Will following the advice of a physical therapist really cure my bad back?

[bobspez]

I had crippling back pain that I believe was brought on by stress, first at school and then at work. It would cause my neck to bend forward and my back to curve forward with my body looking like a question mark. It would last for several days. One day on my way home from work I had to hold on to a parking lot chain link fence with both hands, walking sideways, between the train and my block in order to walk home from the station.

I never found exercises to work. I had inquired about surgery but the doctor was honest enough to tell me that putting rods in my back might work, but might not, and could even make things worse, so I didn't go that route.

When it was bad enough to take a day off I took a prescription drug called soma compound, and spent the day on the couch to allow my back to loosen up. Later on I found that prescription anaprox did the same, which is also the ingredient in over the counter Alleve. Luckily I didn't get any stomach upset from it like some people do.

Since I couldn't take a lot of time off work, when my back would go out I would wear a back brace under my shirt and over my t-shirt. The brace had vertical curved metal bands fitted in the back to support my back, and a lace up front that looked like an old fashioned corset that went from below my waist to below my chest. The back brace would allow me to get to work and work at my desk and get home. I generally only had to wear it for a few days when my back would go out.

My back going out periodically lasted from the end of my college days for about 20 years. Eventually the thing that did work for me was learning how to move to avoid the pain and strain. I could feel it coming on, and avoided any movements that aggravated it. It's like the old joke about the guy who goes to the doctor and tells him he gets a sharp pain in his shoulder when he raises him arm. The doctor tells him don't raise your arm. I haven't been laid up with back pains in over 25 years. I automatically move in a way that avoids it.

Originally Posted by Bad Back

They say that exercise is the key to health. I have had a bad back for about a year now and when I move in odd positions or get out of a car or a soft chair I have spasms. I think it is the nerve next to the musule that causes the shooting pain.

My pain doctor suggests I get a physical therapist and said within a year if I follow his advice to the letter then I will be healed of my back pain.

Anyone here with back pain that were cured due to going to a physical therapist and following his advice to the letter? Tell us more!

[TwinbrookNine]

Originally Posted by Bad Back

They say that exercise is the key to health. I have had a bad back for about a year now and when I move in odd positions or get out of a car or a soft chair I have spasms. I think it is the nerve next to the musule that causes the shooting pain.

My pain doctor suggests I get a physical therapist and said within a year if I follow his advice to the letter then I will be healed of my back pain.

Anyone here with back pain that were cured due to going to a physical therapist and following his advice to the letter? Tell us more!

As a person more educated (formally and informally) than 99% on the topic of backs, I can tell you one thing: the human back has not been figured out, despite long, laborious studies, much of it remains a mystery. It's a fact of life.


A combination of skeletal, muscular, neural (both central and [involuntary] peripheral) components, the human back can have numerous things happen to it. Many of those issues, even today, are very difficult, if not impossible to sort out. If I had a nickel for every person I've encountered with back pain, sometimes for decades, I'd be a millionaire many times over.


That said, multiple opinions (complete with MRI's and all of your records accompanying those consults) are pretty much the norm. Yes - it could be costly or even hassling with insurance companies, but it is necessary. This is because specialists in this area often have their own personal prejudices (based on their experiences and expertise) and you just hope you can hit on the one who solves your problem - one way or another. Make sure a workup for ANY systemic inflammatory condition like rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and other things like ankylosing spondylitis are included. Make sure your hip joints and knees are looked at too. They support your back, and your back responds to their support (or lack of it).


But don't be surprised if a nameable/identifiable lesion isn't present. Muscle spams of many types are painful things, and often one can't find an anatomic reason for that.


Meantime it is of utmost importance to avoid any stress on your back or legs (or shoulders if it is high up). Consider yourself "handicapped." And continue to do so until some cause is established. Why? Because it is quite common for people to exacerbate their back problems by heavy lifting. Not unusual to see them laid up for 8 - 12 weeks as a result. Happens all the time.


Avoid as much as you can tolerate anything more than the mildest pain relievers. Addiction to pain relievers (especially opioids) is most common in people with chronic back pain. And, you don't need yet another problem! Back pain is bad enough.


Good luck.

[ukrkoz]

I posted it before but I'll repost.
I am 63. I was hit with severe back problem when I was 19 first time. Spent month and half in bed. Then it became ongoing struggle.
Until at 27, I built, literally, a modest gym with weights and such and started HEAVY weight lifting.
I creeped into that gym some days barely able to pick up wight. But, as time passed, core became stronger, pain went away.
Ever since, me and my back are good friends. I am very active weight lifter as I type. I still dead lift over 400 lbs.
I am FIRM that exercise saved me from becoming a cripple and good doctors having fun with my back.

But, it was HEAVY and RIGOROUS lifting routine. For years, I did splits 4 times a week, moving 40-42 tons of weight per session. NONE OF PT will ever do this for you.

[hunterseat]

I went to an old timer. I had a bulging disc. He recommended walking 20 minutes, 3x/wk. I was so affronted! Why I never! Walking indeed.

Indeed. It worked. Now I understand, if I don't keep my back muscles strong, my back will go out time and again. Support your spine!

[newtovenice]

Get a sports chiropractor and then do rehab pilates.

The PT is only going to focus on one area of your body. Rehab pilates works at balancing out your entire body, which is CRUCIAL to healing back pain. Most back pain is caused by a weakness/compensation issue that causes alignment/disc issues. This is a very basic description.

You need to strengthen and get flexibilty. Chiro > rehab pilates, 1-on-1 with an instructor to get you started.

ADD: A few people I know tried going to a PT for back issues. The PT always made it worse. PT does not address the cause, only the symptom.

[Lodestar]

I'm a strong believe in finding a good doctor and then taking their advice. Otherwise why bother to go?

There's no quick fix for a bad back but strengthening ligaments and muscles goes a long way toward helping to alleviate the pain. That means once you have a problem it will probably be a lifetime habit to keep it strengthened. A therapist can make a difference but she can't do all the work for you. You really do need to do the exercises. And consistently.

How many times do we hear people say they went to the doctor but it didn't help? Then if you ask some questions you find out they didn't do their end of the work. We humans want someone else to do it for us and with health it doesn't work that way. Nearly all the easy solutions, like drugs, have consequences.

The good thing about this is that if you stick with it you will feel so much improved that it will be good motivation to continue. And once you learn what works for you there's no further expense or dependence on others until/unless the situation changes.

[Henna]

Look into the Gokhale Method. It helped me, and has helped many other people.

There's a book you can buy for $18, or just go on Youtube and search for Gokhale and find a few things to watch. If it interests you and think it could be helpful, there are free one-hour workshops in many cities, and then if that helps, there's a one-week or one weekend series that you can take.