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Here's to Your Health:  Chronic back pain  |
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MustangSuzie
True Blue Farmgirl
634 Posts
Sarah
New London
Missouri
USA
634 Posts |
 Posted - Mar 24 2009 : 07:53:37 AM
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Hi farmgals! I'm just wanting to pick your brains about back pain. I have a place on my spine, just about at bra level, that aches most of the time especially when I wake up.
I've been researching some natural therapies for this back pain. I'm guessing it's either osteoporosis or osteoarthritis. I don't want to just take pain meds everyday. From what I've read so far I take flax oil, everning primrose oil, vitamins D, E and beta carotene, vit B complex. I also exercise more to strengthen the muscles in my back and practice yoga. I eat mostly a vegetarian diet with no dairy in attempt to eliminate anything to cause more inflammation.
If anyone has any other suggestions, ideas or things that work for you I would love to read them.
Happy Spring!
Blessings....
Sarah
www.mustangsuzie.blogspot.com
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Jana
True Blue Farmgirl
482 Posts
Jana
Eau Claire
Wisconsin
USA
482 Posts |
Posted - Mar 24 2009 : 08:24:10 AM
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Sarah,
First of all, let me preface this by saying I'm not a doctor. However, I have had 2 back surgeries and live with degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis. I'm 51.
My doc recommended that I take glucosamine (not with the chondroitin).
I'm not sure it really does anything for me personally. My problem was caused by a genetic spinal defect and just plain wear and tear.
Without getting into all kinds of scarey stuff, just know that maybe its your pillow, your mattress, maybe its not your back at all, maybe its your gallbladder or acid reflux. In other words, it might be a good idea to run this by a doctor.
Maybe a tight muscle? That could be fixed by a good massage session maybe. Good luck and keep us posted (I'm a little unusually curious about peoples' backs lol! )
Jana |
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MustangSuzie
True Blue Farmgirl
634 Posts
Sarah
New London
Missouri
USA
634 Posts |
Posted - Mar 24 2009 : 08:29:59 AM
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Thanks for your sharing and advice Jana. I'm sure it is in the bone. Years ago after a car accident I had an xray that show a tiny side curve at the exact spot that now hurts. I do get massages when I have the time. I almost have to laugh when the lady comments at how tight my back muscles are. Little does she know I am a single mom to four kids, maybe a little stressed I suppose. I also do hyro therapy when I have access to a shower, going from water hot as I can stand for a few minutes to cold as I can stand for a few minutes. I was wondering if it wasn't my mattress but I feel the same no matter where I sleep and I'm gone every weekend staying elsewhere. I think I am going to try getting a buckwheat pillow to see if that will help.
Blessings....
Sarah
www.mustangsuzie.blogspot.com
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Calicogirl
True Blue Farmgirl
5216 Posts
Sharon
Bruce Crossing
Michigan
USA
5216 Posts |
Posted - Mar 24 2009 : 10:41:47 AM
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Sarah,
I also am not a doctor, but deal with chronic back, neck, hip and shoulder pain due to an car accident. My husband and I were rear-ended when we were at a complete stop. We invested in a Tempurpedic mattress and that has eased alot of the pain. I don't take pain meds as much as I used to. Stress definitely does increase pain for me, I might not feel stressed in my mind but my body sure knows.
Basically I need to exercise so I won't hurt as bad. I wonder if certain exercises might actually be triggering the pain. Have you seen a Physical Therapist? Perhaps, they can tell you what exercises you would best benefit from.
When I am in the shower, I try to do light stretching exercises under hot water. That seems to help. My pain is not just muscular, I have a couple of herniated discs in my neck and compressed vertebrae in my thoracic, lumbar regions as well as problems with my sacroiliac joints (hip area).
Just a thought: I know that Fibromyalgia can surface when we are traumatized (such as a car accident). Certain foods will trigger pain like tomatoes and nightshades. I just wonder with the Vegetarian diet if that may have something to do with it. I think I would check to see if you may have Fibro.
I do hope that you can get some rest and relief soon!
~Sharon
By His Grace, For His Glory |
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DaisyFarm
True Blue Farmgirl
1646 Posts
Diane
Victoria
BC
Canada
1646 Posts |
Posted - Mar 24 2009 : 11:25:51 AM
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I'm afraid I have to join the group as a back pain sufferer resulting from two tailend car accidents, one at highway speed. You gals have my total sympathy, it is NOT fun.
I know the exact spot you speak of Sarah, right smack in the middle of your back. I tried all methods of homeopathy, massage, physical therapy, etc. etc. Lots of $$$ too! I finally found a good, non-invasive chiropractor and she can take that ache out in two seconds. Amazing relief! I would highly recommend one, I couldn't believe after all the therapies I tried, that she can actually make it go away...and gently too!
As a side note, my Mom has polymyalgic rheumatica and gets the same pain in the same vertebra. She too gets relief from a gentle chiropractor.
Di on VI
Farmgirl Sister #73 |
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MustangSuzie
True Blue Farmgirl
634 Posts
Sarah
New London
Missouri
USA
634 Posts |
Posted - Mar 24 2009 : 11:30:09 AM
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I was thinking of making a chiropractic visit at the end of the week. The only thing is, it doesn't stay in place. grrr Too bad they can't use some super glue. lol
Great to read everyone's comments. Back pain seems to be a fairly common culprit.
Blessings....
Sarah
www.mustangsuzie.blogspot.com
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bohemiangel
True Blue Farmgirl
2087 Posts
Bridget
Ligonier
pa
USA
2087 Posts |
Posted - Mar 24 2009 : 1:16:25 PM
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Oh man I have back pain EVERY DAY and I'm 26! I think this can't be good. I have had a few kicks to my right side (long story not literal kicks). I always seem to have neck pain, shoulder, and middle back pain. If anyone can help me I'd appreciate that. My is muscular and bone. I went to a chiropractor for awhile but that only alleviated it. I also am a highly stressful person with anxiety so I hold tension there. Exercise DOES help!!! Being active. The more I sit or lay the worse I am. I've played with pillows and so far haven't found one that truly helps. I did notice when I slept at a hotel the pillow/mattress combo helped me alot, that and no stress ha. Good luck but I think we are all in the back pain club......sigh
**~~Farmgirl Sister #60~~**
"... to thine ownself be true."
http://liggybitsandpieces.blogspot.com/
http://ligonierliving.blogspot.com/
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babysmama
True Blue Farmgirl
931 Posts
Elizabeth
Iowa
931 Posts |
Posted - Mar 27 2009 : 06:40:09 AM
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I've had back pain for several years now, ever since my first pregnancy. With being pregnant three times in five years and lugging those babies around on my hip I just seem to have constant back pain. It isn't horrible, but not fun either. I'm thinking of seeing a chiropractor when we get a little extra cash, right now hubby is going for his back and that can get expensive. I'm only 26 so I wonder how it will be when I am 36? Or 46? Grrr.
-Elizabeth |
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MustangSuzie
True Blue Farmgirl
634 Posts
Sarah
New London
Missouri
USA
634 Posts |
Posted - Mar 27 2009 : 06:54:29 AM
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Having babies is such a blessed event, but it sure can wreak havoc on our bodies. After I delivered my fourth baby I had severe lower back spasms that only morphine could make a difference. I don't like taking narcs so I started to exercise and that made all the difference in the world. What helped probably more than anything was strengthening my abdominal muscles and getting the weight off my belly, that in turn reduces the amount of stress our back muscles have to take. It's an ongoing process tho. My 'baby' is now 5 and if I go for a while without exercising my lower back starts to ache too.
I'm thinking we all need a day of massages and relaxation. :)
Blessings....
Sarah
www.mustangsuzie.blogspot.com
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idsweetie72
True Blue Farmgirl
129 Posts
Sandra
New Meadows
idaho
USA
129 Posts |
Posted - Mar 27 2009 : 12:52:21 PM
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Well- I actually fractured/broke my back when I fell 28 feet off a roof, (with the ladder) while I was shoveling snow. The ladder ended up acting as a buffer between me and an icey asphalt sidewalk- I have found that if, when I hurt really bad, I lay down with a flax seed heat pad pressed on my "pressure" points- it really helps- and I don't have to do it for a long time- so I do that and take it easy- let the kids and husband do my housework and such. And my doc is a smart man because he knows that if he gives me pain meds, I'll take them just so I can do my work-(not smart- but I can't stand laying around)- And I have tried pilates- and love it! But it is a little hard for my back to take right now- so I just do what I can.
hope this helps a little!
blessings,
sandra
Mazy Day Farm |
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lacisne88
True Blue Farmgirl
1181 Posts
Chelsey
Lake Stevens
Washington
USA
1181 Posts |
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KayB
True Blue Farmgirl
540 Posts
Kay
Del City
Oklahoma
USA
540 Posts |
Posted - Apr 10 2009 : 2:51:02 PM
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I have a curved spine from having 1 leg shorter than the other. I also have degenerative disc disease in my neck from 3 or 4 whiplashes. The best thing I have found is my chiropractor. If I wait until I actually throw my back out, then it takes him several treatments to keep it in place whereas if I go in ever 4-6 weeks for an adjustment, I feel so good. He doesn't manipulate my neck so much because I have bone spurs, but the "back poppin'" feels real good. I just wish he could help with my shoulder pain, but that is the result of a separation and surgery. The only thing I can do for that is taken naproxen sodium, but it works really well.
Life's a dance you learn as you go |
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gentlewoman farmer
True Blue Farmgirl
66 Posts
Judy
Bakersfield
Ca
USA
66 Posts |
Posted - Apr 14 2009 : 1:10:00 PM
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I seem to be allergic to peroxide or whitening agents. Since I stopped dying my hair, and started using organic toothpaste, my pains have decreased about 90 %. I know the back spot you are talking about, I use to cry from the pain, and at times it hurt too much to breathe. I get aches now and then, but I dont hurt like that anymore. My pains started when I was about 18 ys old.
Be good to yourself and be good to this earth.
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Here's to Your Health: Chronic back pain |
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Chronic back pain
