Back Problems/Pain

[Frosted]

I need some info from you guys and would like to hear your experiences.

I've suffered from lower back muscle spasms on and off for a couple of decades. It's been no biggy as it only happened about once or twice a year and recovery was about 3 days after hitting the deck like a sack of potatoes. When my back goes, it goes big time. Problem is it's getting worse and more frequent - recently I'm in constant pain. I know my spine is curving slightly but noticably at the base which is obviously upsetting the muscles supporting it. Well anyway, I'm due to see a specialist within the next few weeks.

What painkillers do you use....and if anybody is suffering from super duper back pain I'd like to know too.

I'm taking Ibuprofen with codeine at the moment until I get seen. I've got diclofenac but only use that when I collapse as it doesn't really agree with me but is excellent at getting me back on my feet.

[lxskllr]

I don't use anything. If it hurts too much, I reduce my movement. I'm not interested in legal drugs, back surgery, or narcotics, so that leaves Tiger Balm and time.

[Roo]

My back hurts like a son of a bitch right now too! I also had about a decade of maybe 2 or 3 times per year to deal with, then the last couple years have been pain free. Yesterday I pulled a muscle doing absolutely nothing and my back hurts like hell. Unlike lxskllr I am very interested in narcotics, but I haven't got any, and its probably not worth going to the doc for since it should be resolved in a few days anyway. Not looking forward to 8 hours at a desk today. Sorry I don't have any good advice on meds. Oxycodone if you can get it! Good luck.

[truthwolf1]

If you keep your wallet in your back pocket it can throw off your sciatic nerve.

Krill oil has seriously helped with my joint and back pains. It takes about a week and seems to lube up everything. Highly recommended.
Magnessium citrate like Natural Calm is also a good supplement for aches and pains but not as good as the Krill.

Ibuporfin is absolutely great for pain and anxiety for me but I have had random stomach pain which is the drug eating away at tissue. NSAID'S in general are wishy washy meds and I have been meaning to switch to aspirin but they just work so much better for about everything.

[heders]

A controversial note is that nicotine and caffeine can increase/cause back pain because of the physical tension caused by stimulants. I had severe back pain a while ago, right before I quit snus one time, and when I did, it all dissapeared - I felt like a baby again physically. Again - a very controversial note, especially here on SnusOn.

[Frosted]

Yeah Roo...when my back went I was sitting down watching a movie.
As for not taking anything, it's not an option...the pain is debilitating and I have to go to work and look after two young kids. I'll watch out for the stomach pain as the ibuprofen with codeine is excellent.
And as for the wallet - it's not big enough

I suspect I've got scoliosis but obviously I'll leave that to the specialist to decide.

[whalen]

I had sciatica so bad I thought i would live my life as a cripple, was dragging a leg at one point. What worked for me was the immediate relief I found in an inversion table, Pain was gone once on the table, just a moderate tilt stretches the spine out, relieving the nerve pinch, then walking, lots of walking.. I have avoided any recurrence with years of exercise. I am two weeks of sawing and splitting firewood now and no back pains whatsoever, but that is after three years in the gym. God help you my friend, pills did nothing for me.

[Skell18]

You may have degernerative disc disease and your time in the army has accelerated its onset, you could have trapped a nerve or ruptured a disc doing something simple or have posture problems or just pulled a muscle, best way is to see the specialist and get it confirmed then you can take appropriate treatment. I take when my shoulder flares up diclofenac and dihydra codiene or co-codamol, works a charm. Alss my osteopath works wonders!

[Ansel]

I sympathise, i get the occasional twinge these days. I collapsed in the gym at school when i was younger with a slipped disc. Went to one session with a private osteopath costing £90 and he popped it back in place in about 30 seconds.

[devilock76]

I don't know you so this is not judgement. But a lot of back problems can be reduced by strengthening the muscles and dropping the weight they have to support. From my own personal experience I know that to be true. Since I really got serious on keeping my self in shape my back problems have all but disappeared. Had one minor issue but it was due to bad form on a dead lift. Funny thing is a few years ago that injury would have laid me up for 3x times as long as it took me to recover from my own bad mistake.

Ken

[Ansel]

I used Tiger Balm when i last had back ache about 6 months ago.

[Roo]

Extreme is no slouch, so in his case I really doubt it's a weight issue.

Mine, yeah maybe. I did run 3 miles in the early morning yesterday, then at night my back went for no apparent reason. But the fact that I ran in the morning and do so at least 3 times a week does not mean I'm not overweight, unfortunately. I'm trying though goddammit.

[devilock76]

Extreme is no slouch, so in his case I really doubt it's a weight issue.

Mine, yeah maybe. I did run 3 miles in the early morning yesterday, then at night my back went for no apparent reason. But the fact that I ran in the morning and do so at least 3 times a week does not mean I'm not overweight, unfortunately. I'm trying though goddammit.

Why I noted I don't know him. SO my advice may very well be moot.

Ken

[Reynard]

I used to get really disabling back pain on and off, to the point where I couldn't walk far, I'd need anti-inflammatories and strong painkillers, saw an osteopath for several sessions etc. I'd stretch, say golfing, then bang! it came on for a couple weeks.

I found qigong, no back problems at all now, I can stretch all I like :-)

Qigong exercises for back pain

Qigong and back pain - article

Seriously mate, try it. Qigong and back pain are a contradiction in terms :-)

[Frosted]

Thanks guys. Read all the posts and there's some interesting stuff there.

Exercise isn't the issue here and I understand that this would be the first point of concern. I do pull ups, chin ups, dips, push ups and back strengthening sit ups every two day without fail....up to now of course. Skell...I think you hit the nail on the head. I think heavy weight on my back for 12 years has finally caught up with me. If anything it's a period of rest I need.