Lower back pain

[AlanD]

Those facet joints look so blurred you can't tell on the space..... perhaps get a decent scan done by a radiologist who knows how to measure them properly... and focus a scanner....

 

Stick to your core and stretching.... don't give up on that - thats not to say that the odd manipulation won't help at all - but it's not a long term treatment.

The Chiro recommended just a check up once or twice a year.

 

I have been very dedicated this time with the stretches and exercises but I do feel that sometimes it gets a little sore, perhaps I am doing too much as its every morning and night and then I do some stretches at my desk at around lunch time.

 

Having said that, I can now work in the garden and around the house without having to come to a complete halt. One weekend I worked hard in that stupid garden and then was up on the roof fixing a few things and all I have was a little bit of fatigue in the lower back which is good.

[V12man]

The Chiro recommended just a check up once or twice a year.

 

I have been very dedicated this time with the stretches and exercises but I do feel that sometimes it gets a little sore, perhaps I am doing too much as its every morning and night and then I do some stretches at my desk at around lunch time.

 

Having said that, I can now work in the garden and around the house without having to come to a complete halt. One weekend I worked hard in that stupid garden and then was up on the roof fixing a few things and all I have was a little bit of fatigue in the lower back which is good.

I think I did mention "hard yards"

 

Glad you are more mobile - must be a relief to you indeed - still early days though - you might find in a few more months of work you have a sudden significant improvement - hard to undo years of inattention unfortunately.

[AlanD]

I think I did mention "hard yards"

 

Glad you are more mobile - must be a relief to you indeed - still early days though - you might find in a few more months of work you have a sudden significant improvement - hard to undo years of inattention unfortunately.

Correct, hard yards was mentioned.

 

Its already been almost 3 months now and has improved so if I carry one then hopefully it will get even better. I do the stretches as work cos I sit at a desk all day and end up slouching which is not good at all. What freaks my minds is that only real stretches are for the hamstrings and one for hip flexors and one where I kneel back on my legs and then just stretch forward. The only exercises I was given is for core and one for the muscle that joins the upper leg to the butt/hip and that is it.

[V12man]

Correct, hard yards was mentioned.

 

Its already been almost 3 months now and has improved so if I carry one then hopefully it will get even better. I do the stretches as work cos I sit at a desk all day and end up slouching which is not good at all. What freaks my minds is that only real stretches are for the hamstrings and one for hip flexors and one where I kneel back on my legs and then just stretch forward. The only exercises I was given is for core and one for the muscle that joins the upper leg to the butt/hip and that is it.

Perhaps a chat to the Bio about doing more in other areas?

[AlanD]

Perhaps a chat to the Bio about doing more in other areas?

I have a 3 page document that the Physio gave me with stretches so will be incorporating some of those also and then I have  more than enough to keep me stretched.

Thanks for all the Advice.

[Slowbee]

lower back pain sucks bollocks !

 

 

yes V12, I know, I owe you some video footage. Its just been a hectic end, middle, and start to 2016/2017

[Pure Savage]

I just slammed a 120mm stem on my road bike and after 90 minutes get a little lower back pain. I know why, I dont do enough core work and sometimes miss my stretches. 

 

But after a while will get there. Still youngish... so body should adapt 

[AlanD]

Thought i would give an update on my lower back issue mentioned before. The Chiro back in SA diagnosed it as Facet Joint Syndrome and said all we can do is manage it and gave me stretches and exercises to do.

 

I have been quite dedicated (had a period where i didn't do much due to moving to the UK) and doing lots of core exercises (can actually see good definition) and stretches. Although it has seemed to keep it somewhat at bay, its still there. I still have it when it strikes and i have to stay still for a while and wiggle a bit to get going, happens alot when i sit down.

 

Decided to go to a Chiro here in the UK and he did the usual Chiro thing where he assessed me and then proceeded to do treatment in cracking my back and neck. I showed him my Xrays and he said he thinks its swelling in the middle, bottom section of the spine that puts pressure on the facet joints and that i have to ice my back 3 times a day. I have done this and it seemed o get worse but then started to settle. Again, it seems to control it but its always there.

 

So i had a gander at my x-rays and have noticed something (the Chiro didn't show me where he sees the swelling). I noticed there are big gaps highlighted in yellow but then one smaller gap than the rest shown in Red.

 

Can anybody tell me what this may be, if anything? Thinking this may be my issue but don't know.

[V12man]

Thought i would give an update on my lower back issue mentioned before. The Chiro back in SA diagnosed it as Facet Joint Syndrome and said all we can do is manage it and gave me stretches and exercises to do.

 

I have been quite dedicated (had a period where i didn't do much due to moving to the UK) and doing lots of core exercises (can actually see good definition) and stretches. Although it has seemed to keep it somewhat at bay, its still there. I still have it when it strikes and i have to stay still for a while and wiggle a bit to get going, happens alot when i sit down.

 

Decided to go to a Chiro here in the UK and he did the usual Chiro thing where he assessed me and then proceeded to do treatment in cracking my back and neck. I showed him my Xrays and he said he thinks its swelling in the middle, bottom section of the spine that puts pressure on the facet joints and that i have to ice my back 3 times a day. I have done this and it seemed o get worse but then started to settle. Again, it seems to control it but its always there.

 

So i had a gander at my x-rays and have noticed something (the Chiro didn't show me where he sees the swelling). I noticed there are big gaps highlighted in yellow but then one smaller gap than the rest shown in Red.

 

Can anybody tell me what this may be, if anything? Thinking this may be my issue but don't know.

X-rays are really difficult to read given that they show structures in front and behind the area you want to focus on - so unless you are familiar with the area, don't worry about it - the only way to really tell is to get a proper MRI with sections that are measurable - otherwise an expert radiologist - I don't see anything unusual in that picture - not that I am expert in that area at all - although I am not a big believer in Chiro's ability to read x-rays.

 

I still think you should have a proper scan done - that will instantly show any structural impingements on the nerves.

 

You could also try running your belt 2 notches looser...

[AlanD]

X-rays are really difficult to read given that they show structures in front and behind the area you want to focus on - so unless you are familiar with the area, don't worry about it - the only way to really tell is to get a proper MRI with sections that are measurable - otherwise an expert radiologist - I don't see anything unusual in that picture - not that I am expert in that area at all - although I am not a big believer in Chiro's ability to read x-rays.

 

I still think you should have a proper scan done - that will instantly show any structural impingements on the nerves.

 

You could also try running your belt 2 notches looser...

Thanks. Tired of the Chiros now as they don't seem to be helping or advising on getting a further scan as you mention.

 

Will see what i can do about getting an MRI as its just an annoying niggle that wont go away no matter how many stretches or core exercises i do.

[V12man]

Thanks. Tired of the Chiros now as they don't seem to be helping or advising on getting a further scan as you mention.

 

Will see what i can do about getting an MRI as its just an annoying niggle that wont go away no matter how many stretches or core exercises i do.

1 - don't stop doing the core work - it will keep it down to a niggle  - better that than incapacitated

2 - Get someone to check your leg lengths - orthotist/prosthetists are good at this, as well as some physios and podiatrists

3 - loosen the belt

4 - get the mri done - this is quite  a mission in the UK I understand if you are part of the NHS

[Sepia]

1 - don't stop doing the core work - it will keep it down to a niggle  - better that than incapacitated

2 - Get someone to check your leg lengths - orthotist/prosthetists are good at this, as well as some physios and podiatrists

3 - loosen the belt

4 - get the mri done - this is quite  a mission in the UK I understand if you are part of the NHS

Amazingly #3 worked for me but have to live with different leg lengths.

Try it, could not believe the difference.

[Headshot]

You guys do realize that the originator of Chiropractic therapy claims to have received instructions from another realm on which he based his treatments...that kind of rules it out for me although my sister is hooked.

 

Whats wrong with physio or good old fashioned stretching and a bit of bike tinkering?

 

PS: I have suffered lower back pain, sometimes extreme in nature but the last time was several years ago. Some bike tweaking and lower back exercises seem to have cured it.

 

That said, if it works for you who am I to talk :-) 

[WaynejG]

5 years ago my L5/S1 herniated and jammed up my siatic nerve. Could not walk unless on crutches. Lost 8 months of 2012. 2 ops later of which the last one was a fusion and have never looked back. Ride all over the show. I am however cautious and if the terrain looks to rough, then I walk it.

 

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[cadenceblur]

5 years ago my L5/S1 herniated and jammed up my siatic nerve. Could not walk unless on crutches. Lost 8 months of 2012. 2 ops later of which the last one was a fusion and have never looked back. Ride all over the show. I am however cautious and if the terrain looks to rough, then I walk it.

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I'm currently recovering from a discetomy, also L5S1. Had the op 3 weeks ago, how soon after did you resume exercise. I've been told 6 weeks, then the plan is start strengthening the core and maybe some pilates. When did you eventually get onto a bicycle? This recovery is really driving me crazy. Not at all used doing nothing like this!

[Thor Buttox]

You guys do realize that the originator of Chiropractic therapy claims to have received instructions from another realm on which he based his treatments...that kind of rules it out for me although my sister is hooked.

 

Whats wrong with physio or good old fashioned stretching and a bit of bike tinkering?

 

PS: I have suffered lower back pain, sometimes extreme in nature but the last time was several years ago. Some bike tweaking and lower back exercises seem to have cured it.

 

That said, if it works for you who am I to talk :-)

I have had terrible back issues since my early twenties in the '20's and have tried every alternative. Hopefully this will address your valid concerns:

 

- I was never properly diagnosed until I broke my pelvic girdle in three places and a vertebra and got a proper CT scan done. Everything before was, in retrospect, a guesstimate.

 

- previously only 2 people even got close to what the real issue was - one physio and one chiro

 

- the physio properly assessed that a severe imbalance in my core stability was to blame and I did a lot of rehab work which made everything a lot better. The problems I actually had had created a lot of asymmetric development over time which just exacerbates things.

 

- the chiro is my very good mate. Even he admits that a lot of the stuff they sell is sh*t. But his manipulation of my spine in my neck and around my SI joints has saved me from not being able to walk around erect. Spinally speaking, I mean.

 

- in summary, in my hideously vast experience : physios, generally, treat muscular issues and thereby treat the symptom. My chiro treats the cause and thus alleviates the symptom too.

 

---

Getting back to the OP:

 

Get a proper CT done of you haven't already. I have had almost two decades of misery which actually goes back to three different birth defects at the base of my spine, which I only discovered on the multiple pelvic girdle breakage incident. Spina bifida, a natural fusion of the hip with the first vertebra which limits flexibility and one other which I cannot for the life of me remember. I also have a genetic predisposition to ankylosing spondylitis which thank the Lord, I don't have. I discovered that in my early 20's too and why I have kept up with lots of sport and stretching even in my ignorance of the main issue - which probably helped over time.

 

There are solutions - keep up the core work, and get a proper assessment of your symmetry done especially around the core area. The training is a pain and needs discipline but you can alleviate a lot of the pain and misery.