The doctor says I have 'Mechanical back pain', any ideas on how to manage it?

[AintNobodyHereButUsChickens]

Apparently there's no reason, cause or cure. I just have to suck it up and deal with it 🥴 The base of my back is in so much pain, this happens every few weeks and lasts up to around 6 days. I can't bend, or straighten up. It hurts to stand or walk for more than a few minutes. Sitting or lying down is fine but only if I sit up straight or lie very flat, so no slouching!

I'm fed up of it happening, it's been going on since the summer! Painkillers make little to no difference, hot water bottle works but I can't keep getting up to refill it! Deep Heat is rubbish. Nothing cold works. Does anyone have any tips to help manage it or ease the pain?

Anyone?

Best thing you can do long term is try to strengthen your core muscles - swimming is really good for this. That will give your back better support and hopefully less pain.

Physio and Pilates are your friends here

Same as PP - strengthen core and supporting structures, keep moving.

The only thing that helps me is Ralvo lidocaine patches prescribed by the dr. I have had issues all my life due to hip dysplasia and hip surgery so I have tried many things

I have back problems too, it's miserable isn't it? Get an electric heat pad, then you won't need to get up to refill it (Beurer is a decent brand, I have an XXL and a normal sized one).

I am lucky to be in a country with a private health system so I have a good physio covered by my insurance. I also see an osteopath who often makes a massive difference.

I would go and see a really good osteopath. The kind with a degree.

If you are overweight lost weight.
See a good osteopath.
Do Pilates.
Move regularly throughout the day.

Have you had any investigations to determine the cause, eg x-rays, MRI, CT scan?

Since I had a fall I have had intermittent lower back stiffness and have at times been rendered immobile which isn’t great as my husband works away a lot.

I’ve decided to give Nordic walking a try to help with posture and strengthening my back.

I haven’t done it yet, the poles are on order.

A good Osteopath is worth every penny. My life has been massively improved after 2 sessions - it's expensive but I have offset it against what I was spending on painkillers and heat pads.

Also agree that pilates is the way forward - a stronger core means you carry yourself better.

I had an injury specialist physio recommended by a friend. She is amazing and put everything right that was wrong.

I then was given some core exercises and built from there into exercising frequently. So my extremely weak core is now strong.

I had back problems for years but now haven't had any for well over a year.

All worth a try.

@80sMum

Have you had any investigations to determine the cause, eg x-rays, MRI, CT scan?

@80sMum I had an Xray done on my pelvis because when I saw the GP about my back, she asked if I got pain in my hips too, and when I said I did (but not in relation to my back) she referred me for a pelvic Xray. It turns out I have Osteoarthritis in both of my hips! But they haven't investigated my back pain any further, the doctor just put it down to being mechanical back pain 🤷🏼‍♀️

Mechanical equals an injury usually, something permanent as opposed to a soft tissue issue (sorry if I’m teaching my grandmother to suck eggs) I’d go back to the gp and request a referral to a specialist in case it can be resolved and you might need an operation.

I had horrendous back pain then sciatica due to a 'slipped disc'. I was referred to the spinal team who admitted that they only tend to do CT/MRI scans when you have red flag symptoms of cauda equina.
I was offered physio however. Only painkillers that worked for me were paracetamol, codeine and a hot water bottle. I agree that weight loss, exercise and keeping active are key. There are some good NHS youtube uploads too.

I have the same, I'm disabled & can't even stand to make a hot drink without pain. Like you say painkillers don't touch it, mine feels like my hips & lower back are wrapped on concrete & nothing I do touches it. I can't walk the length of the living room without pain.

yes to physio.
do the exercises. look up foam rolling the affected areas.
good luck

OP I recommend seeing a McTimoney chiropractor - they use gentle manipulation rather than ‘ cracks’ and the way I understand it is that your pelvis is like the foundations of Anjou’s r- if it’s skewed then nothing else will sit straight! I saw mine for the first time after a difficult birth of my eldest- he got stuck and the subsequent manual dislodging twisted my pelvis very badly x I don’t get back ache or anything if I go and see my chiro once a year (ish)!

My yd had mechanical pain in her back due to arthritis in her knees and ankles as she walked differently to compensate for that pain.

According to one website, mechanical pain is

Mechanical pain is the general term that refers to any type of back pain caused by placing abnormal stress and strain on muscles of the vertebral column. Typically, mechanical pain results from bad habits, such as poor posture, poorly-designed seating, and incorrect bending and lifting motions.

Her dr also said the pain she had in her hip was mechanical. It wasn't, and she now has damage to her hip sockets due to untreated arthritis.

Any pain that lasts should be looked into more, and the suggestions on here for core strength building etc is a very good idea to do anyway.

The middle of LIDL had electric heat pads last week - this has helped with my back pain. And also today I have had two sessions on a shakti mat which has helped me more than two weeks of physio. Worth a try :)

www.shaktimat.co.uk/products/shakti-black

I recommend a good physiotherapist, not a chiropractor or osteopath.
I had back pain for years. Scans and orthopaedic surgeon could find nothing.
Eventually I saw a private Physio. He pinpointed the problem in half an hour. It took a year but I eventually got back to normal.

Physiotherapy including massage
Lose weight is carrying too much
Core strengthening (Pilates, yoga, etc)
If over 40, weights (to try and reduce muscle loss)
Protein (building muscle)
Heat pads for when it’s bad.
Alexander technique to improve posture.

And when it’s bad - be forgiving of yourself and don’t try to do too much just because you think you ‘should’.

I'm wondering whether you could be suffering from degenerative disc disease, OP. Does this cluster of symptoms match yours? Symptoms of degenerative disc disease

I should add I am not medically qualified in any way but I have come across many people online, mostly in osteoporosis support groups, who suffer from ddd and when you mentioned that your pain comes and goes I wondered if that might be the cause.

I've been referred to physio but when I phoned to make an appointment I was told they've suspended all appointments due to COVID and they'll 'make a note that I called'

[quote Havilland]Since I had a fall I have had intermittent lower back stiffness and have at times been rendered immobile which isn’t great as my husband works away a lot.

I’ve decided to give Nordic walking a try to help with posture and strengthening my back.

I haven’t done it yet, the poles are on order.

[/quote] Nordic walking had done wonders for my lower back pain. I have to regularly stretch during it but it has improved my posture and core strength considerably. Watch the videos or take a lesson to get started as technique is everything, it's nothing like using standard hiking poles.