Lower Back Pain

JoolzS

devildog wrote: »

Chiropractors are actually highly trained in their chosen area.

Of course they are trained - just as acupuncturists are "trained".

devildog wrote: »

My DH also has chronic lower back problems and he too was prescribed anti-inflammatories which he wouldn't take simply because it kills the pain and does not alleviate the problem only masks it! GP's tend to hand out tablets and do no more.

As and when problems kick in, he has been treated both buy a chiropractor, and by an osteopath(ex physio) who also uses acupuncture. These treatments have proved to be hugely beneficial (to him).

Anti-inflammatories are NOT painkillers - they are anti-inflammatories - they reduce inflamation. Inflammation causes pain! They aren't masking anything.

RichardD1970

JoolzS wrote: »

Anti-inflammatories are NOT painkillers - they are anti-inflammatories - they reduce inflamation. Inflammation causes pain! They aren't masking anything.

Fair point, but then again they are not actually solving the root cause of the inflammation.

I know people are probably going to criticise me for this , but I had severe sciatica a few years ago, after two bouts where I was off work for a fortnight each time (SSP only:eek:) I found this, Flexibak. I was initially sceptical but desperate.

All I can say is that it worked for me, I have been completely sciatica free since using it. Can't guarantee that it will work for everyone and it's not exactly cheap, but to me it was worth it's weight in gold.:cool:

outlaw777

Paid a lot for a physio who says I have a slipped disc and wants me to spend £1200 on some fancy machine. Doctor says I have sciatica and has given me lots of painkillers. The pain in my left leg is horrendous. Main pain is down my hamstring, anyone any advice on sciatica pain??

Bennifred

devildog wrote: »

Chiropractors are actually highly trained in their chosen area...................

Indeed - University of Glamorgan offers an undergraduate degree in chiropractic. I have been treated very successfully by a chiropractor, as has my OH (different problems) and also various friends.

VanMan2007

I've had back pain since 1995. This year, I discovered the solution, for me. Get into the gym, eat heathily, lose weight and get a good abs/core-stability programme. If it's a disc problem, get an MRI scan to diagnose the problem and take advice from the NHS.

GlynD

I would certainly advise going down the GP route and asking to be referred for a scan to discover (if possible) exactly what the matter is. I've suffered extreme lower back pain for 35 years because of an injury which wasn't examined at the time it happened (active service with the army). If I'd received the correct advice at that time I would be where I am now scoffing morphine/opiates day and night just to be able to bear the pain enough to stand up.

ohreally

outlaw777 wrote: »

Doctor says I have sciatica and has given me lots of painkillers. The pain in my left leg is horrendous. Main pain is down my hamstring, anyone any advice on sciatica pain??

Discuss options with your GP, scan of choice would be an MRI however GP may not be amenable to a referral if you are not prepared to consider surgery.

GlynD

outlaw777 wrote: »

Paid a lot for a physio who says I have a slipped disc and wants me to spend £1200 on some fancy machine. Doctor says I have sciatica and has given me lots of painkillers. The pain in my left leg is horrendous. Main pain is down my hamstring, anyone any advice on sciatica pain??

Sciatica is nerve pain and this can indicate a problem with the lower spine. I would echo others' advice. Ask your GP for a scan referral.

building_with_lego

See your GP to start the diagnostics and read this book.
You may be able to get a private MRI scan for around £250 which will give you, your GP, your physio and your osteopath/chiropractor the information they need to treat you effectively.

Personally I have had great results, during pregnancy, from a chiropractor and my partner has had great results from a physio but no real effect from the acupuncture (he was told that it works for about 60% of people). If appropriate you'll be offered an epidural injection of cortico-steroids or sterile water. (The water may be placebo but has been shown to work as well as the steroids.)

We can both recommend a TENS machine; we got ours from @mazon for about £20.
Your GP is the place to start; ask for a referral to the pain clinic.

GlynD

building_with_lego wrote: »

See your GP to start the diagnostics and read this book.
You may be able to get a private MRI scan for around £250 which will give you, your GP, your physio and your osteopath/chiropractor the information they need to treat you effectively.

Personally I have had great results, during pregnancy, from a chiropractor and my partner has had great results from a physio but no real effect from the acupuncture (he was told that it works for about 60% of people). If appropriate you'll be offered an epidural injection of cortico-steroids or sterile water. (The water may be placebo but has been shown to work as well as the steroids.)

We can both recommend a TENS machine; we got ours from @mazon for about £20.
Your GP is the place to start; ask for a referral to the pain clinic.

Tens machines do nothing for me. I've even been offered one free by the hospital physiotherapy dept. I've been well warned off chiropractors by a succession of doctors and surgeons because my spine is irreparably damaged and any manipulation of it could cause further deterioration of the condition.

In my case if surgery had been carried out at the time of the initial injury to reset the disc into its proper place then it wouldn't have worn away to the extent that the vertebrae are grating the way they are now.

That's why you should always take medical advice, after getting a scan, because some remedies don't suit certain conditions and can even make them worse.

Injections of ANYTHING into the spine should be done on a case-by-case basis and only by a medical practitioner. Once you've had your scan you can ask for a referral to the local Pain Clinic and a specialist there will advise you on pain relief and prescribe anything which is necessary.

To illustrate this further: take my brother. He's got exactly the same thing as I on paper but his treatment is totally different.