How to manage a bad back?

[Woodworks]

Probably like many on here I suffer with back problems. Over the last year or two its become a major issue and required time off my regular work of log cutting and feeding the processor.

 

Recently I have been using a back brace which seems to help quite a bit but not exactly comfortable to wear and might lead to other problems?

 

Just interested in how other manage. Pain killers, physio, gym work, massage, operations of something else? 

[Mick Dempsey]

Osteopaths or chiropractor.

 

keep looking till you find one that can help.

 

 

[Paddy1000111]

Chiropractors for me when I did my back. I was strongly told NOT to wear a support. It stops the back repairing and it won't gain strength again so it will be weak. 

 

It sounds like you need to look at your process and change some manual handling factors though. 

[SpringhallTreeCare]

If you're in any doubt about the root cause I'd suggest an MRI scan. I spent many years and much money on physios and osteopaths until one of them suggested an MRI. They organised it and the cost was £150 ish but it showed a collapsed disc at l5/s1. Some NHS bolts and screws and I now have no back pain.

Point is up until that MRI all I was doing was treating the symptoms not the cause.

[trigger_andy]

Back braces are bad for you long term as you rely on them instead of your own muscles and you weaken them.

Stretching to the point you’re crying out in pain (under professional guidance) and thinking this is in no way good for me helps a lot.

Deep tissue massages where you’re also crying out in pain.

Chiropractor in conjunction with the deep tissue massages.

I’ve had two different surgeries on my lower back though. Still have bad tingling in each of my feet and if I stop being active (like the last 10 days I’ve been in quarantine) I’m back to shuffling around like an old man.

So it’s back to stretching in the shower for me and lots of walking and physical activity. When I get home I’ll be heading to my chiropractor for an MOT.

[Woodworks]

1 minute ago, SpringhallTreeCare said:

If you're in any doubt about the root cause I'd suggest an MRI scan. I spent many years and much money on physios and osteopaths until one of them suggested an MRI. They organised it and the cost was £150 ish but it showed a collapsed disc at l5/s1. Some NHS bolts and screws and I now have no back pain.

Point is up until that MRI all I was doing was treating the symptoms not the cause.

Sadly I know the root cause. Had an MRI some years ago and I have a bulging disc. Sometimes it presses on the nerves and sometimes it doesn't. I can feel perfect one day and crippled the next. Normally somewhere in between the two 

[trigger_andy]

Sadly I know the root cause. Had an MRI some years ago and I have a bulging disc. Sometimes it presses on the nerves and sometimes it doesn't. I can feel perfect one day and crippled the next. Normally somewhere in between the two 

That’s what I had as well. Cut me down one side of my spine to trim L4 and came around the back of my spine to get L5.

Still waiting on Neck surgery for the same issue from when I had a 7kg lump of metal fall on my hardhat from 3m. Covids stopped that from happening though. Thankfully I’ve got good private insurance through my work so I’ll get it sorted as soon as this nonsense is over.

[Squaredy]

6 minutes ago, Woodworks said:

Sadly I know the root cause. Had an MRI some years ago and I have a bulging disc. Sometimes it presses on the nerves and sometimes it doesn't. I can feel perfect one day and crippled the next. Normally somewhere in between the two 

Get some professional help.  Chiropractors and Osteopaths are the available experts realistically.  NHS may well be able to help, but you may be waiting for a year just for the initial appointment.  Another MRI may be sensible followed by a chat with a NHS or private back specialist, but meanwhile I would see a Chiropractor or Osteopath.

[topchippyles]

Something i can sympathise with as i suffer daily with same issue. Have spend thousands and seen no end of different experts down the years including having mri scans. I have got a guy now i use who is a physio and most brutal but i have to say it works for me. 

[Tommy_B]