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Low Back Pain - Anything worked for you?

Lord_Lardington
Posts: 594 Forumite
I’ve got some pain in my lower left back which, according to my Googling, is terribly common.
The pain is horrendous first thing in the morning and makes driving to work almost (but not quite) impossible. As the day goes on the pain subsides to “bearable. I’m not sure if this is due to the area simply getting warmed up or to the painkillers I’m taking.
The trouble is, I’ve had it about 8 weeks now and it’s not getting any better. The only internet advice seems to be staying active and managing the pain. I can’t pop Ibuprofen and Paracetemol forever and I’d like to life with a little less pain, at least in the mornings.
Any suggestions? I’ve chosen not to see my GP yet, I’m guessing his advice will mimic the internet’s. Also, I’m a little sceptical about the ability of an Osteopath or a Chiropractor to help be but am willing to be talked round if anyone has a success story.
The pain is horrendous first thing in the morning and makes driving to work almost (but not quite) impossible. As the day goes on the pain subsides to “bearable. I’m not sure if this is due to the area simply getting warmed up or to the painkillers I’m taking.
The trouble is, I’ve had it about 8 weeks now and it’s not getting any better. The only internet advice seems to be staying active and managing the pain. I can’t pop Ibuprofen and Paracetemol forever and I’d like to life with a little less pain, at least in the mornings.
Any suggestions? I’ve chosen not to see my GP yet, I’m guessing his advice will mimic the internet’s. Also, I’m a little sceptical about the ability of an Osteopath or a Chiropractor to help be but am willing to be talked round if anyone has a success story.
My eyes! The goggles do nothing!
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Comments
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I have pretty dire episodes myself - just recovering from one now. The Mackenzie book (manage your back pain) is excellent, with pics to explain what you can do as soon as its OK to roll onto your front - stretching exercises to get the spine back into correct position.
Chiropractors and osteopaths are both good bets IMO - but they may try to get you to commit to long term treatment visits (expensive). A one off visit can do wonders - has for me - quick crunch, and you can feel almost pain free. Its a shock when they man handle you though!
If its like mine - muscular spasm pressuring the spine out of position - it'll fade eventually. Addressing the weakness is the thing. Mackenzie method, swimming, cycling all good for that lower back.0 -
could it be your bed giving you a bad back ?0
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I get this-I would agree with Henry Weston , my back can get bad in the morning if I am in a hotel room.
My home made strategy is
Heat pads-buy them in tesco 2 for about 5.99 get big ones and wear them like a girdle.
Ibuleve gel -put this on as well .
try and get to a swimming pool and do some gentle stretching/swimming
best not to sit around too much it does not help for me.0 -
Hi!
Have you done something to your back, maybe gardening and you've pulled a muscle? Seems strange that its only in the left side?
I have suffered with lower back ache for a while and went to see a physio, who put it down to bad postureSo I took his advice and started to pay more attention to how I was sitting/standing etc. Exercise also helps. Now I just keep as active as possible. When i have a long car journey its normally sore the day after but with some stretching, it soon loosens up.
I would go and see a Doc if it has just come on for no reason and is only on the left side though, could be something underlying????
Anyway, hope you get better soon!0 -
Osteopath worked for me - I couldn't walk as my lower back was to painful. Osteopath cost £30 a session - and after 4 sessions I was absolutely fine - no pain at all. Well worth the money0
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Thanks for the super speedy advice, it all sounds very usable.
I don't think my bed is the primary cause becuase I felt my back "go" when stretching in the shower. That said, it might not be helping my recovery either. I'll check out a new mattress.My eyes! The goggles do nothing!0 -
Try a tens machine for pain relief, I find them very effective at managing pain and a lot better for you than taking bucket loads of pain killers. Also probably best to get checked out by your GP.
Lloyds pharmacy are selling them at the moment for £14.99 which is a good price IMO.
CC debt at 8/7/13 - £12,186.17
Barclaycard £11,027.58
Halifax £1,158.59
5 year plan to live unsecured debt free and move home0 -
Go and see your GP: they can refer you for physio / further consultation if necessary but also rule out anything too dreadful!
since the waiting lists for physio can be quite long, the sooner you go the better!Signature removed for peace of mind0 -
I find if I pull a muscle in my back, I have to be super careful at night not to aggravate it. Usually it's my left or right lower back. I quite often have to lie flat on my back... essentially, if I lie in bed and it hurts, I move until it doesn't, and try to sleep that way.
If I shift in the night and end up putting tension on the bad muscle, I *really* know about it in the morning. I take ibuprofen for the bad days... and eventually the cycle breaks.
The above mainly works for my relatively minor (or at least, shorter duration than yours) pain, but do see a specialist if there's really no sign of improvement.My TV is broken!
Edit: refunded £515 for TV 1.5 years out of warranty - thank you Sale of Goods Act! :j0 -
I'll second going to your GP. I'm going for physio at the moment and it takes a while to be seen, so the sooner you get the referral the better.Getting there... A deal at a time. :T0
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