Help Back Problems

[mooSe_]

I have had back pain for several years now: in mid/lower/upper back and also often accompanied by stiff/painful neck and shoulders. I have been to a chiropractor many times however I have never had any long lasting relief so I pretty much gave up going. I always did all the exercises they gave me but that didn't really help much either.
Since I haven't seen any professionals about it in recent times I can't remember the exact details of what they said the cause was, but I remember something about a slight twist in my spine and I think it is also due to a lack of exercise of certain muscles.
I am aware that lots of adults suffer from chronic back pains and that it isn't anything particularly special, the only problem is that I'm 18 years old and I wouldn't expect to be getting this kind of pain for another 20 years or so yet.
Basically I'm wondering if anyone here has any experience with this kind of thing and if they can recommend any course of action for me to take:
- I do exercise (walking/cycling) but not much in the way of exercise that affects my back muscles, so should I be exercising more, and what should I be doing?
- As I have said, I have been to see Chiropractors before, and also an Orthopaedist (I think- many years ago), is there anyone else I should go to for advice/help?
Thanks.

 

[DaGaffer]

Sounds like classic "too much time on the computer with a bad seat/posture" to me, but then I'm not a doctor. Surely (if the aforementioned computer/seat/ergonomics is OK) a visit to your GP followed by a specialist referral would make more sense than asking us idiots what to do? (I am aware of the irony of giving advice as one of those selfsame idiots).

 

[phazey]

Soft mattress ?

 

[mycenae]

A slight twist in the spine is what concerns me most about what you describe. Thats a scoliosis, and could have been treated when you were still growing, but unlikely to be able to do so now as you will have stopped growing.
have you ever seen an ostepath? They are somewhat like a chiropracter, in that they look at the muscles and structures of the body, but they look at the body as a whole, rather than at the one bit you are complaining about. For example, I went to see one about my neck clicking....turned out to be a problem with my knees and my feet. They may well examine you and do some manipulation that could leave you feeling a lot better in one session. If you live in london, you could try going to the BSO or the British School of Osteopathy, you get treated by students under direct supervision of qualified osteopaths and its costs a 1/3 of the normal price, they are excellent.
You should also investigate strengthening your core muscles, ie the ones that are directly involved in maintaining your posture, such as those around your torso and spine. By strengthening these you enable your body to heal itself and hold itself in a better position. Any gym should be able to tell you how to do these exercises, or physio or osteopath.

Try seeing the GP as well, they may well refer you to a specialist just to check its not something more serious, but waiting lists to see spinal specialists are very long, so do something else in the meantime.

 

[Scouse]

I suffered bad lower back and upper back pain for years (I'm tall so it's much more likely). After speaking to a physio I did a fair bit of gym work with emphasis on strengthening the core muscles, the abs and back muscles.

Don't have any real problems any more

I did go to see a couple of Chiropractors but they gave only temporary relief, just as a massage would. But then, Chiropractors are the medical equivalent of homeopaths - silly non-scientific nonsense.

Get ye to the Doctor, then the physio, then the gym m8. Boring as fuck but worth it.

 

[mooSe_]

Sorry when I wrote Orthopaedist I actually meant Osteopath
The Osteopath was fairly similar to the Chiropractor as I remember - did similar things in the session and gave me some exercises to do. Maybe I should give that another go too.

I do spend a lot of time at a computer/desk because of college work and also because of gaming, but I am aware of my posture most of the time and I am always trying to make sure I sit/stand correctly.

I wasn't sure about whether it was worth going to a GP incase they just said "go see a chiropractor" or something like that but I guess it's worth a try too.

I would be up for going to the gym etc if I knew what I was doing, I just didn't want to jump into doing some exercise if there was a serious problem incase it made it worse.

I guess I'll go to the doctor first then see what happens. Thanks.

 

[mooSe_]

Soft mattress ?

Oh and I definitely need a new mattress- always wake up with a stiff neck/shoulders.

 

[Thugz]

All the above advice seems good to me. Check first whether you have some sort of deformity and whether or not certain exercise won't aggravate it. If exercise is a good thing for you to do then I would suggest you take up swimming a few times a week, light gym work and also exercises for strengthening your stomach muscles. Weak stomach muscles can cause a weak back believe it or not. I tend to do 2x50 situps with a cushion under the small of my back with a very short break in between the 50s followed up with 2x50 legups. Leg ups are just where you lie on your back - same as situps exactly - but now you put your hands under your bum whilst raising your feet up a metre or so. I also carry out 2x50 of them. I don't do these everyday but every other day. I will be increasing this to 3x50 of both very soon. Not really hard to do but does help keep your stomach strong and doesn't require any equipment. As mentioned above you need to get the core muscles of your body strong and you won't get that by sitting at the computer desk day in and day out.

 

[TdC]

Oh and I definitely need a new mattress- always wake up with a stiff neck/shoulders.

maybe you should get that sorted first eh. a good mattress is very important.

 

[rynnor]

If the osteopaths advice did nowt I would go back to the GP and try and get a referral to a consultant - there could be a physical cause rather than just bad posture.

I would hold off on the exercise pending that - people here mean well but if there is something serious underlying your symptoms it could do more harm than good.

I wouldnt reccomend weights to anyone under 21 either - bad for your skeletal development.

 

[tris-]

You need a injection of cow pheromones straight in to the spinal column, between V6 and V7.

 

[mycenae]

theres no such thing in your spine as a V area, C, T or L......

 

[tris-]

Damnit woman IM A DOCTOR.

 

[mooSe_]

Damnit woman IM A DOCTOR.

This guy seems legit, I'm ordering some cow pheromones right now.

But seriously thanks for the advice everyone, I'll try and sort out a doctors appointment when I'm not busy revising/taking exams.

 

[Jupitus]

Moosedood. Try these.

1) Lying on your back, pull your knees up to your chest. Put your hands flat to your sides to prevent your torso rolling, then twist your legs over to the left, back central, then right. When left and right hold for a couple of seconds. Try to do that about 10 times before you get up.

2) Stand with your feet slightly spread, under your hips if you like. Stand up straight, then take a deep breath in and push your hips forward. Holding your hips forward so your back is arched slightly, then slowly exhale, which will tend to correct back problems where the disks tend to push backwards out from between the vertebrae. 10 reps of that, several times a day if you find they help.

Let us know if that helps - I have back issues myself and these are a couple of the moves physio gave me.

 

[TdC]

Damnit woman IM A DOCTOR.

 

[tris-]

 

[Bugz]

I wouldnt reccomend weights to anyone under 21 either - bad for your skeletal development.

Mmmm.

I've read articles that contradict this claim stating that light weights can actually be beneficial to skeletal development.

 

[Nate]

I'd say wanking furiously five times every hour for 3 months will help you with your problems. If the pain hasn't gone away by then, wank more furiously for another 3 months. You can also try to do the crab instead of walking, lean over backwards and put your arms out, fall back and if done correctly you will not break your neck but instead be on all fours upside down! Then all you have to do is figure out how to move in the direction you want to go..

 

[rynnor]

Mmmm.

I've read articles that contradict this claim stating that light weights can actually be beneficial to skeletal development.

What those ones you strap round your ankles?

By weights I mean the traditional High weight low reps style - places maximum stress on the body - best left till after 21.

 

[Thugz]

There is one point I would like to raise here concerning the back. There are massive muscles and tendons in the back of the legs. When I train hard these can shorten and cause me back pain or stiffness in the morning. I get over this by using a length of rope looped over the top part of my foot with the rest of the rope going around my back. I have a towel wrapped around the rope to stop it cutting into my back. I use this by raising my foot up onto a surface a metre or so high and then straighten and lock my leg out. At first the discomfort is dreadful and makes you feel like you want to be sick. I hold this position for maybe 30s-1min. Now I carry out this stretch before every run and it doesn't hurt much as my muscles and tendons are now much longer or less tense (great way to get rid of certain leg injuries too). I don't have any morning stiffness now and very rarely have any worries about my back either. I am not saying that you should use this method of stretching but maybe you should look at yoga practises. Why not go to a yoga class and tell your teacher about your back problems. It is surprising that where you think you have a problem initially can be caused by some part posture or tense muscles elsewhere.