Author Topic: Oh, my aching back!! (Read 292 times)

hankster · « **Reply #15 on:** December 18, 2009, 07:34:25 PM »

Sorry to hear about everyone's back issues. I myself have four herniated discs in my cervical spine - the only cause I can guess at is bouncin' my head up and down while playing bass.

for those of you who have back or neck issues that aren't yet at the surgical/fusion stage, i can only say DO ISOMETRIC EXERCISES TO STRENGTHEN THE MUSCLES AROUND YOUR SPINE!. These exercises are easy, take a few minutes a day, and are the key to keeping your nearly-herniated discs in place as you get older. And they are the difference between no pain and excruciating pain. You can ask your doctor about them, and if they are any good, they will know about them. And even if your discs have herniated, these exercises will improve the situation and make your life liveable again.

r.

elwoodblue · « **Reply #16 on:** December 18, 2009, 08:52:53 PM »

Many thanks for the tips Hankster,
I can see if I depend on the inertia of my youth
(long gone as I'm 44 now) I would probably find myself in alot of pain in the future.
much appreciated, : )
Kris

dannobasso · « **Reply #17 on:** December 19, 2009, 02:48:48 AM »

I will also recommend Qi Gong or Tai Chi. It has done me a world of good and it has wide ranging benefits for your health and well being.I have damage in my neck, middle and lower back and I intend to live long and chase the nurses around the place with my zimmer!

tbrannon · « **Reply #18 on:** December 21, 2009, 10:13:09 AM »

Rich,

I am home from the hospital now- pretty drugged up and whatnot, but haven't seen your email. It may have been sniped by my spam filter. If you'd like to resend the email, I'd love to see what you have planned.

To everyone else- stretch, strengthen and stretch some more. I'm a healthy guy and an exercise freak and it's amazing how out of balance we can allow our bodies to become. I couldn't have avoided the original trauma to the disc, but I do think that had I been more flexible and better balanced that I might have avoided what I've just gone through. Pilates, Yoga, Stretching.... do something for yourself, because you only have one back and once it's injured, it's going to always be there.

My surgery went long (over 5 hours), but went well from what the surgeon tells me. I think I am extra sore as a result of my fitness level- the surgeon said that most of the time they get to the point of a fusion, the patient is so atrophied that there really isn't any musculature to deal with. That wasn't the case with me. I have been swimming every day and finished a couple triathlons in August.. As a result, they had to pull, push and manipulate all of those muscles out of the way during the surgery and stretch me out in ways they don't normally have to during surgery. I'm paying the price for that post-op with soreness.

Sorry for the rant.... I am home now and off the morphine, but still packed full of percocet, so if this doesn't make sense, blame the blood chemistry equation I have happening!!

sonicus · « **Reply #19 on:** December 21, 2009, 10:19:49 AM »

I wish you a speedy recovery .

David Houck · « **Reply #20 on:** December 21, 2009, 07:09:17 PM »

Wow Toby! Wishing you a successful recovery.

My contribution to what others have suggested above. Yoga. Everyday.

As mentioned, once we're into our thirties, our muscles start losing their natural elasticity, and can only remain elastic with daily stretching. Thus, a daily routine of stretching all the muscles of the body can be very beneficial as we get older. It also feels very good.

tbrannon · « **Reply #21 on:** December 21, 2009, 07:40:20 PM »

thanks Wolf and Dave!

mario_farufyno · « **Reply #22 on:** December 21, 2009, 08:27:22 PM »

Good recovery, Toby!

richbass939 · « **Reply #23 on:** December 21, 2009, 08:35:19 PM »

Toby, take care of yourself. Better living with chemistry.
Email sent.
Rich

smokinbear · « **Reply #24 on:** December 30, 2009, 06:20:38 AM »

Tbrannon, Glad to see your doing well i am in the same boat with my back i just had my 6th. radiofreq neurotomy last week and fusion of L-5 S-1 is the next step if pain gets much worse. Sounds like post op really sucks for you, i'm 34 and in pretty good health so major surgery is a scary option. Did they go in from the front or back or both? Opiates are a double edged sword, and i am really curious as to the long term pluses/minuses of yer surgery. Be well in 2010. .....Bear.P.s. I almost forgot the original point of this thread, yes i,m interested .

tbrannon · « **Reply #25 on:** December 30, 2009, 06:57:20 AM »

Bear,
I'm now 13 days post-op and I took my last percocet on day 6. I'm only taking Tylenol now, and find that 2 in the morning and 2 at night are all I need to be comfortable. I am up to a 2 mile brisk walk two or three times per day and find that the more I walk the better I feel.

I'm realizing now that all of my post-op pain was the muscles in my back, hips and butt revolting from all the stress they get put through in the surgery, by day 5 I was feeling pretty comfortable and the trick now is to be patient and let the thing fuse properly. The doctor told me nothing but walking for the first six weeks- at that point I should be ok to start swimming.

My surgery was all done from the back, which I'm sure speeds up the healing. Either way, I know I am well ahead of schedule- I just have to take it easy and not screw this up.