The misery of lower back pain

[Prof Prolapse]

Johnnytheboy said:

Chiropractors and Osteopaths are various shades of alternative medicine woo.

Go to a physiotherapist instead.

Dear god this ^^^.

If you have spine problems don't let someone use techniques founded on witchcraft have a go at it.

Evidence medicine based Physiotherapy combined with regular targetted exercise, all the way.

Personally I started deadlifting late last year, having had lower back problems for about ten years (suspected prolapsed disc -username incidental), it's cleared up almost entirely. I'm sure there's alternative exercises, but by Christ it's been a phenomenal improvement, don't rule it out!

[ElectricSoup]

Silverage said:

LunarOne said:

When we talk about lower back pain, are we all talking about the same thing? Are we talking about a continuous pain, pain when bending or standing, or pain associated with spasms?

About 3 months ago I started feeling twinges and spasms in my lower right back, but only when I'm trying to get up from a chair or get out of bed. When I'm walking, I get the odd spasm if I mis-step, for example when there's a bit of a hole on the golf course or if I walk over a kerb without seeing it's there. Some of these spasms are so painful that I literally can't get out of bed or out of my chair, but 99% of the time I don't feel any pain at all. Is this the same back pain you're talking about? I'm 46 and quite overweight.

This is EXACTLY what I’m experiencing, right down to the misstep thing. If I cough too “deeply” or sneeze, that can set it off too. As I said, I’m 55 and probably a little overweight if I’m being honest.

Exactly the same here too. I'm 51, slightly overweight.

I spoke to my GP, he booked me an initial session with a physiotherapist, and now I'm halfway through a course of 4 weekly Pilates classes with that Physiotherapist. I have to confess, it's really helping. Gradually, but noticeably. Go down the proper medical routes via your GP, not Chiropractor woo or any of that. See proper, medically qualified, professionals. I should have done this 6 months ago when it started, would have saved a lot of agony.

[Takemeaway]

As others have said we are all experiencing similar symptoms (lower back pain) but i bet there are many different aspects to the causes and the pain!

I've had lower back pain for 7 years. It's worst for me first thing in the morning and often wakes me up from sleep with the tightening of my lower back, almost like someone is squeezing the lower tip of my spinal chord. It gets better during the day but if i bend forwards my lower back tightens (almost bruised like). i've never seen a physio who can comfortably diagnose never mind resolve it.

Combined with this, the lower back pain gives me inner hip/pelvic problems first thing in the morning. I try to live with it but would love to come across a chiropractor or practitioner who can diagnose and recommend me the correct exercises; most seem to be p1ssing in the wind

[fiatpower]

ElectricSoup said:

Exactly the same here too. I'm 51, slightly overweight.

I spoke to my GP, he booked me an initial session with a physiotherapist, and now I'm halfway through a course of 4 weekly Pilates classes with that Physiotherapist. I have to confess, it's really helping. Gradually, but noticeably. Go down the proper medical routes via your GP, not Chiropractor woo or any of that. See proper, medically qualified, professionals. I should have done this 6 months ago when it started, would have saved a lot of agony.

That's all good and well from your personal experience. My personal experience was totally different. As someone in their early 20's I went to the GP who just told me to take pain killers and refused to prescribe any form of physio as it was their opinion that it wouldn't do anything. Based on this I went to another doctor who said exactly the same. If I had listened to them I would have been on pain killers for the rest of my life.

As it turned out someone recommended a chiropractor. I went off, researched it and found a recommended one in my local area. I'd say all my pain went away after 3 or so visits with the odd visit to keep on top of my back or if it flares up. So I wouldn't suggest they were a "quack" or "woo". I'm sure there are bad chiropractors out there as well as being bad GP's and physios.

So in short do your research, find a reputable one and make your own decision. The one I use also has physios and masseurs based at the same place so that you can get different types of treatment, they seem to be the best kind. I would avoid back street/cheap chiros.

[Silverage]

A fair lot of comments to unpack here, guys. Thanks to everyone who has taken the time - it’s really appreciated.

I think the right exercises is the way forward here. Whether they come from a chiropractor, physiotherapist, book or YouTube, we’ll see. A couple of years ago I slipped down the stairs and did my piriformis - that was a whole different level of pain when it kicked off. I went to see a sports physiotherapist in the next village over and she sorted me out with an exercise regime that fixed it - I’ll perhaps see if she fancies a crack at this.

[Far Cough]

Suffered for years with lower back pain which then occasionally gave sciatica down the front of the legs. Had an MRi scan and had a prolapsed disc due to the jelly coating all but disappearing. Learnt to live with it BUT since Sept 2 years ago when I joined a gym and as part of the package I get PILATES classes for free. What a difference it has made. Not a single problem since. Increased core strength which in turn shores up the affected area. No drugs, no pain and a little bit fitter and lighter. Win win.

[Silverage]

Far Cough said:

Suffered for years with lower back pain which then occasionally gave sciatica down the front of the legs. Had an MRi scan and had a prolapsed disc due to the jelly coating all but disappearing. Learnt to live with it BUT since Sept 2 years ago when I joined a gym and as part of the package I get PILATES classes for free. What a difference it has made. Not a single problem since. Increased core strength which in turn shores up the affected area. No drugs, no pain and a little bit fitter and lighter. Win win.

Thanks for that. My problem is finding time to go to these places so I’ve just found an online pilates class for chronic lower back pain on the NHS website. I’ve just worked through the first 30 minute lesson and it’s released a lot of the tension that has built up in my back because I’m favouring it all the time to avoid the pain.

[SlimJim16v]

I've been seeing osteopaths for 30 years. Never had a bad experience and always improve my pain greatly.

I have however been to a crap physio.

[hotchy]

I had lower back stiffness that would become agony for a week or two then back to stiffness. Repeat on and off for 2 years. I purchased a zero gravity Garden chair. I sat on it and thought.. ohhhh. So then brought it indoors. My back pain has vanished. Its obviously to do with sitting etc but sitting on this great garden chair and litterly saved me. I shall never let it go. Yes I look a right tube if someone walks by. I don't care.

[Far Cough]

Silverage said:

Thanks for that. My problem is finding time to go to these places so I’ve just found an online pilates class for chronic lower back pain on the NHS website. I’ve just worked through the first 30 minute lesson and it’s released a lot of the tension that has built up in my back because I’m favouring it all the time to avoid the pain.

Try and make time for a class with an instructor or get one to come to you maybe ? Its all very well mimicking the moves you see on a screen but when you have an instructor there with you they make you put your body in the correct position and there is a world of difference between doing a move correctly compared to how you think it should be done. The instructor will make it harder !!!

Some of the moves / stretches are fantastic for me and I can feel it hitting the exact area where I have a problem. Stick with it for a weeks and see how you get on. Sounds a bit poncy but the results speak for themselves

[anonymous-user]

I can’t recommend highly enough finding a good qualified Pilates teacher and having one on one sessions. They’ll help sort your back (most will be qualified physios also) and correct other aspects of your movement and posture that can be life changing. I have been having a one hour session each week for about three years now and going from strength to strength. It won’t be cheap; £65 a lesson for me and that’s up North but the return is worth it ime.

[IJWS15]

Johnnytheboy said:

Chiropractors and Osteopaths are various shades of alternative medicine woo.

Go to a physiotherapist instead.

What he said.

Visited a chiropractor a few years ago to see if they could address shoulder pain - having seen a specialist (actually 2) had an MRI I knew the precise cause of it. She spend 8 weeks trying to fix something that is unfixable without major surgery (and serious risk of quadraplegia if it goes wrong). I have limited rotation of the neck, she could improve the movement to the left but only at the expense of loss of movement to the right - the diagnosis from the MRI explains why but she would not listen.

And that clicky thing that she kept using was a waste of time - they are quacks and I will never visit another.

What stopped the shoulder paid was switching from varifocals to single vision spectacles as it changes the way I move my head and neck.

15 years ago a slipped disc was fixed by exercises alone as a result of a good physio and continuing the exercises mean I can now do things that bothered my back 30 years ago.

[smashy]

After 2 year of physios ,osteopaths chiros ...shock wave therapy for my back problem all waste of time and I went many times I found the thing that cured me

Google prolozone therapy (not prolotherapy) I went to a guy in Bedford 3 visits driving from London.Wish I had found him at the beginning would have saved me a few grand

[gweaver]

I had very persistent mid back issues until I started doing deadlifts (properly). Technique is important, the weight isn't.

[m3jappa]

smashy said:

After 2 year of physios ,osteopaths chiros ...shock wave therapy for my back problem all waste of time and I went many times I found the thing that cured me

Google prolozone therapy (not prolotherapy) I went to a guy in Bedford 3 visits driving from London.Wish I had found him at the beginning would have saved me a few grand

having suffered for years with back pain this sounds interesting, ive not heard of it before. 2 damaged discs and the latest mri shows damage to another one now

what was your issue ? reading the website it sounds like it might be worth a go.

tennis elbow in both arms and golf elbow in one of them too would be lovely to get rid of too.

[jules_s]

Prof Prolapse said:

Johnnytheboy said:

Chiropractors and Osteopaths are various shades of alternative medicine woo.

Go to a physiotherapist instead.

Dear god this ^^^.

If you have spine problems don't let someone use techniques founded on witchcraft have a go at it.

Evidence medicine based Physiotherapy combined with regular targetted exercise, all the way.

Personally I started deadlifting late last year, having had lower back problems for about ten years (suspected prolapsed disc -username incidental), it's cleared up almost entirely. I'm sure there's alternative exercises, but by Christ it's been a phenomenal improvement, don't rule it out!

Same here

I've had Ankylosing Spondylitis for 30 years or so (probably longer)

I wasted thousands on Chiro/Osteo and knowing what I know now they 100% should have known what the issue was but decided to milk the £££ instead

[sociopath]

Johnnytheboy said:

Chiropractors and Osteopaths are various shades of alternative medicine woo.

Go to a physiotherapist instead.

Have to agree.

To the OP, I have major lower back issues, including having a triple discectomy 10 or so years ago.

I find the most relief I get and the fastest is to do the plank. Can't guarantee will help you in the same way, but could be worth a try. It takes me from crawling along on my hands and knees to being pain free within a couple of minutes.

[ColdoRS]

Get a private MRI scan. If no herniated disc or such nasties, you should find a good physio and join a gym and commit to a lifetime of getting strong, building muscle and learning how to move properly.

You don’t need to look like Mr Universe but doing the above is a great way of preventing injury going forward.

[PistonRings]

I sympathise, lower back pain is a total git. I've had back issues since cracking a vertebrae and prolapsing a disk in my youth.

I'm currently on morphine (oramorph) and naproxen, for suspected spondylolisthesis, injury happened January 1st this year but 'because covid' my first appointment that hasn't just been over the phone is on Thursday this week coming.

Historically physio has helped massively and is always my first port of call, however this go around, none of what I have previously been shown works at all.

[smashy]

m3jappa said:

smashy said:

After 2 year of physios ,osteopaths chiros ...shock wave therapy for my back problem all waste of time and I went many times I found the thing that cured me

Google prolozone therapy (not prolotherapy) I went to a guy in Bedford 3 visits driving from London.Wish I had found him at the beginning would have saved me a few grand

having suffered for years with back pain this sounds interesting, ive not heard of it before. 2 damaged discs and the latest mri shows damage to another one now

what was your issue ? reading the website it sounds like it might be worth a go.

tennis elbow in both arms and golf elbow in one of them too would be lovely to get rid of too.

Hello M3 well not clear cut all those told me I had hip arthritis and I couldnt believe it including an nhs physio telling me and a chiro xray ,I was in trouble, back and both hips, last september in cornwall having to tell my partner I cant walk any further was crushing had to sit on a wall a real low point None of them would believe me that I reckon I pulled my sacro iliac joint weight training and it all stemmed from that.

What took me to a depressed state was a top london physio ,I remembered his shock wave therapy cured my achilles tendons after again 2 years of therapy at different places.I went to him ,he also told me I had hip arthritis and to bite the bullit and go and see my gp and you know the rest hip replacement.....

I found someone else who gave me 5 shockwave treatments on the sacro iliac area and it did not touch it.Some days during my covid walk I could not wait to get back and lay on my bed my legs were so weak never mind the overall pains During that last year I did every stretching exercise I was given for 45 mins a day every day but never helped at all.



So my research continued so I saw the guy at pro health in bedford with his prolozone.He looked at my xrays and said to him it looked like normal wear and tear . He believed my story about my sacro iliac joint whacked the needles all around it also used very high power electo magnetic pulse therapy he said I would need 3 treatments. I cannot tell you what its like to walk around pain free including both hips all gone got to know him and we would have good chats it really is a wonderful system, Not cheap but then again nor was 24 consecutive chiro treatments that were a total waste of time or 3 months of physio or weeks of osteopathy.They all told me it was hip arthritis and they were all wrong and I knew as well in my heart and would not accept it. Oliver told me before covid people came from all over europe for his treatment which he learnt in the States

Edited by smashy on Friday 23 July 23:15