ACHOOOOO! bad back!!

[ilovemarkb]

Three weeks ago my 40yr old partner sneezed and his back went. After three days of agony he finaly went to see his doc .....he sent him for x ray then after 2 weeks got the results which says they cant see anything wrong yet he.s still in pain, STRANGLEY the pain has moved from his lower back up to his neck, he can hardley turn his neck without it really hurting! Anyone had any similar problems.

[Naomicorlett]

It all sounds horribly familiar to me. I go to see an oesteopath privately when my back goes and as soon as possible is best. I have found the NHS totally useless because of the wait. Only other advice is to keep moving gently as keeping still ( as in bed rest ) can make things worse. Also taking anti-inflammatories should help....talk to the chemist. Poor chap .

[willowman]

I too sympathise. I have back problems and my back has gone into spasm twice, once when I just reached out to pick up the phone. Latest time we called out paramedics as the pain was so bad. Apart from (strong) painkillers and anti-imflammatories A & E could do nothing.
The problem can move, I understand, because by trying to relieve the pain in his back your hubby will be putting strain on other muscles, which eventually start to complain themselves.
I now see a chiropractor on a regular basis, as hopefully prevention is better than cure. I run my own business which is 7 days a week, so I can't afford to be out of action. My chiropractor will just lightly run his hands down my back and tell me certain muscles are tense and tight. When he starts to work on these muscles I can tell he was right!
It's almost like magic.
On the subject of chiropractic/osteopathy, I have discovered a chiropractor who practises the McTimoney Method.
This uses small movements and taps to "jog" the muscles and bones back into place. Unlike conventional osteopathy, there is none of this heaving and cracking of bones and joints. Much better, believe me.
Look up McTimoney on the web, see what you think and see if there's a practitioner near you.

[Naomicorlett]

Also I do pilates twice a week. Start out with a qualified teacher then continue at home. If I don't do my exercises for a few weeks I really know about it. The last time was reaching for shower gel in shower nice twisty turny movements do it for me everytime and so was naked and sobbing ....but why did OH laugh ??

[ilovemarkb]

thanks guys! Ill get my parner to read your replys! julie

[jno]

I go to an osteopath occasionally for pains - I used to have big ones like that, now I only get minor twinges. The fact that the pain is moving may indicate that it's working its way out of his system, so that would be good.

[Panic Button]

How good is your mattress?

It can be the cause of many an ache and pain.

Also my back problems improved when I changed my car once. I hadn't realised what bad posture my old car seat put me in.

[willowman]

Further to my earlier answer, I also looked round for some exercise regime which would work my back. The main ones seemed to be Pilates (as above), Alexander Technique, and Tai Chi.
As I used to do karate I chose Tai Chi, for the health side of it more than the martial arts aspect. I found a course at the local Adult Education Centre which caters for older people, so the whole ethos is geared towards slow relaxed movements which work a surprising amount of muscles. If you watch films of the old people in parks in China you will see the benefits. It looks simple, but I can assure you just a one hour session provides quite a workout.
I also agree with Panicbutton re the car. I was in sales for 30 years, averaging 35,000 miles a year, and I'm convinced that it was this that ruined my back.
By the way - Happy New Year.

[ilovemarkb]

thanks once again for your informative answers!!! very helpful!!