Lower Back Pain

[Below Zero]

Yeah, I know, go the doctor. Anyway, never had any back pain, and never been to chiropractor. I've been having lower back pain for about three weeks now. There wasn't one incident that ignited this pain, but I guess it just started to hurt. It feels like it's getting worse.

So, if I go to the chiropractor, is he just going to tell me to buy a new mattress or a new office chair. I guess I'm trying to figure out what they can exactly do for me? Any experiences others can share?

Thanks.

[Pinner]

I've been to chiropractors on and off for years. Some are good, some ain't. Sometimes your body needs mechanical realigment sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don't. I'd reccomend a very good massage first. See if that, along with daily stretching, helps.

Honestly, three weeks isn't that long. I suffered daily back pain for almost three years. It'll make you insane.

[Below Zero]

Pinner - do you have a recommendation for a good chiropractor in Denver?

[Buzzworthy]

Honestly, three weeks isn't that long. I suffered daily back pain for almost three years. It'll make you insane.

Try eight years. Yep, I am insane.

Man, I could write a book here.

See a chiro and get adjusted. Massage first.

I have a degenerating disc in my lower back. It is not fun. Got your good times and your bad and sometimes nothing can set off the pain.

Stretching regularly helps tremendously, when you are not hurting. You don't want to strain more what is already strained.

Ice the lower back too, avoid sitting for long peroids (get up and walk around, stretch, ...........).

See a "regular" doc too, just to get another opinion.

Try to keep the back good, the more you injure it or have "episodes", the worse they tend to get.

My chiro was the team trainer back in the day for the Rams. I do like sports oriented docs, especially a chiro.

Good luck, back pain is not fun.

[Pinner]

seemail foo

[lemon boy]

How old is your bed? >5yrs get a new one (firm) [85% of my back problems have vanished since getting a new one]
Good posture is very important especially at work.
When was the last time you did a crunch or a situp? A good ab routine will keep the muscles supporting your back in the shape they need to be in.
If you sleep on your side putting a pillow between your knees can help (takes pressure off pelvis).
Do you know how to lift heavy objects (safely)?

I go to the chiro ~5/6 times per year, he's a family friend and it works for me okay (hey, there are no miracles) but he is also into some CRAZYFREAKY non-traditional chiro voodoo (okay it isn't that bad but it is a little wierd), read: no traditional adjustments only breathing and light finger pressure. My dad who's back is really jacked swears by it. PM me if you'd like his name but again, it is not traditional.

[Buzzworthy]

How old is your bed? >5yrs get a new one (firm) [85% of my back problems have vanished since getting a new one]
Good posture is very important especially at work.
When was the last time you did a crunch or a situp? A good ab routine will keep the muscles supporting your back in the shape they need to be in.
If you sleep on your side putting a pillow between your knees can help (takes pressure off pelvis).
Do you know how to lift heavy objects (safely)?

Yep^^^^^^^

The pillow between the legs really helps on high pain days.

New bed on its way. One thing that helps on an older bed is at least put a thin sheet of plywood under to frim up the bed a bit. It is helping for a short term fix.

[irul&ublo]

What kind of pain are you experiencing? Is it only lower back, or does it radiate into the butt or legs? If the later, you should get a referral to an orthopedic surgeon or neurologist to check you out, because it could be a sign of nerve impingment.

Don't let a chiropractor go cranking on you unless he/she takes an x-ray.

[Below Zero]

The pain is only in my lower back and really only hurts when I bend over slightly or put pressure on a leg in a certain way.

It may be time for a new mattress. I've had mine about 5 1/2 years.

Situps, crunches - haven't done them in a long time. Time to get in shape.

[splat]

Core strength will definitely improve the back situation, bz. It's probably a lumbar vertebrae that has moved out of alignment. If you have insurance, see if you can get a doctor to recommend or refer you to an orthobionomist, they can do miracles - orthopedics are for people looking to get cut. I sent AKA to one last year when he could barely walk and he's been as good as new since.

You can find an orthobionomist here:http://www.ortho-bionomy.org/colorado.htm

[Pinner]

The pain is only in my lower back and really only hurts when I bend over slightly or put pressure on a leg in a certain way.

How low on the lower back? Is "lower back" a euphemism? Cuz it's starting to sound more and more like you should stop taking it up the pooper.

[Teletori]

I go to the chiro ~5/6 times per year, he's a family friend and it works for me okay (hey, there are no miracles) but he is also into some CRAZYFREAKY non-traditional chiro voodoo (okay it isn't that bad but it is a little wierd), read: no traditional adjustments only breathing and light finger pressure. My dad who's back is really jacked swears by it. PM me if you'd like his name but again, it is not traditional.

Kinesiology?

On our work there are several that has troubles with backs etc.
We had a kinesiolog come and check us out. Everyone got better. I had a lot of problem with one of my shoulders for years, and after only one session I got my mobility back and almost no pain left.

(only drawback was the added mobility messed up my golfswing...)

[Toby]

I'm a firm believer in prevention. So I'll 3rd the recommendations for core strength. My core strength is the best it's ever been in the last few years, solely due to deadlift and squats. If you choose to lift weights, there are a bunch of exercises that'll strengthen your middle. Other things that help are balancing exercises, like one of those skateboard-without-wheels-on-a-pipe things, swiss balls, etc. I also do a type of martial art specifically for back rehabilitation.

[L7]

Core strength is definitely the answer for the future and prevention but for the short term lots of stretching. Stretch the hams, the quads, the hip flexors IT band and the hips and glutes. A GOOD chiro can also help and a good one should also talk to you about the need for stretching and core conditioning. In fact a good one should talk to you about the specific weaknesses you need to work on in each of those departments. If you do a stretch and feel immediate relief then that's a good indication of what to work on. It may also be telling you you need to strengthen the muscles in that area. Often the muscles are spasming because they are forced to work too hard to resist far stronger antagonistic muscles. It's all about core strength + muscle balance + flexibility = core conditioning as the total package.

[Z]

huck bigger. It will help to keep you aligned on impact.