Back problems - seen doctor/physio, what can I do now?

[G]

Since about February this year I've had an ache in my lower back.
It comes and goes depending on how stupid I've been, but has meant I've had to limit the activities I do - especially off roading, powered and not.

I've had five sessions with a physio, who's left me some exercises to do, but says he can offer me no more himself (he game me electric shocks and poked pins in me ).
I'm not too sure how much the exercises I've been given are helping - as my back does generally seem to get better with time when left alone, so I'm not sure if it's more than just this.

I've had an appointment with a doctor since and been told that I should carry on doing the exercises for at least a couple of months before seeing a back specialist.
He also suggested taking an anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen, but was rather vague with details.

I'm a bit iffy about leaving it for a couple of months, then finding I'm in no better situation.
I'm also a bit worried about leaving it for a couple of mines, to find it's sorted, then doing some off-roading and finding that the problems are still lingering and I've inflamed them again.
I do have some private health cover that may help towards the costs of a specialist, though would have to check details.
Any ideas?

[Icey]

Have you ever thought about Acupuncture?

It's supposed to work wonders so I've heard.

I know this place does it - and are all over the place.

https://www.drchina.co.uk/


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[G]

The physio poking pins in me was a reference to acupuncture - didn't make a noticeable difference.
The electric shocks seemed to help a bit more, but not much.

Cheers anyway.

[craigie b]

I believe you asked the same question a month or so ago and got a massiv thread of answers

To summarise what everyone said, go to either a chiropracter or osteopath because the physio is shite. Pain killers do not fix the problem only mask it.

[byke95]

I have intermittent lower back pain, I had physio a long time ago but that did nothing. Acupuncture has helped other muscle strains but not the lower back pain.

If you'd like to give 'exercise' a rest for a while consider some yoga classes; they really helped me.

Another option is a chiropractor, often seen as cowboys but now recommended by many doctors (including mine, but I haven't been due to costs)

As a side note have a look at your lifestyle; being office bound it terrible for the lower back. My back has never been as good as it was when I was traveling.

[Scouse]

Has nobody suggested an epidural type injection for it. A few people I know have had that for back pain and say it's never come back since. I think it was around £300 to have it done privately.

[DucatiEVO]

The Epidural is very dependant on the person, sometimes it can have zero effect.

Have you had your back MRI scanned G, this would tell you exactly what is wrong. Had mine done at Sidcup MRI center (found a burst disc), used health insurance cos it costs just under £700!

I stopped physio after 20 sessions as my condition was not improving, now just take the odd ibuprofen or paracetamol to try and control it, still cripples me on the odd day though.

Might check with a chiropractor though and see what they say.


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[G]

[craigie b]

oops, it was flip who posted, not you My Err!

Anyway this was an excellent thread which might help you out. I've wrote quite a bit cos my back is fucked and I just get on with it but I couldn;t be arsed writing it again!

https://bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=90572&highlight=chiropracter

[craigie b]

[dodsi]

Have you considered amputuation?

[craigie b]

[byke95]

I'm under the impression that the main difference is that you can trains as a chiropractor, but a osteopath is a Doctor (of medicine) who specialises in/also likes to 'crack yer bones'.

So essentially they'd be the same although I'd assume the latter would charge more privately.

[craigie b]

You have it completely the wrong way round. Neither are recognised by the NHS and neither are considered doctors of medicine. An osteopath should not be cracking bones either, thats what the chiropractor does

[byke95]

[syl]

[BigChris]

[Kaben]

I highly reccomend a chiropractor.
I have suffered with lower back pains for most of my life since i fell out of a tree when young.

I started going to the chiropractor at about 19 and after a few months everything was right as rain and it hasnt come back.

I say a few months - 1 visit a week for 5 months. Basically they assess your nervous reaction to certian pressures (by getting you to resist movement in you arms and legs for example and then running a finger across pressure points. I kid you not a light brush in the right spot and your resistance just crumples)
and then they re align bones etc by pulling,lifting and "cracking". You have to keep going back because your muscles and skeleton have a memory so revert back over time, but if you keep it up it will fix the problem.

It cost about £20 a time, so it wasnt cheap, but i would reccomend my chiropractor to anyone.
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[palmer]

Inject steroids into your back.

[Scouse]

Why not try getting traction? I had half an hour a day of traction for a month or so last year when my back was bad and nothing else worked. It did the trick for me.

Have you tried a back support?

[Rob-B]

You could try and get a pescription to diazepam which is a stronger muscle relaxant than ibuprofen but it does make you drowsy. Take some and then do little exercises to strengthen your back.

Just recently I couldn’t move my head to the right because the muscles had tensed up and I was in immense pain. Got prescribed diazepam, took 3 before bed, woke up and my neck was a 100 times better. Now I just have to keep exercising it.

It might be different in your case but I hope it helps

[Dragonfly]

Dont know if this will help but my dad has a very bad back and has tried everything. He has this belt with magnets in it and when i had a sore back i put it on for a while and it worked.

Magnetic Belt I:

This Belt provides support, improved circulation, pain relief and magnetic energy to your back and throughout your body. The Belt is packed full of thick, north pole magnets to penetrate into your back. May also be used over the hip. Velcro Closure.

it worked for me. hope it helps.
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Muzza on Binge:
He's too busy beating the everloving shit out of Lizzie to notice this thread has taken a turn down Drama Avenue and stopped off at the popcorn shop.

[palmer]

I seem to remember that in metal gear solid... was for shooting better when sniping i think?

[Dragonfly]

Actually you do develope a hard ass persona when you have it on, wrestler is one. :up:Gives you the "dont mess with me walk also"
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All the breast.
Muzza on Binge:
He's too busy beating the everloving shit out of Lizzie to notice this thread has taken a turn down Drama Avenue and stopped off at the popcorn shop.

[mchaggis]