lower back pain

Anybody dealing with lower back pain? [any reason at all because there are so many reasons]

If so, anyone dealing with it WITHOUT painkillers or other medications? [muscle relaxants and so on.]

If you could say what the problem or Dx is and how you manage using primarily exercise and stretching etc. that would be great.

Things you do yourself, rather than a chiro or physio person being involved. [other than possibly showing you what to do...and how.]

Myself I've been trying stretching and some specific exercises and have had SOME relief... but it's fleeting. At times have reduced pain and immobility to near nil for months only to have it return. I won't take painkillers or muscle relaxants. I think it's something that can be ultimately fixed. Or managed better.

I have been to several physios and a chiropractor with no progress. My point in posting was to hopefully come across some ideas or angles that I haven't already...that may apply to my situation.

back healthy bunch...that's so good!

Tai Chi helps me with my shoulder and back issues. I try to do it every morning for 20 or 30 minutes.

have you tried yoga? Or nerve blocks? My mom had back problems are got nerve blocks and they helped her. I dont have back pain but I have chronic abdominal and pelvic pain and I just got a nerve block this past monday and it helped but not as much as I would of liked.

excuse my ignorance, but what is a nerve block?

Hello Arthur long time no see...I do my exercises...mostly stretches and some core...but the damn thing just goes on me. Prior to 5 weeks ago I had been 80% pain free for a year. 5 weeks ago...in the course of a 3 day period I've gotten back to square one. Stretching now is futile...everything [shoulder/lower right back/glute] is pianostring tight and from my reading this is NOT the time to stretch. I can attest to that. Whew...It's a long story Arthur. No way to sum up how it's changed my life. Aside from the mess between my ears.

One thing all doc-types did agree on was an imbalance...my spine...which has had a few xrays and a scan seems to be fine. Where the imbalance lies, seems to still be debated. I quit the doc scene after so long and started my own work. Library, free consults, internet...a ton of downloads. It ain't been quick or easy...I thought I had it this time...though. 80% is pretty good. Nope. There WAS a time I had to get out of bed on hands and knees...for months...but I was working a heavy job then...that exacerbated everything to the nth. Thanks for the reply...I will read up on Tai Chi...I know it's an effective low impact regimen. Is it more maintenance for you? Or is there a specific problem you're addressing? Could you let me know?

And yes...Gina? While I'd like to get to the root of this problem mechanically...it may still be beneficial to look at alternatives....I'm not sure what nerve blocks are but i'm off to read up. Info is key. If one doesn't ask...one ain't going to find. Well not as easily anyway. Thankyou Gina. Robaxecet etc. isn't a solution...and prescript stuff I won't do. I'm looking for a fix rather than temp pain relief but will certainly look into things I'm not familiar with.

I get it Quiz...and welcome back. Nice to see you. It's been a while.

Or is there a specific problem you're addressing? Could you let me know?

I've always had lower back pain. I'm also addressing rotator cuff issues this year. The stretching in Tai Chi seems to help.

a nerve block is where they go in through the spinal cord and inject medication into the nerves so that it decreases pain. there are lots of nerve blocks and it depends on where your pain is located. this is a very common treatment for back pain when other things have failed.

Thanks for explaining, Gina. For some reason my mind went down a totally different path. No surprise there. lol.

"Need a nerve block? Mr Spock can show you how it's done." lol

Thanks Gina...I'll keep that info. Appreciated

I have had back pain due to a chronic, and incurable condition for more than half my life. I do have to rely on pain meds. I would recommend finding a spine care and pain management specialist, get and MRI, and discuss with them your options based on your diagnosis. I hope You have a problem that can be resolved. In my case, with the chronic depression and anxiety issues, it just makes those worse.

I had low back surgery 7 weeks ago and I still have pain! I know I need to give it more time but I've heard of people who have surgery and immediately feel no pain. I've never experienced pain like I have from this surgery. It was so bad! I'm much better than I was but I can't even sweep the f ing floor without excruciating pain. I worry that I shouldn't have had the surgery. Has anyone else had back surgery then still had pain? I'm back on the pain pills because of it. Just disappointing as hec. I hope someone out there knows what I'm going thru. Any input would be great. Quizzicklell I'm so sorry you have to deal with low back pain. I wish I could do it without pain meds but I don't know what else to do. I'm suppose to start pt soon so maybe that will help. Have you tried pt? Exercises are suppose to help alot too.

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I have back problems, too may falls from training horses. I've been diagnosed with spinal stenosis. Most days I'm achy and can do what I need to do, other days I can be in agony.
I find the more I move, the better I feel.
I'm still training horses, but have become more smart about it!

Sometimes spinal surgery dont work as well for some as for others. I am NOT saying that you are in this category. Try to exercise when you are allowed to do so. Best wishes.

I have close to herniated L5 my old pain MD put me on a restriction of no stairs, no bending over, no yoga the list goes on that hurts my lower back. I can do planks which helps my strengthening of neck and back problems, the bridge stretch, and a few other's I do not know the names. They don't help the pain aspect they strengthen to preserve the muscle and bones.

Community acupuncture had relief in really rough times. Now my regimen for comfortable is acupuncture, meds, back brace when needed, walking (no hills)and stretches.

kkk... so here goes....
I had 2 pins put into my spine at the hip area about 6 weeks ago. fusion of the sciatic area, if doc chat helps, lol. I am feeling much more relief than I had hoped for. don't get me wrong, I am sore and can barely walk around the back yard yet, but I am up and doing stairs and short walks thru the day. I go back to the surgeon next week and hope to start p/t. I have stopped the oxy's , but still smoke, so I am not doing myself any favors there. fighting boredom and the self hatred of bpd, but still fightin'. I am a survivor.... to say the least.... I think the surgery may well have saved me....its scary and terrifying, but I really couldn't move any more. was using walker and cane, and laying all the time.....just couldn't do that.....good luck with any and all your choices to keep strong and moving around!!!!