topic Re: Back pain in Wellness

Back pain

Lali1 — Thu, 08 Oct 2020 03:13:08 GMT

I have come to realize I desperately need to strengthen my core. My lower back hurts all the time and the other day I just turned and had a hitch in my mid back for days. I know I need to do core strengthening exercises which I always thought what's the point when I'll never see the abs again in this lifetime. Turns out I realize all those exercises are for more than just looking good.

Re: Back pain

EatWell — Thu, 08 Oct 2020 14:45:36 GMT

@Lali1 wrote:
I have come to realize I desperately need to strengthen my core. My lower back hurts all the time and the other day I just turned and had a hitch in my mid back for days. I know I need to do core strengthening exercises which I always thought what's the point when I'll never see the abs again in this lifetime. Turns out I realize all those exercises are for more than just looking good.

@Lali1

Have you considered using an inversion table?

There’s some research to back up the value of inversion therapy for back pain and other disorders. You do it on an inversion table that looks more like a lounge chair. You lie on it, and then tip it so you lean back at an angle or are upside down. You hang this way for up to a few hours.

Re: Back pain

Kachina624 — Thu, 08 Oct 2020 04:02:38 GMT

@Lali1 When you get those "cricks", try putting ice packs on your back several times a day. I get some relief from using Voltaren Gel.

Re: Back pain

SilleeMee — Thu, 08 Oct 2020 12:57:09 GMT

I have a Chair Gym and use it everyday to strength train my core and upper body. That helps me a lot. When winter comes and I have to shovel heavy wet snow, I am thankful for that Chair Gym.

+ 100 weighted deep squats per day.

Re: Back pain

Laura14 — Thu, 08 Oct 2020 11:50:16 GMT

The core is also all about your balance too. Extremely important when you get older not to fall.

Re: Back pain

BlueFinch — Thu, 08 Oct 2020 13:33:45 GMT

@Lali1 You need to be careful adding core exercises with a bad back. You don't want to make things worse.

Check out McKenzie therapy for reducing back pain and for safe core work. There's lots of info online. It's highly recommended by my local pain docs and their patients.

Re: Back pain

CAcableGirl2 — Thu, 08 Oct 2020 14:11:55 GMT

@Lali1 Please make sure you aren't dehydrated. If you are, many times you will have lower pain in your lower back from your kidneys.

Try increasing your water intake over several days and see if that helps. It may or may not, but it's worth a try.

Re: Back pain

SilleeMee — Thu, 08 Oct 2020 14:18:47 GMT

Could be your mattress, too. I had lower back pain for a while. One day, while I was stripping down my mattress during spring cleaning, I noticed a sunken area on my mattress. The thing wasn't that old! Anyway, I replaced the mattress and my back pain went away.

Re: Back pain

Lali1 — Thu, 08 Oct 2020 14:48:01 GMT

@EatWell wrote:
@Lali1 wrote:
I have come to realize I desperately need to strengthen my core. My lower back hurts all the time and the other day I just turned and had a hitch in my mid back for days. I know I need to do core strengthening exercises which I always thought what's the point when I'll never see the abs again in this lifetime. Turns out I realize all those exercises are for more than just looking good.
@Lali1

Have you considered using an inversion table?

There’s some research to back up the value of inversion therapy for back pain and other disorders. You do it on an inversion table that looks more like a lounge chair. You lie on it, and then tip it so you lean back at an angle or are upside down. You hang this way for up to a few hours.

Thanks for the reminder. We have one and I used it long ago before my back pain and I didn't feel any different. Now I have a reason to try again.

Re: Back pain

Lali1 — Thu, 08 Oct 2020 14:48:39 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
@Lali1 When you get those "cricks", try putting ice packs on your back several times a day. I get some relief from using Voltaren Gel.

Thank you. I use heat isupoose I should try ice too.

Re: Back pain

Lali1 — Thu, 08 Oct 2020 14:49:30 GMT

@SilleeMee wrote:
I have a Chair Gym and use it everyday to strength train my core and upper body. That helps me a lot. When winter comes and I have to shovel heavy wet snow, I am thankful for that Chair Gym.

+ 100 weighted deep squats per day.

Sounds great. I need to add a lot of weight training. I have learned my lesson it's more than just about looks.

Re: Back pain

Lali1 — Thu, 08 Oct 2020 14:50:27 GMT

@Laura14 wrote:
The core is also all about your balance too. Extremely important when you get older not to fall.

Thank you. Last year I fell down the stairs and broke my arm in several places. I know I'm clumsy so I do need to worry about that.

Re: Back pain

Lali1 — Thu, 08 Oct 2020 14:50:53 GMT

@BlueFinch wrote:
@Lali1 You need to be careful adding core exercises with a bad back. You don't want to make things worse.

Check out McKenzie therapy for reducing back pain and for safe core work. There's lots of info online. It's highly recommended by my local pain docs and their patients.

Thank you. I will check it out.

Re: Back pain

wagirl — Thu, 08 Oct 2020 14:51:15 GMT

I have back pain often too and when it gets really bad i go see my chiropractor. within a day or so I feel much better and just make sure I take it easy for a few days--no discus throwing or double back flips--- Also you might consider going to a dr for a check up and then maybe a couple days to a physical therapist for the how to's of strengthening your core. I've done that too. My insurance covered that.

Re: Back pain

Lali1 — Thu, 08 Oct 2020 14:52:07 GMT

@SilleeMee wrote:
Could be your mattress, too. I had lower back pain for a while. One day, while I was stripping down my mattress during spring cleaning, I noticed a sunken area on my mattress. The thing wasn't that old! Anyway, I replaced the mattress and my back pain went away.

Thank you. I need to replace it. It's pretty firm though. I believe more than anything it's age and weight related.

Re: Back pain

Lali1 — Thu, 08 Oct 2020 14:54:31 GMT

@CAcableGirl2 wrote:
@Lali1 Please make sure you aren't dehydrated. If you are, many times you will have lower pain in your lower back from your kidneys.

Try increasing your water intake over several days and see if that helps. It may or may not, but it's worth a try.

Thank you. I have been drinking more water lately but I also have been a Type 1 Diabetic for over 20 years. My kidneys are a concern.

Re: Back pain

Lali1 — Thu, 08 Oct 2020 14:55:39 GMT

@wagirl wrote:
I have back pain often too and when it gets really bad i go see my chiropractor. within a day or so I feel much better and just make sure I take it easy for a few days--no discus throwing or double back flips--- Also you might consider going to a dr for a check up and then maybe a couple days to a physical therapist for the how to's of strengthening your core. I've done that too. My insurance covered that.

Thank you. I do need to go see my dr. Covid has been an excuse not to lately.

Re: Back pain

FrostyBabe1 — Thu, 08 Oct 2020 15:43:59 GMT

@Lali1 wrote:
@Kachina624 wrote:
@Lali1 When you get those "cricks", try putting ice packs on your back several times a day. I get some relief from using Voltaren Gel.
Thank you. I use heat isupoose I should try ice too.

Yes, absolutely, you should try ice. My chiropractor and PCP are adamant about NOT using heat for soreness as it typically doesn't relieve inflammation. Cold does.

Re: Back pain

Still Raining — Thu, 08 Oct 2020 16:15:41 GMT

Along with strengthening work, for all areas, don't forget the need for flexibility. It matters too.

Re: Back pain

hckynut — Thu, 08 Oct 2020 16:18:16 GMT

Hi @Lali1

As one that has had 2 back surgeries and is minus my L-3/L-5/ S-1 discs! Your statement is profound. Core strength supports the spine from the front/flexibility of the muscles of the back allow easier movement of each vertebra.

Stretching muscles are not for "definition or vascularity(as in bodybuilding)" the effect is muscles and connective tissue to move without resistance, thus more effective movement.

Strong Ab muscles/ Flexible Spinal muscles=many fewer back issues. Done regularly and continually, not just when "oh my back is killing me".

At 81 and minus 3 spinal discs I am still as flexible as I was 40 years ago. Why? Read above!

hckynut