Back troubles

[KarlaB]

Feels good to be back, but boy are there lots of posts to try to catch up on and I won't be on here very long tonight.

I have been having back troubles for the past month or so. Thursday morning it actually felt pretty good, but as I was giving dks a bath I gasped in pain and literally cried with every move. :\ Called dh at work and then tried to get into my chiropractor....I called 4 doctors in town and all were either out or already gone for the day - this was before noon! Anyway, I ended up calling mine at home and he met me at his office. He did a treatment, told me what was out of whack and sent me home in a back brace....I have spent the time since then sitting, lying down, icing it and downing Motrin. I am still very sore and hoping this next week brings nothing but more relief!!!

[PamE]

(((BIG HUGS))) Be really easy on yourself this week, okay? I'm so glad you were able to get in to see your chiro. No heavy lifting now, or bending over for the dc's baths or anything!

:rolleyes: Spoken like a true MOM, huh? Just take care of yourself! :)

[AnnW]

Bless your heart!!! Have you gotten a diagnosis to go along with your treatment???? DO NOT DO ANYTHING TO HURT YOUR BACK FURTHER!!!!!!!!!!! your children are old enough to not need to be lifted...they won't scare for life if you are in your bed taking care of yourself for a little while!!!!!!!!!

[Diane]

I SO feel your pain... I've also had on and off back problems and I know that when your back is out of whack... your whole body/mind is too. I know it's real easy to say... "Take it easy", but... please DO take it as easy as you can... if not it will only get worse and you will be in pain a lot longer than you'll want to be. Rest and a few more trips to the chiropractor will probably do it for you... Good luck and I hope it starts feeling better real soon.

Diane... :wave:

[Brichard]

I've thrown my back out twice and it is terribly painful! I will tell you what has been successful for me in preventing a relapse. Do the following three things:

1. Stretch your back.
2. Stretch your back.
3. Stretch your back!

As part of my weight lifting routine I do three back stretches. My favorite stretch (taught by the chiropracter) is to lay flat on my back and just roll into a fetal postion to my side. I then go back to lying on my back and rolling to the other side. It really keeps me loose.

I also sick my left leg out while pulling my right leg to my chest, and I reverse the order. The third stretch I do is to pull both legs into my chest.

When I stretch my back... no problems. When I don't... it always catches up with me.

Do you have a leg length discrepancy? This can also contribute heavily to back issues.

How is your abdominal strength? Crunches may also be helpful if you are weak in that region.

Anway, I have no idea what your issues are but that is what works for me! Good Luck and take it easy on yourself! Lift with your legs and JUST SAY NO to stuff you can't do!

[Diane]

Thanks Brichard.. good advice! How often do you do these stretches? I'm going to have to try these and see if they help me too. :)

Diane... :wave:

[Brichard]

Originally posted by Diane P.
Thanks Brichard.. good advice! How often do you do these stretches? I'm going to have to try these and see if they help me too. :)

Diane... :wave:

I do them about 4 times a week, but I should do them daily. My Dad has degenetrative disc disease but has avoided surgery. I credit that to his discipline in doing exercises dailiy recommended by the doctor.

The stretches really don't take much time at all and feel great! A great warmup stretch is to just lie on the floor and reach with your arms while you stretch your feet. I do that one first b/c it is easy, loosens me up, and feels good!

[Diane]

Originally posted by Brichard


I do them about 4 times a week, but I should do them daily. My Dad has degenetrative disc disease but has avoided surgery. I credit that to his discipline in doing exercises dailiy recommended by the doctor.

The stretches really don't take much time at all and feel great! A great warmup stretch is to just lie on the floor and reach with your arms while you stretch your feet. I do that one first b/c it is easy, loosens me up, and feels good!

Hurray to your dad for having the gumption to doing them! My dad had a lot of hip/back problems and would constantly complain. His doctor had also given him some stretches/exercises to do that would have helped him... but he REFUSED to do any of them. (stubborn) I'm glad your dad is doing the stretches... hopefully he will continue on with them and completely avoid having to have the surgery... for good. :) Thanks again!

[KarlaB]

Thanks everyone!! I am still very sore, but can feel some relief. I can actually get in and out of a sitting position now without extreme pain, but still can't do any bending, lifting, etc. I had two treatments last week and I go in this afternoon. He said a vertebrae was out of whack and caused a great deal of inflammation. Not sure what this week will bring for treatments. Years ago I was told I had an extra vertebra...anyone heard of that? It has never caused me any troubles, so I guess I should ask him what he thinks. :)

Brichard - Thanks for the stretching exercises. I usually do them when my back feels tight or sore, but I guess I should just get into the habit of doing them on a regular basis. Right now I don't think I could do any without screaming though! :\

Thanks again everyone! I am taking it easy...I just never thought I would miss the ability to clean, pick up toys, etc!

[AnnW]

You shouldn't be doing ANY lifting or bending!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Also, everyone should really stretch everyday.

[Amy]

I pulled something in my back for the first time about a month ago. I know exactly the instant pain you are feeling!!! :\ I would yell out loud when I hit it wrong. It was almost funny because I would yelp during odd times. Like at Chuck E Cheese or at church. I took 800mg of Motrin every 12 hours and kept walking. Even if it hurt like heck, i kept going on with my day. I felt better in about 4 days. Hopefully, I will never experience that again!

[Cathy]

Ouch. Make sure that you don't overdo anything. Hope it settles back into place soon. I think it's cool that you were born with your own spare parts!

[Ryleigh]

Originally posted by KarlaB
Years ago I was told I had an extra vertebra...anyone heard of that? It has never caused me any troubles, so I guess I should ask him what he thinks. :)



I know someone who was told that they had an extra vertabra in their back but they were also missing one in their neck. It never really bothered them until they became pregnant with their second child.
I have back problems too, but the chiropractor can usually help that out. Hope you are feeling better soon.

[RCT]

Oh honey, I feel your pain...I have syatica, and man its a pain...I agree with everyone about NO LIFTING and lots of rest.....the stretching is good everyday, and seems to keep my pain at bay....another good stretch is to lay on your back and pull both your knees to your chest and hold for a count of 10......take it easy, and try not to do to much....how about a heating pad?

[Leigh]

Sorry to hear that you are not feeling well. Hope to hear that you are feeling better soon. Please try to take it easy. Let us know how you are doing!

[Diane]

Originally posted by RCT
Oh honey, I feel your pain...I have syatica, and man its a pain...I agree with everyone about NO LIFTING and lots of rest.....the stretching is good everyday, and seems to keep my pain at bay....another good stretch is to lay on your back and pull both your knees to your chest and hold for a count of 10......take it easy, and try not to do to much....how about a heating pad?

My dad's syatica always bothered him too, and I remember the pain he'd be in. Hardly able to walk at times. Too bad he was so stubborn about doing his stretches... if they helped you I'm sure it would have helped him too.

Diane... :wave:

[kat]

I too feel your pain. Been there. Two years ago on the first day of school one of my kids decided to bolt for the door after mom. By this time I knew she was already in the parking lot. I beat him to the door, bent down to grab him and as he began kicking, I turned and lifted him at the same time. Knew right then I'd made a mistake. After calling for the aide, I went to the phone, called my doctor, went to the superintendent's office to tell them I was filing workers comp, got in the car and drove to the clinic. I thought I'd never get back out of the car. I have never been in so much pain. I remember I couldn't go to the bathroom by myself and even little movements, like lifting the needle arm on a record player sent pain down my back.

Rest, take it easy and when you're better stretch. Also walking is great for keeping your back healthy.

[arianna]

MM! I so feel your pain. I agree with AnnW. Lay down and rest ! Heck my last really bad bought was more than 2 years ago. I still have flair ups. I am proactive in caring for my back now. ßß!

[KarlaB]

Thanks everyone. Each day seems to be a little better, but I am still very sore. Yesterday he said he will adjust me until no longer needed and that I may still have swelling and pain for a while even though I won't need to go back in to him. I do go in again Wed and we'll see what he says then. So far he still just has me icing it - no heat - and he told me to continue to wear the brace....I had been trying to wean myself, but I guess my back isn't ready for that. :(

I also had sciatica troubles when pregnant - I don't envy those of you who have that pain on a regular basis! :\

[darlene]

Get some rest Karla! Hope it feels better soon for you.

:)

[Cathy]

Dd1 said, "Back brace?? Mom that poor woman. Say something nice!" LOL She feels your pain. I hope it continues to improve.

[KarlaB]

Originally posted by Cathy
Dd1 said, "Back brace?? Mom that poor woman. Say something nice!" LOL She feels your pain. I hope it continues to improve.

Too cute!!! Thanks for the well wishes! Today is the best I have felt!! :yippee:

[Cathy]

Karla, Don't overdo the celebrating---I think dancing and jumping for joy may be a little too much...............But perhaps a dish of ice cream (or2?) would work. I'm so glad you are feeling better. Keep improving!!!!

:snickers: :snickers: :snickers:

[KarlaB]

Originally posted by Cathy
Karla, Don't overdo the celebrating---I think dancing and jumping for joy may be a little too much...............But perhaps a dish of ice cream (or2?) would work. I'm so glad you are feeling better. Keep improving!!!!

:snickers: :snickers: :snickers:

Okay, since you insist! LOL! I did make some yummy bars today :drool: that I haven't been able to stay away from !! :licklips: :D

[Diane]

I was just wondering how your back is doing Karla... I hope your doing MUCH better! :)

Diane... :wave:

[KarlaB]

Thanks Diane! I am feeling much better! :yippee: I can actually move again and don't have to go back for a treatment until next Friday - huge progress considering I had to go 5 times in an 8 day period! :) Thanks again!!

[Diane]

I'm glad to hear that. I thought of you this morning when I went to get out of bed and my back started giving me trouble... Ugh!!!!!!! Thank GOD it stopped and it feels much better now but I'm still going to watch how I bend/turn and how much I lift. No picking up kids tomorrow... that's for sure. :) Good luck with your appointment on Friday.

Diane... :)

[KarlaB]

Glad your back is feeling better, too! Be sure to take it easy!! :)

[Diane]

Thanks Karla... :) It's SO hard to do my job when my back goes out. My day care kids are SO used to me being very active with them. LOL Definitely not something I want/like to do when my back doesn't feel good. :)

Diane...

[Mickey]

Glad you're feeling better, Karla!

Ari, did you ever have the disc surgery?

[KarlaB]

Thanks Mickey!! So good to see you back here!! :)