To think once you develop back pain it never goes away?

[FairTurtle]

I've had this now for 6 weeks, out of NOWHERE. It's constant. I've seen a chiro and an osteo and it's still no better. GP isn't concerned. NO HISTORY of back problems whatsoever. I'm 28 and healthy besides this. Wtf??????? Yoga poses and core strength exercises aren't helping.

@mountaingoatsarehairy I bought one hahaha

They all sound good but depends how much you are doing?

I saw a personal trainer for 2 years twice a week. We'd do a 50 min workout which would include 4 rounds of 4-5 exercises (so I suppose like a HIIT approach) followed by 10 mins or so of core. I was overweight, hypermobile, and struggling massively with lower back pain and it basically fixed me!

(But the catch is that as soon as I stopped, it all came back after a few months - so consistency is key).

Do you also do weights, and do you do enough? Do you get properly out of breath and push yourself?

It's not that you have to feel like you are going to die whilst doing it, but you do need a challenge and it needs to be 2-3 times a week at least.

If it feels easy, it's probably not doing enough to really strengthen your body.

Also if you are overweight, do some cardio as well (can just be fast walking or swimming etc - but do something).

Just to add to my above post, I see you have long Covid etc - when I say push yourself, I mean for you - It's all relative. It's more about how your body feels than what you're actually doing.

If you feel like you are pushing yourself a bit, that's where you want to be, even if objectively it's not a massive amount/ massive movement.

It is hard, but that is what you need to do. You can do it x

@FairTurtle excellent ! I got the pillow and never use it - do you still get a free shakti ring? That was very calming.

it will be painful but breathe through it and start at like 30seca then do longer. If you have an Apple Watch then use the breathe app.

I’ve had mine for two years and it is so interesting as sometimes it doesn’t hurt at all, and other times it’s like the first time and utter agony. But since getting it, no back pain and better sleep ( though I sleep well anyway). Just keep using it.

Ditch the chiropractor and the osteopath and go and see a proper physiotherapist.

mine went away. I do have to be careful though, but that might be due to my hypermobility anyway. but yes it can go away in some people.

@FOJN Thanks for your comment! So many of the comments on here are about high intensity workouts and lots of cardio and running (which I appreciate - these are the things that seem to work for back pain) but I'm just not able to do those things. I will just try to move more often.

Unfortunately the same happened to me. Two years ago I woke up with the most horrendous back pain out of nowhere. Still have no idea what caused it. It lasted about six weeks and then improved but it has left me with a weakness in that area and now I have to be extremely careful with bending etc as i get severe pain.

I'm older than you as I'm in my forties so I'm really sorry it has happened to you so young. I hope it does resolve itself completely but be prepared that it may not.

Re long Covid - did you read ‘ultra processed people’ by Chris Van Tulken ? Might be worth cutting out UPF to see if that helps

This is the best advice in the thread.

Do not let a chiropractor touch you. It's not based on science and can be downright dangerous.

Physio is hard work. You need to work at it daily for 6 weeks then be seen again and check you haven't disbalanced yourself in some other way and that the muscles that you need to support good posture are developing correctly. If you do the exercises wrong they won't be useful. You may actually find a personal trainer session will help you if you're struggling to engage the right muscle groups, they can guide you in doing the exercises the physio has laid out if you're struggling.

You may need to lose weight. Weight exasperates back pain tremendously. You should also check that you don't have any food allergies as wheat and gluten allergies as well as lactose allergies can manifest as back pain. It's actually deferred gut pain from your intestines but it can feel like it's in your back and cause general inflammation everywhere.

You should also check you mattress. Especially if the pain is worse in the mornings. If it's old or memory foam that started to dip you may find it isn't offering the support it once did. Your needs may have also changed, it might be that changes in ages and weight and various other stuff mean you need a firmer or softer mattress. Don't just buy any go and test lots in the shop and get one you can send back and swap if it's not right. You spend (hopefully!) 8 hours a day laying on the thing every day of the year. It's not something to cheap out on.

I have found walking and swimming to be the absolute best thing for back pain.

Ive had back problems since i was 21, during labour with DD the anesthetist missed the epidural (that i didnt want) 7 or more times and over a decade later its never been right since.

I can feel my discs grinding and i get a pressure on either side and then something catches or pinches when i put weight on the leg on that side and it drops me. Was happening multiple times a day/week at its worst.

I end up limping about until whatever it is stops.

Get alot of lower back pain and aching if i walk very long distances, sit too long/ funny angle etc aswell.

Been to the Dr and get given exercises etc, the worst of what i get has certainly decreased since i lost weight but still catches me out every now and again.

I want to see a chiropracter for an adjustment but ive heard so many stories where people have been made worse from it

@mountaingoatsarehairy Oooh I'm not sure! I will let you know once it arrives. I am actually so excited for this. Generally sceptical of things but all the reviews (read various accounts - not just website testimonials!) seem amazing.

Did you get yours specifically for lower back pain? And it resolved it?

Also - does anyone have much experience of what osteopaths typically do? I've seen mine 3 times now, and I assume this probably is just what osteopathy is, but he basically quite gently presses into my muscles, and sometimes very gently moves my limbs and applies some pressure. He also doesn't seem to have much insight/much to say about what might be causing the issue. But maybe that's normal? Obvs I'm also seeing a physio.

Is that what others' experiences of osteopathy have been? Wondering if it's worth trying to find someone else.

@alittlehopeisadangerousthing So sorry to hear this. I am assuming you have done all the usual things like physio, exercise, core work, osteopathy, massage, etc? I hope you find something that gives relief.

Hey yes I got mine as I pulled my back really badly and it was agony and the reviews convinced me. Not had it again since

Seeing a physio and an osteopath might not be the best option. Better to find a really good physio and stick with it for consistency. Physios can do most of the stuff osteo's can, but also look at you more holistically, and will have longer term impact.
Avoid chiropractors, they are not fully regulated in the UK and anyone can call themself one. Physio's are highly regulated

It was provided by the acupuncture practitioner.

@Bushmillsbabe This is absolutely not true. Chiropractors and Osteoapths are fully regulated in the UK, and Osteopaths do look at you holistically. They also actually treat you rather than just offer exercises to do.

Physio was definitely the best for me. I went via work and had a couple of sessions for sciatica that felt different to my usual sciatica
She watched me walk in on the third session and said "I'm not touching you again, you need an MRI as something is really wrong" and referred me

It spiralled from there, ended up on massive amounts of painkillers, horrendous pain, foot drop then lost all feeling and they operated

I went back to visit her to show her my scan and take flowers as her actions meant my cauda equina was spotted quickly

I'm inclined to agree with @Bushmillsbabe. I've had 3 sessions now with an osteo and no difference really. He seems to just come and do the same thing every time, and doesn't seem to have any insight into what's causing the pain. It feels quite one size fits all.

I saw an osteopath years ago, and it was a complete waste of time and money. Worse, she did sacro-iliac needling (I think that's what it was) and I could hardly walk for the pain afterward.

A cardio-strength exercise routine set up by an accredited exercise physiotherapist is far more useful for me. Rowing machine, treadmill, recumbent bike, balance, different sorts of weight work - all tailored to what a client needs and can do.

I was involved in a serious car accident in my early 20s and ended up in traction due to spinal injuries
I’m now 60 and I have flare ups a few times a yesr but in between have learned how to manage it, regular gentle exercise, heat, painkillers, acupuncture, hydrotherapy etc

OP I noticed you said you slept on a firm mattress?

Firm doesn't necessarily equal good or best for back.

As part of my back recovery we invested in a new bed and mattress. We have a softer mattress now than ever before.

Parts of your body (shoulders,hip) need to sink into the mattress deep enough to allow your spine to lie straight. Our previous mattress was too firm and my hips and shoulder didn't sink in enough. I used to wake up with pain everywhere.

Now bed is bliss!

Sorry for not having time to RTFT but Pilates is definitely what you need. I would recommend dropping the osteopath for the time being and doing one-to-one Pilates in a studio (with equipment) with a skilled teacher. If you're doing 1-1 sessions the teacher will be able to proceed at your pace so it shouldn't feel too much to manage a session. They will also be able to give you exercises to do at home and watch your form to make sure that you're doing them safely and correctly. Pilates equipment can offer support and/or challenge (depending on the needs of your body) so it's generally much more versatile than using mat pilates exercises alone.

I started suffering with a bad back aged 24 due to weak core and glutes. I finally found Pilates in my 30s and became a Pilates teacher in my 40s. I'm now in my 50s and haven't had a bad back for over 15 years! I'm also much stronger and fitter than I ever was in my 20s.

Things that helped me when it was bad:-
Ice pack.
Foam roller for my quads, glutes and back.
Sitting properly on a firm chair (no slouching on the sofa).
Pillow between my knees when laying on my side to sleep.

My recommendations for Pilates studios:

polestarpilates.co.uk/personal-pilates
(studios in London and Leeds but also have a database of qualified teachers across the UK)

complete-pilates.co.uk/
(Only in London)

Good luck with your rehab. It sounds like you are focused and trying all the right things. You will definitely get there in the end.