I've had this post sitting in my draft box for awhile but I didn't want to come across as whiney (well, whinier than I usually am). But for lack of something better to blog about, here goes...
So for the past few months, I've been experiencing some terrible back pain and I don't know what to do. Typically, its worse on days when I work out and on days when I spend a lot of time at the computer (Clark says I'm going to make my back pain worse by blogging about it). Sometimes its so bad I crawl into bed as soon as the boys are asleep and sit in front of the TV, like the other night when I watched the entire pre-red carpet show, red carpet show and then the actual Golden Globes awards show. Pathetic, right? I bought new gym shoes and that hasn't made a huge difference. I had an hour long massage and that helped... for about a day. Ibruprohen and heat pads help a little bit, but I need to do something more. I made an appointment with a chiropractor but I cancelled last minute because I felt kinda silly. So tell me, if you've had back problems- did seeing a chiropractor help? What was the problem and what did he/she do to solve it? Did they use their witch-doctor voodoo to heal you? Am I being ridiculous in thinking that a chiropractor won't help? Please, convince me otherwise or suggest something else for back problems because at this point, I'm willing to try anything.
13 comments:
I hurt my back at the gym once and it was the worst. I did the chiropractor at the gym and it helped. He hooked up a little shocking machine that sent tiny shocks into my back. It really helped for THAT day but I think I just had to wait it out. If you had one of those shock machines to hook up every day or maybe once a week, it might help. So sorry, back pain stinks!
A chiropractor can help in the very short term (hours. sometimes days). When I hurt my back after our move to Utah, I saw a physical therapist and learned something that actually made sense. Your backbone supplies the frame, but the actual back support is provided by muscles (which is why the electrical stuff works--by relaxing those muscles). If you want long-term back health, exercise those muscles on a regular basis. The response to back pain is often to avoid stressing that area, but that can lead to increased rather than decreased functionality. I've found that when I exercise my back semi-regularly, it magically doesn't hurt much. When I slack off, my back hurts more.
My mom is going to come by and tell you that she LOVES her chiropractor. And if she doesn't, let me tell you: she LOVES her chiropractor. Maybe you should try it out.
Two words: Wii Fit
I love my chiropractor, but she's also a sports therapist. I've been adjusted a couple of times, and it was definitely helpful, but even more so have been the myofacial massages -- deep, penetrating, muscle massages. My husband tried the shock thingy and it did nothing for him. He just waited it out, and his back pain eventually went away. But, for long term, I agree with Jacob, you need to get your core muscles in shape! Heh, add that to the New Year's resolutions, eh?
Rob was actually having MAJOR back issues recently and he finally got desperate and gave in to the "witch doctor" and he's MUCH better. He's alway sworn off chiropractors, but he found an awesome one here and it has made a world of difference.
I hope you get to feeling better!
Thanks for the all the comments everyone! I'm still torn... on the one hand, I just want to wait it out. But I've been doing that for months. I think I'll make and KEEP an appt. with a chiropractor. And as for wii fits, we've been trying to get one. Every place is SOLD OUT. We might just have to bite the bullet and order one online and pay the extra for shipping. That's one popular game, I tell ya.
I have a chiropractor that I really like and a physical therapist that worked wonders for Chandler's back pain. Find a doctor that you like and trust because back pain stinks!
Yoga. I started when I was 50, and all kinds of back and joint pains have subsided.
Being someone with permanant back damage, I support chiropractic care and physical therapy. Physical therapy is for stengthening and keeping healed but a chiropractor regulates and heals. Idealy, I'd see a chiropracter and then the physical therapist with in a day after the Chiropractor and then after a couple weeks just the physical therapist and then just continue the streches at home after that.
Sorry bout cutting in on your blog, my google alerts for Tueller pulled up your site, but I didn't see the key word . . .
Good luck with the back problems. You might look into yoga. Initially it will bring some relief from the pain, especially if its due to muscle tension. If its an alignment problem with the actual spine itself, just know that one of the premises behind yoga's healing abilities is that yogis maintain we're only as young as our spine. Yoga enables practioners to keep a young healthy flexible spine into their late senior years. Its a longer term approach but is sure to give you the back health and maintainence your hoping for.
I'd recommend attending at least a few "live" classes at a studio or gym with a teacher who has a few years of credentialed experience. Let them know before class begins you have back problems and if they're a good teacher, they'll assist you and modify poses for your needs so you don't sustain an injury. (that's the only problem with tapes, you risk getting one that jumps right into the routine without focusing on proper alignment (the core of yoga is in the alignment, not how far we can go! :) Tapes are fine after having the guidance of an instructor to help you feel what the pose should look and feel like for you, where you're at.
:) Hope that gives you some hope!
R. Tueller
One more thought :)
Jacob's comments are right on, strengthening the back is key. My doctor advised me that strengthening our stomach muscles also strengthens the back as the abs actually do a lot to keep the back in its proper position. Sit ups for back problems? Didn't make much sense to me, but I read up on it in my health literature and tried it and find it to be true! ( a little goes a long way so never fear.)
I've worked for a couple of different Chiro's, so I do believe that there is SOME benefit to it. However, I would be EXTRA cafeful in choosing one to go to. Some (the smart ones) will even have a Physical Therapist available at the same office. I agree with everyone else that PT will make the most difference (unless it is a shooting pain, then we're talking about nerves and there is more involved). Also, my sister is an awesome Yoga instructor, so if you ever want to drive 2 hours for an excellant yoga class, let me know, i'll hook you up:)
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