Horrible back problem - any advice appreciated!

[MuppetsMuggle]

I feel like i've been put together wrong if that makes sense. My whole back is locked up and tight, my hips are dodgey and i have a numbness feeling in my hips and feet.

I have had back issues since i was 15, and have only had the following conditions diagnosed last year. 2 conditions possibly 3. 1st is trochanteric bursitis (inflammation of the hips), 2nd sacro illiac dysfunction (spine & pelvis problem), and 3rd is possibly sciatica. (i'm only 26, feel like i'm falling apart)

I'm seeing a chiropractor, but can't afford to see her very often. Doc has referred me for physio again (last time didn't have no effect).

I'm in soo much pain, and theres only so many painkillers you can take. I can't even lift my daughter at the moment, and have pillows propping me up to keep comfortable.

Just wondering if there was anything else i should do, or ask for a referral for further investigation.

bump

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I'm soo uncomfortable - been back to docs this morning and he didnt really do or say much tbh.

got pains in my hands now

try pilates but make sure you go to a v. good teacher. can be expensive but so worth it.

most backpain is aggravated by remaining immobile (though i appreciate how hard it is to move). aqua aerobics might help too. swimming is ok but if you don't have good technique it can make things worse.

take care.

Ow ow ow. Have you had an x-ray? Some foods can make joint pains worse - tomatoes, lemons...

Can you swim to try to keep things moving?

I have only had 2 slipped discs so I can begin to understand what you are going through. Sis has sciatica (sp??) and swears by a chiropractor.

JCMG - thats the other thing, its not like i always have time to sit down, apart from lunch. we are decorating at the moment, i've got housework to do, apart from running around (or at least trying to) after my DD, i barely get time.

The dysfunction is also made worse by lots of exercise so its like a no win situation.

I tried body balance end sept-dec but i think that aggravated it

GM - GP won't send me for bone scan or x-ray says to expensive and will be pumped with too much radiation.

Never thought about my diet tbh, chiropractor is good, and she said my body is so out of alignment and so locked up and tight she doesn't know where to begin!

I've had a back problem for 8 years (not the same as yours), and pilates helps me a lot.

Like JustCallMeGoat says, get a really good teacher - ask around, get personal recommendations, as a bad teacher might make it worse.

Feel for you - back pain is all-consuming, isn't it.

If you can take them, I recommend 2 Nurofen and 2 Paracetamol, with a cup of coffee, at the same time, is quite effective.

The coffee speeds up the effect of the drugs (it works for me).

I have similar back and neck problems (my constant complaint is I feel like I've been put together wrong) and am 27.

I find it gets worse in winter due to the cold and if I manage to go swimming that helps. I also wrap up seriously warmly at this time of year and use heat pads.

I found my chiro gave me more problems after a year and the physio didn't do anything. Have you thought of osteo? It's a sort of mix of the two and I now only have to go monthly (£40).

Incidentally, lying in bed makes mine much worse but only when I'm awake!!

TLK - I can't stand coffee lol.
Can't take ibproufen (sp?) as acute asthmatic aswell

Might ask chiropractor and gp if they have a list of any good teachers.

SOEM - I get told off if i wrap up warm, even tho it takes alot for me to feel the cold. explain osteo, not sure if we would have one near me anyway. I did tell the doc this morning, i don't think physio will do me any good tbh

I also wish i had time to lay in bed lol.

TBH - i wouldn't get time to go swimming of an evening at the moment. I study full time in the day, and 2 evenings a week i do 2 part time courses. 2 of the other nights DP has time to himself, then its a family night on the friday night.

Hi Muppets,
I am a chiropractor (in Canada though so not much practical help to you), and even though I completely understand about not being afford frequent chiropractic visits, I'd suggest seeing if you can find a chiropractor who does Active Release Technique. Go to www.ActiveRelease.com and look on the "find a provider" page. A.R.T. combines soft tissue treatment with chiropractic adjustment. I use it for all my patients and find it really works, even on chronic cases. I really believe that spinal adjusting by itself, although valuable, doesn't do the trick because as someone else said, things tend to "fall out of alignment" again. By working on muscles and ligaments as well, adjustments hold much better, and, at least in my experience, a large percentage of musculoskeletal pain actually comes from the soft tissues.
HTH and good luck!

Poor you Muppets.

I have had years of on-going back, hip, jaw, sciatica (sp) and ankle pain.

Finally, I went to visit a potiatrist who watched me walking etc.

He made me a set of bespoke orthotics to go in my shoes and altered them over the course of about 6 months until my feet were in the right position, and properly supporting the rest of my body.

The relief has been incredible. I am no long in daily pain (unless I walk around without my orthotics).

Worth investigating??????

HT - hugs.

I know the feeling about injections i had mine weds!

How did you go about seeing a surgeon? I don't think i would get a referral by my GP tbh. I can't take to much medication, as i'm allergic to alot of things lol.

I do think i could do with some extra help iykwim.

JM - the chiropractor said to me this morning ( I haven't seen her for 3 weeks) i'm in a worse state now than when i first saw her. its not like i've fallen, i just haven't got time to sit down etc, and i know i do too much but its because i have too.

LittleFish what is a potiatrist?? and how do i go about seeing one?

Sorry - fingers slipped! Should have said podiatrist.

I saw mine privately - no idea whether you can be referred through the NHS, sorry.

I was given the name of mine by a local chiropadist who was doing my feet at the time.

ahhh lol - wondered why i'd never heard of it.

HT - i would be interested on your story, how you got to see a surgeon, what they thought etc, as i'm in constant pain, and with all the medication i'm allergic to, i have to be careful with what i take.

Thanks I appreciate that.

I've had problems since i was 15 - however was made worse during pregnancy (the joy)despite repeatedly going to docs was only last year they diagnosed the above!

I just want the pain to go away tbh, i'm 26 and shouldn't feel like i'm falling apart, the only other problem is i'm totally petrified of hospitals - i'm wondering if i ask for an MRI or x-ray or something to see if they can see anything further!

Portsmouth.

I've actually been in tears this evening with the pain.