Back Pain

[Meat]

Anyone here have problems with thier back ? Nearly 15 years ago I broke the bottom 7 vertabrea' in my back. Lumbar area. Cracked a few and crushed the corners on some of em, I had to wear a fiberglass cast from my waste to my neck for 4 months. Everything healed up and iv been perfectly fine for years. About 3 years ago, I noticed that whenever it would rain for a few days in a row, my lower back would ache\get stiff. The past year or so, it seems to be getting worse. Iv been awake all night long tonight, because my back aches. Im getting worried, and im thinking about going to see a doctor soon. I really cant afford medical bills, and im sure its just the arthritis setting in, like the docs told me it would. Just curious if anyone else here feels my pain, and has experience with arthritis(sp) ??

 

Do you think I should go to the doctors, or am I wasting my time ??

I have a freind who fucked up his back wrestling in high school, after 3 major back operations, fused vertabreas' a plate and some screws, he's on disability and always has pain.

 

BTW, im only 31.

[boonman]

A guy I work with wears a brace 24/7, works part time, is on disability, is in constant pain. He used to be in demolition, and got hit in the back by a railroad tie that was swinging off the end of the crane. He also once got hit in the mouth by a railroad spike, and busted up his entire mouth. Anyways, he had a botched surgery, and is all f'ed up. I myself, have slight back problems that get worse over time. Lower back stiffens up. Snowmobile accident gave me that one. When I hit the ground, by boots flew off, and were found about 30 yards away. I hit pretty hard, and busted some shit up. I would think for ya Meat, it's the arthritis setting in. My fingers are the same wat. (I cut them off in a vertical mill when I was 18) and now, they hurt in a ridiculous fashion, and get cold extremely easily.....

[Big Blue]

My leg aches the same way when the weather changes, when I was 14/15 i had a wreck on a dirt bike and when my leg hit the rocks i split my knee just below the knee cap and cut the front tendon on my leg almost all they way trough and fractured my tibbia just below that spot. I think i had some pics from the hospital somewhere but i guess i lost them. Thats why i try not to jump when riding very much because it doesnt take much for it to start hurting, hell i cant finish 3 games bowling without i starting to hurt.

[chase73]

Hey meat have you tried the chiropractor yet ???? . I was allways against that method but, after a year of my back hurting I gave it a shot I allways thought once you go yu allways have to do it . I was wrong I went there for a week about 4 sessions and got a tune up all I can say is wow he fixed it the pain was gone and it was bad !!!!!! its been 7 months and has not hurt since ...

[Cotton eyed Joe]

Hey meat have you tried the chiropractor yet ???? . I was allways against that method but, after a year of my back hurting I gave it a shot I allways thought once you go yu allways have to do it . I was wrong I went there for a week about 4 sessions and got a tune up all I can say is wow  he fixed it the pain was gone and it was bad !!!!!! its been 7 months and has not hurt since ...

I hurt myself when I was 20 lifting weights. My low back was so bad, that I was in bed for 2 weeks. I couldn't even stand up. Once I did I went to a chiropractor, and I did better. I still have to go from time to time, but lifting weights has helped my back over time. Your abs and your low back (spinal erector) muscles are what stablize you when you stand, or lift. If one is weak, its like a bridge with cables pulling on one side only.

Example: For 2 years I couldn't sit in a chair, and then straighten my legs. My legs couldn't straighten because of the stress it placed on my low back. But since I've been lifting getting stronger etc, for the last year I've been able to dead lift 315 and 335. When I started excersising the right way, my strength shot up like a rocket. Now I have a little bit here and there, I have to brace my hands on my knees when I sneeze because jerking motion will throw it out, but other than that I do pretty good.

Also on the chiropractor, if you don't like one, get another. I'm on my 4th. He's the best one yet. AND if they tell you that you will be better than when you came in, or that you will be healed, RUN!!! once you do injury you will never be the same.

 

 

Boonman: Did you say you CUT YOUR FINGERS OFF when you were 18??? Not to be rude but OMG!!!!

[tats4life]

I'm only 24 and from racing the nats, there's mornings I can't even get out of bed. I've broke both my collar bones, knees are trashed pretty good from abuse, right wrists is always sore, lower back gets really stiff when it gets cold, have nerve damage in the left shoulder need to have my rotator cup replace. All in all i wouldn't change for the world just because of the exprencies I have had. I guess thats my hard head I get from my mom!

 

I visit the chiropractor twice a week on tues, thurs. I don't ride mx since my best friend was buried on 12/7. My chiropractor thanks me for that. I plan on riding trails real damn hard and fast as soon as my new frame comes in. I also have a permant prescription for vicadin because of my left shoulder. Usually only have to take one or two a week if any at all. With my shoulders being so screwed up I can only bench 220 with a spotter.

[bigboybanshee]

Dude, I am only 23 and have gone to the chiropractor since I was 17/18 yrs old. I have had neck and back problems forever it seems. I notice it too when it rains outside that the pain seems to be more significant, I think it has to do with atmospheric pressures or some shit like that...I've also noticed that the colder it gets the stiffer my neck and back get. If you go to the doctor they'll either tell you to go see a chiropractor or give you pain killers. If you see the chiropractor expect to pay 50-90 per VISIT; Insurance will cover some but not all. Chiropractors are great for the simple fact that they can pop your back in all the places you can't on your own, but is not worth the time or money it costs. I found it is much easier to have a trusted friend that can pop your back for you and I'll pop my own neck when I feel the need. IMHO pain killers don't fix the problem they just cover it up, which in turn will show up again when you're not on the pills and probably hurt even more. What has worked best for me is stretching. Whenever I start feeling really crappy I'll stretch out my arms, neck, legs, lay down and twist my whole body, everything...and then I'll go work out in the gym or try and be physically active. If I have sharp pains I'll put an ice pack on the area and take a couple Ibuprofin and it helps pretty good. One thing that can really help is to have good posture when you sit. Although I'm guilty of slumping in the chair I know it's better for my back (feels better too), especially in the long run. Well, I hope my .02 can help you a little bit, if you have any more specific questions please ask and I'll try and help you based on my experiences...Sorry to hear you hurt, I can honestly say I know how you feel!!

[boonman]

I hate slumping in my chair. I am guilty of it every damned day. lol And yes Stan, I cut off my right index and middle fingers. not the whole thing(s), but from the first knuckle. They reattached them, however, they don't work as good as the used too....

[bigboybanshee]

Damn boonman!! That sucks ass! At least you got em sewn/re-attached!! As far as the back pain goes, I think we all suffer from slump-itis!!

[theeechozen1]

My buddy has had bad back lower back pain since a wreck he had 10 yrs ago, he went into this nice medical center in Scottsdale to try and get something that works (he had been taking 10-15 vicodins everyday) they gave him some kind of shot that is supposed to clear up the scar tissue and take away the pain. that was bout a year ago and ever since, no more pain! he even plays foosball with the best of us. I'm not sure what this treatment was called but if you are intrested i can find out for ya.

[BenBB]

Wish I could help, but haven't ever had any trouble with my back (been lucky on crashes and was always nagged to "lift with yer legs"). From the symptoms it does sound like arthritis, seems like aches associated with atmospheric pressure changes are usually associated with arthritis...just from what I've heard tho, certainly not based on any medical training . Hope you find somethin' that helps...

[.]

I hurt myself a long while back working in a glass factory lifting a monstrous piece of glass that didnt know the correct way to lift it and ended up hurting my lower back on the one side. Ever since then its given me trouble. Did the same type of thing with my left shoulder, and sometimes if I'm walking around all day, just the weight of my arm will make my shoulder sore.

 

I go to a chiropractor myself. I dont however recommend going as much as you go tats. I've gone through many chiropractors and finally have found one that has the same process of thinking as I do. Your body should support its bone structure and put it the way it should be. Your bones and muscles will push and pull on each other until they are happy.

 

If you go to a chiropractor often, your body gets used to it, and cannot protect itself as well from bones being moved around.

 

When I first started going I was all completely misalligned. My chiropractor set it up that I was going 3 times every 2 weeks until my body got itself into being the way it should be. My body now supports the way my bone structure wants to be, and I only need to go to the chiropractor once a month to sometimes 2 months before I'll hit him up to straighten everything back up a little better.

 

There's areas were still working on like my shoulder and lower back, that with him I've started to see a turnaround mainly with my shoulder, that physical therapy and no other doctor has been able to fix.

 

Your body will tell you when it needs to get fixed. You might want to look into it meat. Over time, bad posture, hammering your body takes it out of allignment and nerves get pinched/semi pinched that will not let your body perform to its maximum potential. If you follow what I'm saying, talk to your chiropractor about it, and if he feels different, head the other way. Theres lots out there that are just 15 minute adjusters that just have a routine. Each person is different.

 

I start notice that I'm not as energetic, start to get pains, and my body just feels like its starting to fight a cold or something where your drained for no apparent reason. When I start noticing these things, I know its time to go. And for the next week you feel a million times better

[Nightrider]

Meat,I have been there too and suffered for a few years before I learned how to cope.

 

I was in a car wreck when I was about 18.My friend T-boned a lady(not our fault)at about 50 mph.I had no seatbelt and even with time to react I still was not able to brace myself.So I ran my head into the winshield.My hand,thank god was able to get in between my head and the window and softened the blow.

 

My neck felt a little tweeked but EMS said I looked o.k and I said F*ck the doctor.Turns out I had a pinched nerve and didn't know it for 4 years.If I would try to carry something like a hand held tool box,that was very heavy,I would get a sharp pain in my neck along my spine.Like someone drove an icepick in there.95% of the time it wouldn't bother me,but that 5% was unbearable

 

I went to a back specialist and the treatments made me feel good"when I was getting them".Unfortunately I still had occasional pains.

 

I finally ditched the doctor and started to excercise and began working on heavier weights,not too heavy,but enogh to build and strengthen lean muscle.That is when the pain stopped and it hasn't bothered me for 8 years.I think the exercise helped to strength my back and neck,now carrying a heavy box no longer bothers me.

 

I don't think the excercise permanently fixed my neck,I think it just took the stress off of that muscle so it isn't putting pressure on the nerve.Excercise and muscle building is not everyones answer,but you have to face the facts like I did,the pain isn't going to go away forever,you F*cked up your body.Now you must learn what it takes to make it through life comfortably.I found a way,maybe you wil someday.

[ledofthezep]

My back's hosed,...after my last wreck....some stupid old bitch in a '79 buick nailed me & rolled my cherry '97 Grand Cherokee 1 1/2 times into a tree. That not only totalled my suv, but my back also from the impact when the undercarage slammed to a dead stop on the side of a big ass tree. I've been to the chiro, but won't go again--I swear the fucker did me more bad than good. Like nightrider said...I've just learned to live with it. Working out helped me probably more than anything also....still have bad backaches sometimes, but...nothing a few beers &/or Mr. Green doesn't take care of. If ya know what I mean...

[JKJK]

i had a bad case of burcitius in my sholder from repeditive roof stripping.like shoveling rocks up hill allday long,working like a super hero,when i was a young buck.after time it got to the point i count sleep due to the pain.so reluctantly i went to this holistic female docter.she sugested a basic streching routine twice a day. nothing special just basic stuff.what i was doing was favoring the injury,limiting movement of that sholder and by doing so it made it worse.she sugested i work it,whithin reason.and strech as much as possible.whithin a couple months later no pain.my ailment was'nt as extreme as your's,but it honestly worked great for myself.sorry for the book thought it mite be helpfull.