gotten much better in my back I still have pain but most of that is surgery pain so I hope this continues. Anyone had this experience.
Kim
28 Oct 2010, 05:55
Had laser spine surgery on back and neck. The surgery failed and now I am in worst pain ever.can't work anymore and do daily activities. I hate life and don't trust doctors after laser spine surgey. Could have infection in spine or pelvic area which I can't fix.,please help. Scar tissue build up.
gayatri
25 Oct 2010, 01:19
hey i'm 26 i'm getting severe backpain while sitting 7 to 8 hrs whole day in office in middle i'm wlaking this way to that way. then also i'm suffering with this pain severly. is their any solution i'm not having good sleep also with this backpain i need solution for this suugest some exrcises n good medicines plzz help me out of this n one thing this backpain chain of my family members my forefathers also having my father my uncle my grandfather other some cousins this is jeans also so suugest me strong medicines n exercises plz
Theresa
20 Sep 2010, 13:01
I have just been diganosed with Arthritis in my back today, can anyone tell what exercise i can do to help with the pain, I am not taking any medication. I want to be able to help myself with this condition If anyone has any information that can help will you please let me know.
sanjeev Kumar
31 Jul 2010, 03:17
hi,I am 32,i have had lower back pain (lumber 5 )for about the last 6years,Im suffring form my shoulder pain all joint pain & knee,I would like to know what to do. nothing seems to help me.
Thanks Sanjeev
Ina Sheets
27 Jul 2010, 14:53
Hi my name is Ina & I am a massage therapist with back pain & shoulder pain. I was recently introduced to an amazing pain reliever that has no medicinal qualities whatsoever. They are non transdermal patches place on the body on specific acupuncture points and the pain has disappeared from my back & shoulder. No hype, just amazing pain relief. Please email me & I will be happy to share this amazing information with you.
My email address is: seaspagal@socal.rr.com
romesh rai
30 Jun 2010, 06:42
I feel tired the whole day. In evening i feel comfortable. My back ache & stiffness are worse after dinner. i don't take alcohol or beer.I get plenty of dreams the whole night. Don't have comfortable sleep. i get up tired & go for toilet 7-8 times and even more
lmk
26 May 2010, 09:42
barbara, i tried spinal decompression and it was not helpful at all. You are right it is very expensive and I am sorry that I wasted all that money and time on it.
Sue
16 May 2010, 21:42
Try chiropractic and/or acupuncture!! It's amazing - worked for me!
R Swaminathan
09 May 2010, 00:47
I have been sufferinf from back pain. My doctor diagnosed as APPO.O.A. In the spinal cord the last bone is sligtly tiled toward right side. Doctor has given me some medicines including pain killers and suggested some excersies. Is there any permanant reliev for this or it will be there lifetime? My age is 64.

Thank you.
R.Swaminathan
Rogerf
01 May 2010, 12:35
I've had 4 lumbar surgeries with the 1st in 1989 and the last three between 12/02 and 6/05. #2 surgery consisted of a pair of ray cages between L4-5 and the the 4th surgery I had 8 pedicle screws with connecting rods inserted from L3-S1 and have a suceesful fusion. I'm down to 2.5-5mg of oxy a day and that is at night. recently undergone the cortisone injections of the facet joints of L2-3 and at L5-S1. These do help and are virtually painless and the results are fantastic. Somewhat short lived at times but well worth the relief. I also just had an injection in my SI joint which at this point seemed to be a major portion of my pain since after only one injection at that site the pain has subsided but it's only been about 3-weeks. The next step in the radiofrequency ablation which I'mgoing to begin talking to my doctor about. These are supposed to last longer. It's well worth consideration as pain meds aren't the answer if the inflamation of the artritic joints isn't dealt with.
Dirox
07 Apr 2010, 14:27
RJ, I have herniated discs and arthritis in my back. It hurts constantly, but I felt temporarily healed when I vacationed in Belize. It did not hurt at all while I was there. I have never heard of this but plan on talking to my doctor about it. I have no idea what it was because it was not very hot but it is was humid and nice while I was there.
Richard Fasnacht
23 Mar 2010, 20:17
I am a personal trainer and need help with clients.
Barb
08 Mar 2010, 19:21
Have the cortizone injections. They are certainly bearable, i get them every few months in spine, shoulder, and kneee. they do help, also for severe pain i will also get
about once a year, i will get the epideral for more of a long term effect. can't live without them.
Laura
19 Feb 2010, 15:34
i just found out i have artheritis in my back #2verdabre #3,#4, my doctor wants me to have shots of i beleve quortizone. Im petrifid of needles. Has anyone had this done? Does it work? he keeps hassling me on refilling my morphine 30 mg em,&30 long lasting. I am still in pain and want him to increase my meds,he does then calls me to have the shot procedure, im not ready and am not sure if i want the procedure. Please if any one has had it tell me about it please gmail laurabell7@gmail.com Thanks Laura
Grey Wolf
12 Feb 2010, 13:35
I have 3 damaged vertebrae in my lower back 3 in the middle of my back and 2 in my neck. I just found out when I went to the Dr. that for hip pain, that most of the bone mass is gone. I now have to take a shot every day , if my insurance will pay for it, Medicare and Medicaid, to built up the bone mass quickly in my hips and back. I can not take pain meds. as I am allergic to almost all of them. I also have had Fibromyalgia for eight years now. Now they say I also have osteoarthritis. I feel like just giving up and quitting some times. If it was now for the power of my faith I do not think I could make it through the day.
Debs
01 Feb 2010, 04:36
try acupuncture or something simular ,something natural
SGlab
20 Jan 2010, 12:40
This message is for CS7

I know someone who has gotten relief with the same condition without meds. Email me and i can share how she did that. rglab@sbcglobal.net
cs7
09 Jan 2010, 10:13
I dont think its just about the docs giving us a hard time about meds. I have a hard time with my family. I have fibromyalgia and just got diagnosed w/ankylosing spondylitis, and if any of you have any idea about it, you know the agony of it. My family thinks I am becoming addicted and I take the absolute minimum.(I take too little to be honest, my pain is no where near controlled.) Its just a huge stigma overall, and that is very sad! I go to the VA and its awful there too. My primary wouldnt up me on my meds so I had to beg for a pain mgmt consult. Messed up indeed!
Moore
29 Dec 2009, 09:04
I just relocated to this state I am living in now and had to find out the hard way that there is a stigma here(Ga.)about people recieving pain meds. The doctors act as if they are afraid to give you something such as a narcotic even when they have the results of your MRI stating that you have a herniated disc. They sent me for the 3 series of cortiosone injections which has not helped and now they want me to have surgery and seems to be rushing me to do so even though I tell them my negative thoughts about surgery. The only thing I can think of for the rush is so they will not have to prescribe pain meds for me. It is horrible there is no painmanagement Dr. I donot know the state law here but people like me who are constantly in chronic pain are made to suffer. I donot like being disable and would like to find some work I can do but how can I when I am in so much pain, my focus be on my pain not the job I have to do. When it comes to the housework I cannot get it done in a timely matter sometimes I hurt every time I move. I also have spondylosis of L-5 to s-1.
Barbara
11 Dec 2009, 22:17
Regarding Just need to know: Try spinal decompassion. Look it up on the web.
Barbara
11 Dec 2009, 22:12
Have anyone heard of spinal decompassion? I have severe spinal stenosis and I can't stand or walk for anymore than 5 mins.I have tried everything else and are on loads of meds. I am going to try this but it's not covered by insurance and is very expensive. It is either this or pins and braces in the back.
ella joyner
03 Dec 2009, 07:30
I have had a back operation 1 year ago October and I stll have back pain and my legs from the knees to my toes are numb. I would like to know what to do. nothing seems to help me. Thanks Ellie
Katie B
19 Nov 2009, 22:03
My father Jack. Is having back pain because when him and I were on my friends trampoline, all of the sudden he trips and injured his 2 lower disk. Soon, he had back surgery and ever since he has had trouble sleeping and has back pain suddenly with force and can not sleep for at least 5 hours at the minimum. So I think using these 15 tips might help him. Now, he is not much better at the sleeping part but, some of the back pain is better after the surgery but, their still has sudden force on his back. I think it will get better if he uses these 15 tips. Just, maybe it will work, at least I'm hoping it will.

Thanks. :)
Barb
18 Nov 2009, 19:14
My condition is a lot like " just need to know" I have had spinal problems and fibromylia and can't walk or stand any more than 5 mins. I am trying spinal decompassion. It is either that or back surgery.
Barbara
09 Nov 2009, 17:54
I have been having problems with stiffness in my hips. I have gained weight over the past year in a half due stress and job loss. I used to walk and do water aerobics. I have begun walking again and I am experiencing pain across my lower back and a sharp cramp in right hip/buttock area at times. I thought the walking would help especially since I have a sedentary job. The back pain never seems to go away. Is this something that will get better the more I walk or is there a problem that needs to be looked into?
rita jackson
05 Sep 2009, 02:38
i have had arthritis in my hips for three years. but suddenly last monday i had been walking round a carboot sale and felt ok.
when i got back to the car and sat down this pain came on and was unbearable so i took two
soluable parasetamol and it eased it. but i could not sleep that night with the pain. so next morning i went to the doctors and he said it was not my hips but i could nt remember ther word he called it.
he gave me a perscription for ibuprofen gel to rub in three times a day which has eased it. please can you help
allie rossi
26 Aug 2009, 22:14
hi im 14 years old and recently looking into this, im about 5'2 and 110 pounds, i already have arthristis in my backk and spurring i have scholiosis (dont mind my spelling!) ((: my doctor said im one of the youngest cases hes seen, but he said its from myy gymnastics, i cant dance or do my gymnastics anymore, and my back always always hurts so does my neck, im a very athletic person, so idk if it means i have to stop all of it too stop my pain? sorry if i made absolutely no sense to n e one.
wendy
22 Aug 2009, 13:55
i have read and heard of so many horror stories of the ways folks that have chronic pain are treated in this country astounds me- those folks are often times undermedicated,given so many useless experiential treatments and yes drugs {that sometimes i am not sure if even the dr presribing the meds understands the side effects]. these people are often labelled and stimizied.
my thinking is if you truly want to change things contact for yourself every elected official you can and began to explain your own unique experience is and HAS BEEN. and then is nothing that an elected official listens to more than a band or group of potiental voters seeking a voice in the face of injustice.
Rick
30 Jul 2009, 11:29
I was hit by a motor home and I was on a motor bike .This all most killed me and is like a bug hitting your windshild . So I had to take pain medications for many years . yes why do we have to beg the Doctors when they can see a paper trail with X-rays , pts, trying to work out that hurts but why say oh I do not want you to be additted to pain medications when they can see that you are all missed up .Yes ther weather makes a big differnt in my pain too. I was lucky to get to be in Aurba and took my pain meds the first day then after that I was the first one up and the last one to go to bed .Was always on the go and was swimming everyday . But here in Michigan the winter makes me hurt all the time and in the summer time Most all days are differnt but still to much pain .I saw a woman that doe's massage therapy that was in John Barnes Myofascial release , Erik Dalton Myoskeletal Alignment TechnIques .This stuff works but costs alot so if you have insurance like I do that will help so much !
F E Brackenridge
26 Jul 2009, 13:47
My back pain has been dignosed as arthritis
I have a pacemaker take coumadin and plavix. Can,t use anti inflamatories. I also am diabetic. I am condidering buckwheat pillow for sleeping. I have begin to lose some weight and am in Physical Therapy. Any one have any sucess stories they would like to share.
michelle
15 Jun 2009, 13:28
Hey there..I sure can relate to the feeling of being a "druggie" and the docs frowning at you when you beg for relief...I hate to wish ill of people but I think the empathy would increase if the docs had a taste of the pain and discomfort...They suggest exercise for relief but when the smallest bit of exertion knocks you on your butt from fatigue what do you do??
josh.c
02 Jun 2009, 22:05
i recently had a GCSE exam and i finished ealry so i went to sleep in my arms.i woke up and i had this aching pain in my upper middle back region.i tried to get to sleep that night and the aching pain keeps me awake i have to go on my sofa and put a cushion were the pain is and sit upright but that only gives me about 30 minutes sleep.i think it has something to do with like a strained muscle.anyone know
Vann Elder
05 May 2009, 10:51
I'm 5'8" weighing in at 475lbs. I carry alot of weight therefore my back,legs,and feet are always hurting.I take 350mg's of
soma 3x a day and it seems to be doing nothing.I need help. But my doctor wont give
me anything stronger.How do I ask and not
sound like a druggie?
just need to know
22 Apr 2009, 14:11
i have bad pain in my back and have for years, the doctor just recently told me i had arthrithis in my lower back and disk ditearation problems i cant stand longer then one hour or sit longer then 10 mins without standing back up i cant sleep throught the night ever what can i do i need help?
Leroy Grant
21 Apr 2009, 15:48
I have had upper back pain (between shoulder blades and middle back pain) for years. I am unsure if it is arthristis. I have gone to a chriropractor has helped a little but here lately, it hurts for two or three days after seening him. I am 68 a retired Marine and unsure of what type of Doctor to see. Also when I exercise with my bow flex, I have pain. I can't drive but over 30 miles without pain in upper back, and in right hip and leg, then I have to get out and walk. What exercise would be good.
David Hartsock
18 Apr 2009, 13:10
Back Pain , My back pains when I get up in the
morning. It feels like it is tired. I can go for a while, then I have to sit down and resr.
It also makes me have short breath. I have had ny heart checked and it is okay.
I am taking 200 mgs. of of celebrex. I am on coumiden, so I cannot take but certain over the coounter drugs.I feel certain that my arthritus is causing the tiredness inmy back.
what can I do to help this.
Thank you.
Donk
03 Apr 2009, 13:16
I guess if you are retired and don't have to work, it's easy to find the time for hot soaks or whatever. I work. I have no place to soak. I have no hot tub, no pool. I work, I live with pain. I do what I need to do whether it hurts or not. I find so much information given out for dealing with OA is just fine if you have money and don't work. For those of us in the real world, we work, we hurt, and we deal with it.
R J Apodaca
30 Mar 2009, 12:06
i have had lower back pain for about the last 10 years, during this time it has progressively gotten worst. After going to a arthritis doctor i was informed that i had arthritis in my back. Because of my health there are a lot of medications that i can not take, so i am living with the pain with the help of oxycodine. Three years ago my brother and i went to Hawaii, before leaving i stocked up on my pain pills. i didn't want to have to suffer thru my vacation and be a "stick in the mud". now comes the amazing part, "on the first nite i took a pain pill, as i normally do when i'm at home." Second day i walked 6-8 miles and didn't take a pain pill. next morning i was fine. Altitude + heat = wonderfull vacation. Would like some feedback on this, please.

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