Thread: Chronic back pain

Some good news
When I woke up this morning it wasn't sheer agony getting out of bed, It hurt like hell but it wasn't as bad as it has been for the last week
I spent yesterday doing stretches at least once an hour and I also did a few lots of 10-15min walks as has been suggested here and it actually feels like I am making some progress at last.
I have another physio session this morning and I will make an appointment to see my GP and get her opinion as well.

There are many different reasons for lbp.
You have to know exactly the source of yours before you can know how to proceed.
Or you might end up chasing your tail for months or doing damage.
Im in the the get an mri camp....then talk with a good physio and GP and go from there. Correct diagnosis is everything.

Originally Posted by rick130

Further to my earlier post, Chiro didn't work for me, my back kept going into spasm and cramping with the associated sciatica as soon as I walked out of the clinic.
The problem was my core was shockingly weak.
I had a really good sports physio who instigated a raft of exercises (although only ever three at a time) and we combined it with acupuncture in this instance to relax the muscles, otherwise they kept going into spasm.
Cycling was included as I became more mobile too.
It took eighteen months of hard workouts to get back to work with people saying "your back willl be ****ed forever"

To maintain my strength about two years later I took up yoga.
Yoga with the right instructor is very effective, with Japanese style yoga being at the top of that list as it's very core focused.
The combination of breathing, movement and correct form can really strengthen the small intervertebral muscles as well as the large QL muscles along the spine, plus the internal and external obliques and transverse abdominus.
The rectus abdominus, the good old six pack actually isn't that critical for core stability, it just looks good!
Ok, that's a major over simplification, but the other muscles I've listed wrap right around our core and really give it stability, the rectus abdominus is what the gym junkies focus on though as its obvious.

With lots of lower back pain the main culprit is often shortening of psoas muscles.
These attache to the T12-L5 and wraps over the front of the pelvis and attaches on the top of the femur..
Shortening of this muscle often creates issues for most people.
I'd have to demonstrate the stretches for this, but a good yoga instructor should be able to help.
Another problem area is the sacroiliac joint.
This is the plate that connects the sacrum to the pelvis.
It has miniscule movement, but when it locks it creates silly pain just off either one or the other side of the the pelvis where the spine attaches.
Lunges are really effective at getting some movement back here, and core work such as bridge pose and it's variations are really effective.

Bottom line is you need to be assessed and the correct regime to correct the issue instigated.
IMO GP's have scant orthopaedic knowledge, a really good sports physio or osteopath, or a yoga instructor preferably with yoga therapy training would be good.
Yoga classes in gyms are often aimed at the gym bunnies and yummy mummies and wouldn't be so great for an older bloke trying to get his back going again, although you may like the view.

Bloody Hell, Rick. You had me planning to do all that you said, until I read your last line!
Now, where's my nearest gym?

Originally Posted by Saitch

Bloody Hell, Rick. You had me planning to do all that you said, until I read your last line!
Now, where's my nearest gym?

Steve, a number of years teaching yoga (seven classes a week) gave me a unique insight into this situation.
I will warn you that you may not survive a gym bunnies class, or at least not survive with your dignity intact!

Also get a sports dr or physio to meausre your leg lenght/alignment as this can be a problem, see it a lot in medicla practice where I work

Leg Length Discrepancy Linked to Lower Back Pain

Also get a sports dr or physio to measure your leg length/ hip alignment as this can be a problem, see it a lot in medical practice where I work

Leg Length Discrepancy Linked to Lower Back Pain

If you see a physio find a sport physio they are worth there weight in gold best of luck.