Low Back Pain....

[Accumulator]

Originally Posted by suki22

...You eventually need to not only srengthen your back but you want to strengthen your stomach mucsles ..that is the core of your body...stomach and back.

Stretching is key....its like doing therapy...be careful and start slow. I stretch every morning and every night before I go to bed. I work out alot to keep my weight under control.

Unfortunetly, if you have back problems stretching and excercise becomes a way of life.

I feel for you....nothing more aggrevating then having back problems....good luck.

Yep, what he said

I was hospitalized for a while over this exact issue (on a muscle relaxant/pain killer drip no less!) so I know how serious it can be. And my wife's back problems were so severe she ended up having spinal fusion surgery (different issue, but still...).

We've had zero problems for many years, but we don't miss workouts and we use impeccable form, especially on movements like deadlifts.

[useth4z]

Pain going down leg = nerve irritation.

Muscle spasms in back usually due to increased stress on the muscle from activity or posture. When they strike, do whatever makes you feel better to get over the spasm hump, NSAID's, heat, ice, etc.

Stretching isn't a huge part of treatment. You've got the range to do what you need to, right?

Strengthening, important to support your trunk. Do exercises that don't hurt. Strengthen legs as well so you can use your hips/knees to lift something other than your back muscles.

Traction. Do intermittently before symptoms start. Push down on hands while sitting to relieve pressure on spine (similar to pushing down on armrests when your butt is sore from sitting); do it for 30 sec every 1/2 hour.

Finally, body mechanics. You can have really strong core and legs, but if you move like crap with lifting, your back will hurt or be injured.

No easy answers, 80% of people have had back problems at least once in their lives, so you'll get many opinions. Make sure it makes sense before you try anything.

[Tripperfx3]

I'm 23 and I've almost always had back problems due to a ditch in my chest. Nothing severe, but still rather painful and was just told to take a low dose asprin to help. I've been doing Capoeira for the last few months and the back stretches along with the ab excerises that are required for the class have really helped my back majorly. No pain for the few months I've been doing it.

I also got a tempurpedic bed a while back and that seemed to help for a bit.

[Spilchy]

I work for an Orthopedic surgeon.

Basically, I would cut straight to the chase and get an MRI done of the low back to get an immediate diagnosis. I would almost guarantee, based on your symptoms, that you have bulging disc(s). The tingling down your leg is from pressing on the nerve. There is no cure for that.

I would not take Advil. I feel Alleve works much better for an OTC anti-inflammatory. I would take 2 at a time, twice a day for 10 days. That equals a prescription dose. You can't just take it once and think it'll go away. The idea is to treat it for 10 days even if you feel better. Further, a muscle relaxant works wonders when mixed with an anti-inflammatory. I feel the prescription Soma works best at night (although constipating!). I have 3 bulging discs and this is my regimen.

Stretching is huge and something that would have to be performed daily. It is imperative. If you go for physical therapy, you would be taught the correct stretches to perform for your particular issue. Do not take anybody's stretching or machine advice until you have been diagnosed by an Orthopedist. You can do further damage from improper stretches. Also, building up your stomach muscles is very important. A strong stomach wall will alleviate the pressure that is placed on your low back. Stay slender. Don't carry excess weight.

Hot showers with the water stream on the low back for an extended period of time works well. It helps to loosen up the area.

Careful with bending over or lifting heavy objects. Think it out before you do this. Also, when you sneeze, don't hold it in. Don't strain when you take a dump. Honestly, these things all relate to the low back. You'd be surprised of the stories I hear.

tdekany mentions Dr. Sarno. That may be good and all, but when an MRI clearly shows abnormalities in the low back, his book goes out the window. Stress can play a major role in aches in pains. Often times stress manifests itself this way.

The idea is to learn how to live with it. You can do it easily, but will have to be proactive. First, try to go for an MRI to find out what the issue is. Second, try to go for physical therapy. Third, learn the proper stretches and do them even if you feel great. Fourth, think before you lift or do anything that will exert strain on your low back. Make adjustments to prevent this, get help or don't do it. I washed my car today. Instead of staying crunched over washing tires and wheels, I sat indian style on a little knee cushion.

Lastly, don't get depressed! The pain and discomfort will subside. It may take time. I have watched patients go into a depression over this. It can make the symptoms worse (Dr. Sarno's book).

Good luck

[driving impress]

Search your area for a gym that offers a Gyrotonic machine. I actually purchased the home version. https://www.gyrotonic.com/Equipment.asp. I had lower back and severe hip pain for years. This is truly the only thing that has helped. Good luck!

[tdekany]

Originally Posted by Spilchy

tdekany mentions Dr. Sarno. That may be good and all, but when an MRI clearly shows abnormalities in the low back, his book goes out the window.

His book does not go out the window. Otherwise the below study wouldn't support his work.

New England Journal Of Medicine (Jensen, M.C., et al.)

In 1994 98 people received an MRI of the lumbar spine WHO had no back pain

36% had normal discs

64% had:

1 - bulging discs at one or more levels

2 - disc protrusion

3 - disc extrusion

I will say this once more.

Remember the possibility that the cause of pain may be emotional.

[Jliao]

I've had lower back pain for almost a year since I started working due to sitting for pro long period of times. I've visited chiropractor, orthoepedic, and physical therapy. These are what I've concluded to ease up the pain and avoid as much medication as possible.

1. Yoga -- Varies of yoga out there, heated yoga is the best IMO since it relaxes your muscle while working. This activity basically help you stretch your muscle and build minor core strength. You'll find out how un-flexible you are just as I did and you'll discover muscle you never think you had.
2. Chiropractor -- Although some may disagree with chiropractor, but apparently they do work for me. They will make adjusttment to your spine that are mis-aligned which will essentially relieve them from pressing on the nerves that are causing the pain.
3. Physical Therapy -- They will massage your muscle to help you relax and teach you what you need to know to build your hip muscle and score strength. Also, they will also do muscle stimulation that will send small electric (safe) to stimulate your muscle that don't get use as much and are pressing on your nerves.

Lastly, while you're at home watching TV take 10 or 20 mins and do some daily exercise to build your core strength and hip muscle. Three most effective stretches I've found are.

1. Hampstring stretch -- lay on your back with one leg up, get a belt to position on your toes and pull them. Youtube some video on hampstring stretch.
2. Bridge -- This will build your core muscle and you'll be able to hold your body much better. Start with 30 seconds 3x and move up to 1 minutes if you can.
3. Hip extension -- YouTube - Lower Back Stretches & Exercises : How to do Hip Extension Lower Back Exercises
But when extending your leg out, bring out your opposite arm straight out as well.
4. Exercise ball will also help.

If you never been to a physical therapy, I highly suggest you take a visit couple of times and you'll learn some exercise you can do at home yourself to ease the pain. I try not to take medication if I can simply they're just not good for your body and only temp fix your problem.

Good luck.

[useth4z]

Originally Posted by tdekany

His book does not go out the window. Otherwise the below study wouldn't support his work.

New England Journal Of Medicine (Jensen, M.C., et al.)

In 1994 98 people received an MRI of the lumbar spine WHO had no back pain

36% had normal discs

64% had:

1 - bulging discs at one or more levels

2 - disc protrusion

3 - disc extrusion

I will say this once more.

Remember the possibility that the cause of pain may be emotional.

+1 for all above except for emotional pain. If you've got emotional pain, it' probably not limited to just your back.

[tdekany]

Originally Posted by useth4z

+1 for all above except for emotional pain. If you've got emotional pain, it' probably not limited to just your back.

It isn't just your back. Everything from skin disorders to allergies etc...

[hondaguy2582]

Look into using kettlebell swings(you can use dumbbell or kettlebell), core bridges, cat camel stretch, bridging, lunges and front squats. A combination of these exercises work real well for increasing leg and hip strength while minimizing back load.

In addition, pick up a book called Core Performance by Mark Versteegan. This will help your tremendously as far as recovery, mobility, flexibility, and functional strength.

[razr007]

it sucks but it is part of life my friend get use to it as it only gets better with age lol

[wytstang]

Use an MRI as a very last resort. MRI's are going to show abnormalities no matter what. EVERYONE has abnormalities and an MRI will show them. Now here's the problem (as explained to my by my doctor), if you hurt yourself at work and the injury happens to be at an abnormality Workman's Comp will find it and not pay a dime. It will be deemed an existing injury, and you will be left with a bill and no pay. A Physical Therapist can work wonders and narrow down what the problem may be.
Oh yeah back pain I have arthritis in my lower back I know sudden back pain (and I'm only 29).