Author Topic: Grumble ##$$@! low back pain!!! (Read 4771 times)

Jabba · « **on:** October 15, 2005, 09:03:04 am »

I know I'm setting myself up here. Effing back went out on me. Started with a little pain last week and then BAM/WHAMMMO!!! Out of commision. I started jogging so I think thats what did it!!

Amazing how much we rely on our backs. Basically stuck in bed for the next while until it heals. Been doing minor exercises to get it back faster. Thank God for a laptop and an internet connection next to my bed...

Anyone have any tips on how to get this to heal faster?

Thanks guys!

Harry Potter · « **Reply #1 on:** October 15, 2005, 09:16:47 am »

You're not the father of those 16 kids in MA?

ChadTower · « **Reply #2 on:** October 15, 2005, 11:01:42 am »

I just spent the summer recovering from a herniated L4/L5 with multiple annular tears, plus a couple of lumbar strains. It was pretty bad. I am now pain free, my back is strong, and my hamstrings and lower back are more flexible than they were before the injury.

The injury happened in July. My back is now strong enough that I am cleared to return to semipro football and my first game back is tomorrow.

I can probably help you out quite a bit. What is the nature of the pain? Injury? Arthritis? Weakness? Nonbalance?

Jabba · « **Reply #3 on:** October 15, 2005, 03:23:27 pm »

Hey Chad, that huts just reading it. I am glad to hear you are not pain free and back to semipro football (what is semipro anyways? Is it like AHL is to NHL?)

Nature of the pain is a constant dull burn, like constant strain! Not sciatica because it doesn't travel down the leg. Kinda center in the lower lumbar. Not spasms but close. Can't sit or stand for very long. Prolly Weakness, and I'm not sure what Nonbalance is...

Pretty sure its from Weakness of the muscles. Seems to come back every few years

Any tips or programs you were/are on would be appreciated!

ChadTower · « **Reply #4 on:** October 15, 2005, 03:53:10 pm »

Nonbalance is when the strength is not balanced throughout the region. An example would be having very strong abdominals and weak erectors. The abdominals would be able to do things the erectors could not, and the erectors would fatigue and strain trying to keep up.

First thing I would do is figure out the nature of the pain. Have you seen a chiropractor? Chiropractors focus on proper flexibility and range of motion of the spine, something that can be seriously compromised doing seemingly innocuous things. Sitting in an office chair, for example, can really mess up your back if you're not in good shape. It gets my neck that way.

If you don't have reason to think you have an injury, I would bet that it's simple nonbalance and flexibility. What type of condition are you in? There is a reason out of condition people have more aches and pains than a well maintained individual.

First advice: ask around for a quality local chiropractor.
Second advice: be a bit more specific about the pain and we can, combined with the input from your chiropractor, devise a program to bring back strength back into balance and improve it all around at the same time.

missioncontrol · « **Reply #5 on:** October 15, 2005, 05:19:27 pm »

I've had on and off pains with my back for the last 10 years or so. I've even seen Chiropractors many of times.

Then last year I was out of commission for a couple weeks... Doc gave me a high dose of muscle relaxers and antibiotics.

I ended up getting one of those Select Comfort mattresses haven't had any real bad pains ever since.

Jabba · « **Reply #6 on:** October 15, 2005, 05:57:55 pm »

Last bout of this I saw a Chiro. Didn't seem as though they were able to do anything after a number of sessions. Went to see a physio instead.

Sounds like you'vr had good results from a Chiro...How many sessions? My MIL went once, and could tell the difference immediately.

It may be the balanced thing as I am quite tilted to the RHS.

MC. You sound like me......Every once in a while it flares up.

Once I can move around, I'll see a Dr. to get some Relaxants!!!

Bones · « **Reply #7 on:** October 15, 2005, 06:05:00 pm »

Quote from: Jabba on October 15, 2005, 05:57:55 pm

Once I can move around, I'll see a Dr. to get from Relaxants!!!

Try pot. Does wonders for pain.

ChadTower · « **Reply #8 on:** October 15, 2005, 06:07:00 pm »

Dude, if you're not standing straight, you have real problems. Find a GOOD chiro... a bad one is useless.

Sounds like your spinal curve has been compromised. Sounds bad, can be, but can be fixed with regular care. If he says 3x/week for the first month or so, do it, because you can only adjust the spine so much at a time. It's like braces on your teeth. If you try to move it too much at once you just injure it.

Once you get some flexibility back, you work on balance of strength. It goes like this:

Top of the pelvis: erectors, abdominals, obliques

Bottom of the pelvis: gluteus maximus and minimus, hamstrings, adductors and flexors

Top of the back: latissimus and deltoid

Once you have flexibility, we can get a remedial program to strengthen them all at the same rate, giving balance.

Lots of big words but not really that hard if you have good guidance.

DrewKaree · « **Reply #9 on:** October 15, 2005, 11:54:54 pm »

Quote from: Jabba on October 15, 2005, 09:03:04 am

I know I'm setting myself up here. Effing back went out on me.

Quote from: Jabba on October 12, 2005, 04:10:45 pm

Hey Drew, just found a linky for you...

Your back and you...

http://www2.aaos.org/yoc/lowbackpain_56k.asx

http://www2.aaos.org/yoc/lowbackpain.asx

Jabba · « **Reply #10 on:** October 16, 2005, 08:36:49 am »

Yeah, I know, I know, I kinda knew it would be you...

missioncontrol · « **Reply #11 on:** October 16, 2005, 10:20:01 am »

The first time I saw a Chiro the sessions lasted 6 months, the next time it was about 4 months, then the last time I went for a year. but changing my mattress is what I think solved my on and off back problems.

DrewKaree · « **Reply #12 on:** October 16, 2005, 11:16:47 am »

Quote from: Jabba on October 16, 2005, 08:36:49 am

Yeah, I know, I know, I kinda knew it would be you...

Quote
I know I'm setting myself up here.

I stopped WAYY before you did cause I saw the glove and KY in the background...

BTW: Have they passed? I know my Dad had these many years ago and I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy.

They seem to have passed, although while working on Friday and yesterday, I had the same kinda pain and nothing to relate it to work-wise, so I may have had a few more. Nothing today.

I'll see if I can scan in my abs workout book for you. It's all basic easy stuff requiring no special equipment (and for the single one that does, you can substitute something else for it) and it doesn't take too long at all. I'll try to PDF it and send it to you and Chad, but that'll be after working on the CP today.

For the other stuff Chad mentions, I've got a Soloflex. I use it for the single specialized ab thing, lats/other major back stuff, and hamstrings. And it was hard work cleaning all the dust and dryer lint off it to start using it much

Jabba · « **Reply #13 on:** October 16, 2005, 02:50:14 pm »

Thank you Drew, that would be mosy appreciated...

That control panel looking really sweet! I'm on dialup at home so could not get to see it all, but I like the winged effect. It will be nice to see it finished...

Jabba · « **Reply #14 on:** October 17, 2005, 02:36:43 pm »

Arthrotec and Tylenol 3's.....man's best friend! How do you spell RELIEF?

ChadTower · « **Reply #15 on:** October 17, 2005, 02:43:24 pm »

If you are bad enough that you are on narcotics, I would highly recommend an MRI to determine the exact nature of the injury.

DrewKaree · « **Reply #16 on:** October 17, 2005, 04:26:10 pm »

Quote from: Jabba on October 16, 2005, 02:50:14 pm

Thank you Drew, that would be mosy appreciated...

That control panel looking really sweet! I'm on dialup at home so could not get to see it all, but I like the winged effect. It will be nice to see it finished...

Okay, I scanned it in at 300 DPI and in the transmogrifying process of each scan image, I dropped it down to 150 DPI. Lower than that, it seems to be unreadable at full size. The bad news is that it RAR's to 11.8 megs, and I can't send an attachment larger than 10 megs.

Do you have WinRAR?
Should I drop it to 100 DPI and retry?
Should I drop it to 72 DPI and retry?

Jabba · « **Reply #17 on:** October 17, 2005, 04:32:50 pm »

Hey Drew, thanks man! You could send it to my gmail account @ garrywh at gmail.com or I can give you an FTP site you can load it up on. Let me know which you would prefer.

Thanks again Bud!

Jabba · « **Reply #18 on:** October 17, 2005, 04:37:44 pm »

Oh, and Yes I do have Winrar so go ahead and zip it up before you send it to me....Thanks!

DrewKaree · « **Reply #19 on:** October 17, 2005, 04:40:27 pm »

Quote from: Jabba on October 17, 2005, 04:32:50 pm

Hey Drew, thanks man! You could send it to my gmail account @ garrywh at gmail.com or I can give you an FTP site you can load it up on. Let me know which you would prefer.

Thanks again Bud!

I'll need the FTP. I'm using Gmail to send, and unless they changed, I can't send larger than a 10 meg attachment, and I thought the 100 DPI looked like ass. I tried to uncock the alignment on the scans before turning them into PDF form, but there is definitely some left/right head bobbing going on if you just look at the PDF. Print it out, I think it's only 13 pages total printed. I left out 6-7 pages of useless crap and sales-pitch stuff

Jabba · « **Reply #20 on:** October 17, 2005, 04:43:05 pm »

Quote from: ChadTower on October 17, 2005, 02:43:24 pm

If you are bad enough that you are on narcotics, I would highly recommend an MRI to determine the exact nature of the injury.

Thanks for the concern. Hopefully I will be able to get out to see the Dr. tomorrow. Not sure about the MRI. That would prolly take months before I would be allowed to schedule one (remember, I'm in

DrewKaree · « **Reply #21 on:** October 17, 2005, 04:46:30 pm »

Quote from: Jabba on October 17, 2005, 04:43:05 pm

Hopefully I will be able to get out to see the Dr. tomorrow. Not sure about the MRI. That would prolly take months before I would be allowed to schedule one (remember, I'm in Canada, good health care, but long wait....makes sense doesn't it?) .

I refuse to believe it. You can't make it sound so unappealing just by saying it's like that. I know you'll get everything taken care of tomorrow - I read it on the intra-nets

Now shaddup and quit whinging about your free health care.

Jabba · « **Reply #22 on:** October 17, 2005, 04:48:49 pm »

PM sent..

ChadTower · « **Reply #23 on:** October 17, 2005, 04:49:41 pm »

Quote from: Jabba on October 17, 2005, 04:43:05 pm

Hopefully I will be able to get out to see the Dr. tomorrow. Not sure about the MRI. That would prolly take months before I would be allowed to schedule one (remember, I'm in

Jabba · « **Reply #24 on:** October 17, 2005, 04:50:54 pm »

Quote from: DrewKaree on October 17, 2005, 04:46:30 pm

Quote from: Jabba on October 17, 2005, 04:43:05 pm

Hopefully I will be able to get out to see the Dr. tomorrow. Not sure about the MRI. That would prolly take months before I would be allowed to schedule one (remember, I'm in

Jabba · « **Reply #25 on:** October 17, 2005, 04:55:39 pm »

Quote from: DrewKaree on October 17, 2005, 04:40:27 pm

I'll need the FTP.

ChadTower · « **Reply #26 on:** October 17, 2005, 04:56:07 pm »

Especially when there is only one MRI centre within 50 miles.

Jabba · « **Reply #27 on:** October 17, 2005, 05:01:47 pm »

You make it sound like you got them like you got Duncan Donuts or Krispy Kremes....

But seriously, could make a good business case here. Spend a couple of million in equipment, then rack in the coin.....Prolly in a couple of years, you'd be making a handsome profit....

Hmmmmm......

ChadTower · « **Reply #28 on:** October 17, 2005, 05:03:02 pm »

If you actually made a profit. Service rates are set by the gov't, artificially low and barely profitable. That's why there aren't many service centers... everyone who wants to make a profit on that drives a few hundred miles south and then does it.

DrewKaree · « **Reply #29 on:** October 17, 2005, 05:07:50 pm »

Quote from: Jabba on October 17, 2005, 05:01:47 pm

You make it sound like you got them like you got Duncan Donuts or Krispy Kremes....

One within 5 miles to my house, and the other is within limping distance.

The 5-miles-away one is REALLY good (that's where I had my knee done), while the other one is just a "Fotomat" kinda place....if you know what those are

I only know of one Krispy Kreme in the area, and one Duncan Donuts. Sonsabeaches!

DrewKaree · « **Reply #30 on:** October 17, 2005, 05:10:46 pm »

FTP No worky worky.

Whyforhowcome is wrong?

ChadTower · « **Reply #31 on:** October 17, 2005, 05:12:01 pm »

There is a Dunkin Donuts within throwing distance, in Eastern MA, no matter where you are. There is literally a DD for every few hundred people. My town has like 8000 residents and has built two in the past year, in addition to a couple that were already there.

Jabba · « **Reply #32 on:** October 17, 2005, 05:13:36 pm »

I was connected, only one connection I think?....Try this...

DrewKaree · « **Reply #33 on:** October 17, 2005, 05:21:35 pm »

Done and done. Now, if you share this hither and yon, I never knew you

DrewKaree · « **Reply #34 on:** October 17, 2005, 05:24:15 pm »

Although you may wish to share this with Chad....in which case, I never knew him either! He may already do some of the stuff, or do stuff with a similar name. Meh

Jabba · « **Reply #35 on:** October 17, 2005, 05:27:29 pm »

Thanks! I'm downloading it now.

Now I can post it in the seedy bathrooms all over town, with your name all over it. Watch out you don't get any calls from any Gangsta's

MUHAHAHAHAHAHAA

(Thanks Drew)

DrewKaree · « **Reply #36 on:** October 17, 2005, 05:35:09 pm »

Quote from: Jabba on October 17, 2005, 05:27:29 pm

Now I can post it in the seedy bathrooms all over town, with your name all over it. Watch out you don't get any calls from any Gangsta's

Well, some of the pics DO have that "prison love" quality about them.

Just as long as this guy doesn't get a special e-mail about me, I'm good!

ChadTower · « **Reply #37 on:** October 17, 2005, 05:35:56 pm »

It's possible, but now that I'm not doing a powerlifting style workout anymore, I'm doing a lot of isolation work with expensive Cybex machines. The YMCA in my town has good equipment.

Jabba · « **Reply #38 on:** October 18, 2005, 05:27:39 pm »

Hey Drew, went through the book last night. Looks pretty intense...Did you/Do you still follow these exercises? I can see what you mean on how you'll be really feeling it...

I think your fooling with me though...right

, you doctored up the book with your Photopaint skills there and added in the one that is intended to kill me right ?....Gasp!

Take me a while to work up to this one...After I purchase the flying trapese

DrewKaree · « **Reply #39 on:** October 18, 2005, 09:35:34 pm »

Quote from: Jabba on October 18, 2005, 05:27:39 pm

Hey Drew, went through the book last night. Looks pretty intense...Did you/Do you still follow these exercises? I can see what you mean on how you'll be really feeling it...

Yeah, I still do it, but I never have done the entire program through and through. I originally was going to, but in the end, I got viewable results so quickly (honest, I really did, you should see SOMETHING within 2 weeks of following it on their recommended schedule) and slacked off. All I use it for now is to help ward off any serious back problems. What I do is mix up stuff and do it twice a week as kind of a "maintenance" program, and as you've seen, there's only one that involves any "special" kind of equipment, so there's really only 6 exercises.

I kind of averaged 'em out for what I do now, and I just pick 2 to do for that day, and a different 2 the next day, and so on down the line for the other remaining 2. With only 6 exercises, it's pretty easy to keep up with what you did/didn't do.

I do: 25 standard leg raises - 15 advanced leg raises - 30 cramps - 20 cross knee cramps - 15 quarter situps (ALWAYS do these fast. Slow or medium speed always seems like it's ineffective) - and 15 rock-backs. Once a week I'll do 25 hyper extensions

It's really not a six-pack building regime, just something effective to help with back problems. There's a MILLION guys who look to be in the same shape as I am. I don't know of any of 'em who don't have back problems after some hard work, so either my tolerance for pain is higher than theirs, or these things help stave off the problems they're currently having. I prefer to think it's a combination of both.

Quote

I think your fooling with me though...right , you doctored up the book with your Photopaint skills there and added in the one that is intended to kill me right ?....Gasp! Take me a while to work up to this one...After I purchase the flying trapese

I used to do these, and I sometimes throw them in on my Soloflex, but I always feel like I expend more effort into maintaining my grip, rather than the exercise itself, and I can't do as many as I feel are worthwhile. If you want to give these a shot and you have a basement, here's what I orginally did. Go to some sporting goods store and pick up a chinup bar. In the basement, screw it to your floor joists for upstairs. I had to cut a notch in one of the joists, but it worked just fine.

Once you get over the period I told ya about, you'll find these really easy to follow/maintain.


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