Lower Back Pain

[churchill]

I have a long back and have been told that it has a slight irregularity .

For weeks all is OK then suddenly I am hit - and can last for over a month - when it is difficult just to get out of bed .

It has been getting better as I am trying to do excersises to strenghten my lower back - But does anyone have any suggestions , massage ? or a specialist ?

[BEENTHEREDONETHAT]

Suggest you get an x-ray and have a Dr. determine what is causing the problem. It could be something like osteoarthritis which needs special care. Or a disc problem. Best to check it out and find out what approach to take. It can really get you down, in any case exercise is probably a good idea.

Good luck with it.

[chiang mai]

Suggest you get an x-ray and have a Dr. determine what is causing the problem. It could be something like osteoarthritis which needs special care. Or a disc problem. Best to check it out and find out what approach to take. It can really get you down, in any case exercise is probably a good idea.

Good luck with it.

I agree, best to eliminate any serious medical causes first. But the medical route can often be time consuming and expensive and often inconclusive so I would go the chiropractic route first of all, doesn't cost much and can often tell if there are serious anomalies that can be easily corrected. If you want to go this route PM me and I can give you details of an excellent option in Phuket Town.

As an aside, I was diagnosed with two herniated discs in the UK many years ago and the medical profession wanted to perform a dissectomy (fuse two vertebra together). I subsequently went to a chiropractor who sorted the problem nicely and never had a problem since but have remained a great believer in chiropractics.

[duceahearts]

I have a long back and have been told that it has a slight irregularity .

For weeks all is OK then suddenly I am hit - and can last for over a month - when it is difficult just to get out of bed .

It has been getting better as I am trying to do excersises to strenghten my lower back - But does anyone have any suggestions , massage ? or a specialist ?

I had a lower back problem that kept coming and going, then about 3 years ago my back went while in Satuk and I couldn't move, laid up in a 1-star hotel for 3 days until I could move again, since then I do 15 to 20 minutes of lower back excerise every morning, so far no more problems, my advice is do excercise.

[kennkate]

Try laying on the floor for an Hr or two Flat on your back Roll onto your side to get Up

Ths works for me It may give you temp relief.

If it keeps coming back for no reason.

You will have to seek medical advise or as others have said you could try the Chiropractor

Pain relief If you can get them in Thailand Cocodamol. I tried Paracetomol Ect in the uk No use at all

Rang Doctor and got cocodamol (not sure of spelling) anyway they worked

Best of luck

[tim armstrong]

Suggest you get an x-ray and have a Dr. determine what is causing the problem. It could be something like osteoarthritis which needs special care. Or a disc problem. Best to check it out and find out what approach to take. It can really get you down, in any case exercise is probably a good idea.

Good luck with it.

I agree, best to eliminate any serious medical causes first. But the medical route can often be time consuming and expensive and often inconclusive so I would go the chiropractic route first of all, doesn't cost much and can often tell if there are serious anomalies that can be easily corrected. If you want to go this route PM me and I can give you details of an excellent option in Phuket Town.

As an aside, I was diagnosed with two herniated discs in the UK many years ago and the medical profession wanted to perform a dissectomy (fuse two vertebra together). I subsequently went to a chiropractor who sorted the problem nicely and never had a problem since but have remained a great believer in chiropractics.

Agree with all the above. Chiropractors can be very useful in this situation, - but tread carefully with any suggestions about spinal fusion etc. This is one area that Thai massage from a skilled and well trained masseuse who has also trained in 'massage for health' can be useful, as real thai massage starts from the centre of the body, and works out. If your medical checks are all clear, you could also consider some dietary additions , like fish oil, and celery. If strengthening is indicated, the best exercise is rowing, or Swiss ball exercises.

[bangkokrick]

I have a long back and have been told that it has a slight irregularity .

For weeks all is OK then suddenly I am hit - and can last for over a month - when it is difficult just to get out of bed .

It has been getting better as I am trying to do excersises to strenghten my lower back - But does anyone have any suggestions , massage ? or a specialist ?

I agree with most of the above exercise is the key. I badly damaged my back years ago whilst weightlifting, silly me. I went to a recommended Chiropractor who specialised in sports injuries and he gave me some heat treatment on the lower back area ans some exercises to do. I went from the point of not being able to walk to being back in the gym within 10 days of the injury.

The exercise that I think helped the most is as follows. Lay on your front on the floor and put yourself in a 'press up' position. Keep your pelvis pushed to the floor and do not lift it. Then GENTLY push with your arms until you feel the muscles in the lower back tense up. Try to slowly increase the height of the 'press up' as the days go by. Be careful and don't rush it but it worked wonders for me and strengthened my back big time..

I hope this helps.

Cheers, Rick

[camerata]

I had lower back problems for years, both stiffness in the morning and sharp muscle spasms every now and then. I got rid of them all by doing just a couple of easy exercises my doc recommended, but it took about 8 months.

I'd say see a physical therapy doctor and get it diagnosed first - make sure it isn't a slipped disk or something serious. Then follow the exercise regime they give you.

[FBN]

It is unclear what a "long back" is and what the irregularity refferred to is as well. Were these based on X-ray assessments or other professional examination?

About 90% of will have back pain at some point in our lives. These episodes may last from brief to on average about 6 weeks; the price we pay for walking upright, the anthropologists say!

Sound like the OP's problem is postural.

In general, backaches are mostly due to muscle spasm caused by almost anything from a disc prolaps to wrong posture. Initial treatment should always be aimed at relieving the muscle spasm and a good massage in the hand of someone well trained is usually worth more than tons of meds.

Avoid manipulation initially as it will make underlying problems such as disc prolapses worse.

Strengthening back muscles are good but probably the most important are the abdominal muscles. There are only 2 parts of the spine which are mobile, the neck and lumbar area. The chest is "splinted" by the rib cage and moves as a unit. The only "splint" for the lumbar spine, are the abdominal muscles that actually form a cone like support between the rib cage and the pelvis.

It has the vertical group of muscles in front as well as transverse and oblique parts; these form a unit to create this support, almost like a corset.

Give massage a try, if no relief in 3-4 days, better to have an X-ray and good assessment done before any other options.

No more than 3% of all backaches should require surgery!

[GarryP]

I do some of the exercises in the attached file. They have worked for me. Yoga.doc

[churchill]

Thank you for all the suggestions - I have only had a physical examination to date and so will get an x-ray . I am also doing some excises , as above, which seems to be helping -

I agree posture is probably not helping , so am trying to concentrate on pulling my shoulders back - and I need to find a better chair when working on my computer .

The bumpy roads in Samui do not help .

[churchill]

I do some of the exercises in the attached file. They have worked for me. Yoga.doc

Thanks will give them a go

[Sheryl]

There is also a book called "Heal Your Back" with clear pictures and instructions. I think you can order it from Amazon etc

[huggybear]

Thank you for all the suggestions - I have only had a physical examination to date and so will get an x-ray . I am also doing some excises , as above, which seems to be helping -

I agree posture is probably not helping , so am trying to concentrate on pulling my shoulders back - and I need to find a better chair when working on my computer .

The bumpy roads in Samui do not help .

I have a machine that allows me to hang upside down. It cost me 15,000thb (PANG!) but it has been soooooooooo worth it. Should have bought it a year earlier.

I hang upside down and breath normally and wham! My lower back pops and I'm good to go. All my sciatica is going away.

Dr. Cracknell in Phuket can get the machine for you, you'll have to transport it to Samuttle.

[Drlim]

Hope your back pain is better! Most back pains get better over time as your body is design to heal itself.

All the best!

Dr Lim

Reason for edit: Please refer to forum rules on spamming services.

[robblok]

Thank you for all the suggestions - I have only had a physical examination to date and so will get an x-ray . I am also doing some excises , as above, which seems to be helping -

I agree posture is probably not helping , so am trying to concentrate on pulling my shoulders back - and I need to find a better chair when working on my computer .

The bumpy roads in Samui do not help .

I have a machine that allows me to hang upside down. It cost me 15,000thb (PANG!) but it has been soooooooooo worth it. Should have bought it a year earlier.

I hang upside down and breath normally and wham! My lower back pops and I'm good to go. All my sciatica is going away.

Dr. Cracknell in Phuket can get the machine for you, you'll have to transport it to Samuttle.

Isnt that the same as hanging out with a pair of gravity boots ?

[churchill]

Thanks . Back pain cured through daily excercise and stretching - Seems OK for now .

[robblok]

Thanks . Back pain cured through daily excercise and stretching - Seems OK for now .

I had back pain too if i lay on my bed on my back for a long time. But i started to exercise a lot again and i my back got a lot stronger and now i have no problems at all anymore. I think exercise can help many people.

[Datsun240Z]

Lay on the ground, and let a 4 x 4 drive over your back....

No seriously, like Rob says, and try a good massage to.

[sleepyjohn]

Try laying on the floor for an Hr or two Flat on your back Roll onto your side to get Up

Lying flat on a hard surface is the last thing you want to do. Robblok's post says so too.

The animals we developed from have curved lower backs and the chimps and us moreso are altering this and trying to straighten it thereby compressing the rear of the vertebrae.....and it ain't quite evolved to suit which is the source of the problems. It is now thought that a medium bed where you sink a little is better also allowing the hip to sink in on your side. That hard bed thing stresses the back.

BTW seeing the chiropractor and having relief may well be association rather than causation. Who told you your back was irregular? Even if it is the body can accomodate irregularity. Bad backs are common even when "normal".

bon chance

John

[fishhooks]

"But i started to exercise a lot again and i my back got a lot stronger and now i have no problems at all anymore. I think exercise can help many people"

Good advice, I was also told by an Orthopedic Specialist to make my "Tummy" reduce in size as this extra load in front puts pressure on the lower back!

[robblok]

"But i started to exercise a lot again and i my back got a lot stronger and now i have no problems at all anymore. I think exercise can help many people"

Good advice, I was also told by an Orthopedic Specialist to make my "Tummy" reduce in size as this extra load in front puts pressure on the lower back!

I did not have a problem of a big tummy, i think just a weak back. I started doing things like squat and deadlift (not advisable if you have a weak back or dont know how to do the exercise) But they build muscles in ways you cant inmagine.Especially deadlift helps your lower back a lot.

[NedKelly]

Aruyevedic (spelling) Massage at Healthland in Pinklao is fantastic. I've had it several times but is best done weekly for a few weeks and then just do exercise and maintenance to keep it in check. If yo ucan find a local massage place that will do an oil massage on the lower back you could try putting a hot water bottle on it for 15 minutes and then go straight to the massage place for a pre arranged appointment time......results will come along nicely. I have been to osteopaths in the past and they tend to use heat prior to massage and then maybe manipulation. In Thailand I havent found anywhere that does it in this order and thats why I suggest the self application of hot water bottle and then massage at the local joint with an old mamma who has strong hands and arms.

[pichai]

I used to play golf and brisk walking before, now I cycle and doing light excercise, like stretching my leg and twist n turn (twist dancing) on machine every morning. My lower back pain still exists, its not the acute pain type, can feel that lower back tense otr tight when bending forward. I will try "Yoga" as suggested by one of our friend here, hope it will help to subside the pain.

[marshbags]

I had lower back problems for years, both stiffness in the morning and sharp muscle spasms every now and then. I got rid of them all by doing just a couple of easy exercises my doc recommended, but it took about 8 months.

I'd say see a physical therapy doctor and get it diagnosed first - make sure it isn't a slipped disk or something serious. Then follow the exercise regime they give you.

While it may not be in the OP,s case it is also important to remember that the pain could be related to other problems apart from spinal / muscle.

Prostrate, internal organ, ect.

marshbags

[JAS21]

Thank you for all the suggestions - I have only had a physical examination to date and so will get an x-ray . I am also doing some excises , as above, which seems to be helping -

I agree posture is probably not helping , so am trying to concentrate on pulling my shoulders back - and I need to find a better chair when working on my computer .

The bumpy roads in Samui do not help .

I have a machine that allows me to hang upside down. It cost me 15,000thb (PANG!) but it has been soooooooooo worth it. Should have bought it a year earlier.

I hang upside down and breath normally and wham! My lower back pops and I'm good to go. All my sciatica is going away.

Dr. Cracknell in Phuket can get the machine for you, you'll have to transport it to Samuttle.

Hi Yes I had what was called a 'backswing' in the UK, wish that I had brought it here. Can you give me a little more info please where you got it from, we are down in Phuket on 21st. Or do you know anyone who wants to sell one....thanks

Edit...Sorry..I googled and found him

Edited September 6, 2009 by John45

[JimmyTheMook]

Try doing some basic yoga classes , it really is an amazing exercise and cured my lower back pain

[ScubaBuddha]

Try doing some basic yoga classes , it really is an amazing exercise and cured my lower back pain

Yes yes yes! It may seem all new-agy and gay, but I will telll you what... after all the injuries I have suffered over the years from volleyball, skiing, and motorcycle crashes, and carrying heaver gear all day, I used to suffer from terrible back pain. Yoga was like a miracle. Take some classes. Start slow. Don't try to do what the instructor or other students can do, just measure your success my your own week to week progress and watch the pain melt away. It really is like magic. And there are usually hot chicks in the classes too.

[Hawaiian]

Lots of good advice given, especially about exercise. Nearly 30 years ago I was diagnosed with a herniated (ruptured disc). I would soak in a hot bath for hours on end as that was the only thing that relieved the excruciating pain. I stopped taking the prescription pain killers because they only masked the problem and did not really relieve the pain. My chiropractor recommended swimming which I did. Seven days a week for about 8 months. Gradually, the pain became less severe.

One exercise that really works is to lie on the floor with your bent knees resting on a bed or chair. With both hands clasped behind your head, do sit ups. Not all the way. Just raise your head and stop as soon as your feel tension on your abdominal muscles. Do as many as you feel comfortable with and you will find that doing several hundred at one time is a breeze. Yes, it is these muscles that help support your back.

The poster that mentioned about the curvature of the spine is correct. That is why you are asking for trouble if you sleep on your stomach or on your back on a very hard bed. I limit my "attacks" by sleeping with a small, soft pillow under the small of my back. This helps to maintain the curvature while sleeping. Today, at age 70, I still do hard physical work and average one attack a year. It normally last a day or two and a few TLC massages from the wife does the trick.

One way to avoid hurting your back is to bend your knees while lifting and never lift and turn at the same time. I know, easier said then done. Also, having a

few extra pounds or a beer belly doesn't help.

[Hawaiian]

Avoid surgery at all costs. Sometimes it leads to more surgery to correct the first surgery and in the end there may be no improvement at all. If surgery is recommended get second and third opinions before proceeding.