Lower Back Pain, other options other than Chiropractors

[Unknown303]

So i have probably have had on and off back pain for lord knows how long. Was wondering what are some good options for a permanent fix, or a long run fix. I will not go to a Chiropractor i don't believe in that kind of manipulation.

Am currently waiting for an appointment at a Physio place so will see how that goes. Any one know any good stretches or anything that may help things out?

[Nate]

It all depends on where and what is causing the pain. I went to a chiropractor that did Active Release therapy aswell. I went a few times, and have been virtually pain free for over a year now.

[Weapon_R]

Physiotherapy is your best bet for legitimate care. The fact that most docs won't even endorse chiropractic should tell you to stay away.

[Pacman]

Originally posted by Unknown303
So i have probably have had on and off back pain for lord knows how long. Was wondering what are some good options for a permanent fix, or a long run fix. I will not go to a Chiropractor i don't believe in that kind of manipulation.

Am currently waiting for an appointment at a Physio place so will see how that goes. Any one know any good stretches or anything that may help things out?


Go to your doctor and get evaluated. Back pain is nothing is take lightly.

I had lower back pain for 2 years....it was nothing too crazy, but I bothered me every few months. Then, one day, I was sitting in my computer chair and leaned over to grab a piece of paper and my whole lower body went into a massive spasm. I had to crawl into the car so my wife could take me the hospital.

After an MRI, it was determined that I had a massive disc herniation and the orthopedic surgeons couldn't understand how I was able to walk.

I had total numbness in my left leg and foot.....I went for surgery 2 weeks ago (microdiscectomy) and I have the feeling back in my leg, and I'm hoping the back pain is gone, but it's hard to tell right now as the pain from surgery incision is greater than the back pain I was feeling.

[D. Dub]

Originally posted by Pacman



Go to your doctor and get evaluated. Back pain is nothing is take lightly.

.

That should always be the first step.

[adam c]

start doing situps.. ur abs support ur lower back if thats where ur pain is.. also active release works great.. after my car accident i had problems even sitting down at my desk but the chiro helped a lot


try going to 'adjust your health'.. they were great to me there

its just off mcleod, on fisher street and 70th se ave i believe

[gran turismo]

Depending on what's causing the back pain, I would recommend an inversion table. Using one takes the pressure off the lower back and will help stretch the back as well. I have one and try to use it daily. At the very least, it will give temporary relief and should reduce pain over time. Most fitness stores carry the tables and I believe Costco may carry them from time to time.

[tom_9109]

Full massage with a happy ending.

[TimG]

+3 for seeing a doctor first.

if you're going to physio, they'll give you a bunch of strength exercises and stretches for you to do to help build strength in the lower back.

They'll probably give you some stretches that will loosen up the hamstrings and glutes.

if you really want to get into alternative medicine, look into acupunture/acupressure/shaitsu.

[benyl]

Are you fat? Carrying around a beer belly causes lower back pain. Also, if you belt is too tight trying to hold up your pants, that is another cause.

Go see your GP and get a referral if required.

[Mckenzie]

Try sleeping with a pillow under your legs (if u sleep on your back) or between your legs (if you sleep on the side).

Also, the most important thing I found was to keep active!

Go to the gym! Do stretches! Do core excercises! This is exactly what you will pay $60 a session for physio to tell you to do. Then take one day off, grab a bag of epson salts, pop an advil and soak in the bath tub. It will relax your muscles and make you feel like million $$$.:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[JRSC00LUDE]

I agree with the above, situps/abdominal exercise is the key to eliminating lower back pain (barring actual herniated disc or something more serious of course which is why you pop in and see the Dr.). Unless you're kidneys are shot haha, that can manifest itself with lower back pain.

I wouldn't let a chiropractor touch me either, personally don't like the concept at all.

Here's some food for thought:

http://www.healthwatcher.net/chirowatch.com/Chiro-Mathiason/mathiason-inquest.html

This was a few years ago and a rare occurrence but the results of the inquest made a lot of people think twice about chiro's and resulted in a lot of recommendations levelled solely at chiropractors.

[pinoyhero]

My solution was a simple one, stretch your ham strings. A ton of lower back pain especially in athletes is caused by overly tight hamstrings and glutes, strethc those well so they dont tighten up and play with your posture.

[Unknown303]

Guess i should say i am very fit. 6'2" 190 Lbs so not overweight at all. I do already do lots of core workouts and have found that its neither improving or worsening the condition.

I have an appointment for Physio which was recommended by a doctor i saw. So hopefully we can get some X-rays done to see if anything else is going in there. Any other advice would be appreciated.

[Street_Soldier]

I used to have backpain too. It was a result of my mattress being too soft. I got a new that is a lot more stiff and my back hasnt hurt since.

[~Leah~]

I figure if you keep correct posture, exercise regularly and strengthen your core, and have the correct mattress, you should be fine.

Mckenzie, you call your experience with the chiro "success", but the fact that you have to go every month for a "tune up" doesn't sound like much success to me. I think it's just like cracking your knuckles in a way. They get all this excess fluid in the joints, which causes discomfort if you don't continue to crack and realign the joints like a lot of people do with their knuckles. IMO, all it does is set you up to be one helluva sore elderly citizen who is going to have to be in assisted living at an earlier age because your body is too messed up to move and function on its own.

[Unknown303]

I'm glad i could start this excessive debate between you two.

I just have back pain and wanted options that wasn't going to a Chiropractor. Anyhow carry on.

[Eken9]

Deadlifts

[Unknown303]

Don't know if a one word answer works when i actually already goto the gym ever second day, and do full body workouts including core strength routines.

[TimG]

Do you do weights at the gym? are you sure that you're using the correct form when you do your exercises?

[SiR_lyfe]

i hate chiro's. Try going to get a messauge. They are way better on the back :thumbsup:

[SiR_lyfe]

Originally posted by Eken9
Deadlifts

that will tottaly make your back worse. I know from experience

[Unknown303]

Deadlifts is an exercise that has to be done perfectly or else you can really do a lot of bad to your back.

And i would like to think that i do have fairly decent form in all my gym exercises when i first started going i did enlist the help of a trainer to show me the ropes so i knew how to perform moves without wrecking myself.

And yes i mainly do weights at the gym, always feel cardio is best left to do outdoors.

[SiR_lyfe]

Originally posted by Unknown303
Deadlifts is an exercise that has to be done perfectly or else you can really do a lot of bad to your back.

And i would like to think that i do have fairly decent form in all my gym exercises when i first started going i did enlist the help of a trainer to show me the ropes so i knew how to perform moves without wrecking myself.

And yes i mainly do weights at the gym, always feel cardio is best left to do outdoors.

Its true, most ppl dont understand that you cant be only using your back for deadlifts, its a core exercise.

[Unknown303]

I think in the end I'm going to be going to Physio, since I'm looking for a long term solution that doesn't require Chiro.

I'm fairly disciplined so i think once i know a good range of stretches and exercises to keep my lower back flexible and fit i think I'll be able to carry it on at home.

[GTS Jeff]

WTF? Whoever moderated this thread did a terrible job. Fess up, whoever deleted the good informational debate on chiropractors. Don't give me that horseshit about it not being relevant either, because you'll see the word chiro in basically every post in this thread.

[Weapon_R]

Originally posted by GTS Jeff
WTF? Whoever moderated this thread did a terrible job. Fess up, whoever deleted the good informational debate on chiropractors. Don't give me that horseshit about it not being relevant either, because you'll see the word chiro in basically every post in this thread.

SEARCH NOOB

http://forums.beyond.ca/st/171690/chiropractor-opinions/

[Unknown303]

Wow nice to see the debate was cleared out. Anyways i guess i've got enough opinions now to forge my own. Thanks for the ideas everyone. Anyone know a good place near SAIT to just get Massages? A real massage i must point out.

[TrevorK]

Originally posted by Unknown303
Wow nice to see the debate was cleared out. Anyways i guess i've got enough opinions now to forge my own. Thanks for the ideas everyone. Anyone know a good place near SAIT to just get Massages? A real massage i must point out.

I'd forego massage therapy and stick with physio.

When I went to physio I was able to make great strides in my recover, and they help to make it permanent by giving you the ability to maintain on your own (With the stretches/exercises).

Massage therapy is just a temporary solution, if you don't fix the underlying problem and keep doing whatever caused it to flare it, it will come back.


Massage therapy is like having an oil leak, but just topping up the engine with oil. The leak is still there, and once you stop topping up the engine you're going to have a problem.

[Unknown303]

Just figure it might be nice to get a few massages while i'm starting Physio to help relax the muscles since they most likely won't take kindly to all the stretching.

[frozenrice]

Speaking from personal experience with both. I'd suggest physio.
I used to have a bad back and went to the chiro every 3 months or so for an adjustment because of the recurring pain. After two years of this I asked my regular doctor for an alternate solution and she prescribed phsyio. I went for about two or three sessions and haven't had any major pains since.

[Unknown303]

Only went to one Physio session so far. But have been following the stretching exercises to a T and i already am starting to feel better.

The funny thing about Physio is they don't try to disguise whats wrong. In perfect plain english they explain what they think is wrong and give you a plain english answer on ways they are going to go about fixing it. When i when to the Chiro for an analysis every second word out of the guys mouth was some medical slang or lord knows what.

I really appreciate the down to earth approach the physio people have. They are straight forward about if i don't follow what they advice nothing will happen and that it will take time and possible pain (stretching the un-stretchable). I appreciate professional honest.

+1 for Physiotherapy.

[xtrader101]

How much does it cost for physio treatment and any clinic you can recommend close to downtown?

I have this upper back pain i've been carrying for over a year and I can't take this discomfort anymore. My doctor recommends physiotherapy treatment.

Thanks.

[TrevorK]

Originally posted by xtrader101
How much does it cost for physio treatment and any clinic you can recommend close to downtown?

I have this upper back pain i've been carrying for over a year and I can't take this discomfort anymore. My doctor recommends physiotherapy treatment.

Thanks.

As far as I remember, Alberta Health Care generally covers the initial assessment and the first two visits (Technically you need to fall under certain criteria for the two visits to be eligable, but I think as long as your honestly hurt they will just cover you).

After that it depends on which clinic you visit as to the cost. Mine was $65/session, but I know of others who paid $80-90. If you have third party health care coverage (Blue Cross) there is a good chance they will cover.

[ricosuave]

ive had great success with accupuncture for my lower back pain issues - responded much better for me than chiro and physio

pm me and i'll pass on more info if youre interested

[nosegrindR]

Originally posted by Pacman



I had lower back pain for 2 years....it was nothing too crazy, but I bothered me every few months. Then, one day, I was sitting in my computer chair and leaned over to grab a piece of paper and my whole lower body went into a massive spasm. I had to crawl into the car so my wife could take me the hospital.

After an MRI, it was determined that I had a massive disc herniation and the orthopedic surgeons couldn't understand how I was able to walk.

I had total numbness in my left leg and foot.....I went for surgery 2 weeks ago (microdiscectomy) and I have the feeling back in my leg, and I'm hoping the back pain is gone, but it's hard to tell right now as the pain from surgery incision is greater than the back pain I was feeling.


Sounds like i had a similar experience last night... Had back problems to the lower left back/leg for ~5 years then suddenly last night when i tried to turn while sleeping, BOOM... couldn't walk, literally crawled 5 meters to the kitchen to get advil and it took over 5 minutes to get there. Pretty scary shit for sure.

I went to the doctor today, and the doctor prescribed me physiotherapy. And like it said above, you have to meet certain conditions to be covered under Alberta Health Care. Hopefully you are right that if it does hurt, a physio facility will take you in. I'll keep you guys posted on the progress.

Cheers :thumbsup:

[GOnSHO]

ive had good luck wiht my sports therapist. because they dont just concentrate on bones, but muscles and ligiments too so they make sure everythig is in alignment and working properly instead of just 1 of 3 things that make you hurt..

good luck with the pain

[Boost Infested]

He can fix almost everything... $75/hr

Hitman Massage Therapy
Address : 3-135 Whitefield Drive NE, Calgary, AB T1Y 5X1
Telephone : 403-285-3695

[TrevorK]

Originally posted by nosegrindR



Sounds like i had a similar experience last night... Had back problems to the lower left back/leg for ~5 years then suddenly last night when i tried to turn while sleeping, BOOM... couldn't walk, literally crawled 5 meters to the kitchen to get advil and it took over 5 minutes to get there. Pretty scary shit for sure.

I went to the doctor today, and the doctor prescribed me physiotherapy. And like it said above, you have to meet certain conditions to be covered under Alberta Health Care. Hopefully you are right that if it does hurt, a physio facility will take you in. I'll keep you guys posted on the progress.

Cheers :thumbsup:

You should make sure that your doctor checks out your piriformis muscle:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piriformis_muscle

It's a small muscle that causes a lot of pain. My sports doctor was able to do a couple stretches, and was easily able to tell that I had issue with the piriformis and on what side based on the mobility I showed during the stretches.

He said that it's a simple muscle to stretch, and that because of it's relation to the sciatic nerve is often missed during routine diagnosis.