Hi, All!

I suffer from a lot of back pain. I had a neck injury about a year ago. It still continues to "haunt' me. It affected my back, my arms and hands and left me weak to do many things.

I've had many tests...

Am getting stronger, but the back pain is still a problem.

What are some of the things that you might do to alleviate your back pain, please?

Exercises, over-the-counter medications, natural remedies, etc.

Thanks!

Hi Clough, I have RA in my lower back. I use thermacare heat wraps, a therapy ball, and a multicore flex apperatus to stretch, like traction. I move slowly, and do strengthening exercises to take stress off my spine.

Currently I don't take any medication for pain or RA, due to my GERD issues.

Have you tried any of those yoga classes yet? Yoga really does help with all sorts of things. And a lot of times, there are modified positions for those of us that are less flexible (like me). :)

I have D.I.S.H. disease, that's when your spine starts growing and fussing itself. Anyway they treat me with meds and radio frequentancy nerve blocks, all it does is not let the pain signal get up to the brain. It is good from up to a year sometimes. At first it lasted 6 months not it gets up to almost a year. I still take some pain meds. Mostly only a half pill at bedtime.

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Originally Posted by thisisit

Hi Clough, I have RA in my lower back. I use thermacare heat wraps, a therapy ball, and a multicore flex apperatus to stretch, like traction. I move slowly, and do strengthening exercises to take stress off my spine.

Currently I don't take any medication for pain or RA, due to my GERD issues.

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What's RA, please?

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Originally Posted by justcurious55

have you tried any of those yoga classes yet? yoga really does help with all sorts of things. and a lot of times, there are modified positions for those of us that are less flexible (like me). :)

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I'm working on getting into the yoga thing, justcurious55!

I have a 79 year old friend who does them for free with a group, at a local establishment.

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Originally Posted by unluckynut

I have D.I.S.H. disease, thats when your spine starts growing and fussing itself. Anyways they treat me with meds and radio frequentancy nerve blocks, all it does is not let the pain signal get up to the brain. It is good from up to a year sometimes. At first it lasted 6 months not it gets up to almost a year. I still take some pain meds. mostly only a half pill at bedtime.

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What specifically is D.I.S.H. disease, please?

Thanks!

RA is rheumatoid arthritis.

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Originally Posted by Clough

What's RA, please?

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Rheumatoid Arthritis.

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Originally Posted by Clough

What specifically is D.I.S.H. disease, please?

Thanks!

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Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) has also been called Forestier's disease. It is considered a form of degenerative arthritis.

Clough, I read in another post that you are sleeping on couch cushions in your dining room. This will cause back pain as well. You need a good supportive mattress.

http://www.biofreeze.co.uk/

I use bio freeze for short term relief of neck and shoulder pain,it really works,for long term,I agree with yoga or pilaties.


Edit: I posted the wrong link first,it was a link to a baby calculator for another question!

Clough, you really need a good supportive mattress. Couch cushions on the floor will only make your back problem worse.

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Originally Posted by J_9

Clough, you really need a good supportive mattress. Couch cushions on the floor will only make your back problem worse.

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I do have a friend who's going to be giving me a bed to replace the one that I normally use. It's more modern and the sleeping surface is much better!

It's just a matter of getting it over here... However, there's still a lot of snow outside and it's still quite cold.

My back improves immensely when I house and dog sit. Their beds are great!

I do understand what you're saying, though...

Thanks!

Sorry I never got back to you, hubby just had neck surgery. Anyway I see someome already answered your question about DISH. The best thing to do is make sure a neurogolist looks at your mri themselves. To make sure you know what is going on. Good Luck. My whole spine is affected I can't turn my head to look behind my car when backing up because of the fussion in my neck.
I hope you get the help you need. I didn't want to go to the pain clinic but I foud a doctor I love and we moved along quickly to something that finally helped, but you do have to start at the because og insurance. Keep looking for a who will help you.

Oops one more thing there is and have you tried the LIDODERM lidocaine patch 5% patches you where them for 12 hours and off for 12 hours. They might help. You need a RX for them.