Back problems

[azbackpackr]

In addition to other problems, I'm now being treated for lower back problems, plus the old whiplash injury, plus acupuncture for my wrists and knees. I think I found a good chiropractor in Bullhead City, who also does the acupuncture. I didn't even tell him about the foot problems I'd been having. I'll save that for next visit.

Anyway, after two days it seems the treatment helped a bit, but I'm still having a hard time putting my socks on in the morning.

I'm falling apart!

I should probably look at some supplements. Glucosamine-chondroitin? The gin-and-raisin cure? (Yes, for real, look it up! Has to be real juniper berry gin, and golden raisins. Randy take note... ;) )

Any suggestions?

[The_Eagle]

@azbackpackr
Vodka.... Lots of Vodka

[CannondaleKid]

Med-X Lumbar Rehab is the ONLY way you will get LONG-TERM relief. (Unless you use vodka, a hand-gun or some other means of putting you out of your misery for good)

Seriously... chiropractic only treats the SYMPTOMS for lower back pain but it does not address the root CAUSE, which in most cases is muscle-weakness.

Tracey's had severe lower-back issues for years and by going every few weeks to a very good chiropractor for many years she found temporary relief. When I told her how I felt about attacking the symptom vs cause it got her to thinking enough to check out other approaches. And the only one was the Lumbar Rehab. And ever since, we've been hiking more and even working on getting into backpacking again. While I'm not the one who needed it, after seeing the results I would recommend checking it out.

Check out: http://www.medxonline.com
Select the link Equipment > Lumbar Extension
Sorry Liz, the equipment is costly so it ain't gonna happen in Bullhead City. In fact not many places have it in AZ, Phoenix may be closest.

As far as supplements go... I've tried the gamut over the years for arthritis in knees, ankles, wrists, fingers and now hips, but I've since stopped and done the only thing that works... exercise! And lots to exercise the specific area in question. The rougher and more uneven the terrain,the better my hips feel, whereas flat surfaces (sidewalks or flat even trails) are a killer.

[azbackpackr]

@azbackpackr
Vodka.... Lots of Vodka

Hmm, sure, whatever you say.

[azbackpackr]

@CannondaleKid
My back pain comes and goes, and it has done that for many years. This is the first time it has stuck around for a couple of months. And yeah, I dislike flat-surface walking and sidewalks. My back pain has never been made worse by backpacking, but by lifting stuff. I was working for a lady who owns a kayak and canoe shuttle business, and back in November I had to help haul 16 Grumman canoes very quickly down the ramp at Hoover Dam. I think that started it. As far as equipment goes, I don't plan on living in a house or apartment any time soon, so that's out. I live in a 26-foot motorhome.

In the past I have been helped by chiropractic care. I had hip problems, went to a chiropractor a few times, the hip problems went away and did not return for many years. So, I'm going to go to this guy a few times and see what happens. So far I do feel better. I didn't feel too much better the first or second day, but that is what he told me to expect.

So, I blame it on Homeland Security, because otherwise we would not have had to hurry so much with the canoes and could have had time to ask the customers for help. But at Hoover Dam they give you very little time to rig and launch. You basically have to run down that long ramp with your boats, throw your dry bags in, and head downstream for a beach and re-rig there.

[chumley]

Egoscue

Start by reading the books by Pete Egoscue (search Amazon, they're bestsellers).

The basic premise is that how we use our bodies in this day and age is not how our bodies were built to be used and results in problems that cause pain. It's good stuff. I know several people who have basically had their lives transformed due to it.

Oh, and sitting in a chair is the single-most unnatural position you can put your body in. How often do you sit!?

[azbackpackr]

Egoscue

Start by reading the books by Pete Egoscue (search Amazon, they're bestsellers).

The basic premise is that how we use our bodies in this day and age is not how our bodies were built to be used and results in problems that cause pain. It's good stuff. I know several people who have basically had their lives transformed due to it.

Oh, and sitting in a chair is the single-most unnatural position you can put your body in. How often do you sit!?

Yeah, ain't that the truth. I sit a lot, working on another online degree.

Okay, I am hereby turning this thing off and getting up off my derriere! And thanks for the tip about the books!

[Al_HikesAZ]

A bowl of M&Ms for breakfast (Motrin & Move Free). Works for me. Better life through chemicals.

[FOTG]

Maybe you need a Backiotomy

[The_Eagle]

Better life through chemicals.

After all, all your body is, is a big chemical reaction!

[Tough_Boots]

Chumley is absolutely right about Egoscue. As someone who's been through the ringer with chronic back pain and even did surgery, I'll testify-- that guy knows what he's talking about. Get a stretching routine down and stick with it.

My recommendation is to stop going to chiropractors and go see an actual back doctor. Get x-rays and an MRI and a real diagnosis. Until you do that (and I can't believe I'm agreeing with CannondaleKid ;) ) you're seriously only treating symptoms. You can't deal with arthritis and disc issues the same way in the long-term. You might even find that you see some real benefit from stretching and a cortisone epidural once or twice a year. I did three rounds of epidurals and they aren't that bad. And whatever you do-- don't let your doctor get you reliant on pain meds. My pain specialist in retrospect was a total scum-bag. His waiting room was like a drug den.

[chumley]

Medicine is an interesting field. Is the goal to heal or to just feel better? Tons of doctors make a living on making people feel better without addressing the root cause. In many cases it is because the patient doesn't want to address the root cause and the doctor simply placates.

Chiropractors and psychiatrists survive on making people feel better ... but also making you come back for more.

I went to a chiropractor once, and they tried to sign me up for some kind of recurring plan like it was a gym membership. I laughed right out the door. I wasn't looking for treatment. I was looking for healing. Big difference.


/rant

[azbackpackr]

I agree with you Chum, but on the other hand I have more than once had a long-term healing experience after several chiro treatments. The hip joints, back in my 20's, never bothered me again the same way. The neck, after a car accident, not healed completely but a whole bunch better, etc.

However, I agree. I need to get off my chair more often and also learn some stretching. I am NOT good at that stuff, despite having a close family member who's a yoga instructor, I flat hate doing yoga. And you can show me a stretching routine and I will forget it before I walk out the door, just like I instantly forgot how to salsa dance as soon as the class ended.

PS, I'm going to look for those books at the library, thank you!

[CannondaleKid]

As far as equipment goes, I don't plan on living in a house or apartment any time soon, so that's out.

It's not equipment the average person would have in their home so I didn't mean to purchase it, but rather to seek out a medical professionals (chiropractor, physical therapist, etc) who has the equipment.

Tracey started with two visits a week, then once a week then every other week and within a few months had strengthened her lower back muscles by well over 300% of what it was when she started the treatment.

So, as I should have qualified my first statement about long-term relief... It's the best IF your problem is a muscle issue and not a bone structural issue or something like osteoarthritis, etc.

As far as chiropractors go, I've gone to them at times over the years, mainly for a true out-of-alignment issues. I have come across a very small number of good ones and a higher number of what I would simply term quacks. One of the worst happened to do acupuncture as well... and was equally bad at that. How about breaking a blood vessel under the skin in my face, which turned one whole side of my face purple (like a huge wine-stain birthmark) and it was well over a month before it was completely gone.

[azbackpackr]

@CannondaleKid
Holy shamoly! Not good! I had never had the acupuncture before but it seemed fine. He did my wrists and knees. I have pain in those joints.

This chiropractic clinic offers a lot of different options: some lessons in exercises, nutrition stuff, and may also have some of this equipment. I'll ask next time.

[oceanwithin]

Aside from doctors/chiropractors, foods that are naturally anti-inflammatory might help ease the pain. Pineapple, ginger, honey, apple cider vinegar, etc. Turmeric is a good one to look into also as a supplement. There are a lot of other supplements that might help... glucosamine, msm, hyaluronic acid and others. Unfortunately there can be a lot of hype over supplements so do your research first. None of it will be an immediate cure, but over time it might help make a difference.