Working with a bad back

Ken C.

I strained my lower back about three years ago while helping demo an old, gravity furnace with cast iron sections. I took a week off work, but came back from it OK. About a year ago, I re-aggravated my back lifting heavy in the gym. With the help of a chiropractor, the back pain got better, but then I developed a stabbing pain in my left buttock that radiated down my left leg. I've lived with it for the past 10 months. Since I just got health insurance recently, I finally saw an orthopedic doctor, who ordered an MRI and confirmed that I have a herniated disk that is pressing on a spinal nerve, causing the sciatica. He recommended physical therapy and epidural injections. I said no way to surgery, since I am still 95 percent functional and have been living with this condition for almost a year. I'm sure I'm not the only one on the Wall with a herniated disk. For anyone else in the trade with this condition, how did you deal with it? Did it affect what you could do at work? How did you treat it medically, and with what success? I'm in my mid-30s, and would like to keep working in the field another 25 or 30 years.

lchmb

back pain

Although I do not have a herniated disk I do have lower back pain's now and then. Aggravated my back redoing a roof, go figure. Anyway, I have found that being very smart in everything I do helps. I wear a lower back support whenever I lift. I replace my boot's every 4 months to make sure they are not warn to the side and if it's to heavy, I get lot's of help. As to surgery, how long would you be out of work? What type of recovery are they talking? Are you better to do it now instead of when your 60 and can't move and can't heal as fast? If it was reported when the original injury occured or on a job with the new company I believe they would cover it? so why not get it taken care of? I would rather get it fixed now then later. My opinion..:)

Unknown

I'm in my mid 30s also

Been humping up old cast iron sections since I was 17 , and my back is pretty much shot . Haven't been to the doc yet , but that will be an eventuality in this line of work . For the bad days I use Aspercreme , but man does that crap smell . Aspirin pills don't help at all . I've stopped carrying sections up by hand unless it's absolutely necessary , and never try to load or unload a boiler myself anymore . As a guess I would say my back is about 75 percent functional , but I don't want it to get any worse . I have a treadmill and can only run about a mile before the back starts kicking . JCA and a few others who post here have had back surgery . Hopefully they will share their experience .

Wayco Wayne_2

Back Pain

I go to the chiropractor periodically whether I need to or not. Surgery scares me too. I once beat sciatica back by doing Yoga for a couple years. Amazing what a little regular stretching can do. Sometimes you just need to bite the bullet and get fixxed. I went 2 years waiting for a shoulder to heal and finally got the surgery. Now 1.5 years later I'm glad I did. Good Luck whatever happens. WW

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"

EJW

Chiropractors

Chiropractors = Witch doctors, IMHO

[Deleted User]

2 back surgeries later

Had two back surgeries in one year. Surgeon finally admitted that 1/3 of his patients get better, 1/3 stay the same, and 1/3 get worse. Chiropractic works, but not all chiropractors are the same, if one doesn't work, try another, and then another, and then one more. Acupuncture can help. Ibuprofen, especially at night before bed will really help. Sometimes it is ice every 10 minutes every hour, or sometimes heat makes it feel better. A hot tub can do wonders. Epidural shots help lots of people. I think you can have up to 3 in a year. Stretching will help. Muscle massage at a massage therapist. Everybody is different. Sciatic nerve can take 6 months to a year to calm down. Do lots of research, internet and friends. Take time to study yourself, keep a log book to track changes. It has been 3 years since surgery, it took 1-1/2 years to heal up, but I still go to chiropractor about every 2 weeks.

Dave Stroman

Buy an Esclaira and check out America's Back. They are in Walmart stores.

Dave in Denver

Rocky

The best thing for a bad back...

is a strong stomach. Do LOTS and LOTS of sit-ups, crunches etc. about 70% of your ability to stand, lift and remain straight comes from your stomach muscles. Blew my back out two years ago. spent 9 days in the hospital (no surgery), then 6 weeks flat on my back at home. Started doing sit-ups and crunches. Back has never been better. Also, I now hire a local moving company to remove old boilers from basements, and to drop down the new ones. This protects me AND MY CREW from future back problems, any damage to owners home. I just add about $200 to bid for this. THey have the manpower and the equipment. Let them do it.
Hope you get better,
Regards,
Rocky

clammy

bad backs

I,ve bad a bad back for about 7 to 10 years the only thing that makes them better is streaching and excrise .Swimming is one of the best i jioned a ymca years ago and did yoga and shistu streaches that i learned from my sensi .Watch out for excerises that are very repeative like bike riding they tend to shorten your muscles instead of enlonging them like swimming ,good shoes are very important and most of all you are no less of a man if you wait for help to carry heavy objects it's kmow as using your head ,leg ,torso and stomach exceares are the the true way to a better back if not look for a book by the mckensey back book it really helped peace and good luck

Mad Dog

Before you go under the knife

Get in the pool. Swimming and hydrotherapy can work wonders where nothing else works. In the water, there is very little stress on bones and joints. Muscles, ligaments and tendons are stimulated and healed without the wear and tear of say weight training, biking, or running. I have known many people who were nearly crippled with arthritis and other work related injuries that were able to regain health through regular swimming regimens. Last, YOU HAVE TO CUT OUT THE HEAVY LIFTING BEFORE YOU DO WORSE DAMAGE. Get help or let someone else do it. Mad dOg

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"

Jeff Lawrence_24

My Wife

My beautiful wife did the exact same thing a few years ago when she slipped climbing some rocks(she twisted her back as she fell). For over a year, the doctors couldn't 'find' anything. Finmally we got into one doctors face and suggested he find out what the problem was, because the Physical Therapy wasn't doing any good. She had an MRI taken.

They found a herniated disk that was pressing against her spinal column, causing her leg pains and more. She wanted to delay the surgery until June because the children would be out of school to help her, but when the pain started going down the other leg, the doctor said do it now or risk permanent damage.

She had the surgery on the L5 disk, which is located right at the belt line.

She can't do some of the stuff we enjoyed, like whitewater rafting, horseback riding, or backpacking anymore. We can (and do) still enjoy camping, boating, hiking (I get to carry the pack with lunch and water in it).

Good luck.

J.


To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"

hr

An operation

would be low on my list! I had a great chiropractor, sadly he just passed away
A couple sessions with him and I always worked out the pain. He did put me on a plan including a bunch of streech (yoga exercises as well as crunches and sit ups. It's an ongoing process to keep your back healthy.

I use as much mechanical advantage, and youth, to do the lifting, anymore Wish I had started earlier!

hot rod

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"

grumpyplumber

I found my self in your shoes, problems started when I was 17, time healed it then, again when I was about 25, off to the "witch doctor" once again that and time did the trick. At 33, i sqashed the disk beyond time repair, the ortho surgeon fooled around for 5 mos. MRI did not show the damage.The wife ,tired of seeing me in pain, got me in to see a NEUROSURGON (yes I know im yelling) 2 weeks later the kinfe, the next DAY I was walking up right, by the 3rd day I was home, 6 mos later released for work without restrictions. Best thing the doc could have done for me. Only then the door opened for me and I began my apprintanceship as a plumber. I have some bad days, but overall its been better than any other time sence it all started when I was a kid. Please, see a neurosurgon, at least then you will know all of your options.
GrumpyPlumber

BillW@honeywell

Accidents happen, but...

if you wear a good quality back brace, and follow proper lifting procedures, you'll minimize the possibility of a career-ending injury. Lift with your legs from a crouched position, like the number "4", with your back straight. Let the leg muscles do the work. Never lift from the "7" position, legs straight, and torso bent at the waist, that puts the strain on the spine, and lower back. Many injuries from short falls off ladders or steps go un-noticed until they get painful, then the doctor trips start.

Get help, wear a good brace, follow safe lifting procedures and you should be as safe as possible. You don't want to know why I know about this (now)!

Doug Wagoner

New body parts and back repair is not cheap--

two back sugeries and both knees replaced---call the moving company. You'll never regret it. While I am doing OK now I should have made the call to the mover sooner. I am his best customer now and my back loves it--so does my wife and family not to mention the insurance company and the lower premums. A smiling person lives longer.

Tim Kelley

Surgery worked for me

Ken ,
Sorry to hear that you are having back problems. two years ago I had the same problem you are having, right down to the same leg. It had been bothering me for about 18 months, then I really strained it good. Went to the doc, put me on muscle relaxers and pain killers, and also sent me to the physical terrorists. It seemed to help initially, but soon started to get worse. After five months, no pain medication did much of anything. I had an MRI done, and the Neurosurgeon said my only option was surgery. The day I had the surgery I coulkd not wait for them to put me under, I was hurting so bad. In the recovery room, before I was even able to focus my eyes, I knew the surgery had worked. I had no leg pain whatsoever. I was home by three p.m., Back to work in 10 days, and have never taken so much as an aspirin for my back since. I consider myself lucky to have had this success, The Surgeon said at my follow up exam a month later , that I could return to work, I told him I had been back at work for almost three weeks. Ihad mis understood his instructions, he said I could drive in ten days, I thought I could go back to work.
Weigh your options carefully, and best of luck to you.
TK

Tim Kelley

Surgery worked for me

Ken ,
Sorry to hear that you are having back problems. two years ago I had the same problem you are having, right down to the same leg. It had been bothering me for about 18 months, then I really strained it good. Went to the doc, put me on muscle relaxers and pain killers, and also sent me to the physical terrorists. It seemed to help initially, but soon started to get worse. After five months, no pain medication did much of anything. I had an MRI done, and the Neurosurgeon said my only option was surgery. The day I had the surgery I coulkd not wait for them to put me under, I was hurting so bad. In the recovery room, before I was even able to focus my eyes, I knew the surgery had worked. I had no leg pain whatsoever. I was home by three p.m., Back to work in 10 days, and have never taken so much as an aspirin for my back since. I consider myself lucky to have had this success, The Surgeon said at my follow up exam a month later , that I could return to work, I told him I had been back at work for almost three weeks. I had mis understood his instructions, he said I could drive in ten days, I thought I could go back to work.
Weigh your options carefully, and best of luck to you.
TK

Bob Knebel

Visit a Therapist trained in MacKenzie Method

Hello Ken,

I'm in my early 50's and have dealt with low-back pain and sciatica pains in the butt for quite a awhile. I never much believed in chiropractors and definitely wanted to avoid surgery. I found a physical therapist who was trained in the MacKenzie Methods for back and neck pain. Robin MacKenzie is a therapist from New Zealand that came up with some really interesting techniques. My local therapist and his suggested exercises really helped me a lot to get the herniated disc pushed back into place where it was supposed to be. Even though I still get some back spasms and pain now and then, I can do the exercises and stretches and get things under control again pretty quickly without going back to the therapist. Best of luck to you. I have felt your pain! There is hope, I think my back is healthier and more flexible now than it was 20 years ago.

Bob Knebel / Radiant Engineering / Bozeman, Montana

Bob Knebel

Robin McKenzie (not MacKenzie)

Oops .... wrong spelling. Lots of references if you do an internet search for Robin McKenzie. He also has a couple of books out.......... Bob Knebel

Nick Z._2

Sorry ...

to hear your having trouble.I always had neck trouble,last year after 2 days of putting up rad. heat I woke up in the middle of the night with pain my neck and shoulder that would have made death seem sweet.Family Dr. told me right away I had herinated disc.Went to my chiropratcor who gave me relief for yrs. Finally 6 mos. later I had surgery. Like somone else said the day I went in I didn't car if I lived or died it hurt so bad.When I woke up the pain was 90% gone and continues to get better.That was 3mos ago and I swear by my surgeon.If your anywhere near N.J. I'll give you his name. Good Luck!

Ken C.

Thank you and everyone who replied,

for your excellent suggestions. I'm doing some exercises to help strengthen my "core" (abs and lower back) and I've noticed my posture seems to be improving quickly. I've known others with back pain who swear by swimming. I'm also glad to hear that surgery has helped others. It seems that you hear mostly negative advice regarding back surgery, it's good to hear success stories too. I'm having my first cortisone injection (epidural) in a couple of weeks, I'll see how that goes. Doctor says it may take two or three shots, even then, no guarantee. I also need to get a new mattress.

doug_16

I'd be curious what

what kind and firmness mattress you get. I assume the Dr. made a recommendation. I have a firm mattress and I still hurt all night and in the morning am bent sideways some days.
Had a compression burst of L1 and fracture of T12 so surgery was not optional. Now have T 11&12, L 1&2 fused and had steel bars installed at first. Hurt all the time day and night, some days it takes all the energy to deal with it.

I share your reluctance for surgery, there are no guarantees. Let us know what mattress makes you comfortable.

Darin Cook_3

This job can be a real pain in the \"back\"

Years back I was putting in a water service and was using a 90 pound jack hammer. It was early January and very cold. I threw it up out of the hole and that was all it took. I had sprained my back and as all of you who have hurt their back, every little movement you take for granted is massively and painfully affected. Every once in awhile my lower back will get very stiff.

I found a fitness program called Combat Conditioning Fitness by Matt Furey. It is all body weight exercises and you will see a great amount of flexibilty come back and alot of strength with it. Functional strength that is, and force that can be projected in all directions. Which is what you need when tugging on boilers and the like, which is usually a exercise of straining yourself. When you start doing these exercises, you will find out that many of your aches and pains disappear. The exercises include Bridges, Hindu push-ups, Hindu squats, and many more. These are the exercises that the strong men of old did. These guys did not look like body builders but were massively strong. Not unlike our esteemed "Dead Men". Now if you have existing injuries, you will have to go easy at first. Almost all of these exercises work you from the inside out, strengthening your internal organs and all the little muscles along your spine. This is what give your back a huge amount of support and power. Your "Core".

For all of you who have not hurt themselvesm, get yourself strong now. This will help prevent alot of possible ijuries down the road. Installing Munchkins boilers and Mitsubishi ductless split A/C goes a long way in helping too. Nice and light. I have been tempted in buying one of those Tempur Pedic mattresses but the price tag is very heavy. Hope this helps.





Darin

Mike T., Swampeast MO

Lower Back

Is a VERY "touchy" area even with the most modern treatments/surgeries.

IMO, chiropractic is preferable to surgery unless it becomes acute. Good massage (or rolfing if you can handle the pain) can help.

ZOSTRIX (a hot pepper based cream) can really help ease the pain--but beware--it only disguises any underlying [neurological] cause. Use only for a month or so and see if things are better.

LIFT WITH THE LEGS!!!

mikeca

I am a Physical Therapist certified in the McKenzie method of spine care. There is a website www.mckenziemdt.org, go on the site and find a certified therapist in your area.
In 3 or 4 visits they should be able to determine if your pain is mechanical in nature(this means it can be affected by movements and different positions), if mechanical it should be treatable. If not your choices are medications and epidural injections or surgery. Surgery is always the last option because the results are not always good. The onlt time surgery is required is in the presence of hard neurologic signs. (ie significant weakness or bowel and bladder problems) Otherwise surgery is choice you would make based on quality of life. In othe words if you can no longer take the pain and it is affecting everything you do.

Dave Palmer_3

back

Ken , I had surgery 3 years ago and have never been better. I'm fused with 6 screws and 2 plates with kevlar spaces where the disc' were. I had NO disc' between verbate so it was bone on bone,so mine was a little different.Go for strength training and yoga.Find a friend with a hot tub.Hate to say it but if you drink cut down because that can make it worse,kidneys push on nerves etc..Find a good chiropactor who adjusts and doesn't crack you back into place.If a year or so it's not better then think about the knife.MRI's are great but have a discogram when the time comes,dye is injected into the disc in question and under a live x-ray (flor-o-scope)and if dye runs out of area it was injected disc is shot.With a hernated disc they can trim it or they "cook" them by inserting a hair thin wire into the disc and heat it till the disc becomes like leather.They then trim that and it can't bulge anymore.DON'T go to any of the chat rooms or message boards on the web or they will scare you to death.Please contact me if you want,I've done it all.

Tony_8

Beds

We have a "Sleep Number" bed. Excellent and reasonably priced. I used to have the firmest mattress I could get, sometimes I slept on the floor ! I started out with this bed as hard as I could get it. In time, my wife convinced me (no small feat in itself ! ) to try it the way the instructions said to do. What a difference ! Adjustable every night if need be.
BTW, the wife used me against me to persuade me. She said, "Aren't you the guy who chastises your employees for not following the instructions ?" Nuff said

I also get great relief from my chiropractor (the son of a plumber) and just bought a LectroTruck.

Ken C.

Darin,

Funny you should mention Combat Conditioning. I have visited Matt's website and am very interested in ordering the book. Sounds like good stuff, from what I've read about it so far. May I contact you privately if I have any questions about it?

jim lockard

In my past

Life I installed X-Ray equipment. Guess WHO was always in arrears with thier payments. Guess Why every patient got an X-Ray from a Doc that was in arrears on his X-Ray machine lease? J.Lockard

Unknown

Ken my son is here

in Rhode Island he is the former owner of Performance Physical Therapy. He has a doctorate in physical therapy, I am sure he could give you some help and he is right here near you. Give me a call when you get a chance. I also am getting ready to set up the classes for liscensing soon. Look forward to hearing from you. 437-0557

Darin Cook_3

Of Course

I would be more than happy to help you if I can. I would say again, this will NOT make you look like a bodybuilder. But it will give you 100% real usable strength. When you start doing fingertip pushups for awhile, You will feel like you can grab hold of someone and rip the skin right off of them. The mornings you do not do the exercises, you will feel the lack of energy.



Darin

joel_4

I feel your pain

After months of suffering my wife woke up to find me curled up on the floor unable to move (at 27). Off to the ER for lots of drugs and since then I've managed without surgery. first be careful what you lift . Got the Sleep Number bed and a Massage chair from the Relax the back store which is worth everypenny, you know like those ones in the Mall. Found my truck seat agravated it so I ditchted the seat and got a Corbeau, Recaro is very nice as well. Exersise and streching help also dropped 20lbs which helped as well. I'll never be 100% but those steps helped.

Victor H Plank

back pain

> After months of suffering my wife woke up to find

> me curled up on the floor unable to move (at 27).

> Off to the ER for lots of drugs and since then

> I've managed without surgery. first be careful

> what you lift . Got the Sleep Number bed and a

> Massage chair from the Relax the back store which

> is worth everypenny, you know like those ones in

> the Mall. Found my truck seat agravated it so I

> ditchted the seat and got a Corbeau, Recaro is

> very nice as well. Exersise and streching help

> also dropped 20lbs which helped as well. I'll

> never be 100% but those steps helped.




ruptured a disc in 1975....worked thru the occassional pain...2 years ago my youngest daughter (23) presented me Craftsman suspenders.

I started wearing them and my back hasn't hurt since unless I go a day or so without them. Last coupla suits I have bought have braces no belt loops

dont understand...maybe physcosamtic (that aint spelled right) maybe just in my head

Vic Plank

chris h

I pinched my sciatic nerve several years ago building a rooftop deck. It took me six months to recover. I have had tremendous success with chiropractic treatments--I am on a "tune-up" schedule of once every few weeks.
I discovered recently through x-rays that I have degenerating discs in my lumbar region and three fractured vertebrae from a high school football injury. Hence the source of the sciatica. After waking up crippled one morning--literally crawling to the bathroom in agony, I decided to be more proactive in my treatment. I still see my chiropractor regularly, but have taken up lifting a Russian Kettlebell. It is a 36lb. piece of pig iron with a handle that the Russians have used for 100's of years to train their village strongmen first and later to train their athletes to kick our butts in the olympic weightlifting and wrestling arenas.
The glory of the kettlebell is that it showed me I did not really know how to lift with my legs and butt. After training with it for several months, my back is resilient and strong. I just spent two days installing a snowmelt system and lifting the mesh during the concrete pour (24hrs in two days, YUCK!),, and my back gave me no problems. The kettlebell strengthens you from knees to heart and makes you feel as upright and strong as a tree. Go to Dragondoor.com, wade through the propoganda and read the testimonials. Best of luck to you and everyone else with back problems. It is the worst part of this trade.
Chris

chris h

One more tip that has helped me tremendously--I wear my wallet in my front pocket instead my back one. If you wear it in your back pocket, it acts as a shim that twists your lower back and pelvis everytime and all the time that you sit down. How could you ever straighten out your back if you are shimming it all the time? Give it a try.
Chris