bad back

[big_al]

i'm out of action at the moment due to a bad back
i've got a lot of stiffness and pain in the lower back area
anyone got any ideas how to fix it?
physio, chiropracter etc?

 

[Mungoscorner]

Chiropractors can work wonders,but there not cheap.
Biggest help i found,was to use a trolley,make sure i warm up thoroughly,and i also wear a lumbar support.
keeping yourself reasonably fit,and doing some exercise's to help strengthen the lower back can also help.
I've suffered with Sciatica for 20+ years,sometimes i can go years without it going into spasm,sometimes it seems to go every few months.

 

[Bacardibatman]

id vote for Chiropractor too

im still seeing one atm so know what it can be like

mine gave me a detailed assesmant &plan with treatment timeframe

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r279/i29lotto/SDC15037.jpg (things that were wrong with mine)

Mine was £48 for consultation & 1st treatment & then £35
a treatment (so not exactley cheap but worth it IMHO)

had my first rnd since April yesterday

Has done a great job of getting me back mobile

 

[johng]

Hi Big_al.

I've suffered lower back problems for over a decade - (tore the L5 ligaments trying to keep fit )

I've found a local osteopath who has worked wonders for me over recent times - much better than chiropractor/physio, in my experience.

Best tip is to learn how to rest the back properly - for me this is laying flat on my back with my feet flat on the floor - or elevated on a stool with knees bent. This helps put the pelvis into a neutral position. (please note - I'm not saying this will work for you, every injury is different.) Avoid twisting and lifting awkwardly and after this acute phase passes look at how to improve the core muscles and hopefully avoid further injury.

Good luck - treated correctly the pain and restriction will pass, this I know from very painful personal experience.

 

[birdieman]

Short term a mix of ibuprofen and paracetamol will ease the pain. Acually getting moving is often the best thing to do but just lots of walking, probably not golf for now.

Long term some physio, weight loss, stretching may help. Chiros are good for some things but for discs that have prolapsed in the past there isn't too much they can do, if they tell you otherwise you're probably being fleeced. The chiro I saw was honest with me about that.

Really intense hamstring stretches can relieve lower back pain.

 

[pendodave]

Saw a consultant about my lower back recently.

He said that the only two things he could recommend that were proved in published research to help the lower back over the long term were swimming and pilates.

recommended the Darcy Bussel Pilates dvd as a good place to start....

 

[Mungoscorner]

Saw a consultant about my lower back recently.

He said that the only two things he could recommend that were proved in published research to help the lower back over the long term were swimming and pilates.

recommended the Darcy Bussel Pilates dvd as a good place to start....

Interesting that you mention swimming.When my back was playing up,i found that swimming actually aggravated it.Ok on my back,but when swimming on my front,straightening my spine was the last thing i wanted to do,it only made the pain worse.