I have a bad back.
More accurately, sciatic symptoms have led to a diagnosis of muscular inflammation in the lower back pinching the sciatic nerve and generally causing much general discomfort.
I’ve had this since August and am bloody fed up with it now. My NHS physiotherapist is not unduly concerned (which is good) and has explained and demonstrated a series of bends and stretches to help un-knot the pinched nerves and build up a bit of lower back strength to straighten me up.
It’s this long-commute-to-a-sedentary-job lifestyle that’s done it for me. Too many similar days of trains and sitting and not enough time spent stood up and doing other things.
Have any of you been through similar? I will be following my doctors orders and following his prescribed activities but did any particular cure present itself to you? A friend of mine recommends mounting a chin up bar across a door frame and hanging upside down from it for an hour a night. He’s a bell end of several I know.
I’m having a go at some basic yoga moves. Mrs B turns off the telly to watch it’s that good.
The first time I saw dad cry was when a chiropractor had a go at fixing his slipped disc. Apologies if I have the wrong end of the stick but I got the feeling chiropractors are like snake oil peddlers without any snake oil. Plywood under the mattress was an oft tried fix in the 70s so maybe a harder mattress?
Very wrong @Clive.
For the first time in my life I had a bad back last month. Couldn’t stand up straight and had severe spasms. One visit to the Chiropracter and I was completely pain free. Whatever he did it was magic.
Yoga moves sort me out. Morning and evening. And sit upright – no foot stools!
I have seen a few chiropractors in my time. My back was pretty chronic between about 2008 and 2011. I saw one in Zurich when I could barely walk. He put me in some pretty scary looking old fashioned apparatus and did indeed turn me upside down while massaging, moving things around etc. Has never been as bad again. Might be a coincidence.
Chronic back pain condition that only a 50-50 operation might fix. But I seldom get the days of pain/stuck in bed anymore by making sure
On car journeys stop every hour and walk around for a bit
On train journeys walk through the carriages at least twice
Refuse to help friends/colleagues shift furniture, tote heavy loads etc
After gardening, DIY etc always have a hot bath with overpriced exotic bath salts
No running round the vineyards anymore, speed-walking with plenty of stops to take in the silent majesty of my surroundings
Oh, and strictly no sex unless I am tied down with chains, smothered in honey and whipped cream – best lie down methinks, just done my back in….
had back problems due to too much bending when teaching brickwork. I was having a massage once while my partner was having her hair done, I said I needed the back doing as the sciatica was really bad.
He said ‘ well I could try something, I’ve been shown’
Don’t know what he did but I walked in in agony and walked out upright.
A chiropractor seemed to say we need one more session every week, so I gave up.
Had an operation three years ago, which wasn’t successful, had my second one this year which appears to have solved it.
You have my sympathy.
I had some back and neck problems after a car accident nearly 40 years ago. Car I was a passenger in spun and hit a telegraph pole at speed backwards and then rolled over a couple of times in a field. No bones broken, fortunately, just whiplash and bruising.
For about 10 years after that I used to get lower back pain when bending down working and neck pain when working above head height. Not very nice for an electrician. Eventually it either sorted itself out or else my brain stopped registering it.
Nowadays I get lower back/backs of thighs pain standing still too long at gigs and also neck pain taking long journeys on public transport. My car (a Saab) has good adjustments of seating position but nevertheless, on long drives I stop regularly and stretch my legs anyway.
My knees and ankles are much more of a problem nowadays.
No, now look. What you’re meant to say is, ‘hey, it’s nothing. You’re doing exactly as you should and you’ll be as fit as Tom Daly within hours’
Not all this it lasts f******g years cobblers.
*claps hands* OK, from the top, ‘You’ll be fine in a day or two’ M,kay?
The bad news is, that it can last a lifetime. At the moment, you’re in pain, but that’ll go away, and you certainly don’t want it to become chronic.
I had a semi manual job, and I was over 6’4″. I started getting troubles in my early 20s. In my mid 30s I was off work for 5 months with sciatica. My work recommended a sports physio, who cost a fortune, but they paid half. I did feel better after our sessions, but gave them up because I was terrified. He’d twist me all over the place, then put his full weight(he was a big bloke) on my back or side. I felt I would be leaving in a wheelchair, even though I believed that he knew what he was doing.
The nurse at work suggested warming up as soon as I got out of bed. I argued with her saying that I had to be up before 5am and didn’t have time for warming up. She said if I didn’t warm up, then pretty soon I wouldn’t be getting out of bed at all!
So, I started warming up. Not when I have a sore back, but every day.
It’s simple really. Slow head rolls. Try to touch your shoulder with your ear, slowly. Bend head back and forward, slowly. The rest is just gentle stretches really. Try to touch the ceiling holding in your stomach, and gentle twists from side to side, always holding in your stomach. There are more, but you get the idea.
I still get the odd twist or pulled muscle, but in general, great advice from the nurse.
Yes. The mornings are the worst times. And I do need to be up and out by 5:45. Thankfully I can work from home on the days I can’t face the walk to the station. Though the only way to make it go away to a degree is to walk through it.
I’ll try the warm up idea, thank you.
I remember someone saying they swore by 20mins walking on a treadmill each morning. Could be ideal for you.
Do try swimming too though (not to work, unless it’s a particularly wet day), especially if you can get access to a nice warm pool. If you’re not keen on swimming lengths, bobbing about with a woggle will enable you to do some leg movements.
Really, movement is key, but keep it low-impact.
Thanks Min
I’ve been seeing a lady who realigns my spine and my organs (steady on Moosey, I mean my internal ones) once a month for 18 months now. Since I’ve been going to her, I’ve had no sciatica and my guts are better. I pay privately but it is money well spent at a little over a quid per day. I sit on my arse for a living, which really doesn’t help.
Just don’t expect overnight miracles.
My work life is either lifting awkward heavy objects, driving for hours or sitting around, unable to get up and walk around. It’s a shit job etc
I used to go to a McTimoney chiropractor for a few years until she moved. I had a few years of little or no lower back pain. McTimoney are relatively gentle and I’ve since tried a different chiropractor but didn’t really feel the were doing any good. I went to McTimoney every two months for realignment and it seemed to keep trouble at bay. When I do get trouble now I use ice packs (20 minutes on, 20 minutes off. Deep Heat makes it much worse.) I also get high dosage Naproxen (like Ibuprofen but you need Ormeprazol to protect the stomach) from the doctor. Doesn’t do much for the pain but does help the inflammation. I also go to a hydrotherapy pool which is like a warm bath and bobbing around “weightless” for 40 minutes seems to help.
I’m resigned to becoming twisted and immobile from time to time. It’s the price I have to pay for my glamorous, decadent lifestyle over the last three decades.
Bugger. Yes, I’m taking Naproxen and Ormeprazol as we speak.
It shouldn’t hurt to stand up straight, should it?
Mind, though but, sedentary job of mine or not it’s my own fault. I should be more active. Actually, it’s you lot that distract me and pull me in here. Bastards.
I’m off to hang upside down.
I’d second (or third… ) the yoga route.
I do something at my local sports centre called Body Balance. It’s a mix of tai chi, yoga and pilates. It focuses on core strength and flexibility.
I’ve been doing it for about a year now and feel much better for it. I run a bit too, but I do believe that the Body Balance has helped me get rid of the sciatic pain I used to get in my leg and the general ache in my lower back (I work in an office and sit at a desk most of the day).
Apart from that, I also have the vaguest start of a “six pack” now and I can touch my toes.
You said you do yoga at home, but it might help more if you do a class because then there will be someone who can make sure you’re doing the poses correctly and the routine of going to the class will help you keep it up.
That’s encouraging. I quite enjoy the poses and stretches I’ve learned so far. All very easy and slow. My breathing is all over the shop and I must look like nothing on earth. But, I like it.
Yes, the physiotherapist advised getting into a class. Just have to curtail the involuntary swearing.
It’s a funny thing about the class, I’ve never been much of a group joiner, but I really enjoy going and miss it if I don’t.
It may not be for everyone, but it’s worth a try.
Edit:I was going to add that if you do think about a class, it would be worth speaking to the instructor first to see if he/she thinks it is right for you.
Ahh you’ve got me singing that Dexy’s song that goes Ooh Ooh Ahh Ahh! . But I can’t remember what it’s called or how the rest of it goes. So I just keep going Ooh Ooh Ahh Ahh!.
Sorry, not entirely relevant but there you go.
You’re meant to be singing ‘Back in the USSR’.
Even when I’m in potentially life long agony I’ve still got it.
Thankfully Not Living In Yorkshire It Doesn’t Apply! Been driving me mad, that has
I had the op, a microdiscectomy. It was the answer to 2 years of pretty constant pain in my R bumcheek, toothache in my arse and inability to stand up or bend other than very slowly.
The only problem is I have similar twinges now in my R shoulder, the MRI showing a mess of vertebral mayhem. Not so sure I want a knife in my neck. Or that it will be offered. So carefully as I go.
Tried the old chiropractic and it’s a wonderful circus of manipulation and crunching noises, clunks and smoky mirrors. Bollocks, really.
A combination of an injury from a misspent youth and 30 odd years working in an office means I’ve had back problems most of my life. The chiropractor takes care of the injury (that resulted in Scheurmann’s disease), but it’s Pilates that’s really helped. Been doing it once a week for three years and my back’s never felt better, the result of having all of the muscles around it strengthened and using muscles I never knew existed.
The good thing about Pilates (and yoga) is that, with some basic equipment (a foam roller and spiky ball), you can do it at home to supplement what you do in class on the equipment.
Not sure I would’ve survived moving house in the middle of an Australian summer without it.
Went to seeThe Church in Bristol last night and stood still for three and a half hours, something I never do except at gigs. By the end I was six inches shorter and couldn’t move my waist or neck. It was fine again by morning, but I’m starting to think my standing gig days are over.
Same problem except I’d never last 3½ hours. My lower back just seizes up and the backs of my thighs start aching after about an hour of standing still. If I wash (what’s left of) my hair in the bathroom sink, my lower back will be giving me gyp after about 10 minutes.
No problems, or at least none to write here about, if I’m moving about or sitting up straight or with some back support.
@chiz
Good gig? From various fan forums I’ve visited, they’ve been on form on this tour which I couldn’t unfortunately catch.
Really good, considering the itinerary. Friday New York, Saturday Uncasville Connecticut, Monday Manchester, Tuesday Bristol (and London, Birmingham and Edinburgh the next three nights). Not bad for blokes in their sixties. I wonder how their backs feel.
And they did Unguarded Moment!
I’d like to have bought tix for Brum, but felt a support slot was a bit thin., especially when the so called main attraction is bloody Fields of the Nephilim, WTF
Apparently, according to an extremely unbiased forum report, they won over the Neff fans in Manchester. Hmmm.
They’ve done a load of gigs in the UK recently, hope they’re back again soon.
I thought Kilbey had disowned Unguarded Moment in the same way as UTMW?
I thought my standing gig days were over (except when standing is the only option) until this week.
On Tuesday I went to see David Byrne at “The Brigton Centre”. By the time I decided I wanted to go there were very few seated tickets left so I took what I could get, only two seats between me and the extreme SW corner of the auditorium.
David Byrne and his troupe were excellent and I’d happily see the show again next week, even from a similarly iffy seat.
But as I left I kept thinking that I should have gone for a standing ticket.
(The support act was Benjamin Clementine / The Clementines. I have no doubt that they are talented, dedicated people pursuing a direction that (I hope) they find rewarding. Unfortunately on the night their stuff didn’t work for me.)
I’ve had what for want of a better term is known as “a bad back” for about 40 years. It goes into spasm at pelvis level, usually triggered by thoughtless bending down – the first time it happened I bent down to pick up a cat and spent the rest of the day on the kitchen floor howling. I’ve tried most forms of therapy – including a frankly bonkers bloke who dripped hot candle wax on me – but in truth the only thing that works is time and trying to keep as mobile as possible. In fact it hasn’t happened for at least 5 years – *touches wood* – so maybe it’s fixed itself.
Hope you get sorted out, @beezer…in the meantime let the Goons ease your pain.
Ah, The Goons. I’ve been making a lot of Neddie Seagoon noises doing the yoga bits. Especially the raspberries.
I had a bad back last January. Tweaked something getting undressed. Couldn’t stand up for 2 days and was in real pain for about 10 days. I went to a sports physio and he hurt me bad but it was much better within a couple of days and I’ve not had a problem since.
Yep – used to have an attack every couple of years. I went to a sports physio who sorted me out, after seeing several people who weren’t interested in me getting better but were interested in me seeing them regularly. He pointed out that I had no muscles in my lower back and gave some exercises. I’ve since found out that they are basically yoga moves.
Get yourself a strong core and get flexible, you will probably be better for good, assuming you have no skeletal damage.
The hanging like a bat thing might just work. Failing that, swimming the backstroke is good. You stretch your back and your head is in a nice position. Just don’t behave as though you are qualifying for the Olympics.
Great advice here:
http://www.cmbackpainhelp.nhs.uk
Thanks everyone. Sage and sensible advice.
I do sympathise with all of you who have had, or still have, the same bother.
It’s a pain above the arse, innit?
No. That’s a different kind of pain altogether.
Going through it right now. Fecking agony.
I suffered a slipped disc in 1977, lifting a 25kg sack of sugar and turning from the waist, in 1977 (I worked in a cash n carry.) The received wisdom of the medical experts in those days was ‘weeks of bed rest, sleep on a wooden board, blah, blah, blah.
I struggled with it, every few months, for over 20 years.
Finally, my new wife recommended a local chiropractor that her friend was going to. I remember a GP saying to me, a few years before, ‘If you go and see one of them, the NHS will have nothing to do with you.’ Wow.
But, at this point, I couldn’t stand straight, could hardly walk and certainly couldn’t do my job (running said cash n carry – up to 14 hour days, on concrete floors, late nights, weekends, etc.) I went.
The improvement was almost instantaneous. Three appointments in and I was walking taller than I had in 20 years, tucking in my pelvis, sitting straighter and becoming aware of everything NOT to do. I have been going to her, every 8 weeks, for a tune up, for 20 years. I’ve had 2 or 3 major problems in that time (as opposed to 4 or 5 per year) all of them down to my own complacency.
This one is by far the worst.
I know I need to do something on a daily basis now. Once I can move ‘normally’ again I’ll start a morning routine to regain some core strength. I am 62, want to retire in the next year to eighteen months, and I don’t want to spend my days with this crippling and depressing pain.
Thanks for the OP @Beezer. It has inspired me.
Oh buddy! Let’s keep an eye on the local gig scene @niallb (‘scene’ Hark at me!) and hobble along to one soon.
Hope you feel better soon – and so do I!
I hope your pain passes soon Beezer.
I get flare ups of back pain periodically, but generally a bit of a maintenance regime keeps it at bay – the yoga/ Pilates route is definitely the way to go IMO. The stronger& more balanced the core is, the less likely you are to get grief.
I’ve come to truly appreciate that is really is ‘all connected’, so all needs some work.- for me particularly calves & hamstrings – if I neglect them even for a day, I feel it & tend to pay for it.
The only thing I’d add to the sage advice of the Massive is to pay attention to your hip flexors ( after your current bout has subsided, obviously). Following a friend’s advice & doing a bit of homework has opened my eyes to how important they are – particularly for people who sit at a desk all day at work – get them in decent nick with some simple regular exercises, & looking after the core & the attendant benefits that brings gets much easier.
Good luck.
Good call and yet more wise words, thank you.