Back Pain

[swaforme]

I suffer from cronic lower back pain and have for some time now.

After seeing several Dr's and having 2 MRI's I have been deemed healthy by the health pro's.

Mostly the pain begin's after I've been asleep for 4 or so hours. Muscle spasms begin which wake me up. So basically I get no sleep.

Also I try to avoid longer legs as that seems to make it worse.

Overall when I'm up and moving around It's ok. Or at least livable. But going without the sleep is taking a toll.

So, anyone with a success story pertaining to back pain, tell the story now.

 

[350DRIVER]

I work out quite frequently and have experienced some lower back discomfort in recent times when on a heavy routine day doing squats, leg presses, etc.. I have found that a good massage therapist can usually solve most problems and minimize the discomfort level, I try and get a good massage every few weeks for atleast 1.5 hours. This solves most problems and I try and stretch on average of twenty minutes or so per day prior to and after a workout which has also helped some. Some vitamins and supplements can may also be beneficial to you, stop into a gnc and inquire.

I would avoid a Chiropractor, this may solve the short term problems but may in return cause future and more lasting and painful problems.

3 5 0

>a few Sky vodka/oj's a night also seem to ease the discomfort level

 

[skyking1976]

Despite Mr. 350's opinion, have you tried Chiropractors as well as standard M.D.'s? Is there any kind of neurological or chronic muscular condition that runs in your family that may not be easily detectable? And, have to tried sleeping with your back inclined?

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

If the pain doesn't set in until you've been in bed for four hours, perhaps your bed is the culprit. If not, you might try some good asian massage therapy. The full release would probably be most helpful in this case.

 

[swaforme]

All good questions.

I have been to one Chiropractor, two ostiopaths, two MD's, one spinal surgeon and one accupuncturist.

There has been no family history of this kind of problem.

 

[swaforme]

We have tried several bed's. Althouth I get to try plenty of others as well, 2 to 3 hotels a week.

I'm thinking about trying one of those Tempur pedic space foam bed's.

I tried to convince the wife that the Asian massage therapy would probably do the trick. No luck there.""

 

[350DRIVER]

On the subject of beds....> The newer foam design mattresses are very comfortable although somewhat expensive. I stayed in a hotel that had them and it was probably one of the better night sleeps that I have had in a long time. The surface conforms to the shape of your neck/back and relieves the excess pressure(s). I purchased the foam pillow a few weeks back and will probably get the bed sometime soon. You may want to look into this as well... I think it is called Dream Foam/Memory Foam.


3 5 0

 

[skyking1976]

I think that I would be inclined to agree with 350 and Hugh. Get a massage, tell the therapist exactly what your problem is. Also, take a look at your mattress. How old is it? More than 10 years old and you should be doing some shopping. Some people will claim that a harder mattress will help with back pain. Since you don't really know what is causing the pain in the first place, I would consider a mattress that is the opposite of what you have now. Hope this helps. Take care of yourself...

SK

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

I have a buddy who broke his back and had a bunch of ugly fusions done in there. Needless to say, he experiences his fair share of back pain. He bought one of those tempur-pedic beds and says it helps a lot. You might check it out.
Perhaps you could send your wife to Thailand for a crash-course in body massage. It might not help your back, but I'm sure it would take your mind off the subject now and then!

 

[apdsm]

I have had lower back problems off and on. The only relief I have ever received is from Chiropractors. If you've been to one that does not help...try someone else....Some are great, some are not.

I was suffering badly last year from lower back pain after having been ok for quite sometime. I found a great Chiro and now I'm ok again. If you want to go to Oklahoma City, I can recommend a guy there! He's helped my wife (who's a Physical Therapist and does not like Chiropractors!) and has helped a co-worker who had been going to someone else for a year. 6 mos going to this guy, and her back problems remarkabley better!

One thing he told me, (that one else has) when flying, instead of putting a pillow or back support behind your back, sit on it. Rather than pusing into your back, this will help tilt your pelvis a little while sitting, and thus, keep a more natural arch in your lower back. Guess what? I did not believe it but I tried it and it worked great! I had to experiment and move it forward just a little.

Anyway, I'd say, find a good Chiro, which may take some time!

 

[surplus1]

I couldn't help but notice (from your profile) that you once flew the EMB-120. I've known a lot of people whose back pain problems began after a tenure in that aircraft. It had a notoriously bad seat in the office. I don't know what you fly now, but I do know that the people that design cockpit seats, especially for the smaller transports, don't seem to understand how long pilots are stuck in those seats.

Even though your pain doesn't come on until later it may well be related to the seat design you fly or as others have pointed out, the bed you sleep on. Where you carry your wallet may be a factor too. If you have a thick one, try switching pockets and see what happens or take the junk out of it.

Do you use a wimp wagon or do you tough it out and carry your brain bag in one hand and suitcase in the other? My MD told me that the weight imbalance between the two can reak havoc with your spine. My wimp wagon has since become a religion and it did help me.

In my case they ultimately found a herniated disc with the MRI. It took several tries to find a modern enough MRI machine to identify the cause. According to my medic, some brands of those machines aren't very good. Ask about that.

It wound up grounding me for 1.5 years. I never had surgery, put I got lots of rest and ate enough pain pills to open a pharmacy. Hardest part of the pill routine was finding one that wasn't a narcotic. Eventually, it healed itself and I went back to flying. Since then I've been super careful at avoiding aggravation of the area.

I hope you find the answer soon and wish you the best. Back pain is no fun.

 

[Swass]

Lower back pain can also be caused by weak hamstrings, especially for those of us who sit alot. Sounds funny but try strengthening your hamstrings and your problem might go away, if not then at least your getting exercise.

As for the bed you might lok into the sleep numbers bed ny Select Comfort, they're supposed to be great along with the temurpedic bed.