Chronic back pain

[foxyferret]

I went to the Doc about 18 months ago with very bad back pain at the base of my spine, sometimes on the left, sometimes on the right. She did a very quick check up and said pulled muscle, take ibuprofen and use the gel as well. Followed instructions, no result. I mentioned it to a different Doc at the hospital when I was there for something else. He gave me a long spiel about how the spine wears out when you reach a certain age, and basically that was that. Surely everyone of a certain age does not have back pain so badly. I am 57.(I was at that appointment for suspected brachial neuritis, he said he would send me for a scan and I havent heard anything since. Is the waiting list that long?) I have now suffered for a long time, extremely painful first thing in the morning and I walk around hunched over for about half an hour before it eases enough to stand up straight. I have an excellent bed, recently bought with back pain in mind. I have lost faith in the medical profession because of the above responses, I know I should go back to the doctor but I think what is the point? Can you go private for a one off opinion or do you have to join something like BUPA for a year? (Sorry to moan, I am not one to go to the docs anyway unless absolutely necessary)

[flobadob]

I glanced through this thread and didn't notice the word chiropractor. They can do a thing called an adjustment which may help and they will give good advice to you. If you drive a lot have your seat straight up and don't slouch when sitting or put too much pressure on that area.

[Hopkirk]

I disagree with flobadob.

If you drive a lot, have your seat tilted back a little. If the seat has poor lumber support, put a bolster behind your lower back.

Having the seat upright means all your upper body weight is pressing down on your lower spine. Having the seat tilted back a bit transfers some of that weight into the backrest.

I suffered a lot of lower back pain, and much of it was relieved when I changed my car. I hadn't realised how bad my posture was in the poor car seat.

The way you sit has a huge effect on this problem. If you want to see a great seat for lower back pain, go into a good old people's home and look at the chairs that they have.

What you need is good lumber support that pushes your lower back forwards and prevents slouching.