Quote:
Originally Posted by RWebb
you need to have high-resolution MRIs evaluated by a specialist before doing anything - the imaging center will likely say "lotsa Teslas - get your Teslas here!" or some such, but rely on your MD
paragraphs would help with the post, but I am not clear on whether the doctor is your PCP or a back specialist, such as a surgeon - if the former ask for a referral to a specialist
in general there are many reasons for back pain, and two are a disc that has slipped or just muscular "sprains" or "strains" etc. - some causes are much more serious than others, and the complaint of pain in the leg may be a clue
Background: - the human back is not a "well-designed" structure and natural selection does not necessarily function to make organisms happy campers
the back is also a very complex structure and modern life exacerbates problems in the "design" -- hence pain is very common
sitting in a chair working on a computer or on the couch watching a boring AFC smackdown are not good for your back - if you indulge in such behaviors, it is best to get up and move around every 20 minutes or so
lots of evidence supports frequent walking
typical workout regimes are not the best help for your back and power lifts are maybe the worst
you have different types of muscles in your body, and the way to strengthen the ones for your back are long, slow exercises - tai chi is good (unless it is the hand waving BS in Celebrex commercials), and so are some types of yoga
I saw pilates mentioned above, and it seems like a good idea but I don't know anything about it.
Beyond specific exercises, the best ways to avoid back pain are to avoid obesity, and especially to avoid middle-age and old age.
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Yep, waiting on the ok for the MRI still.
Aside from the chiro/accupuncture/pt, as of last week, I began seeing a Pain Mgmt Dr. He ordered me off the NSAID's, increased various vitamins I was already taking, and prescribed a muscle relaxer (Zanaflex). Pain was significantly worse thereafter, to the point where I literally could not walk. At least with the ibuprofen it was mangeable. So as of a few days ago, since I could not get that office on the phone due to their wacky hours, I decided to go off the muscle relaxer, and back to the ibuprofen....much better within 24 hours.
I've always had insurance, but simply never got sick, never got hurt, really had no reason for one. Now that I am getting a bit older, and a new insurance company for this year, I decided I need a PCP. I have a first appointment for tomorrow morning with one.
Though I have not touched weights in about 7 months now, when I did, I never got into any sort of powerlifting. I kept it to the bench, curls, cable rows, and the rest were focused around body weight stuff (push ups, pull ups, crunches)
You're absolutely right about moving around, problem is when it hurts, movement is all but impossible. Laying on my stomach, whether on the bed or floor, almost immediately takes that pain away....without any need for any medication. I can sleep all through the night, without taking any meds before bed, without an issue.
Will report back here with what the PCP has to say tomorrow. Thanks for the reply. I realize that while I've tried to deal with this through alternate channels for the past several moths, I am very much at step 1 of a process at this point.
Any insight on the procedure you had done, please share