Lets talk low back pain/issues

[General Lee]

First I'd like to ask if anyone can recommend a good back brace and where they got it from. Something that supports the low back and is not to big and bulky.

I'm currently suffering from a couple bulged/herniated discs L-4, L-5 S-1. Also have onset of arthritis with minor nerve impingement, and the L-5 is also dengenerative AND to top it off, have onset of stenosis. I have some minor tingling and numbness in my feet and if the sciatica is involved its minor. Been to an Orthopedic who prescribed conservative treatment to start and doesn't feel I'm a candidate for surgery right now, which I'm good with. That will be a LAST resort for me. With all that said I have a lot of discomfort and the stretches and exercises are minimally helping. I've also seen a chiropractor a few times but they have been conservative as well. I to afraid to be popped and twisted on. I can't go back to the pain I was initially in. Anyone else in this club?

 

[cat fever]

I deal with some of the same issues.
I use a a stretchy velcro deal made by "R U Outside" It's called the "Back Thing"
I can do most anything I want, I just do it in pain most of the time. I started using the Back Thing a couple years ago while getting fire wood or riding my snowmobile or any kind of work/play that requires back work. My back feels much, much better since I have started using it.

Good luck. Every doctor I see can't see any problem with my back. But it hurts and my right leg is numb most of the time. Even right now as I type this.

 

[MossRoad]

The key for me was to do exercises that strengthen your core and spinal erector muscles. Those support your back and help alleviate pain quite a bit.

The one that does the most good for me is quite simple.

Lie on your back with feet together, legs flat to ground, hands down to sides by your thighs and palms flat on the floor.
Push down with your palms while holding your stomach in against your spine for 10 seconds and relax for 10 seconds.
Repeat for 1 minute to start.
Quite quickly, after just a few days, you can increase the length of time.
I do it for several minutes a couple times a day.
That's it. Helps tremendously.

Of course, consult with your DR before doing anything.... AND I MEAN ANYTHING!!! :laughing:

 

[TheMan419]

If you end up going the back surgery route make sure you find the best dang surgeon you can. Back surgery is dicey at best. Glad you look at it as a last resort. I am dealing with lower back pain, but it is all muscular so not nearly as bad as yours, but I feel your pain. Good luck!

 

[Looking4new]

Been there, done that. I have lived with degenerative disk disease since the 1980s'. Now i make sure that when I sit up I sit square to the seat I am in. As close to a 90 degree angle as I can get (NO slouching). It helps. If I have to stand for long periods of time I get a foot rest to put one foot on. The rest can be as low as 6", or as high as 16". It helps to keep your back straight.
I chew no goobers (pills) for pain, anymore. When my back first blew out I would chew up pills by the ton. That was when Dr.s would prescribe the 'good stuff' percodan, percocet, furinall and morphine. Not no more, now they tell you to take tylenol, which in my mind just kills your liver and does nothing for pain.

 

[Egon]

That lovely back pain! from the aging process.

For a brace just start looking at the stores selling medical AIDS/devices till you find what works for you.

Then add the really hard stuff, losing weight if need be and physical exersise. Exersise need not be Gym orientated weight stuff but stuff like walking and stretching that covers the whole body. Specifics are best gotten from accredited sources.

I'm not a doctor.

Personal expierience with wore out toe joints resulted in significant lower back pain. Probably due to improper walking. Surgery on the toes helped a lot.

 

[Goose69]

I feel your pain.. I've lived with debilitating back issues my entire adult life. In my early 20s I had a Dr, after looking at my MRI, " if I didn't know your age, I would have guessed I was looking at the spine of an 80yo.!!!"
I've had many procedures, a couple of minor surgeries, and a major one, and still live in pain.
Currently in my 40s and have days where it's not too bad, and can work and function pretty well.
then there are days like this past Tuesday, where I wouldn't even go sit on the tractor, it hurt so bad.
The things that will help the most, are also the most difficult. Any extra belly fat puts lots of stress on the back, so if you have any, try to lose it. Also core strengthening exercises, to build up supporting muscles will help as well.
(Of course both of these things are made more difficult, when back trouble has already presented itself,). So that may have to come after some treatment first.
One note about back braces, if you have degenerative disc issues, a back brace may offer support to the current discs you are having problems with, but may put extra stress on other parts of your back, causing further damage.
My last surgeon, advised against using a brace for daily activities, as it would just shift my stress points to a different area. That said, there were times when I had to get stuff done, and used a brace anyway. Go to a medical supply store, and find one that you like, but it may cause further problems. I very rarely use one anymore, knowing my condition now.
As a side note on surgery, my surgery was performed by a neurosurgeon, named Dr Cuddy. It's pronounced "Cutty" tho.
A few weeks ago, my son broke his arm, and his surgeon was named Dr Cutwright.
When I was younger, one of the Drs I went to, was Dr. Butcher. Hahaha

 

[General Lee]

That lovely back pain! from the aging process.

For a brace just start looking at the stores selling medical AIDS/devices till you find what works for you.

Then add the really hard stuff, losing weight if need be and physical exersise. Exersise need not be Gym orientated weight stuff but stuff like walking and stretching that covers the whole body. Specifics are best gotten from accredited sources.

I'm not a doctor.

Personal expierience with wore out toe joints resulted in significant lower back pain. Probably due to improper walking. Surgery on the toes helped a lot.

The sad part is I'll be 40 this fall. To young to have these issues. I'm active and workout regularly (until recently due to this injury) and have lost 40 pounds. I will admit my workouts had been about building muscle the past 2 years and have neglected precise core exercises and specific low back exercises. The numbness in the feet is what is troublesome the most to me. Really worries me.

 

[PJSprog]

I've dealt with lower back pain for most of my life. I compressed a disc when I was 22. I'll be 51 this year, and it doesn't get easier to deal with as you age.

My first advice: get over your fear/distrust of chiropractic. This sort of thing is exactly what it's designed to help.

Secondly, I've had great success using a TheraCane. Coupled with the use of a heating pad, you can alleviate a lot of your own discomfort without leaving your home, and without drugs.

Maintaining a reasonable weight and core fitness help tremendously as well.

 

[riptides]

... Also have onset of arthritis with minor nerve impingement, and the L-5 is also dengenerative AND to top it off, have onset of stenosis. I have some minor tingling and numbness in my feet ...

Ugh, if you have the onset of stenosis, then I'd recommend both a neurological and orthopedic specialist be involved in giving you proper guidance. Are you getting opinions from both?

 

[Dadnatron]

General Lee...

finally someone has hit on what I do.

I'm not sure of your age, which must be taken into account along with any other medical issues. But, given your complaints, I would recommend seeing a Pain Management specialist. It is likely that either an epidural or facet injection would make a big difference in your symptoms. Depending upon exam and MR findings. They are NOT curative, however, can make a big difference in day to day functioning.

Weight is also a major factor, so work to either attain or maintain it. I cannot stress this enough. I have patients who become angry at me for telling them that what they do to their body everyday by simply living is going to outdo anything that I can do to help them. The stress on the spine is increased 4X for every extra lb a person weighs, due to design and leverage. So carrying an extra 25lb requires the back to do an extra 100lb of work with every movement.

Belts are not truly supportive, they are restrictive, which helps to insure that you don't put your back into a situation in which it can be injured to a greater degree. The issue I have with belts is that they tend to restrict movement, which then results in an inability to move. As funny as it is... I recommend yoga to my patients, and those who actually try it almost invariably believe it improves not only their symptoms but their daily functionality. The belts tend to cause people to end up 'stiffer' down the road. I'm not saying they don't have their place, but I am saying limit their use to the times when you will be physically active and need the 'reminder' of what you should and shouldn't be doing. You can do yoga via YouTube or DVDs if you don't have the inclination to go to a studio.

Look into an injection. I think there is a good chance that it will make a world of difference for you.

 

[Dadnatron]

I just saw that you are 40.

For someone to have DJD and disc disease at your age, it is almost always genetic. Scheuermann's changes result in advanced disc breakdown and is a common issue for younger 'bad backs'. An additional common 'young' issue is Pars defects, which can lead to everything you have stated. These are small fractures which typically happen between age of 12 and 20 and are not associated directly with trauma.

Again, I would look into getting a Pain Management physician. At your age, maintaining mobility is key for the best functionality during the next 40yrs

 

[Paddy]

General Lee,

I too have had a bad back for many years. In my early 20's I was helping a friend change a tire, I used my back to lift the lug wrench, when the lug not suddenly came loose, there was the feeling of a rubber band snapping my lower back. For 8 years I tried to keep working in the construction world. I was out of work for many weeks a year. Finally I gave up and went to engineering school.

I still can get a stiff/sore back and once in two years I'm in bad shape. But always it's me stressing my back. I have kinda learned, "don't do that!".

What I've leaned; as soon as you feel the pain come on, lay down as flat as you can. This let's all the parts realign. By keep working you start to slouch/lean and compensate in bad ways. Standing as straight as you can. If you find yourself in the slouch and can't straighten up, lay down and let everything get back in place. Lastly, my heavy lifting days are over, no exceptions. Brother in law needs a safe moved, sorry, I can't help. I'm 56+ years old and in far better shape than when I was in my late 20's

 

[RandyT]

I feel your pain. I have mild spondylosis of the L1-L5 with narrowing and vacuum disc formation at the L5/S1 age 48. I am overweight but the pain makes it difficult to do some activities for any length of time. I am sitting right now with numbness and burning in the front of my thighs due to a pinched nerve.

I have had back issues my entire life. Couldn't sit on the floor and play for very long do to low back pain. Was evaluated for back issues at the age of 5.

 

[CADplans]

I am not a Dr,,, but, I understand what causes my back pain,,
I have the leg numbness,,, sore lower back,,, etc,,
I DO NOT have damaged disks,, etc,,

If you think of your body like the tube in the center of a roll of paper towels,,,
the strength comes from an even distribution of the muscles around the body.

Go get a paper towel tube,, try to bend it,, it is strong
Now,, take a knife and cut the tube where your stomach muscles are weak.
The tube INSTANTLY overloads the remaining muscles, and they become "sore".
The tube collapses,, because the part of the tube that is left can not support the weight of the tube.

If you look at what a physical therapist is teaching you,,,
virtually 100% is aimed at strengthening your stomach muscles,,,

In my case,, I try to do some small amount of exercise daily to strengthen my stomach muscles.
It works,,, for me!!

 

[oosik]

Yesterday I had a three hour session with the chain saw - thinning one of my stands of small (less than 6", on the butt) pine trees. It meant I was bent over all the time, running the chain saw and cutting the trees off at ground level. From years of experience, I know that if I do not "prepare" for this adventure - I will probably spend at the next two day with some form of back pain.

So, before I start anything and when I'm out on the property where only the wildlife can see me - I go thru about 15 minuets of stretching exercises. It warms me up and unless I do something really stupid, I can stop at around three hours and feel nothing but tired. I've found if I push on beyond three hours - I will suffer back pain equivalent to not doing warm up at all. Its one of the "benefits" of getting old.

Of all the tasks I do here on the property - using the chainsaw to thin my pine stands is probably the most likely chore to cause me back pain. Later this summer I will be chipping these pines - by that time I will have thinned at least half a dozen stands - and that I can do most all the day with no resulting back pain.

 

[Dadnatron]

Yesterday I had a three hour session with the chain saw - thinning one of my stands of small (less than 6", on the butt) pine trees. It meant I was bent over all the time, running the chain saw and cutting the trees off at ground level. From years of experience, I know that if I do not "prepare" for this adventure - I will probably spend at the next two day with some form of back pain.

So, before I start anything and when I'm out on the property where only the wildlife can see me - I go thru about 15 minuets of stretching exercises. It warms me up and unless I do something really stupid, I can stop at around three hours and feel nothing but tired. I've found if I push on beyond three hours - I will suffer back pain equivalent to not doing warm up at all. Its one of the "benefits" of getting old.

I tell my patients... "When you are 20, bulletproof, and stupid... you can get away with things. But when you are 40+, you had better use that 20+ years of experience to your advantage. Because regardless of where your 'mind' thinks you are, your body knows differently."

 

[oosik]

Dadnatron - Man, that is the God's honest truth. I'm 74 and my mind still thinks I can do the same work that I did when we moved down here 35+ year ago. Fortunately, I listen to my body and years of experience and know what works for me and when to stop. I really appreciate - "No Pain" - and recognize it will still be there and I can finish "IT" tomorrow.

 

[Sheldon Hamblin]

I'm not going to recommend anything, but I would like to share my experience.
I was just about 40 when I started having significant back pain. I was in the fire service, but I don't think there was any one issue causing it.
For about 5 years I saw a neurologist that fed me flexural, naprosyn, and finally Vicodin. The pain literally was unbearable.
If I didn't have a desk job, and the guys didn't cover for me, I would have lost a lot more time from work then I did.
Finally after an MRI, the neurologist offered to refer me to a surgeon. Now, I never wanted surgery as I had seen so many go bad.
But, I couldn't stand the pain. Upon seeing the neurosurgeon, he explained he was going to do a laminectomy.
In the recovery room I had relief from the leg pain that in itself made the surgery worthwhile. That simple surgery worked great for about 10 years. Then I started having more problems with my back and legs. The legs mostly. Cramps, inability to climb stairs etc.
The first neurosurgeon had retired by then .
The new MRI showed spinal stenosis. To make a long story short, I'm recovering from my 3rd fusion in the lumbar spine, but I feel better each time, than before surgery.

Moral of the story, find the right doctor and follow their advise. But if something isn't giving you relief, keep on looking until you do get relief.

 

[beowulf]

Been there. Being put out of order with back pain when you want to be doing something is depressing. What works for some may not work for another, but I am a very firm advocate of building up the core - however you choose to do that. Also, carrying around a bit more weight in the belly does not help. Stretching is good. But right now I now use DDP Yoga (DVDs). This guy really connects with me - takes it easy - recognizes some of us are older, and beat up and so on, and you do it at your own pace - starts very slow - stretches - a focus on back relief in the beginning (which is where I am). Seriously - it has really worked for me - but you have to be someone who would actually do it. . . I know many would not.