To ask you about back pain?

[Poursomesugaronme88]

I have had long standing back/shoulder pain since being a teen. I know it's down to bad posture but exercise and stretch doesn't seem to help. Would my gp prescribe me pain relief? Can anyone help? Would the gp feel my back etc or just refer me to someone? Already work with physiotherapists so don't need to be seen by them but the pain relief would help.

How do you know its down to bad posture? Have you had xrays and mri? Is pain at top of your back or bottom and down legs? While you might get one or two prescriptions from the doc, longer term they would be looking to identify a structural problem to see if it's amenable to correction.
I feel for you, back problems are a fucking bitch.

How bad is the pain on a scale of one to ten ? Have you had excruciating spasms? Any limb numbness / tingles?

I ask, as I've had back and neck / shoulder all my adult life, I put it down to my desk job and bad posture.

Three years ago my back went into spasm when I went to get out of my car. I couldn't move. I'd never felt pain like it in my life.

Cut a long story short, couldn't see a GP for a week, so saw a chiropractor same day. He suspected a slipped disc and did some massage, light manipulation and realignment, but wrote to my GP with his suspicions and asked for an MRI for me.

A month later, I had an MRI and I did indeed have a slipped disc, with another disc on its way.

Turns out I also have scoliosis, (possibly the cause) and had it since childhood apparently. I was 39 when told this.

Three years on, I get back pain half the days still, but thankfully no more really bad spasms. Due to my regular chiropractor and acupuncture appointments it's kept at Bay. There's no cure, I have to manage it. I've a sit / stand desk at work and don't wear high heels daily anymore. I also go to converts in the seated area now! 😄

I digress. My point is, it could be more than bad posture. Please seek medical advice. When my back went, I was signed off for a month, I couldn't even roll over in bed without my DP pushing me over. I never want to have that pain again.

Oh, and ice packs are a godsend.

I have five in my freezer on rotation every night. Please be careful though, put it over your clothes, I've badly burned myself twice from ice packs, in the pursuit for more instant pain relief.

It depends where the pain is, and what type of pain. I have torn shoulders and get injections for pain. Mine was originally described as bad posture but eventually referred for an ultrasound. I need surgery but as a carer to a disabled child I would not be able to recover and could do more damage. Strangely the pain is bad tonight hence not sleeping and I need to book another injection.

Ask your GP. There are many different types of things you can try, like heat, cold, massage, creams, gels & pain relief, if appropriate. Have you tried any over the counter stuff yet? That would be your first option. GP's will frequently refer to physiotherapists though, which never helped me. I am a long term pain patient & am on shitloads of meds. Recently I spent over 1500 on chiropractic, to no avail. Am currently trying reiki healing & massage, which is lovely, but doesn't help me. Apparently my body is (according to a practitioner) "resistent to treatment"

I had bad neck and shoulder pain - about 25 years ago now.
Couldn't lay flat on the floor in a vocal class. Teacher reccomended a brilliant chiropractor who also does accupuncture. He sorted most problems v quickly, and always go back to him if I get twinges anywhere (including feet, knee, not just back). I probably go about once every 4/5 years, so I'm not exactly his best customer.

Also at around the same time I booked an alexander technique holiday - two to three hours AT in the morning, 1:1 sessions alternate days, and walking or swimming with AT supervision in the afternoons.
AT is very gentle and gradual, and I don't think I'd have "got it" from a short weekly session, although I did continue with sessions for a bit when I got home.
My posture is not always brilliant now, but If I'm feeling a bit achey, I correct my posture and focus on that for a bit, maybe relax in an AT position..

I defo need to try a chiropractor. It's definitely due to poor posture. Only get the pain when I'm run down stressed and tired which doesnt help when you work night shifts. Have tried all the over the counter meds cocodamol helps bit but wears off quick. Had the stronger cocodamol from a friend and that seemed the best. Thanks everyone.

These helped me and last all day. But they never take away the pain - just ease it a bit

www.boots.com/thermacare-therapeutic-heatwraps-back-small-to-extra-large-2-single-use-heatwraps-10083707