Back Pain for 6 Years - Need Some Relief!

Have you tried massage therapy? Let me know if you are interested, I am six weeks away from graduating and have learned over the past several months what a miracle it can be! My thoughts are with you
J.

J. - I know you said you see a chiropractor but I would highly, highly recommend a different chiropractor. His clinic is in Eagan and they are the most amazing group of doctors I have ever met. People fly in from all over the world to get treatment from them. Yes, they are a chiropractic clinic but they do things just a little different.

Let me know if you want more information.

Best wishes!

My husband also has DDD (as does his mom). TAKE care of it now! She waited until she was in her 60's and had 3 major back surgeries.

BUT there is a lot we have learned to deal with it sooner then later. Diet and exercise are crucial, but my husband, (who is a carpenter so back pain is so not an option!), has found the most relief from cortizone shots. I'm not sure if that is something you can do while pregnant, but maybe... He also depends on pain meds unfortunately, but when it gets really bad he does have a cort. shot - the last one lasted well over a year for him. Chiropractic care has also been helpful.

We were both petrified that he would end up like his mom because of genetics, but his ortho assures us there are a lot of options between where he is at and lengthy back surgery.

Good luck.

Hi J.. keep up with the NSAID's and add....Massage during your pregnacy this will help you greatly .... find a Licenced Massage Therapist that is certified in prenatal massage and save your self the pain

Take a look at T-tapp.com.

Teresa Tapps is a physical therapist who designed workout routines. There is a try it before you buy it section where you can try some of the moves before you deside to purchase it. It is a great workout, very easy & helps to align & strenghten you all at the same time. There is also a Mommy section on the site that will talk about T-tapp & pregnancy.

My mother, sisters & cousins have all started doing this, all with different back, knee, & joint issues & we all have felt great improvements. I used to go in to the chiropracter constatly for SI issues & since i stared t-tapps I have not gone once.

I highly recommend trying a chiropractor.

J.,

I'm sorry to hear about all your pain! My husband has been dealing with back pain for years as well. He just recently went to the Institute for Low Back and Neck Clinic and has had a few procedures to have nerve endings deadened and cortizone shots too. It's improved his quality of life SO MUCH!! All the procedures take about an hour and he just walks out afterward. He's not fully pain-free yet (although that is the goal and we'll keep working toward that goal), but is now not taking any pain medication and wakes up in the morning without severe back pain. There are also TENS and NMES devices that a doctor can prescribe for you that can really help with pain management. Look up www.empi.com, if you're interested in those devices.

Now that you're pregnant, I'm not sure how much any doctor will be able to do for you, but keep it in mind for after your pregnancy and hopefully you can get some relief!

All I'll say about chiropractors is please, please, please make sure you have a good one that isn't going to hurt your back worse!!

I had something similar about 12 years ago and went through a procedure called VAX-D. I believe it is called something different now, but it was performed by a chiropractor and was basically a series of stretching and contracting the spine allowing for more blood flow to the affected discs and also creating a suction or vacuum in the area of the discs. I did it every day for about 6 weeks and have been great ever since. I do keep up a fitness routine as well. I definitely can relate to your pain!

Here is a website for the Healthy Back Institute: www.losethebackpain.com. Maybe check it out...

Hi J.
Congratulations on your pregnancy. In regards to degenerative disc disease, give me a call ( I live in Eagan ) and I will share some amazing hope. I don't know if it will be for you or not but worth checking out.
Blessings,
L.
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I had a friend that had untreatable back pain, she had a procedure where they implanted electrodes in her back. She had a box where she could control the signals and it blocked the pain. This was about 10 years ago and I haven't kept in touch, but it maybe something you could ask about. Also university hospitals usually have a pain control clinic.
T

I love all of your responses! - I may take up some of the advice myself. I have issues with my pelvis and tailbone which I tried chiropractic and PT for - and finally tried a Pilates Reformer class. Yes - I have the pilates dvd's as well as yoga - but NOTHING else helped to not only strengthen my core - but help me to sit correctly, lay correctly, stand correctly - and just get lined up. I've chiro'd to walk out and sit in the car and become mis-aligned. LOVE the chiro - but when it doensn't work, it doesn't.

Anyway - you have worked with core strengthening - but have you tried a "PILATES REFORMER" class? Soooo worth the money. It took me seven one-hour classes to notice. Up to that point, I was having fun getting out and learning something new - but after the 7th I could sit without hurting. I haven't felt tailbone pain in several weeks! And the sacro-illium joint only bothers me when I sit several hours straight - which results from my bookkeeping position (every now and again ends up being an eleven hour stretch) - or freelance writing... particularly when I have multiple stories on deadline, etc.

I hope you can try it - and that it works for you!!
T.

Hey J.-
You sure have a lot going on. with 2 kids and one coming, can you quit your job?

I'm no doctor, and haven't had much back pain either. All I know is that your yoga core/strengthening classes should help a lot! (Imagine what you'd fell like if you stopped.)

Also, you may want to look into diet. Sugar and starchy food are inflammatory (cause pain), so cut back on sugar, bread, noodles, pop, diet pop, crackers, corn, etc. Replace with veggies and foods that provide Omega 3 fatty acids--like fish, avacado, and nuts (The "Weight and Wellness Clinic" is my source. You can google it if you want.)

With degenerative disc disease, it sounds like you have more going on than I know about. But if you can lessen the pain with diet and taking a leave of absence from your job, why wait?

Wow J.!

I'm sorry to hear all you are going through. My only possible suggestions are to maybe find a different chiropractor, unless you are very happy with the one you have. Many chiropractors adjust in different ways/techniques that may be harder or gentler depending on their training. Maybe you need a different type of adjustment.

Also, have you tried a memory foam adjustable bed? My mother has lupus and fibromyalgia and her bed helped her some. If that is too expensive, maybe try one of those memory foam bed covers (usually a couple inches thick and you can find them at walmart). They also have affordable memory foam pillows and I've found mine has helped alot with neck and upper back pain for me.

My mother also says taking a fish oil supplement daily has helped with her mobility.

Just a couple of ideas for you, but maybe they could help. Good luck!

S.

I recommend chiropractic care. Nothing else worked like that did for me and my disk issues, plus many other issues. Think of it as drug-free pain management; not something you can do just once and be "cured".

I also had back pain for awhile. The only thing that helped were pelvic stabilizers, losing weight and strengthening my core by running and kickbox, stretching and yoga.Your condition sounds worse but weight loss, pelvic stabilization through orthodics and core strength is key for me.

What about trying the Aloe Heat Lotion and the Aloe Berry Nectar.

D. L

Wow. You have tried a lot. If there is inflammation involved you may want to try OPC-3. It is a powerful anti-oxidant and allows your body to heal. It has helped others with chronic back pain. I can email you information if you are interested. Good luck to you.