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General health

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Original poster

Anyone got a miracle cure for back pain?

25 replies

KBear · 15/06/2005 14:06

DH is more or less in constant pain. He had an accident a few years ago where his lower leg was badly broken and consequently he limped for a couple of years which affected his posture and has given him back pain which is becoming harder to live with. As a result of the back pain he suffers headaches and migraines. It impacts badly on his life, he can't enjoy life the way he used to do, he loved the gym, golf, swimming etc. Can't do much of anything these days. He's had phsio and seen an osteopath. Can anyone suggest something else we could try?

OP posts:

Chuffed · 15/06/2005 14:24

Tens?

Chuffed · 15/06/2005 14:25

Kbear have they looked at his neck?
Also his feet? Sounds weird but a friend had terrible back and neck pain, saw a podiatrist, got special shoes and he was a different person.

bundle · 15/06/2005 14:26

where do you live? there are a few pain management centres where you can learn how to live more effectively with chronic pain. i know the waiting lists are quite long, but you never know.

suzywong · 15/06/2005 14:28

chiropractor
or is that a silly suggestion and you've already tried it?

(hello bundle btw)

Original poster

KBear · 15/06/2005 14:31

yep, tried a tens machine - does work when it's not too bad but when it's really bad it's not that effective.

I am nagging him to go back to the doc to be referred for treatment again but we all know how men are! I hate to see him in so much pain. We were at a BBQ at the weekend and he looked like he was really fed up and when I asked him if he was enjoying himself he said he was but was in so much pain he couldn't lighten up and relax. He solved it with cold beers temporarily!

thanks all.

OP posts:

bundle · 15/06/2005 14:39

one of the pain experts i had on a programme a while back talked about the role of alcohol! seriously, if you're in London, there's a clinic called Input which is at St Thomas's hospital, and there are others across the UK now. they look at behaviour, the psychological side of pain and how individuals respond to it. i spoke to one woman who was scared that the phone would ring in case it made her jump & go into spasm, and the course she went on completely changed her life.

bundle · 15/06/2005 14:39

(hello suzywong )

HJ · 15/06/2005 15:15

An inversion table helped me - when surgery on my slipped disc was the only option. Hung upside down for 10 mins each day.

Eaney · 15/06/2005 15:27

Try pilates. It helped me after a slipped disc. In fact it got me back to work. The orthopedic (sp?) surgeon said it is the most effective thing for his patients. You need to be careful to get a properly trained instructur.

I had tried everything up to this point.

Good luck

Original poster

KBear · 15/06/2005 15:49

While I'm here - anyone got any tips to save your marriage from the effects of being married to a bear with a sore back?

OP posts:

SofiaAmes · 15/06/2005 22:57

I highly recommend yoga. I did yoga almost daily for a few years (before having children and consequently no time!) and never had any problems with my back at all during that period. However both before doing the yoga, and after (ie now!) I have had quite a few serious back troubles.
He should just do a comfortable beginners yoga class. There seem to be loads around here in london...don't know about elsewhere. You could even do it with him at first. I took my dh to a few yoga classes back when I was doing them. He was absolutely determined to hate it and ended up loving it. And it helped with his back too.

Original poster

KBear · 17/06/2005 10:12

He won't go to a class (aren't men a pain!) - but he has done yoga at home with a video and books and you're right it does help.

The pain he was in has eased since yesterday but I still want him to go and get some treatment. Getting him to the doctors is like pulling teeth. If I was in pain I would go, why are men like this? (I realise not all men but the one's I know are!).

OP posts:

SofiaAmes · 17/06/2005 11:43

kbear, i had same trouble with my dh, convincing him to go to the first class. BUT once I got him there, he enjoyed so much watching all the women in tight clothes doing "sexy" exercises that he agreed to go again. If you do manage to convince him, make sure you pick a class full of young women and not an old fogey one.

Original poster

KBear · 17/06/2005 11:56

Yay - he's going to the doctor's on Tuesday, will be able to see the osteopath asap after that (BUPA!) and will hopefully cheer himself up soon after that. Peace will reign once more in the kbear house instead of him growling cos he's in pain.

I've got him to see the dentist and the doctor in the same week - am I manipulative???? I am always right and finally he's seeing that too!! I nagged him about the dentist so he wouldn't lose his NHS entitlement. I think I win this week's Mumsnet Nagging Wife Award.

OP posts:

Original poster

KBear · 25/06/2005 13:53

Eureka - DH has been to the osteopath this morning and had a consultation and some treatment. Seems like he can really help DH and agrees that his back problems are probably the cause of his migraines and headaches generally. He said he can get him out of pain and get him enjoying life again. He's going to try acupuncture on him next week too.

I am so thrilled - the row last week about it was all worth it .

I made DH repeat after me "you were right, you are a fantastic wife you only has my best interests at heart and I'm glad you made me go".
LOL

OP posts:

jampots · 25/06/2005 13:56

Kbear - I know this sounds a bit batty but I suffered very badly with pain in my knee after a fall a couple of years ago in Boots. I would have to constantly stretch my leg out because it would seize up (literally every 5-10 mins) and sometimes the pain in my leg at night woke me up. I went to see a kinesiologist who did a body scan on me (using just her hands) and it was picked up as an area of unresolved trauma or injury. She healed it and have been pain free since.

Original poster

KBear · 25/06/2005 13:58

I've never heard of a kinesiologist - I'll do a bit of googling on that - sounds interesting. I'm all for trying anything to help his pain. Thanks for that.

OP posts:

jampots · 25/06/2005 14:02

it works on muscle resistance testing.

Nightynight · 25/06/2005 14:19

osteopath did it for me. I hobbled in, bent double, kids in tow, and skipped out like a young lamb!

ThePrisoner · 25/06/2005 15:00

Chiropractor is my salvation!

dinny · 25/06/2005 15:00

another vote for osteo - dh been in AGONY, doibled up and after 3 weeks and 4 sessions he is in no pain at all. great.

dinny · 25/06/2005 15:01

Kbear, dh's osteo did accupuncture on him too and dh said it was amazing (and he is sooo sceptical, I only got him to go as he was in so much pain).

Original poster

KBear · 25/06/2005 22:36

Does acupuncture hurt? Is that a silly question? If it did,no one would have it done I suppose.

OP posts:

singersgirl · 26/06/2005 17:27

Chiropractor, chiropractor, chiropractor! My back's so much better now, I've even started exercising a bit (a very little bit). I've been seeing him regularly for nearly a year now.

Original poster

KBear · 26/06/2005 17:40

what's the difference between a chiropractor and an osteopath?

OP posts:

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