[Feyd]

Originally Posted by lambtron

These injuries are a result of slipping off one of my F/A-18s when I was getting it ready for flight, fell approximately 12 feet and broke the fall with my head, and my spine absorbed pretty much all of the impact.

DAMN!


Similar to me, but in my situation I jumped off the back of a 2.5ton grain truck (8-9ft) and landed with straight legs when I was like 12 (bone still semi-soft I guess). It aparantly compressed my spine pretty bad and caused a slight dislocation (Spondylolisthesis) that will never heal. As a result of the dislocation the holes in the sides of my vertebra where the nerves feed out to my legs are basically closed up. When my back is inflamed, I can litterally be walking and collapse suddently because my legs just give out. Its pretty sweet.

[Couch]

The doctors didn't recommend any ideas to you?

My friend has a bad back, which was aggrevated already, but 'herniated' when he sneezed one morning.

He does stretches and uses a back inverter machine (the thing you lay on and hang upside down). It's helped him.

I would recommend when your back starts to feel better, to begin doing lower back excercises such as hyperextensions.

My dad had surgery about 8 years ago on his back due to herniated discs. The doc was one of the best in the business and he had never seen a back as bad as my dads, he was shocked my dad was able to walk.

[ragingclue]

Originally Posted by lambtron

I feel your pain man; at 25yo I have arthritis in C1-C7, and a mildly herniated disc at l2-l3 that isn't bad enough to warrant surgery, but bad enough that it can cause a helluva lot of pain at times. These injuries are a result of slipping off one of my F/A-18s when I was getting it ready for flight, fell approximately 12 feet and broke the fall with my head, and my spine absorbed pretty much all of the impact.

I went through 7 months of rehabilitation for my back and the best remedy for pain was core exercise, coupled with a TENS unit, ice and even heat. Heat WILL work but it will only help increase blood flow in the muscles and relax them, which tend to tighten up from immobility due to the back pain. However, you should only use heat after the inflammation has gone down, so ice for a couple days before you introduce heat.

Stretching daily helps, I always stretch in the morning and at night before bed. There are specific stretches I was taught in rehab that I do to keep my lower back pain free. A chiropractor will work wonders, but like everyone else said, you'll have to go multiple times. Oh, and if you get to a physical therapist, they can use ultrasound, which also works pretty well.

The worst thing you can do is stay immobile. I would get something like ibuprofen or naproxen to help with inflammation and pain, and ice the area 15-20 minutes per hour until the pain subsides, then do some mild stretching and walk around.

Nice. Who would have known we were at Miramar at the same time acquiring arthritis in the spine along with herniated discs.... Thank you Uncle Sam.

[mileydog]

Originally Posted by Couch

The doctors didn't recommend any ideas to you?

My friend has a bad back, which was aggrevated already, but 'herniated' when he sneezed one morning.

He does stretches and uses a back inverter machine (the thing you lay on and hang upside down). It's helped him.

I would recommend when your back starts to feel better, to begin doing lower back excercises such as hyperextensions.

My dad had surgery about 8 years ago on his back due to herniated discs. The doc was one of the best in the business and he had never seen a back as bad as my dads, he was shocked my dad was able to walk.

Doc recommends pain meds and then stretching. Then more pain meds and core exercises. Then if still in pain, take some more pain meds. When all else fails...use the knife to fix the problem and more pain meds.

I heard all the doctors recommendations...but I do realize that they are constrained by lawsuits and insurance claims, so they can really only advise you so much.

I am interested in what "real" people have found to help thier issues.

For those who have not experienced a herniated disc...let me tell you...it is just so painful. Also due to the fact that nobody can see the injury, it can appear funny to people who see you limping around at work and cannot really tell why. I mean its not like you have a broken bone and there is a cast on your leg or something. It is simply a hidden injury that is just so damn painful.
I will always have sympathy for those who have experienced this ordeal.

[dcgolfdr]

Originally Posted by Feyd

Heat is bad for these kind of injuries believe it or not.... It's the first thing I thought when I was having issues too. Ice is where its at for "nerve" issues.

Whenever you can't decide between heat and ice always go with ice. Heat feels good but if there is a swelling issue, heat with increase the swelling and therefore create more pain. Ice works to reduce the swelling around the joints and nerves and therefore reduce pain. As for chiros, PTs, they do work well but to achieve best results you do have to do some work on your own like others have mentioned, yoga, pilates, etc. Most people have terrible core strength which only contributes to the low back pain.

[Bimmer335i]

wow,, i guess i should join the club too...i'm having lower back pain for the past 10 yrs ever sine i joined the navy, having had to stand long stretches (4,5 hours) at various times of the day to stand my watches..i'm out now and is 20% disability..VA's takin care of me, but my chiro is practically useless..he only provides temp relief and once i get home, i get the pain back..and it feels like it's getting worse...people recommend getting a nice mattress (tempurpedic) but not sure if that's gonna help ease the pain..sigh

[mileydog]

I can say the temperpedic is very comfortable. But I can't say it is helping my back any.

My back hurts on both my old bed and the new bed.

[alpha325i]

Originally Posted by mileydog

What does the chiropractor do for you? Does he adjust you? Is the chiro supposed to provide short term relief or some long term corrective process?

I am not going to say that a chiro is right for everyone, but he has really helped me. It has been a great alternative to medicine or surgical procedures. I show him the exact area and tell him what is going on with my level of pain and what not. He first does a physical exam on my back and neck and then starts adjusting and manipulating by cracking, popping and twisting me around. It took some getting used to at first, but I love it now. I went from twice a week to once a week. I can definitely tell a difference since I have started seeing a chiro. And despite what some people say, it can help long-term, depending on your particular case

[lambtron]

Originally Posted by ragingclue

Nice. Who would have known we were at Miramar at the same time acquiring arthritis in the spine along with herniated discs.... Thank you Uncle Sam.

hahaha I know right? Well at least there's the compensation from the DVA

[Inspired]

I am part of this club also.

Had lower back pain ever since I was a kid. If I sit for over 30 minutes the back gets uncomfortable. I think it was from snowboarding and falling on my ass like 50x. I had 20 free chiropractic therapy but it seem like it does not help. Chiropractor said my back is perfectly fine. I got a xray on the back but doctors say it was perfectly normal also. I don't know what to do anymore.

[JayKay335i]

Originally Posted by twinturbo335

I am part of this club also.

Had lower back pain ever since I was a kid. If I sit for over 30 minutes the back gets uncomfortable. I think it was from snowboarding and falling on my ass like 50x. I had 20 free chiropractic therapy but it seem like it does not help. Chiropractor said my back is perfectly fine. I got a xray on the back but doctors say it was perfectly normal also. I don't know what to do anymore.

Yoga.

[Inspired]

I think I am going to consult with a physical therapist first. One chiropractor suggested that I have a lack of lower back muscle.

[JayKay335i]

Building core strength hurts like a bitch when you have back pain. But core strength will help support your upper body. A mixture of yoga and physical therapy may be the way to go. The problem is finding competent physical therapists, and yoga teachers.

[Couch]

Originally Posted by mileydog

Doc recommends pain meds and then stretching. Then more pain meds and core exercises. Then if still in pain, take some more pain meds. When all else fails...use the knife to fix the problem and more pain meds.

I heard all the doctors recommendations...but I do realize that they are constrained by lawsuits and insurance claims, so they can really only advise you so much.

I am interested in what "real" people have found to help thier issues.

For those who have not experienced a herniated disc...let me tell you...it is just so painful. Also due to the fact that nobody can see the injury, it can appear funny to people who see you limping around at work and cannot really tell why. I mean its not like you have a broken bone and there is a cast on your leg or something. It is simply a hidden injury that is just so damn painful.
I will always have sympathy for those who have experienced this ordeal.

I know man. I was just curious, b/c some doctors these days don't do their job and recommend anything. I'm surprised he's telling you to use the pain meds so much. I would attempt to ween off of it. But having had back problems myself it's not easy.

I fractured my back as a kid and its still messed up, but I strengthen the hell out of it. It really feels good after a good workout.

Originally Posted by JayKay335i

Building core strength hurts like a bitch when you have back pain. But core strength will help support your upper body. A mixture of yoga and physical therapy may be the way to go. The problem is finding competent physical therapists, and yoga teachers.

Good recommendations. Yoga is a great idea.

I've had severe Lower Back Pain for about a month.Every morning I wake up back Pain and had taken many medicines but nothing worked for me.Has anyone dealt with chronic back pain? Anyone know any doctors who deal with it in Las Vegas?

[08njSTEP]

At 25 I had a ruptured disc. Went to a very good doc that treats pro athletes. Had surgery in the am and was out before dinner. No over night hospital. Took about 4 weeks to fully heal. That was in '92.
At 35 I had my 2nd surgery for ruptured disc. The disc above the previous. Had a small town doc and he wasn't very good. Nicked spinal sheath(talk about pain!). 4 days in hospital on morphine pump(found out I'm allergic to morphine) and 30 days no standing, sitting, or walking. Took over 6 months to heal and probably a year to get strength back.

My opinion is get a top doc. That sees pro athletes regularly in the practice. Stay away from prescription pain meds as much as possible. Only take ibuprofen on a FULL stomach(I have stomach ulcer from not knowing that). You can take advil and Tylenol together but NEVER exceed max daily dose of acetaminophen (liver damage is likely). Core strength is your new life goal. I wish you good luck and if you need any info I can provide please PM me. This is a rough road, but it can be accomplished. I'm now 50 and don't have pain hardly ever.

[PoorLurker]

Originally Posted by JayKay335i

Yoga. Surgery. Core strength.

[nmehta211]

Originally Posted by mileydog

I can say the temperpedic is very comfortable. But I can't say it is helping my back any.

My back hurts on both my old bed and the new bed.

I am in NYC and a pain management doctor if you want to have a consultation. I work at Cornell. Not sure where you are?

Does the pain radiate down the leg? Any numbness or weakness?

[cruisingdownthestreet]

humans have a lot more evolving to do. I mean how is it that i can browse the racks at Ross, Nordstrom, Macy's, etc etc and my back aches like a m'f@#er!

what i do at the gym is hanging knee raise starting position. just hang. my lower back decompresses and i lose feeling to my leg but by god does it feel good!!!

put weight back on my legs and it feel like someone sawing me in half!

[smoosh]

Originally Posted by 08njSTEP

At 25 I had a ruptured disc. Went to a very good doc that treats pro athletes. Had surgery in the am and was out before dinner. No over night hospital. Took about 4 weeks to fully heal. That was in '92.
At 35 I had my 2nd surgery for ruptured disc. The disc above the previous. Had a small town doc and he wasn't very good. Nicked spinal sheath(talk about pain!). 4 days in hospital on morphine pump(found out I'm allergic to morphine) and 30 days no standing, sitting, or walking. Took over 6 months to heal and probably a year to get strength back.

My opinion is get a top doc. That sees pro athletes regularly in the practice. Stay away from prescription pain meds as much as possible. Only take ibuprofen on a FULL stomach(I have stomach ulcer from not knowing that). You can take advil and Tylenol together but NEVER exceed max daily dose of acetaminophen (liver damage is likely). Core strength is your new life goal. I wish you good luck and if you need any info I can provide please PM me. This is a rough road, but it can be accomplished. I'm now 50 and don't have pain hardly ever.

Originally Posted by Stangorang

Chiropractic techniques are akin to witchcraft and should be avoid at all costs. At best you are out a few hundred $$ and are no worse for wear, at worst you have made an easily treatable problem far worse.

Physical therapy, stretching, core strength. Avoid opiates. Surgery should be a last resort. Simple things first.

I disagree...I'd probably go 08njSTEP's route as he posted above...therapy and stretching can only go so far before you begin to experience flare ups...core strengthening exercises are difficult to perform with a bad back...

as 08njSTEP recommended, I'd see a quality doctor...pro athletes experience back pain like no other. after surgery, start strengthening not only your core, but every muscle group (especially lower half, and ESPECIALLY your hamstrings -- the way our hamstrings attach to the pelvis makes hamstring flexibility very important for preventing back pain...tight hamstrings will usually result in lower back pain and vice versa)

it is indeed unfortunate the lower back is such a weak point in human anatomy...considering humans have been picking up weight off the ground for as long as we've been around on this planet, you'd think we'd have incredibly resilient lower backs...

[overcoil]

A good position for relieving back pain is to lie down on your back on the floor and raise and rest your heel on a chair/sofa (that height) creating a 90-degree angle at your knees. Anyone do this?

[CANGRKE70]

I had a pretty bad back after a massive car accident involving a driver high on pain meds running a red light.

Result is exactly what you're going through. Massive sciatica and unbearable pain. Did all the physio in the world and it did nothing.



Got the surgery done and feel like a million bucks. Walked out of the hospital same day.