Back pain won’t go away mri clear

[cleo333]

Hi I’ve had lower back pain since my 20”a , I’m now 56 and have just had an mri where the consultant says there was no inflammation/ issues shown,at all but a snall ovarian cyst ( he’s referred back to GP) . However the pain is still awful , I never sleep properly ( awake 3x last night) , I have to take pain killers regularly and am worried I’ll fall . Any ideas anyone as to what I do as this pain is genuine but I have no idea what it is or what to do ??

Are you seeing a physiotherapist?

Go to an osteopath. They should be able to help.

I had success after suffering with horrible pain for a number of years by reading Healing Back Pain by John Sarno. My x-rays still look pretty bad from an old spinal fracture but I rarely suffer from back pain now.

have you worked on your core? That is the only thing that actually helped my lower back pain. I was in agony with my back for years until a private physiotherapist (£60 a session, had 5 sessions) taught me to do effective core exercises. It took a little time but the difference was night and day. I know it sounds so flippant but it really was the best thing for lower back pain like you’re describing. Worth a try. The lower part of your tummy (I don’t describe it very well) is the area to strengthen to take the pressure off your lower back so leg raises, crunches etc.

Mad question but:

Is it your shoes??

I was wearing wrong shoes for years, wrong size and had every test going for awful back pain. (I didn’t realise shoes were so important and thought once I had trainers on, I was grand!)

Last September, I went into a proper shop and bought Brooks runners, got my feet fitted properly ( they also have a quiz online to see what type will be suitable for you) and no more pain!!!

I sent my friend in, same thing, she is walking an hour a day now. It changed her life too.

I second core strengthening and stretching regularly and frequently (as in every day).

Do NOT go to an osteopath or chiropractor, see an NHS physio.

Second this.

You do know osteopaths are state registered?

Are you better after movement and worse after sitting/lying for a while? The young onset could be a sign of ankylosing spondylitis. Often misdiagnosed and doesn’t always show on xray. The NASS website would be a good place to look for info.

And when someone can explain what they actually do (and how it is superior or even different to physiotherapy) I'll stop commenting otherwise.

I’ve seen an nhs physio but it didn’t help and I’m worse after yoga Pilates but maybe I need to do them more often ? My core is really weak as I had bladder surgery and it’s just numb there . I also am up weeing a lot in the night ( 3 x last night ) which is a while other issue ?

What an osteopath does.

I had treatment from a local osteopath when I found i was walking like a duck. Turned out my pelvis was misaligned, and they did some treatment, and got it corrected. My dh has had his back pain treated.

Physios just give you exercises to do, which help you recover from something. They don’t necessarily treat the condition itself.

Osteopaths complete a degree course to get qualified, and have to be fully registered. I was astounded at the level of medical knowledge they have.

https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/osteopathy/what-happens/

And once you've waited for months to get an appointment with an NHS physiotherapist, only to find that they will probably hand over a badly photocopied generic list of exercises after asking a few questions and send you on your way.... (in my experience at least).

As with Osteopaths, Chiropractors are fully qualified and registered. The one I see has done wonders, not only treating the actual problem but also explaining in detail why it hurts where it does, and recommending exercises that help me.

The NHS physio department near me is severely overloaded and under-staffed. Getting an appointment at any time, let alone one that works for you, is like finding the end of a rainbow.

I saw physio and they’ve now discharged

I have had serious lower back pain (my MRI shows pretty bad disc degeneration) and things like core and glute strengthening have helped me immensely. I have done reformer Pilates classes and also exercises at home. I have to be incredibly consistent with the exercises. I also need to avoid sitting too much, be careful about my posture and avoid sleeping on my front. I still get flare ups and take painkillers occasionally.
I have seen physios and osteopaths and both have helped me along the way - nothing helps as much as doing very consistent core/glute strengthening exercises.
ideally see a physio privately to get a really good exercise programme.
Or Look up : cat cow, glute bridge, clam, bird dog, dead bug, plank.
also if you sit a lot combat this with a kneeling lunge or anything that stretches the psoas major muscle.

Do Not do yoga if you have no core strength.

Walking and lots of it. Even in the house for 5 minutes every hour if needed.
Core strength exercises that DO NOT irritate the pain
Nerve flossing correctly and NOT if it irritates the pain
Sleeping position. Always on the side. Try pillow between knees in foetal position
Hydration. The cells in the body will take water from the spinal discs if the body needs hydrating.
Organic green tea and anti inflammatory foods.
A good massage therapist

I’ e had a lot of back issues over the years and have found an osteopath who is head and shoulders above any of the physios I’ve seen, either private or nhs. But actually the best person I’ve ever seen has been a highly qualified (level 7) sports exercise therapist. She gets exceedingly hands on unlike any physio I’ve ever seen and has been more thorough in recommending different exercises which are tailored to me and my issues rather than a one size fits all back pain sheet of exercises. Pilates will also help.

Doing any exercises is key, you need to be doing them ideally daily and accept it could be months before you see a difference. Someone has mentioned shoes and I agree with this. I paid a lot of money to see a private podiatrist who diagnosed me with the worst flat feet he’d ever seen and I now have custom orthotics which has helped.

with back pain since your 20s and pain at night I’m assuming they’ve ruled out Ankolysing spondylitis? I know you said you’d had an MRI but did they MRI your pelvis as well as your back?

I would suggest seeing a private physio. If possible one who is a sports specialist and/or specialises in women's health given your bladder and ovarian cyst.

I second looking at environment too. Shoes, bed, chairs you use regularly. It can take sitting in a certain type of chair for 30 mins to put me into agony for a month.

You want Tom Morrison.

He’s got loads of useful free stuff on YouTube & Facebook, there’s the most supportive Facebook group too.

Start with his SMM program- try to do it every day (there are regressions to meet you where you are) and you’ll feel better in no time.

Tom himself has been recently diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis despite having no pain (because of the exercise program he’s devised).

https://tommorrison.uk/about?_gl=13fl7nm_upMQ.._gaNTcxMDEzNzg5LjE3NTg0MzQ0NDA._ga_4K76D2CK1Y*czE3NTg0MzQ0MzkkbzEkZzEkdDE3NTg0MzQ0NDQkajU1JGwwJGgw

This was me a few years ago, and I also had tests & and MRI to rule out AS.

The reason in my case is I had gone from being very active, lots of activity / exercise / pilates to doing nothing for a few months whilst I cared for a family member.

Honestly the pain excruciating & I would cry out in the night if I turned in bed (and i have a high pain threshold). And yes, it was all down to tight muscles - glutes, hip flexor etc. Once I started back with proper exercise, pliates, stretching etc it all resolved BUT I have had to keep on top of it ever since.

I also agree with a private (recommended) practice where there is a range of practioners - physio, deep tissue / massage therapist etc who can assess you and get you set on the right track.

As an aside, are you taking HRT?

Get a referral to Pain clinic, preferably a regional one. Might be multifidus atrophy

I had awful back pain, but the thing that sorted it for me was seeing a great massage therapist monthly (which was the most I could afford). She was also a physio so had brilliant knowledge about the body. Turns out I had some hernias in my back- very painful to get massaged out! So, try a physio/massage therapist?

i did everthing here. Shoes, core, yoga, ngs physio (shit), private physio (better), osteopst and chiropractor. Had always been sniffy about the latter - not nhs etc but genuinely changed my mobility. The exercises helped hugely - your back is fucked with no core stability but your pelvic alignment can make a huge issue. My chiropractor is really recommend locally - find good practitioners and see how you go.