I saw this video the other day!! But, it might mean going to a Chiropractor

Here is a link that might be useful: Low Back Pain

Yes, I did have lower back pain and I did go see a massage therapist. It really helped me.

I have been dealing with bulging discs since January. I really don't want surgery. I've had three pain blocks, can't have anymore. Pain management dr. prescribed meds that I can't function on. I go back the 24th so we'll see what happens then. I feel for you.

Any time I've had a stiff neck or backache, it went away in a day or two. But I hated the feeling so much, I would never wish it on another human.

I have had back pain for years.Up until 8 years or so ago I tried to go to the Chiropractor on a regular basis and it did help.Got too expensive and I just started living with it.I bought a Comfortaire bed a few years ago(like the Sleepnumber bed)and it helps tremendously! I found out after I started going to the doctor here that I have a lot of deterioration and bone against bone.I pretty much just live with the pain and take Ibuprophen when it gets too bad.
My DD has had back and neck problems all her life and has had 2 bulging discs in her neck for about 5 years now.She has injections for the pain but those are beginning not to work very well.Her doctor recomended surgery over a year ago but she keeps putting it off.I think that is the only thing that will really help but I know it's a big step.
I hope you can find something to ease your pain.I feel for you.I know that successful treatment depends on what is causing the pain and sometimes Chiropractors can do more harm than good if you get one that doesn't know what he's dealing with.I think chiropractors,massages and even the proper bed is just a bandaid for the real problem.You need to find out what is causing the pain and go from there.

Thanks for the link, CB. I wish I had someone here that could help me with those resistance exercises. I think those would help me. The other exercise he showed with 'planting your foot on ceiling'....I think I'll try that one.

Shirley

I also have lower back pain and stiffness...but doctors say it is because of a combination of 3 medical problems at the base of the spine..bone loss due to osteoporosis, and both rheumatoid and osteo arthritis. I do back exercises and a therapeutic massage every 2 weeks. I only take pain medication when it's really bad.

Try a personal trainer at the local gym!

Trust me, it worked for me!

I work for a chiropractor and I've never seen him do more harm than good, but I do understand the reluctancy to going to one. One thing I can tell you is don't use "dry" heat like a heating pad. Use either hot, moist towels or one of those rice bag things that you heat in the microwave. It helps the muscles not contract so much.

A male friend at work had bad discs. They did surgery on this lower spine by going in the front, thru his andomen. Unfortunately, the surgeon nicked the man's colon with the scalpel and he ended up with peritonitis, a massive infection. Took months to recover from that surgery. And his back still bothers him!

You should have x-rays to determine the problem. If it's caused by arthritis as is mine, a personal trainer or back exercises will help tremendously. The doctor thought I had bursitis because my right leg hurt. It has hurt for three years until a friend told me I should have an MRI because the doctors told her for years that she had bursitis and it turned out to be her back. Well, I went home and decided I didn't need an MRI I already knew I had a deterioration of the spine (arthritis) so I began doing back and stomach exercises and in two months I am fine. You should see an orthopedic doctor first to find out what you are dealing with. Stomach exercises are very important because those are the muscles that support the back.

I did last summer and saw a physical therapist (referral from my family doc) and as long as I continue the back exercises I am pain free unless I overdo something really strenously several days in a row.
The PT person told me until you strengthen the muscles and correct the problem, massage and chiropractic will only offer short term relief. ( I only got two or three days relief until I started physical therapy.)
Most of my problem was being overweight and having weak abdominal muscles.
Water aerobics and a personal trainer has made a big difference in addition to losing some weight.
Have you been to your family doc to find out why you are having back pain? It would be a good place to start.
Good luck and get better.

Your post sounds like I've been feeling lately, salgal!

I usually use a rice pack (moist heat) but it wasn't working so well for past couple weeks, so I've been using cold pack (which I don't like, but it works!), taking MSM a couple times a day and wearing a back brace while I am at home.

I have been MUCH better - I go to a chiropractor each month which works great but for some reason the past couple weeks have been too painful to tolerate anything.

Good Luck,

nola anne

Another sore-back person here. I've had manageable problems for two decades or more and finally have relief due to a folded cushy blanket on my side of the mattress. Dh needs firm and I need soft so this was a cheap and very effective way to do it. Still can't believe it worked! I also do pilates to strengthen the tummy/back muscles, which I'm sure does a lot of good.

But first and foremost, get thee to a doctor to make sure you don't mess with a problem that needs a different treatment. Good luck!

Get out of any "heels" and buy decent low shows, i.e. Clark's, etc. Try to limit time spent walking on slabs (B.J.s, Lowes, etc.) Sit down as soon as back starts to hurt, if just for a short time.

Don't attempt to pull out roots of well-established large plants!!!!!

Check to see if you are really standing up straight! Family/friends didn't tell me, doctors didn't mention that I've been leaning forward for years. I've had progressively worse back pain until recently I can barely walk. Pain meds (aspirin, Motrin, Aleve, Meloxicam) don't help anymore.

Physical therapist stood me up straight and it felt like I was bending backward! DD had just come into town and came to the PT evaluation with me and said I hadn't been standing up straight for years. I thought I had good posture--sit/stand up straight, shoulders back. But it turns out I was straight but bent forward at the waist. Only 2 PT visits so far but exercises are helping.

My sister was having some back problems. Was told she needs to strengthen her abdominal muscles so less strain on the back. I probably need that too. She started a going to yoga classes and it has helped her.

juellie1962-I never meant to insinuate that "all" chiropractors do more harm than good.I have gone to a chiropractor for years as I mentioned in my post and have been helped tremendously.What I did say was that if by chance you get one who isn't as thorough as they should be,(X-rays,testing,etc.)they might do more harm than good.As someone else mentioned,if one is having back problems they should first find out exactly what is causing the pain and go from there.A chiropractor might be the answer and sometimes might not.

lilliepad - I didn't take it as an insult; before I worked for a chiropractor, I had never been to one. I totally understand people's reluctance to go to one.

do any of you try to sleep with a wedge-shaped pillow under your knees? I sometimes wake up with my knees bent and feet flat on the mattress. It makes me think if I can rotate my hips a little I might feel better.

My SO gets so frustrated...I cannot stand to cuddle because I am so uncomfortable...

I was at a flea market yesterday and saw this back support - has anyone tried this???

Here is a link that might be useful: mesh back support

No, I haven't, but that would make my problem worse since I have a "sway back." You really do need to see a doctor to find out just what's going on. My dh's back problems are completely different and almost opposite from mine! Where he requires a hard surface, I need a soft one, both for sitting and sleeping. Sometimes car and airplane seats can cause the problem to worsen--this I found out after we bought a new car but still had the old car, and I drove the old one after a couple of months of non-use. The back/headaches came back after having disappeared!

You really need to see the doc and find out why you are having the pain.
It could be nothing serious or it could be a tumor pressing on a nerve.
Don't take a chance on ignoring something that could turn into a real problem.
How would you feel if you waited and tried all the suggestions and finally went to the doc only to find out the outcome could have been a good one had you not waited?
Sorry for the long, awkward sentence.

I agree that the safest thing is to be checked by a doctor.

My friend's husband had chronic low back pain and it turned out to be from gallstones. My relative had a pinched nerve.

My low back pain from an injury was helped a lot by chiropractic adjustments.