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I am a 30 year old female and have had neck and back problems since I was kid. Every year, the pain gets worse and worse and it's starting to really get to me. About three years ago, I got an MRI and they found that many of my disks have degenerated to the point of having no fluid in them and I have arthritis. I was given muscle relaxants and pain pills. I don't really believe in taking medicine for the long-term as I think the efficacy generally either wears off or people become addicted. I did take the pills for a month, though. At first they seemed to help a little but then my back/neck pain came back.
I also did physical therapy, went to chiropractors, get massages, stretch a lot, weight lift, have done acupuncture, taken herbal supplements...nothing seems to work. I'm 5'6", 120 lbs, in shape, and healthy apart from my neck and back. I'm in pain at least 75% of the time--it's worst when I sit but now even when I stand or lie down, it can really be uncomfortable. I'm not in excrutiating pain as I can still do everything a normal person can do but as I said, it keeps getting worse and I'm scared that eventually it's going to be debilitating considering I'm so young. Also, the pain in my neck tends to migrate into my head so I'll have neck, back, and head pain--really frustrating!
Has anyone had neck/back surgery? I would normally never consider doing this and I haven't even spoken to a doctor about it yet as I've always heard people end up worse off. However, it's getting to the point that I need to do something to make me feel better! I guess the only other thing I haven't tried is having cortisone shots or something of the like (definitely less extreme than surgery) and no doctor has ever suggested it--maybe it doesn't treat my condition. Anyone done that?
I haven't had back or neck surgery, but those I know who have say that they're never the same after it. They've all said to not have it unless you absolutely need it. Best of luck.
Don't have the surgery. From what i know about most surgeries, most are just something to help extend your time on earth a little, but won't cure you. but the doctors profit greatly from it, and that makes them happy. but won't make you happy.
I was told the Alexander Technique ( I'm sure you will have a local group) is the best for back ache . I have not been able to do it due to illness but I have heard some really positive things about it.
My back ache came after a car accident ( whiplash) and has now left me in a lot of discomfort and sometimes really bad pain. It's so debilitating . I do hope you get better.
Compressiono the discs is often what squeezes fluid out. Are they certain that the fluid is gone forever?
Decompression may be a solution. If you do things that stretch the body like lat pulldowns working up to chinups/pullups, this will aid in decompressing your back. An easier way would be sitting on those chairs they use for leg raises where your elbows are what hold you up. Doing dips or just holding yourself off the ground serves a similar purpose.
Those are all good for the back. Not for decompressing the neck though. There are several ways, one is an inflatable cushion which can take the weight off, I think some Dr. Ho guys sells it. You can also get massage therapists to gently pull on it though such exactness can depend upon their experience. Inversion will work, some do handstands (headstands obviously have the opposite effect and are not recommended) but due to the strenuousness of such things, even with a wall, you may benefit from gravity boots or a progressively declining situp or inversion board, which would serve to decompress the neck, spine and legs.
Usually quite strenuous upon the anterior tibialis muscles that dorsiflex your legs though, which is good in te long run however since it conditions to prevent shin splints since they are shock absorbers for heel-impact during running and standing.
I am a 30 year old female and have had neck and back problems since I was kid. Every year, the pain gets worse and worse and it's starting to really get to me. About three years ago, I got an MRI and they found that many of my disks have degenerated to the point of having no fluid in them and I have arthritis. I was given muscle relaxants and pain pills. I don't really believe in taking medicine for the long-term as I think the efficacy generally either wears off or people become addicted. I did take the pills for a month, though. At first they seemed to help a little but then my back/neck pain came back.
I also did physical therapy, went to chiropractors, get massages, stretch a lot, weight lift, have done acupuncture, taken herbal supplements...nothing seems to work. I'm 5'6", 120 lbs, in shape, and healthy apart from my neck and back. I'm in pain at least 75% of the time--it's worst when I sit but now even when I stand or lie down, it can really be uncomfortable. I'm not in excrutiating pain as I can still do everything a normal person can do but as I said, it keeps getting worse and I'm scared that eventually it's going to be debilitating considering I'm so young. Also, the pain in my neck tends to migrate into my head so I'll have neck, back, and head pain--really frustrating!
Has anyone had neck/back surgery? I would normally never consider doing this and I haven't even spoken to a doctor about it yet as I've always heard people end up worse off. However, it's getting to the point that I need to do something to make me feel better! I guess the only other thing I haven't tried is having cortisone shots or something of the like (definitely less extreme than surgery) and no doctor has ever suggested it--maybe it doesn't treat my condition. Anyone done that?
Has your primary care person suggested consulting an Orthopedic specialist? Physiologist? Neurologist? Rheumatologist? Disk space narrowing and degenerative changes may be symptomatic of other problems. Hope this helps.
I am a 30 year old female and have had neck and back problems since I was kid. Every year, the pain gets worse and worse and it's starting to really get to me. About three years ago, I got an MRI and they found that many of my disks have degenerated to the point of having no fluid in them and I have arthritis. I was given muscle relaxants and pain pills. I don't really believe in taking medicine for the long-term as I think the efficacy generally either wears off or people become addicted. I did take the pills for a month, though. At first they seemed to help a little but then my back/neck pain came back.
I also did physical therapy, went to chiropractors, get massages, stretch a lot, weight lift, have done acupuncture, taken herbal supplements...nothing seems to work. I'm 5'6", 120 lbs, in shape, and healthy apart from my neck and back. I'm in pain at least 75% of the time--it's worst when I sit but now even when I stand or lie down, it can really be uncomfortable. I'm not in excrutiating pain as I can still do everything a normal person can do but as I said, it keeps getting worse and I'm scared that eventually it's going to be debilitating considering I'm so young. Also, the pain in my neck tends to migrate into my head so I'll have neck, back, and head pain--really frustrating!
Has anyone had neck/back surgery? I would normally never consider doing this and I haven't even spoken to a doctor about it yet as I've always heard people end up worse off. However, it's getting to the point that I need to do something to make me feel better! I guess the only other thing I haven't tried is having cortisone shots or something of the like (definitely less extreme than surgery) and no doctor has ever suggested it--maybe it doesn't treat my condition. Anyone done that?
In most of the larger cities, they have specialists that specialize soley in treating chronic pain. I think usually they are anesthesiologists or neurologists by background. If you haven't already done so, I would try to get a good referral to one of these guys. If you live in a more rural area, you still probably have a nearby city where they would have this type of medical expertise.
I appreciate everyone's input. The doctor that diagnosed me was a neck and back specialist but I have since moved from that area so haven't gone back for a long time. I am also moving to another city in another couple of weeks so I'll need to find another doctor.
Some of the decompression tips were interesting--I certainly do lat pull downs, dips, pull-ups, the chair thing where I hold myself up, etc. My back definitely doesn't hurt as much as my neck so maybe there is something to that. I have found that pulling on my head to stretch my neck helps with the pain a little.
I too have arthritis...I have three crushed verte brae and a disk that is slipped out of place...
The cold weather kills me...thats why I am SO adamant about being in the warm sun of Florida. California would probably be better because its dryer but I don't have the money to live there right now.
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I do hope you get better.
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