Beg, Borrow, Steal, back brace - Pattaya area.

[Golden Triangle]

Hi, as the title implies I am looking for some way to try a back brace before I actually purchase one, I could just buy one but if it doesn't work it's money down the drain.

 

I injured my back in the UK about 15 years ago, I had over 3 months off work, physiotherapy, 3 cortisone injections & painkillers, it slowly got better but now it seems to be be getting worse, a back brace may help which is the reason I would like to try one prior to buying one, can you help ?

 

I can't even do a quick 10 minute dish wash up, after a few minutes I'm in agony, I have a number for a guy called Nigel, I haven't called him yet as I'm not sure he can help and as a pre existing problem the local hospitals will just see a cash cow. Thanks for any help.

 

Sorry, just thought I should add it's my lower back, about the same level as the top of my hips.

[Bruno123]

Why do you think that it is getting worse? 

Some repetitive movement that leads to inflammation? 

 

The more relaxed you are, the more you can move in a way that spreads the strain more evenly around the body.

Since you write that it got better; to me it sounds like a repetitive strain reaction. 

Learn to move your body with a more relaxed manner. Practice in the water if you can swim. The goal being that you can take the strain off that part of your body. That's how aches and pains can appear to move around. 

Maybe you'll need a painkiller or similar to get you started; in so that you aren't afraid to make big movements in order to free yourself from stiffness.

 

[userabcd]

Have seen various back braces mainly for the lumbar area in pharmacies and have also seen them in that sports shop named Decathlon.

 

In Decathlon they have a 2 types that the weight lifters use and also a slightly more flexible one for general use for lumbar back support. The 3 types in Decathlon can be tried on.

 

Don't know if that is what you are looking for.

[scubascuba3]

Back specialists should have one to try. I tried one in the UK 15 years ago provided by a Bupa consultant, he said it doesn't help much except remind you to be careful, which is what I found.

 

It's important to listen to the pain signals you get and adjust, if overweight lose weight

[ChaiyaTH]

Physiotherapy isn’t expensive in Thailand, sure they could help you too and maybe have something to try. 
 

My wife is a psychical therapist and they average only earn 15k a month.

[Sheryl]

7 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

Back specialists should have one to try. I tried one in the UK 15 years ago provided by a Bupa consultant, he said it doesn't help much except remind you to be careful, which is what I found.

 

It's important to listen to the pain signals you get and adjust, if overweight lose weight

 

I'm going through something similar and I too found braces do little to nothing (and I tried several). Useful after surgery to limit movement, provided it is the right (and more extensive) type. Otherwise, IMO just a placebo effect.

 

You should see a spinal specialist. It is quite likely -- in fact probable -- that the problem you have now is not the same as you had 15 years ago post injury but rather due to age related degeneration (possibly the prior injury is a contributing factor, but the physical changes will be new and have occurred gradually over the intervening years). Just because it feels the dame does not mean it is the same in terms of underlying pathology. Almost surely it is not.

 

You will need an Xray and probably an MRI. Depending in findings, a steroid injection or surgery might be advised (or sometimes injection first, since it aids in diagnosis and then surgery later if it recurs).

 

Note that spinal surgery has come a long way in recent years and there are now several minimally invasive techniques that are replacing the older approaches.

 

Where in Thailand are you located?

[Sheryl]

14 hours ago, Bruno123 said:

Why do you think that it is getting worse?

 

 Experiencing the same sort of pain 15 years later after more than a decade pain free is not the same condition getting worse.

 

It is a new condition affecting the same nerve(s).

 

He is 15 years older now and quite likely has age-related degenerative changes. Needs new work up and diagnosis first, then treatment based on findings.

[Golden Triangle]

3 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

 

I'm going through something similar and I too found braces do little to nothing (and I tried several). Useful after surgery to limit movement, provided it is the right (and more extensive) type. Otherwise, IMO just a placebo effect.

 

You should see a spinal specialist. It is quite likely -- in fact probable -- that the problem you have now is not the same as you had 15 years ago post injury but rather due to age related degeneration (possibly the prior injury is a contributing factor, but the physical changes will be new and have occurred gradually over the intervening years). Just because it feels the dame does not mean it is the same in terms of underlying pathology. Almost surely it is not.

 

You will need an Xray and probably an MRI. Depending in findings, a steroid injection or surgery might be advised (or sometimes injection first, since it aids in diagnosis and then surgery later if it recurs).

 

Note that spinal surgery has come a long way in recent years and there are now several minimally invasive techniques that are replacing the older approaches.

 

Where in Thailand are you located?

Thanks for your informative post Sheryl, I'm based in Pattaya, MRI's and the like are fairly expensive down this way at private hospitals, I could try one of the better government hospitals like Banglamung or Chonburi.

[scubascuba3]

29 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

 

I'm going through something similar and I too found braces do little to nothing (and I tried several). Useful after surgery to limit movement, provided it is the right (and more extensive) type. Otherwise, IMO just a placebo effect.

 

You should see a spinal specialist. It is quite likely -- in fact probable -- that the problem you have now is not the same as you had 15 years ago post injury but rather due to age related degeneration (possibly the prior injury is a contributing factor, but the physical changes will be new and have occurred gradually over the intervening years). Just because it feels the dame does not mean it is the same in terms of underlying pathology. Almost surely it is not.

 

You will need an Xray and probably an MRI. Depending in findings, a steroid injection or surgery might be advised (or sometimes injection first, since it aids in diagnosis and then surgery later if it recurs).

 

Note that spinal surgery has come a long way in recent years and there are now several minimally invasive techniques that are replacing the older approaches.

 

Where in Thailand are you located?

I'm ok currently, back is the best it's been for many years, originally it was two herniated discs, Op on the other hand seems to be getting worse

[Sheryl]

1 hour ago, Golden Triangle said:

Thanks for your informative post Sheryl, I'm based in Pattaya, MRI's and the like are fairly expensive down this way at private hospitals, I could try one of the better government hospitals like Banglamung or Chonburi.

Not where to try for a spinal problem. You'll end up just being given NSAIDs.

 

You need a good spinal specialist which you will nto find at provincial government hospitals. For that matter, you preferrably want a good spinal specialist with expertise in minimally invasive approaches, which further narrows the field.

 

You can save considerably on MRI by getting it done at an imaging center such as this one in Bang Na (2 hour drive from Pattaya)

 

Prachachuen Bangna MRI ประชาชื่น บางนา เอ็มอาร์ไอ

240 11-15 Bang Na-Trat Frontage Rd, Khwaeng Bang Na, Bang Na, Bangkok 10260

084 774 9048

 

You do not need a doctor's order. Assuming your problem is lower back, request MRI lumbar spine without contrast.  Cost 7,200 baht and maybe a coupke hundred more to get the film on CD, which you do need. You can book it online here, indicating the BangNa branch   https://www.mrithailand.com/en/online-booking/

 

Get a regular XRay while there as well, as somethings are better seen on Xray

 

In terms of doctors,  in Pattaya I would suggest

https://www.bangkokpattayahospital.com/en/doctor-profile?v_id=409&depid=22

(based on qualifications only, I have no feedback on him)

Or one of these doctors in Bangkok

https://www.bnhhospital.com/search-doctor/entry/4093/

https://www.bangkokhospital.com/en/doctor/dr-tayard-buranakarl

 

Costs may be lower in Bangkok than in Pattaya, but check to confirm

 

If you turn out to need surgery and cannot afford it at a private hospital, then go to Chulalongkorn in Bangkok, through their after hours clinic, and ask for an acharn specializing in Minimally invasive spinal surgery. Will entail multiple visits, hassle (can't make appointment except in person, for example)  and some red tape but still probably come out cheaper than a private hospital

 

[Bruno123]

35 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

 Experiencing the same sort of pain 15 years later after more than a decade pain free is not the same condition getting worse.

 

It is a new condition affecting the same nerve(s).

 

He is 15 years older now and quite likely has age-related degenerative changes. Needs new work up and diagnosis first, then treatment based on findings.

 

Condition is caused by utilising the body in the wrong manner in the first place. Surgery doesn't fix that.

All conditions that I had (shoulder(bike accident) and knee(repetitive building work), lower back) fixed themselves without the suggested surgery; in just the way I described.

Understand and remember how the body works and you can eliminate those repetitive injuries.

Until you have that kind of injury yourself, you are simply an observer. 

 

 

[Sheryl]

29 minutes ago, Bruno123 said:

 

Condition is caused by utilising the body in the wrong manner in the first place. Surgery doesn't fix that.

All conditions that I had (shoulder(bike accident) and knee(repetitive building work), lower back) fixed themselves without the suggested surgery; in just the way I described.

Understand and remember how the body works and you can eliminate those repetitive injuries.

Until you have that kind of injury yourself, you are simply an observer. 

 

 

Not all back problems are repetitive injuries. In fact, most are not.

 

Age-related degenerative changes are very common.

[Golden Triangle]

1 minute ago, Sheryl said:

Not all back problems are repetitive injuries. In fact, most are not.

 

Age-related degenerative changes are very common.

Mine was Initially caused by using the wrong technique to move something heavy in my garage, physio, cortisone injections and lying flat on the floor enabled me to get back to my desk bound office job oh and loads of strong painkillers, now at 68 it's started to recur and I also have Sciatic problems in my left leg, as stated previously it is agony to stand in the shower for more than 10 minutes and doing relatively  minor chores around the house are a nightmare.

[Sheryl]

2 minutes ago, Golden Triangle said:

Mine was Initially caused by using the wrong technique to move something heavy in my garage, physio, cortisone injections and lying flat on the floor enabled me to get back to my desk bound office job oh and loads of strong painkillers, now at 68 it's started to recur and I also have Sciatic problems in my left leg, as stated previously it is agony to stand in the shower for more than 10 minutes and doing relatively  minor chores around the house are a nightmare.

 

Do not assume that because  you had back problems related to a strain or injury  in the past, your pain now is the same condition. It quite likely is not.

 

The spine and its structures undergo considerable degenerative changes with age -- especially the lumbar spine which bears the most weight.

 

At age 68 your lumbar spine will be significantly different than it was at a younger age.

 

Sciatica nerve pain is a symptom, not a  disease, and can have multiple causes, many (but not all) of them due to issues with the lumbar spine.  Sacroiliac joint, piriformis muscle etc can also be the culprit.

 

There is no substitute for a thorough proper diagnosis.

 

 

[Golden Triangle]

12 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

 

Do not assume that because  you had back problems related to a strain or injury  in the past, your pain now is the same condition. It quite likely is not.

 

The spine and its structures undergo considerable degenerative changes with age -- especially the lumbar spine which bears the most weight.

 

At age 68 your lumbar spine will be significantly different than it was at a younger age.

 

Sciatica nerve pain is a symptom, not a  disease, and can have multiple causes, many (but not all) of them due to issues with the lumbar spine.  Sacroiliac joint, piriformis muscle etc can also be the culprit.

 

There is no substitute for a thorough proper diagnosis.

 

 

Thanks indeed for all of your useful information.

[Bruno123]

36 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

Not all back problems are repetitive injuries. In fact, most are not.

 

Age-related degenerative changes are very common.

The OP will take the path he will take.