My Back is Killing Me! - The Hull Truth

Fcal · 01-25-2006, 08:16 PM

Any of you guys ever experience sciatica? I woke up about 3 weeks ago with this pain and it still hasn't gone. Next step is the chiropractor. I gotta get this thing licked before Striper season comes back.

Garett · 01-25-2006, 08:27 PM

I was days away from going under the knife for a [red]SEVERE[/RED] sciatica problems, then I had A.R.T. performed. Nine treatments every second day and about 5 yrs later, I couldn't feel better.....never have I looked back.

With what I know today, I'd drive 500 miles for A.R.T. treatment.

bellsisland · 01-25-2006, 08:38 PM

What is A.R.T?

broncobirdy · 01-25-2006, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Fcal - 1/25/2006 8:16 PM

Any of you guys ever experience sciatica? I woke up about 3 weeks ago with this pain and it still hasn't gone. Next step is the chiropractor. I gotta get this thing licked before Striper season comes back.

I was diagnosed with it some 18 months ago. Turns out it was a protruding disc. The ironic part was if I had slowed down and taken off work with rest I probably could have avioded surgery. I ve had the symptoms and it sucks. I have read good things about ART. Goodluck.
ART is some type of Resisitance Therapy. Chiropractor can perform it if I'm not mistaken.

ant1 · 01-25-2006, 10:37 PM

I hurt my back about 3 1/2 months ago,and it sucks.I went to a chiro a little,but he was nuts,so I did'nt stick with it.I have'nt done am MRI yet,but should! I sort of rehabilitated myself with inversion therapy.This is where you hang upside down by your ankles.They are called inversion tables,the one I have is an old one,my father used to use,and you put these clamp boots on that have a hook facing up,then you satnd on this thing hook in the boots,lay back,and feel your spine stretch out.The relief is almost instant,and I have read,that with consistentuse,they will help sciatica greatly. I am going for a hang right now,be right back.

pirate36 · 01-25-2006, 10:43 PM

Fcal,

I have had a herniated disc for years(on/off). Even had surgery years ago. Unfortunately, if you a prone to having this condition, unless you initiate a program to prevent this, even excellent treatment is only temporary. I put myself in the category of tried them all. Physical therapy, chiropractors, epidural injections, you name it, I've done it. That being said, I strongly recommend the preventive program that is espoused on the website www.losethebackpain.com. The price advertised for the program is $97. If you call, you can get it for $77. I admit that I was a skeptic at first, but after doing the program for 6 weeks, I noticed a huge improvement. Might want to give it a look.

ESVAAngler · 01-25-2006, 10:50 PM

WOW where do I start?[Turns out it was a protruding disc.] Same story here. I though it was sciatica but it was a disc. The pain management I am currently practicing is called the "Mckinze method"One aspect of it involves lying on your stomach,relaxing and then with your hands slightly spread at head level palms down do a push up holding your hips down on the floor/bed.Relax and let your stomach sink down to help compress the disc dack into place.Repeat 10 times(I do 4 sets each morning and several during the day). I also roll up a towel and lay it under my back right at that disc. The firmness and size of the roll is left to personal preference. Get a specialists advice first before trying anything that could do further damage.One thing is sure....once you've injured your back you will always need to watch out for it.As for surgery,it's not an option i want to explore unless there is no other alternative.

noles94 · 01-25-2006, 11:16 PM

do whatever you can to avoid surgery... my wife's 33, and she's had 2 surgeries, the second one a fusion. it's better, but she still has some pain and has developed restless leg syndrome since the surgery...

Fcal · 01-26-2006, 12:45 AM

Already had surgery on C5/C6 about 6 years ago after getting hurt at a fire. Funny thing is the surgery gave me my right arm back but also gave me neck pain. After that experience, I'll try to avoid surgery at all costs. This thing really sucks. I don't know where it came from. I can't recall doing anything to injure it.

nanjemoycat · 01-26-2006, 01:26 AM

I fought the ruptured disc for over 12 yrs, selpt on the floor for 10yrs because a bed would darn near kill me. Granted the episodes weren't constant but they could come on by some of the simplest things like putting on socks and sneezing. It would take about two hrs to loosen up enough to tie my boots in the morning and then I'd be fine the rest of the day. I tried the chiropractor route, they'd make me feel good for 20 minutes and then right back to the pain. Dr. chiro went on vacation and a assoicate saw me, he put me in some serious pain and I never went back. I put off the surgery until my legs wouldn't work no more and went to the hospital in the meat wagon. Being paralyzed was some scary stuff. I was operated on in 97 and really haven't had any major problems since. I sure hope I didn't just curse myself saying this.

LI Sound Grunt · 01-26-2006, 10:35 AM

Can you get this just down on leg (basically the back of)?? - I am on the verge of seeking treatment but am hoping this is related to a muscle/skeletal injury from a cheap elliptical machine I was using. I had a sciatic nerve thing a few years back and stretching and taking my wallet out of the back pocket got rid of it. But this time its going from my ass(hip) to the Achilles tendon - I don't envy you guys. Literally, I feel your pain.

Fcal · 01-26-2006, 10:41 AM

Grunt, that's exactly the same pain I have. My left leg feels like someone is sticking a knife in it and the pain runs down the entire leg. It feels better when I sit. I tried the exercise that EVAangler mentioned and I finally got a good night sleep, then I got in my car this morning, something popped and the pain came back. I guess I'm gonna have to sit while I fish.
I'm going to the AC boat show next week. Guess I'm gonna have to pop some pain killers so I can walk the show.

neckbone · 01-26-2006, 10:56 AM

I have a minor case of sciatica. I'm only 30 years old. I always just figured it was nothing until my mother was talking about hers and it ended up I had the same symptoms, just not as severe. She had been going to her doctor for over a year. She refused to have surgery for it. It wasn't completely hindering her life yet. Then, one of her church members suggested a chinese doctor that is local. She went to her, and she suggested accupuncture. After 5 sessions, her sciatica was 90% better and now it is completely gone. She is back walking 6 miles a day now.

If mine get's much worse, I'll probably try accupuncture as well. The way I figure, accupuncture has been around thousands of years. There has to be something to it. It's a heck of a lot cheaper and less painful than surgery, or the sciatica.

Try the accupuncture. The only thing you have to lose is a little time.

byram · 01-26-2006, 11:12 AM

Quote:

noles94 - 1/25/2006 10:16 PM

do whatever you can to avoid surgery... my wife's 33, and she's had 2 surgeries, the second one a fusion. it's better, but she still has some pain and has developed restless leg syndrome since the surgery...

I'm 40 and have had 2 back surgeries as well . Second one being a fusion. That was 3 years ago. I believe the "doctor" makes the difference .My neurosurgeon is top drawer..

What is restless leg syndrome ??

ESVAAngler · 01-26-2006, 02:14 PM

Fcal,glad to hear that some of what I suggested helped,even if only for a night. Those exercises are to be done as often during the day as you can. You can even take a towel and use it while you sit to support your lumbar region. I do and find that I can "push" against it to help pop the disc back into place. Yes it hurts to do this but the end result is worth the momentary pain. Beats gimping around with pain shooting up and down your legs and rear all day.Good luck I too"feel your pain". One of the rewards of a too active and misspent youth I guess.

ESVAAngler · 01-26-2006, 02:21 PM

You guys with pain should do a google search on the "McKenzie Method" of pain relief.Robin McKinzie has a book called "Treat your own back". It's a definite "must" read for folks like us. I am not saying forget the MDs but it may give you some relief.

Bailey Boat · 01-26-2006, 03:49 PM

I have occasional spats with that stuff, hurts like heck. Regular exercise will help alleviate reoccurrences but once its here, grit ya teeth and prepare to go to your knees.....

farmerjane · 01-27-2006, 08:03 AM

Man ~ You guys sound OLD!!! HA!

I feel for ANYONE dealing with back pain. It's just NOT a fun thing - whether it's a pulled muscle or a slipped disk.

And if I may...just offer a few "motherly" type suggestions ~

1. Take the wallet out of your back pocket when sitting/driving. BAD THINGS!! Throws your spine out of alignment AND puts pressure on the sciatic nerve. YEEEOUCH!

2. And...don't take offense... Lose weight! The extra poundage you carry (IF you have it) causes undue stress on not only your back muscles but your heart, your knees, etc...

3. Always focus on trying to tighten up those stomach muscles whether sitting, standing or walking. This strenthens the back as well. Also, when walking - DON'T SLOUCH!!! Keep your your chin level with the floor and pull your chest up and your shoulders back. Be proud! You're a MAN!

4. Wear the proper shoes for the given task.

5. Take care of your body and your body will take care of you ~

Let's all get and STAY healthy!!!! There's a lot o' fishin' to be done!!!!

sr31aj · 01-27-2006, 12:53 PM

I've had my share of back troubles, went under the knife 7 or 8 years ago, pretty happy with the results even though I still have trouble with it now and then. As seen by the number of responses already, there's plenty of options worth trying. One thing I wanted to share is that I've been told back pain (and associated leg pains and cramps) will usually respond to something eventually, but numbness is a danger signal of nerve damage that requires medical attention - there's real risk of irreversible damage when numbness is the symptom. How's that for the ultimate good news/bad news? almost as if pain is good, call the doctor if it goes away!

DarthBaiter · 01-27-2006, 03:40 PM

Fcal, does the pain start from your back(lower spine) and shoot right down a leg to a toe, when you move?

I had a pain like that for months in 2000. I lived onvicodine andhad chiro and acupuncturetreatments that helped with pain, but did nothing for the problem.

I ended up going to see a pain specialist who took cat scans and found that I had two swollen disks where I had a old ski injury. A week later he gave a shot of demerol and a steroid right into my disc. I felt the needle go in and bam, the pain was gone. I got up ten minutes later and felt no pain at all.I got two more treatments and feel great till this day.

I would recomend you get a good doc and get some MRIs.