soapdragon Posted November 14, 2015 Share Posted November 14, 2015 Just after a bit of advice here.......I have been having quite a bit of lower back pain recently. I do 10/15 mins on a stepper most days and am very active and get some discomfort from time to time but what really seems to bring it on is standing still which seems very odd to me!!! I have a pretty high pain threshold (gave birth to YS on 2 paracetamol ). I HATE taking tablets but, having been absolutely fine this morning with nary a twinge, I spent 10 mins standing still in the newsagents chatting ( ) and am now in so much pain that I have had to take two paracetamol/coedine and 2 Ibuprofen - which seem to be having little effect. Yes, I could go to the GP but, even though the pain is really bad (scale of 1 to 10 I'd say a 7) I would feel a fraud (everyone gets back pain from time to time, don't they, and I doubt there is anything she could actually DO anyway so I would be wasting her time!!!) Has anyone else had similar and, if so, any advice or Omlet pearls of wisdom? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmashazzie Posted November 14, 2015 Share Posted November 14, 2015 Most physios recommend you to keep moving,that's maybe why you get pain when not moving. I suffer from time to time usually when I have twisted suddenly and I also find paracetamol etc useless. The best was physio treatment which I went private for but it only took 4 sessions. She recommended some stretching exercises which you may be able to goggle,one was to stand at door frame and reach onto top and try and stretch out your back ( I think I am rubbish at describing that ) the general thought was not to rest. If it is an ongoing thing I would try yoga and or Pilates when this episode settles. I have found them great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted November 14, 2015 Share Posted November 14, 2015 I had lower back pain two years ago and tried to ignore it. Eventually, whilst lifting, a disk ruptured and left me unable to sleep and nearly immobile for three months. I now have perhaps 60% of the mobility back and am far more careful. The only way the impending problem would have been diagnosed is with an MRI scan, which is £200 private or too late NHS. I'd be very careful what exercise you do Soapdragon. In my case I should have rested from any lifting or twisting to give it time to settle and been rather more careful to retain a correct posture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted November 14, 2015 Share Posted November 14, 2015 That sounds exactly like my back pain. I would bypass the doctor, tbh, as I've been told that trying to get to an NHS physio isn't easy, a long waiting list and then they just give you advice rather than treatment (I may have been misinformed, happy to be contradicted!). I have seen a physio a few times but as things aren't too bad at the moment I go to a private chiropractor about once a month but as Grandmahazzie says it may only take a few treatments then you can manage it yourself with stretches. Get to a physio, you'll probably be amazed at how quickly they can fix things! Good luck, back pain is horrible . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted November 14, 2015 Share Posted November 14, 2015 it sounds like the same back problem I have which is in my case 2 or 3 stiff vertebrae/disks in my lower spine also have 1 or 2 at the base of my neck which only very rarely give me any trouble . you'll need to see your GP to get referred to the hospital physios .I had to attend a 'spinal rehab clinic for 6 sessions no help the about the same one on one physio again no help the as a 'last resort' the sent me to hydrotherapy that started to worked but after 3 sessions they decided that I didn't need to go anymore and I only needed to carry on doing the exercises that I'd been doing at the rehab clinic which I felt were doing more harm than good so I knocked them on the head after a month or two and to be honest my backed eased up a fair bit after I stopped for a fair while as daft as it sounds the best thing I find for it is a bit of digging down the allotment normally 20 -30 mins will do the trick I did have to resort to a tens machine for a while about 5 years ago after a job I was on set my back off again but I've not had to use it since this back complaint of mine was caused or triggered not by over doing a heavy lifting job but by standing working at a work bench for a week making a large wooden storage box for mom to store the Christmas candles in at church and it's that sort of work that gives me back problems now standing at the sink is the biggest cause as it gives my back just enough of a bend forward to aggravate the stiff area of my spine, standing around or just sitting in one place for a while are the next cause which living on my own isn't to much of a problem as I can just move from the chair to the sofa and back again when I need to which can be about 4 times an hour Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted November 14, 2015 Share Posted November 14, 2015 Both my mum and OH have the same thing. I'd agree with ANH - NHS are hopeless with this sort of thing - go straight to a decent chiropractor instead. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted November 14, 2015 Share Posted November 14, 2015 You might need x-rays even if you go elsewhere. For me I have L2/L3 issues since I was 26. I was told to rest up (and that is how you get hooked on Neighbours) but it took weeks before I could have one - just in case I was expecting (I knew I wasn't but they didn't take any notice). But I had to get the inflammation down because it clouds the x-ray results. The result is a narrowing of the disc and is so minute but feels enormous at times. Over the years it has come and gone and my doctor referred me to a chiropractor - went in stooping and came out upright on a few occasions. Now I know the warning signs and take a couple of ibuprofen if it's a little too sore and that usually does the trick. I blame my mum for the back weakness - she had a slipped disc! But we have different exercises to do - and this is why I feel you should get it checked out in case you are told something that will make it worse. But if you like swimming then it's really good for backs. They do say that the most success with back pain is exercise, those that are told bed rest do not recover quickly and are very likely to continue suffering. I do hope you are feeling better soon. It might be down to muscles. I was told put something cold on mine - mum has to put something warm on hers!!! Contrary or what!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted November 14, 2015 Share Posted November 14, 2015 OH had x Ray's done by his chiropractor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patsylabrador Posted November 15, 2015 Share Posted November 15, 2015 When you've done all the doctor/physio stuff and had it all checked etc I can suggest something to keep your back lovely and flexible. I've been using my exercise bike for about a year and the improvement in my torso is very good. I'm still waiting to get my size down to my satisfaction but along the way my core strength seems to have increased. All those muscles from my shoulders right down my legs get warmed up, worked and stretched without any strain. Truly, I can't believe the difference in my movement. I even ran for a tube train the other day and did a natty little side jump to beat the closing doors and I haven't done that for years! I love my exercise bike, it's really good therapy if I'm feeling rubbish mentally and eases the pain of cramps and everything really. They are expensive but I think it's a great investment and something every woman should have. Here's an idea, we should get exercise bikes free on the NHS - it would cut down visits to the Doc! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patsylabrador Posted November 15, 2015 Share Posted November 15, 2015 PS. Sorry for banging on about my exercise bike so much on this forum. I just want everyone to experience the benefits as I have. My bike is just a very basic one off of Amazon but it's good enough for the purpose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted November 15, 2015 Author Share Posted November 15, 2015 Wow, thanks for all the advice and shared experiences everyone I swam with the boys this morning then stupidly called at the garden centre on the way home to do some final Xmas shopping (20% off!) and, by the time I got home I was in agony....cue Ibuprofen! A chiropractor sounds like a good idea.....sadly tho OH was made redundant 6 weeks or so ago so, until he is back in gainful employment, any extra outlay is out of the question! However, I can start to ask around locally and see if anyone I know can recommend a good one. I am pretty sure this is muscular and feel able to keep on with the stepper (very sadly no room for a bike, PL, wonderful tho it sounds!!) I do keep very active and walk quite a bit and have been known to do a few stretches when its bad. However, if it doesn't improve over the next few weeks maybe the GP should be the next port of call - just feel such a fraud tho! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted November 15, 2015 Share Posted November 15, 2015 You're not a fraud at all . A bad back justifies medical help as much as any other ailment! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Webmuppet Posted November 15, 2015 Share Posted November 15, 2015 Our local NHS trust lets you self refer to the physio service for back pain , bypassing the need to see a GP . It might be worth checking to see if your NHS trust does the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted November 15, 2015 Author Share Posted November 15, 2015 Our local NHS trust lets you self refer to the physio service for back pain , bypassing the need to see a GP . It might be worth checking to see if your NHS trust does the same. How very enlightened of them Will try mine - thanks for the tip off! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 16, 2015 Share Posted November 16, 2015 I sympathise Soapy; I had a bad back after having a heavy baby. Went to a brilliant osteopath, and that combined with getting back to core strengthening exercises worked a treat. Your abdominals need to be strong to support your back. Hope you're better soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted November 17, 2015 Author Share Posted November 17, 2015 Thanks, DM! My back had always been fine until I lifted a bag of gravel about 17 years ago.....must have lifted awkwardly as I still recall the bolt of pain! Has never been the same since tho have periods, sometimes year or so, of it being fine then probs again. This is about the worst its been so will investigate chiro/osteo for when OH is working again and keep active with the stepper in the interim. I am, however, mindful of the adage 'once you have a back, you have a back' and don't think it will ever be 100% again......when you look at the human form/spine in detail we don't really seem to have evolved brilliantly to walk upright yet; only another few million years to go then back pain will be a thing of the past!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 17, 2015 Share Posted November 17, 2015 Do some ab exercises like plank to strengthen your core. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted November 17, 2015 Author Share Posted November 17, 2015 Does lying flat on my back with arms by my side slowly raising legs to vertical then back again count ? Certainly pulls on the stomach muscles! I can manage about 20 of those on a good day and it has OH in hysterics for some strange reason Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 17, 2015 Share Posted November 17, 2015 It does help, but as with all exercise, technique is crucial. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted November 18, 2015 Share Posted November 18, 2015 I agree with DM - all my back exercises given to me were all for the stomach - keeps it all in together rather than bursting out at the joins! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 18, 2015 Share Posted November 18, 2015 If done properly, they are like a good corset! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
