Lower back pain, only if I walk.

[BusyB]

 

Yoga.

 

Sorted all my back problems.

[markus]

On 5/26/2024 at 8:31 PM, swissie said:

My Ex-Wife wants me to stay healthy. She forces me to walk every day. After 500 meters I developpe strong pain in my lower back. (in German; Kreutzschmerzen). The Doctor says: At the age of 72 you must expect all kinds of things. Furthermore, surgeons shy away from "surgical-corrections" as 1 "wrong" cut in this bodily aerea can send you to a wheelchair. So, they rather do nothing.

 

So I stopped walking, replacing it by increased drilling in my nose and scratching my ass.

You are from Switzerland. So you can speak German.
I had the same problem. Then I start looking videos on YouTube.

The exercises that helped me much were this from a man called "Liebscher und Bracht".

Take a look at these exercises on YouTube, they are really very good.

[kokopelli]

You really need an X-Ray and MRI of your back to determine the cause of the pain. If there is deterioration of the spine there are various stretches to help but nothing will  completely eliminate it other than possibly surgery, and that is problematic.

[Moonlover]

6 hours ago, newbee2022 said:

Go for swimming and appropriate massage. Also a gym might be good

 

 

IMO a gym is the worse place to go if you have backpain. My paraphrase of that well worn adage is, 'No strain=no pain'. But yes to swimming and I agree with the O/P's ex-wife and earlier posters. Keep up the walking.

 

I walk an hour a day whenever possible and practice Qigong twice a day. 78 years and no backpain at all.

[newbee2022]

20 minutes ago, Moonlover said:

 

IMO a gym is the worse place to go if you have backpain. My paraphrase of that well worn adage is, 'No strain=no pain'. But yes to swimming and I agree with the O/P's ex-wife and earlier posters. Keep up the walking.

 

I walk an hour a day whenever possible and practice Qigong twice a day. 78 years and no backpain at all.

Actually a gym is very helpful.....if you got your personal instructor, who is a licensed fitness trainer.

[Moonlover]

6 hours ago, Sheryl said:

9 hours ago, worrab said:

A lower herniated disc will affect the left leg and a higher herniated disc will affect the right shoulder and arm. 

 

I was just putting forward a suggestion. Yes, a proper diagnosis is required though.

 

6 hours ago, Sheryl said:

Both higher and lower hermiated disk herniations can affect either the left or right side - or neither; disk herniations can be asympyomatic.   It depends on whether the disk presses on a nerve root and if so, on which side. Both sides are equally possible.

 

I agree with what Sheryl said and I know. Been there and done it! Severe sciatica in both legs simultaneously, accompanied by lower back pain. For a while I could only get around on all fours. No diagnosis was ever conclusive, which I believe is very often the case.

 

But in the end I fixed it myself with the exercises recommended by Dr. Leon Root in his excellent book, 'Oh My Aching Back'. That was some 30 years ago and the problem has never reoccurred.

[Robert Paulson]

People need active outdoor hobbies imo that they’re obsessed with. If you say “I’m not obsessed with anything” idk what to tell you. Find something to be obsessed with. Possibilities are endless in Thailand from birding to kayaking etc

[rumak]

On 5/27/2024 at 4:01 AM, degrub said:

Sometimes, just changing shoes, can help.

 or.... ask for a second opinion from another Ex wife .. !

[Moonlover]

3 hours ago, Robert Paulson said:

People need active outdoor hobbies imo that they’re obsessed with. If you say “I’m not obsessed with anything” idk what to tell you. Find something to be obsessed with. Possibilities are endless in Thailand from birding to kayaking etc

 

Certainly people do need to get off their butts more. Many of our 'aging problems,' including backache are nothing more than problems that are self induced by our own idleness. 

 

Get up, get out and do something, even if it is just walking. 

[bangkokgalaxy]

I am in my 50s and have suffered chronic lower back pain issues for decades. I have had X-rays and MRIs, and nothing obvious shows up. 

 

Nevertheless, periodic pain and occasional debilitating flareups are something I’ve learned to manage with good ergonomics, stretching and soft tissue therapy. Stress reduction is also a major contributor to pain relief.

 

Assuming you can objectively rule out any serious issues like disc herniation, you consider soft tissue issues, such as tight hamstrings, glutes, oblique muscles, etc. 

 

I found relief via good ergonomic practices, a good mattress and desk chair, and occasional visits to a soft tissue specialist who uses Active Release Technique (ART).

 

ART was recommended to me in the States, and I was lucky to find a specialist in Bangkok. It’s amazing, and in only 1-2 treatments I can preempt flare-ups and reduce motion-related pain and injuries.

 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34999574/

 

I suggest look at the medical literature on ART. You can also find several videos showing people getting an ART treatment. PM me if you have questions. 

 

Good luck!

[pomchop]

For what it's worth my doc suggested (after the exrays and mri showed nothing obvious)that i might want to try a TENS stimulator for back pain. She made no promises but said a lot of her patients had reported it helped.  I was sketical but bought one online for $35usd about a month ago.

 

It is a pretty simple device that looks more complicated than it is.  Much to my amazement it does indeed seem to work for me .  I use it about one hour a day.  At first it does feel sort of creepy as it shoots electrical impulses and stimulation into the muscles.  After an initial adjustment as to where best to put the pads and what level of intensity it is actually "enjoyable" sensation sort of like a massage (same same but for sure different)  

 

i am no doctor and not sure exactly how or why but my personal experience is it does really help reduce my lower back pain.  Maybe worth a try?

 

https://docreviews.me/2022/10/06/the-best-tens-devices-of-2022/?gclid=CjwKCAjwgdayBhBQEiwAXhMxttlWwxzRPTlA1nSENzgB6nCkNaHhwnRPFDl8MWC5hIgxgXc2PiG34BoCpWgQAvD_BwE&campaignid=21199867878&adgroupid=158548533742&loc_physicall_ms=9032816&loc_interest_ms=&matchtype=p&network=g&creative=697072417084&keyword=tens device for back pain&placement=&targetid=kwd-299744765464&gad_source=1

[Moonlover]

On 5/28/2024 at 5:06 PM, newbee2022 said:

Actually a gym is very helpful.....if you got your personal instructor, who is a licensed fitness trainer.

The only person I trust to take care of my back is me and I've become very good at it over the years. No problems for upwards of 30 years and not a doctor or a trainer in sight.

[jas007]

On 5/27/2024 at 1:31 AM, swissie said:

My Ex-Wife wants me to stay healthy. She forces me to walk every day. After 500 meters I developpe strong pain in my lower back. (in German; Kreutzschmerzen). The Doctor says: At the age of 72 you must expect all kinds of things. Furthermore, surgeons shy away from "surgical-corrections" as 1 "wrong" cut in this bodily aerea can send you to a wheelchair. So, they rather do nothing.

 

So I stopped walking, replacing it by increased drilling in my nose and scratching my ass.

 Depending on the severity of your situation, you might benefit from exercises to strengthen your abdominal muscles.  Doing that can help support your lower back.  Look up “Williams” back exercises.  Years ago, while I was in my early 20s, I suddenly had a problem with lower back pain. Spondylitis at L4. At the time, I was in the Army. The physical therapist gave me those exercises to do, and so I did them.  I’m now 72 and haven’t had the problem since.  Anyway, back surgery should be avoided if at all possible. 

[impulse]

99% that it's something age and back related.  But I'd sure hate to find out later I had prostate or colon or other cancer and didn't spend the few bucks to have it looked at.  I did just that a few months back for similar pain after walking my target 10,000 steps a day.  (20K when I'm in Thailand)  Well worth the money just to make sure it wasn't cancer. 

 

I'm probably paranoid, staying in China this past year to care for my GF who does have cancer, that got into her lower spine.  I wouldn't wish that on anyone.  They didn't catch it early with her because the hospitals were so booked up during the lockdowns.

 

[novacova]

On 5/27/2024 at 1:31 AM, swissie said:

So I stopped walking, replacing it by increased drilling in my nose and scratching my ass.

It’s highly advised to do the nose drilling first.

In any case, don’t stop moving, otherwise decomposition sets in at a rapid rate. Consider a stationary bike or an elliptical device, both are low impact and effective exercise devices.

[jas007]

On 6/10/2024 at 10:07 PM, impulse said:

99% that it's something age and back related.  But I'd sure hate to find out later I had prostate or colon or other cancer and didn't spend the few bucks to have it looked at.  I did just that a few months back for similar pain after walking my target 10,000 steps a day.  (20K when I'm in Thailand)  Well worth the money just to make sure it wasn't cancer. 

 

I'm probably paranoid, staying in China this past year to care for my GF who does have cancer, that got into her lower spine.  I wouldn't wish that on anyone.  They didn't catch it early with her because the hospitals were so booked up during the lockdowns.

 

That happened to a guy I once worked with.  One day he came to work using a cane because of back pain.  He wasn’t that old, though, so it seemed a little surprising.  Anyway, he went to the doctor a few weeks later, only to find out he had cancer that had spread to his back and elsewhere.  He died a few months later.

[impulse]

17 minutes ago, jas007 said:

That happened to a guy I once worked with.  One day he came to work using a cane because of back pain.  He wasn’t that old, though, so it seemed a little surprising.  Anyway, he went to the doctor a few weeks later, only to find out he had cancer that had spread to his back and elsewhere.  He died a few months later.

 

Lower back pain is what finally sent my GF to get looked at.  She'd been ignoring it for awhile because of the lockdown situation, and difficulty getting in.  We're all wishing she'd gotten in sooner, perhaps before it spread...  Taking that as a sign, I got checked out in Samitivej where they gave me a clean bill of health.  They did find some anomalies on my x-rays, but they referred to x-rays from 5-6 years ago and no changes.  Told me to come back in a year for a checkup.  Well worth the 10,000 baht (+/-) for peace of mind.  (And that's an expensive hospital, but they and Bumrungrad have my history and I flipped a coin).

 

Edit:  I'd add that I'm still considering going for a 2nd opinion from Bumrungrad, because TIT and my life is worth more than $300 to me.  I was generally extremely pleased with the level of care from both hospitals, but it never hurts to have a second opinion, especially for a few hundred $$.  Back home, $300 would probably not even cover my Medicare deductible.

 

Edited June 12 by impulse

[simon43]

The comment about correctly-fitting shoes is relevant.  I have a large bunion, had it for 25 years and it generally causes me no issues.  Anyway, my big toe started to impinge on my second toe, so I purchased a bandage 'brace' from Lazada which gently/slowly moves the big toe away from the second toe (it won't remove the bunion). 

 

Well, after wearing it for a few hours (and my foot felt fine), I got a sharp lower back pain.  I removed the brace and after a few hours the pain disappeared.  I tried this test again with the same results.  So clearly the position of your foot/toes etc can affect your lower back.

Edited June 12 by simon43

[degrub]

I’ll second that on shoes. If i wear anything with more than 1/4 to 1/2 inch rise toes to heel, my lower back and sciatica will start acting up. 

[Hawaiian]

On 5/26/2024 at 6:11 PM, Sheryl said:

Not all doctors "shy away" from surgery (if otherwise indicated) on a 72 year old unless you have other conditions that make you a poor surgical risk (e.g. heart  kidney, lung, or liver problem). Especially now that there is more available in minimally invasive surgical approaches.

 

In addition there are often non surgical interventions like epidural injections, nerve blocks etc. that can greatly help. 

 

However, Thai doctors lacking specialized expertise in spinal disorders (a select few and even excluding most orthopedists) will certainly shy away ftom any of these things.  And Thai doctors have  a marked tendency to never tell a patient that they need to see a more specialized doctor elsewhere.

 

You should see a good spinal specialist for proper diagnosis and treatment plan if this pain has been going on for say 6 weeks  or more. That will probably  mean travelling to Bangkok.

 

If the pain is newer than that, and not radiating down your leg  or causing leg weakness  then conservative measures like anti-inflammatory meds (if no contraindications), heating pads, and stretches/exercises can be tried.  You will find plenty of suggested exercises and stretches on You Tube if you search under "low back pain".  Important: stop any stretch or exercise that worsens the pain at once and don't repeat it.

 

Continue to walk up to your tolerance, don't stop altogether.  Several short walks a day may be better than one longer walk. 

Over forty years ago I was diagnosed with a herniated disc.  I went swimming at the beach ever day for year using an large tractor inner tube for resting and safety purposes as there was usually no one to help if I got into trouble.  Eventually I was able to go back to work (construction) but suffered off and on for years. I was advised that surgery was risky so I opted not to try it.  Fusing discs together did not sound like a good idea to me.  I was fortunate to have a good friend who was a workmen's comp claims adjuster who gave me some valuable advice.  I stayed away from painkillers because what was available at the time was dangerous or addictive. 

As the years went by I continued working in construction and the pain eventually subsided.  Today at 84, my injury rarely bothers me and I continue with physical activities like gardening, landscaping, etc.

Conclusion:  physical activity worked for me.  I forgot to mention that I have never been inside of a gym, but did modified sit ups to strengthen my abdominal muscles.

Edited June 16 by Hawaiian

[Sheryl]

26 minutes ago, Hawaiian said:

Over forty years ago I was diagnosed with a herniated disc.  I went swimming at the beach ever day for year using an large tractor inner tube for resting and safety purposes as there was usually no one to help if I got into trouble.  Eventually I was able to go back to work (construction) but suffered off and on for years. I was advised that surgery was risky so I opted not to try it.  Fusing discs together did not sound like a good idea to me.  I was fortunate to have a good friend who was a workmen's comp claims adjuster who gave me some valuable advice.  I stayed away from painkillers because what was available at the time was dangerous or addictive. 

As the years went by I continued working in construction and the pain eventually subsided.  Today at 84, my injury rarely bothers me and I continue with physical activities like gardening, landscaping, etc.

Conclusion:  physical activity worked for me.  I forgot to mention that I have never been inside of a gym, but did modified sit ups to strengthen my abdominal muscles.

 

Herniated disks will retract on their own over time, and surgery is indicated only if they are compressing the spinal cord/nerve root or, after they have retracted, the remaining space for nerve roots to exit is too small causing nerve compression; in that instance nothing but surgery will relieve it. Disk herniation  per se is not an indication for surgery, then or now.

 

There are, however, other spinal conditions which are an indication for surgery provided the patient is a good surgical risk. These can include, but are not limited to,  nerve compression due to narrowing of the space where the nerves exist the spinal column, severe/unstable spondolithesis ("slippage" of the vertebra themselves).

 

Disks are never fused together. In some cases, vertebra are fused; nowadays this can be done endoscopically with minimally invasive approach. There are also minimally invasive  types of surgery to decompress the spine which do not involve fusion.

 

 

[Hawaiian]

17 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

 

Herniated disks will retract on their own over time, and surgery is indicated only if they are compressing the spinal cord/nerve root or, after they have retracted, the remaining space for nerve roots to exit is too small causing nerve compression; in that instance nothing but surgery will relieve it. Disk herniation  per se is not an indication for surgery, then or now.

 

There are, however, other spinal conditions which are an indication for surgery provided the patient is a good surgical risk. These can include, but are not limited to,  nerve compression due to narrowing of the space where the nerves exist the spinal column, severe/unstable spondolithesis ("slippage" of the vertebra themselves).

 

Disks are never fused together. In some cases, vertebra are fused; nowadays this can be done endoscopically with minimally invasive approach. There are also minimally invasive  types of surgery to decompress the spine which do not involve fusion.

 

 

I stand corrected.  I meant fusing vertebra and not discs. .  Another procedure used was the injection of papain enzyme.   A cat scan was used to confirm that I had a herniated disc. After that my insurance stopped hounding me for faking my injury. MRI technology was still in the evolving stage when I first got injured and not widely available.