Posts Tagged ‘Severe Back Pain’
Two Weeks of Sleeping on the Floor – Trying to Get Comfortable During Severe Back Pain
When the pain of a sore back becomes nearly unbearable, what works best to control it? Here are a few different techniques I am trying, to make myself as comfortable as possible as I struggle to recover from a severe case of sciatica, in which my last lumbar disk has herniated and hit my sciatic nerve, making everyday life, well, really difficult.
After going to my orthopedic doctor, I tried physical therapy. It felt good in traction, when the body is pulled to take the pressure off the spine. Little did I know, that the next day, my whole body would go into major spasms. Being practically paralyzed from the pain, I knew that if I didn’t do something to help myself, then I’d most certainly end up in a hospital bed. With limited insurance, I decided to fight going, until exhausting my options. I called the doctor, and he changed my medicines to new ones, since the former kinds didn’t have an effect on the pain whatsoever.
Now, on muscle relaxants, narcotics and steroids, the pain subsides some. The only place I can find comfort is on the floor, as my bed, couch and recliners aggravate my spine right now. It is so touchy that I have to be careful how I get up, walk, turn, and I cannot bend or twist at all.
With a slab of memory foam on the floor, and a sleeping bag over top of it, the back pain forces me to work my computer from the floor. Not being able to sit up hardly at all, I am propped up by pillows only slightly, with a wedge under my knees and another behind my back for firm support. If I lie still, the pain subsides somewhat. Other people would have given up and gone to the hospital, but I am being gentle with my back, in hopes of recovery. I gave myself a time limit, if there is no improvement in two Weeks, then I will go to the hospital as the doctor advised. I don’t recommend this for everyone, but when money is tight and work must be done, for me it’s worth a shot.
The steroids seem to be helping. I am now able to do more than a few days ago. I can sit up a little longer, and walk to the bathroom without doubling over in severe pain. I can get up just enough to get my food, and and feed my cats. They are concerned and sleep at my side at all times, wondering why their normally energetic owner isn’t moving much.
I have stopped physical therapy for now, to avoid more strong muscle spasms, my body is too touchy right now. Thank goodness the pharmacy has someone deliver my medicines to me. I have bottles of different meds all over my desk. It looks like a pharmacy in here. I take pills to sleep, for the pain, to relax muscles, and to keep calm during all of this. I am mellow as a marshmellow. Slowly, there is improvement. The floor is quite comfortable, and when I tried to sit up in my recliner, I realized that I’m not ready for it yet. It is a long and slow process.
Every so often I talk to my doctor, or one of his nurses. I avoid seeing friends much and rest most of the time. Work has been difficult, and I’ve had many days off (though I work from home, it is hard to work on the phone and use the computer efficiently). Thank goodness my bosses understand. As I lay here on my back, surfing the net from a horizontal position, I am learning a lot about dealing with lumbar spine problems, spine anatomy and what not to do to make the condition worse. Surfing orthopedic supply sites, I shop for a tens unit (muscle stimulator, to help control the pain) and all sorts of contraptions meant to help with back pain. I have already bought a few supplies meant to help my back, such as a hand held massager, massage recliner, back belt, ice packs, wedge pillows and memory foam. How glad I am to have them, they all have gotten quite a bit of use lately and make the situation more bearable with their convenience. Using the massage chair or the vibrating massage wand can aggravate the swelling in my back if used too much so I just use them briefly as needed. I apply heat then ice packs.
I’m doing gentle leg exercises to keep my muscles from wasting, too, when I get a momentary reprieve from the pain. Slowly, steadily, there is improvement. The pain is there but there is light at the end of the tunnel, so to speak. It is a slow process, and I am encouraged but impatient.
So far, so good. I have new appreciation for my spine. Carelessly twisting, bending and otherwise abusing my back on a daily basis has probably gotten me into this position so now, newly learned habits will get me out of this mess. No more contorting my spine into a pretzel as I fall asleep on the couch in front of tv. Those days are over. This is an unfortunate but necessary learning experience. Take care of your spine and get it checked, it never hurts to be preventative, than come in later with a bad case of back trouble. Some conditions aren’t preventable, so if you get one of those, read up on the condition so you know what to expect from your treatment. It will make the whole situation less scary, the more you know.
Carolyn McFann
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/two-Weeks-of-sleeping-on-the-floor-trying-to-get-comfortable-during-severe-back-pain-126032.html
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Helpful Guidelines to Prevent Back Pain
Back Pain can occur frequently for those who are bothered by it as a result of too much Stress on the Back in addition to bad posture. As most of us are aware of what causes your back pain, you can pursue certain guidelines to diminish those stresses. The way we sit as well as stand is paramount to prevent back pain.
Adhere to these guidelines and you can stay away from back pain:
• Do not sit in one spot for too long as it can cause stiffness, aching and back pain.
• If you work requires you to sit for extended period, get a good chair that will allow you to sit straight. Avoid soft chair as it may seem comfy but are actually not. They can’t offer the needed support and in no time can give rise to stiffness, soreness and severe back pain.
• Make sure you stand upright at all time and avoid slouching, that can avert long term back pain.
• Women should stay away from high heels as much as possible for they will stress your back and in due course led you to develop back pain. Try to cushion your soles and heels as that will go a long way to soften the impact on your spine when you are on the go or walking.
• Avoid driving your car for prolong periods as the seat of the car is not intended to cushion your back and for extended period it will stress your back causing back pain.
• If your work requires you to stand on a bench, ensure that it is high enough to stand at ease and uphold a straight posture. On the other hand, if working at a desk, then the height should be right with adequate leg space that make sitting relax and upright.
• Yoga, Pilates, walking and swimming can help your back by strengthening it. If you have back pain, they will help to minimize and improve general posture.
• Sufficient rooms beneath your work surface can permit you to bend forward as well as plenty of rooms for both your legs and feet.
• Many types of back pain are caused by improper lifting so adopt a correct lifting technique and you will thwart back pain from ever happening.
• No matter what, keep yourself healthy and that will be the best insurance to avoid back pain.
Adhere to the above guidelines and you can diminish and avoid back pain. Back pain is grave conditions that can hinder your lifestyle so learn early by implementing healthy back techniques.
Jason
http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/helpful-guidelines-to-prevent-back-pain-696617.html
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Chronic Back Pain Limitations
Thousands and thousands of people annually seek medical care for Back Pain. For some, the pain is gone within 6 weeks. For others, it becomes Chronic Back pain.
Chronic back pain affects individuals in various ways. Most make repeated visits to physicians, seeking relief. They want to know what causes their chronic back pain. They want new tests. They want to try whatever treatment may be available.
Chronic back pain sufferers may report difficulty in performing normal daily activities. They may believe the pain is increasing. They may simply want someone to sympathize, and agree that it is not “all in your head” at all.
Although back pain is the main reason people visit orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons, and the second main reason they visit primary care physicians, an estimated 5 to 10 percent of those visitors will receive no cure. They will go from low back pain to chronic back pain.
Patients are frustrated because physicians do not cure back pain. Physicians are frustrated because they cannot cure low back pain. Many think they can do little to prevent occasional severe back pain from becoming chronic back pain.
If nothing is done, however, chronic back pain limitations can seriously impinge on daily activity.
Possible Limitations
A look at possible chronic back pain limitations reveals a long list. There are limitations placed by a physician, but there are many more limitations that patients place on themselves. They may include physical limitations, emotional limitations, or mental limitations. Of the many chronic back pain limitations we can discuss only 7 here.
1. Depression: One of the most common limitations of chronic back pain, depression affects everyone involved in the daily life of the sufferer. The type of depression experienced by sufferers of chronic back pain is not simply a matter of feeling sad or “down at the heels” for a day or so. “Major depression” and “clinical depression” are the terms used for this kind of depression.
When chronic back pain limitations include a major depression, the person feels emotionally miserable everyday for at least two weeks. He or she also may have unexplained crying spells; major appetite changes; fatigue, sleep problems; agitation; and thoughts of death or suicide. There may be little interest in activities that were normally enjoyable.
2. Social Activity: A second of the chronic back pain limitations reported is that of social activity. People suffering chronic back pain become reluctant to attend parties and other social functions. They may curtail recreational activities or outings with the family.
3. Work Time: Those who suffer chronic back pain are also more likely to take off more work time. Statistics show that back pain causes the loss of more than 83 million days of work time each year due to back pain.
4. Job Loss: Since it often means lost work time, another of chronic back pain limitations is job loss. Too many lost days, or poor performance due to chronic back pain, can result in replacement.
5. Work Ability: Chronic back pain is a leading cause of work limitations. Back pain limits workers’ ability to lift, carry, and perform other duties that are required. It places restrictions on workers, and narrows the job field for many people.
6. Low Pay: Chronic back pain limitations include financial limits for some. Those who are limited in work by chronic back pain earn, on average, only two-thirds the amount of those without back pain.
7. Housework: One of the largest limitations of chronic back pain appears to hit normal activities associated with housework, gardening, and lawn work. Patients with back pain that lasted more than 60 days often report they are no longer able to do any gardening, lawn work, or normal cleaning activities such as vacuuming, mopping floors, etc.
Clinically Proven Limitations
For the patient, it is difficult to believe that chronic back pain limitations are often unnecessary. They continue to believe that the pain has a cause that can be readily diagnosed, despite their physician’s repeated assurances to the contrary. They believe the physician can find a medical sure for their back pain if pressed often enough and hard enough. As for treatment, patients often believe that until the cure is found, the best treatment is bed rest and limited activity.
The result of such beliefs is that back pain that could initially be resolved with exercise becomes chronic back pain. Chronic back pain that might still be resolved if the patient were to exercise regularly gradually develops and produces chronic back pain limitations.
TIP: Back pain is very, very common in our society. Rather than let it lead to complications and limitations, you may want to ask your physician for gentle exercises that may resolve your back pain before it becomes chronic.
Anna Hart
http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/chronic-back-pain-limitations-125257.html
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The Aches Of Back Pain
Back pain is a problem that plagues many people. It can disrupt your daily life in many ways and even lead to loss of employment in some cases. Often if left untreated it can cause you to lose a great deal of Sleep and make concentrating on tasks very difficult. Too much focus on your back pain can increase feelings of irritability causing a disruption not only in your social life, but possibly even in your work environment and at home. Whether you are experiencing back pain as a result of an injury or chronic back pain that is either congenital or from childhood, you may need to seek the help of a doctor for treatment.
When looking for a treatment for your back pain, you will need to have an idea of what caused your problems. Whether your pain is injury based or something that has built up over time, treatment will vary. Sometimes you may need to go through some tests to really figure out what is going on. At times though, you may end up spending quite a bit of money one numerous tests and never find out exactly what is going on. This can make people feel like their back pain is something they will never be able to escape.
Finding Relief for Your Back Pain
In some cases through testing, you may find that your back pain is due to a serious illness. Sometimes illnesses such as cancer can cause severe back pain. In these cases treating the illness is going to be the key to getting rid of the back pain. This could take many years or in some cases you may find relief earlier than expected.
In other situations where back pain is due to reasons other than illness, you may need surgery or other forms of treatment to cure the pain. Some people go through a number of surgeries during their life. The pain may be temporarily subsided with each surgery, never giving you complete relief. If you are lucky, you can sometimes have good luck by visiting a chiropractor on a regular basis. The chiropractor will help straighten out some problems in your back, but this is never a lifelong fix.
Other options for temporary back pain relief are visits to an acupuncturist, massage therapy, or pain medication. It is best to seek a doctor’s advice on what medications would be best in this situation.
For more information on treating your back pain start looking at websites that focus on back pain. You may be able to find a good treatment to use when the pain gets unbearable.
Tom Rally
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/the-aches-of-back-pain-103013.html
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Causes And Remedies Of Back Pain During Pregnancy
Pregnancy is a very crucial time period in the life of a woman. It is a joyous period but at the same time it can become a source of worry and uncertainty. Several changes occur in the body of a woman during Pregnancy. Most of these changes have a direct or indirect effect on the spinal cord of the woman, which can later turn in to mild or severe back pain.
Both lumbar and posterior pelvic pain can occur in a woman after Pregnancy. Many people believe back pain is a normal phenomenon during and after pregnancy. Wherein it is not. There are certain factors that cause pain in the back of a woman after delivering the baby. They are:
Weight gain: A woman can gain as much as a quarter of weight in her body during pregnancy. This kind of tremendous weight gain stresses the back of the expecting mother.
Change in the center of gravity: The weight that you have gained during pregnancy is carried in the front and the back portion of your trunk. This development leads to the change in the center of gravity in a pregnant woman.
Imbalance in the muscle: With the change in the center of gravity, there also occurs a muscular imbalance in the body. This imbalance in the body creates strain, especially on the back.
Fatigued Muscles: During pregnancy the muscles tend to fatigue soon. This results in poor postures of the body.
Hormonal surges: The hormones produced during pregnancy can create laxity in the pelvis. This hormone surge coupled with a change in the center of gravity gives rise to a decreased joint support.
Apart from these there are several other activities that can increase your back pain at the time of pregnancy. These activities create a pressure or load on the spine with the pelvis and hips. Some of these activities are walking, running, rolling on the bed, twisting, lifting heavy objects, bending forward and climbing stairs.
So to do away with your back pain problem, you need to follow a conservative management program. This conservative management effort should include appropriate exercises and the use of proper medications. All these efforts will promote and support your proper posture.
Apart from this, it is also important for you to pay regular visits to your physical therapist in case of prolonged and severe pain.
Always remember, back pain is common place during pregnancy but it should not be taken as a necessary part of it. Try to make your pregnancy as pleasant as possible. This will facilitate in easier delivery of the baby. So address your back pain as quickly as possible.
Ashish Jain
http://www.articlesbase.com/women’s-issues-articles/causes-and-Remedies-of-back-pain-during-pregnancy-100071.html
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