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Being fairly tall and ancient I’ve had this many a time. There are a few yoga/pilates moves which if you can’t do them right now I’d advise getting into the habit of doing them every morning - takes hardly any time. I’m assuming it’s your lower back that’s pinged. The yoga one is called cat/ cow … on all fours just arch your back up and down. The Pilates one is lay on your back and do a bicycle-pedalling movement with your legs while your arms make alternate movements. YouTube it - these things always sound more complicated than they actually are when described.
I’ve recently got back into swimming -oh boy my creaking framework feels 10 yrs younger. Another thing I do is soon after waking I have a cheeky plank (that’s not rhyming slang btw). One minute plank then a one minute rest - do this x 3. That’s just 5 minutes every morning that will keep those bastard bad-backs at bay.
Best of health Chef.
ps: best over-the-counter pain killers I’ve had are called Paramol.
pps: if you’re out of shape start with a 10 second plank and add to it every day by day when you feel comfortable.
Depends on what the cause is. If its structural/disc then you need to see a specialist.
I used to have probs with back muscles regularly ceasing up. So I'd get a hot water bottle on it and apply muscle relaxant. Sometimes I needed to see a chiro to crack some stuff, but such visits decreasing since I discovered a 'feldenkrais' practitioner near me, and I highly recommend you try find one.
There's a saying, 'there's no such thing as bad backs, but there are weak backs!' So a combination of feldenkrais exercises and from a chap called Will Harlow (google him, does loads of stuff for over 50s on his YouTube site) means I've been more proactive with strengthen and flex work and seen a huge reduction in problems.
Are you tubby, Chef? Rhetorical of course, but if you knew anyone with back problems who was, then no doubt you'd advise them to lose some timber! It would help your mates greatly.
Edit: Paddox's cat-cow solid advice. I do a bit of yoga, but I'd suggest go to a yoga teacher first. If you start wrong you'll likely do more damage than good.
Nameste....
[Post edited 16 Sep 14:15]
'Always In Motion' by John Honney available on amazon.co.uk
Being fairly tall and ancient I’ve had this many a time. There are a few yoga/pilates moves which if you can’t do them right now I’d advise getting into the habit of doing them every morning - takes hardly any time. I’m assuming it’s your lower back that’s pinged. The yoga one is called cat/ cow … on all fours just arch your back up and down. The Pilates one is lay on your back and do a bicycle-pedalling movement with your legs while your arms make alternate movements. YouTube it - these things always sound more complicated than they actually are when described.
I’ve recently got back into swimming -oh boy my creaking framework feels 10 yrs younger. Another thing I do is soon after waking I have a cheeky plank (that’s not rhyming slang btw). One minute plank then a one minute rest - do this x 3. That’s just 5 minutes every morning that will keep those bastard bad-backs at bay.
Best of health Chef.
ps: best over-the-counter pain killers I’ve had are called Paramol.
pps: if you’re out of shape start with a 10 second plank and add to it every day by day when you feel comfortable.
[Post edited 16 Sep 14:16]
Cheers DP - annoying as I do a weekly PT/stretching session, play football and tennis at least once a week. And I was just thinking last week I'd not had any back trouble for a while. Ha!
Like you say just need to get into the habit of daily stretching.
Cheers DP - annoying as I do a weekly PT/stretching session, play football and tennis at least once a week. And I was just thinking last week I'd not had any back trouble for a while. Ha!
Like you say just need to get into the habit of daily stretching.
Agree with the regular stretching. I also use those disposal heat pads you can get when I have a sore neck or back from sleeping awkwardly.If it lasts more than a couple of days I see an osteopath.
The main one I'd pick out is that every back injury is different, so for now I'd see an expert - an osteopath or an occupational therapist is what I'd start with - and get this spasm sorted.
After that, I agree with those who suggest stretching, yoga and/or pilates. That should help miniminise re-occurances. Ask the osteopath/occupational therapist for exercises.
"The opposite of love, after all, is not hate, but indifference."
Depends on what the cause is. If its structural/disc then you need to see a specialist.
I used to have probs with back muscles regularly ceasing up. So I'd get a hot water bottle on it and apply muscle relaxant. Sometimes I needed to see a chiro to crack some stuff, but such visits decreasing since I discovered a 'feldenkrais' practitioner near me, and I highly recommend you try find one.
There's a saying, 'there's no such thing as bad backs, but there are weak backs!' So a combination of feldenkrais exercises and from a chap called Will Harlow (google him, does loads of stuff for over 50s on his YouTube site) means I've been more proactive with strengthen and flex work and seen a huge reduction in problems.
Are you tubby, Chef? Rhetorical of course, but if you knew anyone with back problems who was, then no doubt you'd advise them to lose some timber! It would help your mates greatly.
Edit: Paddox's cat-cow solid advice. I do a bit of yoga, but I'd suggest go to a yoga teacher first. If you start wrong you'll likely do more damage than good.
Nameste....
[Post edited 16 Sep 14:15]
No thankfully not chubby - just under 6ft, 81kg, in fact I've lost three kilos in the last couple of months through intermittent fasting and eating better.
Anyway I've booked the osteopath and will get on to the stretching. Cheers all.
Jeez Chef - the same thing happened to me on Wednesday. Went to pick up a bin bag full of books and... twang! Pain was so intense, had to collapse to the floor. Could barely walk. Didn't sleep at all that night even dosed up with a combo of Co-codamol, paracetamol and ibuprofen.
The next day I went to see a craniosacral therapist who I had already been seeing and I don't really know what she did or how she did it, but I it definitely started improving. Been doing similar things to what Danny recommends as well, and although it's still very twingey, I was able to walk today with the estimable DMM of this parish, from Battersea Power Station to Sloane Square. Which feels like a minor miracle, since I thought I'd never walk again on Wednesday. There is hope!!
One of the worst bits of getting older. Gone are the days when you can tell someone you did it playing football or attempting a world record lift in the gym. Now its just picking up your toothbrush or putting your socks on that does it.
And Nix, are you sure you slept funny. Every time my wife wakes up holding her arm thinking she's slept on it, it's because she has snored all night and I've had to keep whacking her.
One of the worst bits of getting older. Gone are the days when you can tell someone you did it playing football or attempting a world record lift in the gym. Now its just picking up your toothbrush or putting your socks on that does it.
And Nix, are you sure you slept funny. Every time my wife wakes up holding her arm thinking she's slept on it, it's because she has snored all night and I've had to keep whacking her.
I concur. Slipped my disc a few years ago by sneezing. Never experienced pain like it before or since
One of the worst bits of getting older. Gone are the days when you can tell someone you did it playing football or attempting a world record lift in the gym. Now its just picking up your toothbrush or putting your socks on that does it.
And Nix, are you sure you slept funny. Every time my wife wakes up holding her arm thinking she's slept on it, it's because she has snored all night and I've had to keep whacking her.
When I was about forty, I pulled something in my back. I was up in Dublin for a few days so had to go to a new physio. A young lad. About 12.
As I walked in, he took one benevolent, pitying look at me and softly says "did you do it getting out of the car?"
Not playing football. Or surfing. Or descending the north face of something which has a big north face. No. The car. That's what he just assumed.
And the worst was...he was right. It was the car. And he was a lovely fella as well.
Mutter, mutter, mutter...
"The opposite of love, after all, is not hate, but indifference."
I've had back issues on and off for ages, nothing terrible but just a baseline back ache most of the time. It's to do with my hamstrings I think , which are insanely tight. I try to do regular glute stretches which helps.
I've actually been doing more exercise in the last couple of years than ever before , lost a load of weight and feel good for it, but it's aggravated my back at the same time - running and doing weights with poor posture is probably a terrible idea!
Solidarity to fellow ald gits any way
Edit: not running and doing weights at the same time you understand , I'm not mental
When I was about forty, I pulled something in my back. I was up in Dublin for a few days so had to go to a new physio. A young lad. About 12.
As I walked in, he took one benevolent, pitying look at me and softly says "did you do it getting out of the car?"
Not playing football. Or surfing. Or descending the north face of something which has a big north face. No. The car. That's what he just assumed.
And the worst was...he was right. It was the car. And he was a lovely fella as well.
Mutter, mutter, mutter...
Recently had a round of physio and I think I must have seen the same young man, though he must be at least 13 and half now.
Absolutely brilliant as well put me through 8 weeks of this and that and decided I was beyond physio, so reffered me to the bone man. Turns out I need a new hip, nobody had a clue because I'm so young and handsome.
Chairman of the Junior Hoilett appreciation society
Jeez Chef - the same thing happened to me on Wednesday. Went to pick up a bin bag full of books and... twang! Pain was so intense, had to collapse to the floor. Could barely walk. Didn't sleep at all that night even dosed up with a combo of Co-codamol, paracetamol and ibuprofen.
The next day I went to see a craniosacral therapist who I had already been seeing and I don't really know what she did or how she did it, but I it definitely started improving. Been doing similar things to what Danny recommends as well, and although it's still very twingey, I was able to walk today with the estimable DMM of this parish, from Battersea Power Station to Sloane Square. Which feels like a minor miracle, since I thought I'd never walk again on Wednesday. There is hope!!
[Post edited 16 Sep 16:35]
You beat me to it when you mentioned taking more than one type of painkiller at a time. I was going to say that you can take paracetamol and ibuprofen simultaneously (guess whose wife was a pain control pharmacist).
My back used to go every few months and tests attributed that to some of the cushioning material between my discs moving out of position.
I was playing a lot of football back then and what seemed to really help was introducing a 5-10 minute warm-up jog beforehand, ideally followed by stretching; stretching when cold is not ideal. I'd then do a warm down jog after the game.
It's important to keep moving, the traditionional advice about resting a bad back has been ditched. Don't do anything which involves heavy lifting, like weights, though.
Good luck with your recovery.
"Things had started becoming increasingly desperate at Loftus Road but QPR have been handed a massive lifeline and the place has absolutely erupted. it's carnage. It's bedlam. It's 1-1."
One of the worst bits of getting older. Gone are the days when you can tell someone you did it playing football or attempting a world record lift in the gym. Now its just picking up your toothbrush or putting your socks on that does it.
And Nix, are you sure you slept funny. Every time my wife wakes up holding her arm thinking she's slept on it, it's because she has snored all night and I've had to keep whacking her.
As has been advised above. See an Osteopath or Orthapedic doctor. Personally I wouldn't bother with a Chiropractor. Did nothing for me. Spasms can be caused by several different issues. My issue was found with an MRI. It was found I have severe degeneration of the L5-S1 facet joint. I finally get to see an Orthopedic Surgeon on the 30th of this month after nearly 3 years of trying remedy's. It has always been advised to me by Chiropractor, Physio, GP and anyone else that putting a heat pack on the area affected will help with movement and blood flow to the area. As many times a day as you can.
Hope it turns out to be a slight issue easily fixed. Good luck.
I hope you’ve not prolapsed a disc, hopefully you’ve just stirred up a nerve near a facet joint. Wouldn’t say the last 20 odd years of my life has been ruined by a slipped disc but it’s certainly affected it.
Countless injections, couple of operations (both failed), probably up to tens of thousands spent on physio, osteopathy, cairos and drugs etc…..yet still it persists. Last operation was two and a half years ago (discectomy with laminectomy) and after that failed it’s been reformer Pilates that’s allowed me to keep going.
My latest flare up was a week ago. Bending down too quick to pick up trainers. I mean…….. Just off to Pilates now to hopefully pull me round a bit but this is a bad one and really quite concerning with the leg pain and weakness
The physical pain is one thing (Tramadol can sort that) but mentally it’s a killer.
Good luck and as said hope it’s minor and clears up quickly
Cherish and enjoy life.... this ain't no dress rehearsal
I hope you’ve not prolapsed a disc, hopefully you’ve just stirred up a nerve near a facet joint. Wouldn’t say the last 20 odd years of my life has been ruined by a slipped disc but it’s certainly affected it.
Countless injections, couple of operations (both failed), probably up to tens of thousands spent on physio, osteopathy, cairos and drugs etc…..yet still it persists. Last operation was two and a half years ago (discectomy with laminectomy) and after that failed it’s been reformer Pilates that’s allowed me to keep going.
My latest flare up was a week ago. Bending down too quick to pick up trainers. I mean…….. Just off to Pilates now to hopefully pull me round a bit but this is a bad one and really quite concerning with the leg pain and weakness
The physical pain is one thing (Tramadol can sort that) but mentally it’s a killer.
Good luck and as said hope it’s minor and clears up quickly
Had a rock climbing accident as a 17 year old, hit the ground from about door height in the sitting position causing a ripple effect up my discs a bit like those stress balls. Not having this I said and threw myself back up the rock being successful this time. Then drove back from Yorkshire to London and thought nothing more of it and didn’t until I hit my mid 30’s, playing football, the pain shot up my leg to my head and had to be carried off. Saw everybody, physios etc but until I had a CAT Scan in my early 40’s they found my lower dice were damaged beyond repair and ultimately would need a major operation. 20 years later I’m “managing” the pain but it’s a constant nagging in my lower back and I make sort of grunting noises as I get in and out of chairs/bed etc!! I go to the gym 3/4 times a week and love a day out in the hills when I can.
I've had back issues on and off for ages, nothing terrible but just a baseline back ache most of the time. It's to do with my hamstrings I think , which are insanely tight. I try to do regular glute stretches which helps.
I've actually been doing more exercise in the last couple of years than ever before , lost a load of weight and feel good for it, but it's aggravated my back at the same time - running and doing weights with poor posture is probably a terrible idea!
Solidarity to fellow ald gits any way
Edit: not running and doing weights at the same time you understand , I'm not mental
[Post edited 16 Sep 17:54]
Yeah I've had tight hamstrings and hip flexors for a while but doing weekly PT/stretching sessions did seem to be helping (or at least my instructor said things were improving!).
I had lower back pains - not as bad as yours Chef, by the sounds of it. Anyway, planking, that's what worked for me. It wasn't instant, but I got into the routine of doing 3 minutes every morning . It really helped.
I also used to do the routine from this video and it was amazing. If you've not done a yoga before you might feel a bit silly at first, but you'll feel amazing after!
I hope you’ve not prolapsed a disc, hopefully you’ve just stirred up a nerve near a facet joint. Wouldn’t say the last 20 odd years of my life has been ruined by a slipped disc but it’s certainly affected it.
Countless injections, couple of operations (both failed), probably up to tens of thousands spent on physio, osteopathy, cairos and drugs etc…..yet still it persists. Last operation was two and a half years ago (discectomy with laminectomy) and after that failed it’s been reformer Pilates that’s allowed me to keep going.
My latest flare up was a week ago. Bending down too quick to pick up trainers. I mean…….. Just off to Pilates now to hopefully pull me round a bit but this is a bad one and really quite concerning with the leg pain and weakness
The physical pain is one thing (Tramadol can sort that) but mentally it’s a killer.
Good luck and as said hope it’s minor and clears up quickly
I'm surprised your doc prescribed Tramadol. All I get is “take Paracetamol”. I managed to get some Lidocain patches which are pathetic and keep coming off. My local pub has better remedies !
I sympathise. My lower back used sometimes went zing, aaarregghh, then I’d freeze, try to breathe and relax it, and not be able to move properly for days, putting on shoes awkward, getting up from the sofa at weird angles.
My physio friend told me it was because my core was weak. I fixed the problem by just doing some planks. Maybe one or two for a minute or two every day or two. Of course then I got out of the habit and after a few years of no problems it went again the other week. So back to the planks for me.
I had lower back pains - not as bad as yours Chef, by the sounds of it. Anyway, planking, that's what worked for me. It wasn't instant, but I got into the routine of doing 3 minutes every morning . It really helped.
I also used to do the routine from this video and it was amazing. If you've not done a yoga before you might feel a bit silly at first, but you'll feel amazing after!
Can I just repeat a word of caution above.
Before you start practicing on your own or accompanying a video or app, take lessons. This is especially important for people like the Chef starting out with back issues.
A properly trained yogi (and not all are because by the way bbecause of dodgy accreditation) can ensure your doing it right. Many people start, get things wrong and cause and/or exacerbate problems. There's also a second reason, you might be doing a pose correctly, until the yogi moves you a fraction, and suddenly the benefits seem to increase and flow instantly.
Same goes for pilates.
'Always In Motion' by John Honney available on amazon.co.uk
I'm surprised your doc prescribed Tramadol. All I get is “take Paracetamol”. I managed to get some Lidocain patches which are pathetic and keep coming off. My local pub has better remedies !
I’ve had the lot and I’ve got a drawer in my kitchen that wouldn’t look out of place from a scene in The Wire.
On the meds front I always say this one thing to people - if you get prescribed Diclothiniac for anything then question it, question it again and then in your last question ask for a PPI alongside it. It’s an evil bastard thing and nearly killed me years ago with internal bleeding being a very, very common side effect.
Tramadol used sparingly is a great drug. Can have a nice trippy effect but what screws me up is it actually gives me insomnia and restricts me from trap one for a few days. I only ever take it if things are really, really bad. My dog swears by it and sorts him out as well (real reason why I have a months worth in the drawer!!!).
If you can avoid morphine patches, NSAIDs, Tramadol and all the rest of the opioid family then please do. Motion really is lotion and keeping the mind occupied can deflect that constant nerve pain if you have it. When it’s really bad though I get people will do and take absolutely anything. It really can be indescribable and I fully understand people who go to extreme lengths…… I mean operations in this area aren’t exactly an everyday quick decision!!!
Best of luck
Cherish and enjoy life.... this ain't no dress rehearsal
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