Back pain sigh

[Silver]

I've been suffering off and on for years with back pain. It used to be mainly in my right shoulder, probably due to computer work and bad posture, but now it's in my lower back too. It's a general aching stiffness, with an occasional twinge of pain especially when I stand up for too long or lie down. I also have scoliosis.

When I was on holiday in Thailand I had a masssage of the kind where they walk on your back, the guy said mine was one of the worst he'd ever seen - I was in agony throughout and crying with the pain.

Now, I'm starting to get aches in my legs and arms too and it's really wearing me down. I feel like I'm in pain constantly or having difficulty moving because of the stiffness.

I've booked some physiotherapy and am starting pilates again to try and help it but I'd be grateful if anyone can offer any other suggestions apart from drugs as it's really starting to get to me.

Thanks.

Edited by Silver on Friday 22 April 19:30

[petemurphy]

in the same boat and pilates is my only suggestion unfortunatley bar the usual drugs ( anti spasm, anti inflam, anti pain ) and hot water bottles, heat pads etc.

[ROOODBOY]

I suffered from intermittent lower back pain and left shoulder pain for several years, which was probably due to sustained bad posture and carrying heavy things too often, like engine blocks.

One day I was washing my car, picked up the bucket of water and collapsed in a heap on the pavement.

Anyway, after a few days of barely being able to sleep or get out of bed I saw a chiropractor, and was diagnosed with a twisted pelvis and two crushed discs in my lower back.

A course of treatment including accupuncture worked wonders, but I was also advised to do some specific stretching excercises as it was mostly muscles pulling my back together compounding the problem.

I've been a bit more careful since and rarely have problems now.

Good luck, I really do sympathise with people suffering back pain!

[jas xjr]

Try an inversion table. Worked for me

[Silver]

jas xjr said:

Try an inversion table. Worked for me

Explain?

[jas xjr]

Silver said:

Explain?

Quite simply it is an a frame that suspends you upside down. Stretches your back. See if you can borrow one

[missdiane]

Can't help but when I had my last bout of sciatica a couple of months ago I was googling help frantically, when I could manage to sit at a computer

Things I picked up were

Hot and cold packs
Sleep on back with a pillow under legs to support it
There was a stretching yoga exercise which I did before getting up which seemed to help tremendously!

Hope it gets sorted soon

[Eighty88]

a little left field but have you tried acupuncture to relieve the shoulder pain? It might not work for everyone but I had it a few years ago and it did the trick.

[dreamer75]

How about seeing the doc, getting MRI'd etc. and diagnosing the problem, and then choosing a course of treatment depending what the matter is?

Personally mine was a bulging disc which turned into a herniated disc, was operated on last April, and has now degerated to the point they want to replace it with an artificial one

[Silver]

I've tried accupuncture before and it was useful so I'll add that to my list of things.

I've also tried going to the doctor on a number of occasions but never got anywhere with it. Rest and ibuprofen is their usual response.

Sorry for the moaning thread, it was fairly painful yesterday and I was offloading a bit!

[anonymous-user]

I think a good Osteopath might be able to help! Where abouts are you?

[mickk]

Can you not persuade your GP for a MRI scan, i was so fed up with the pain and trying different potions that i mentioned the MRI to my doctor.

Had it done this morning, waiting for the results now.

[Silver]

I'm in London. Maybe I'll try the GP route again - the current one seems more sympathetic than previous ones. A few years ago, my shoulder went into spasm and I could barely move, visited the GP which was fortunately only at the end of the road so I could just about walk there, but they said there was nothing they could or would do, not even refer me to a physiotherapist. I've had the same response from other GPs when visiting them about the same problem.

I have to do something though, it's gone from a problem which used to flare up now and again to being something I seem to be adjusting my life to on a daily basis. I suppose I've got in the habit of dealing with it and not making a fuss.

Thanks for the sympathetic responses though, it's appreciated.

Edited by Silver on Sunday 24th April 06:17

[Sticks.]

I would add my vote to a good osteopath. Finding a good one is the tricky bit though. FWIW I go to the European School of Osteopathy in Maidstone and although my back injury is specific, they look at you from head to toe, and deal with the ineractions brought on by your problem, causing your problem, or old age or whatever.

Meanwhile you might want to read up on the Alexnder technique, or try just relaxing in the pool, vertically or horizontally, or try lying on a flat surface with your feet flat, knees bent, allowing it to re-set. Pilates exercises are good if you know what you're doing and what you want to achieve.

I also apply Voltarol cream, take Nurofen Back Pain (slow release) and apply alcohol internally

As you say, got to deal with it, so good luck, persist, and don't let it get you down.