Horribly bad back pain!! What can I do?!
Question: When I was 12 years old, I was told that I have a bulging disc in my lower back and that I would most likely have lots of back pain. Fast forward 12 yrs when I'm not 24 yrs old and they couldn't have been more right! I'm in constant pain every day from my back. It's gotten to the point now of where I have to use a heating pad 5+ hours everyday to get any relief. Of course that much heat on my back is causing discoloration of my skin so thats another pretty side effect of everything. My son is 17 months old so I really can't avoid bending and lifting him. Since I don't have health insurance right now, going to the dr is really out of the question. Is there anything else I can be doing to help my back pain? I'm not overweight and I don't have overly large breasts (which I heard can cause back pain). I've tried stretching my back in the morning but I'm usually in too much pain to do anything worthwhile. Does anyone have any ideas for me? Thanks!
Answers: When I was 12 years old, I was told that I have a bulging disc in my lower back and that I would most likely have lots of back pain. Fast forward 12 yrs when I'm not 24 yrs old and they couldn't have been more right! I'm in constant pain every day from my back. It's gotten to the point now of where I have to use a heating pad 5+ hours everyday to get any relief. Of course that much heat on my back is causing discoloration of my skin so thats another pretty side effect of everything. My son is 17 months old so I really can't avoid bending and lifting him. Since I don't have health insurance right now, going to the dr is really out of the question. Is there anything else I can be doing to help my back pain? I'm not overweight and I don't have overly large breasts (which I heard can cause back pain). I've tried stretching my back in the morning but I'm usually in too much pain to do anything worthwhile. Does anyone have any ideas for me? Thanks!
Hi
Actually there is a lot you can do. Firstly don't worry about the disc bulge - over 60% of adults have them and don't have back pain. Chances are it has nothing to do with the back pain you now have.
Back pain is the result of 4 main issues - tight muscles (stretching helps those), weak muscles (this is a poor nerve and blood supply causing poor structural strength - going to the gym doesn't fix this), spinal joint dysruption (yes you can get your own joints working better without seeing a Chiro, PT or whoever) and pelvic imbalance (one of the most commonly missed areas by practitioners).
Sounds complex but you can ease and correct these at home in only minutes each day. Seeing a therapist of any sort will help, but they are in business and want to make money - so they will help but it will cost.
I teach my patients to help them self so they can reduce the time, money and pain costs. Being able to remove back pain your self gives you tools to use now and for the future. All very simple.
But don't worry, the discs heal, joints recover and back pain disappears.
See the link below for some techniques you can try now to ease your back pain, and follow the link to where you can find the techniques you need to solve your problem. Also...
Feel free to email me for any advice, help or any questions you may have.
All the best
Dr Graeme Teague
Sign up for free professional back pain advice at The X-Pain Method (http://www.back-pain-advisor.com/help) and say goodbye to pain forever!
see a cioropracter and get a very long massage from a massage professional
Strengthening your abs and back muscles so they support your spine can really help. Stretching/yoga might help, too.
If you've tried all that, I've heard good things about acupuncture and back pain.
Good luck!