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Online now: 4 members: Fabe, SB#8, TABLE SETTER 11, TonyA; 110 anonymousDiscussion: Lower back problems
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| May 14, 2017 armiho211 Men's 70 449 posts | Lower back problems Guys, any of you boys have/had lower back problems that affects basically everything, even worse softball. ? it's gotten to the point that it is affecting my swing, bending over, etc.etc.etc.. I am taking one 800mg ibuprofen per day, I take them only during tournaments and no other time, but the rest of the time I suffer with the chronic pain... this has been going on for the last year, and it's getting old. apparently L-4, L-5 ARE INVOLVED..... YOU see the commercials on TV , where a guy is having back problems and cant move, he goes to the doctor, get a 1" incision in his back and then he is running around like a young guy, with no pain. SOMEHOW, I DONT BELIEVE IT. I HAVE HEARS ABOUT INJECTIONS INTO THE DAMAGED AREA, but this sounds scary as these would be temporary at best. I have not heard anything good of operational results where they cut to fix the problem... ANY INPUT BASED ON YOUR EXPERIENCE IF YOU ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM ??? THANKS !!! |
| May 15, 2017 coop3636 514 posts | Armiho21, I have been dealing with back problems for many many years. I am very hard on my body. softball, racquetball work, etc. A Chiropractor will help tremendously. Mine has kept me going for about 20 years now. That surgery DOES work if your disc is touching a nerve, I had it and was back on the field in 30 days Its called a discectomy and is an out patient surgery. (if the pain is down your legs and your chiropractor doesn't give any relief, then its time for surgery.) I also get a nerve block (cortisone shot) about 2 times a year. It stings a little but not too bad and gives me great relief. It helps with the inflammation and pain. The biggest thing is to ice it ice it ice it. In between games for 10-15 minutes makes a big difference. Also , the invertor boards helps from home. Its not too expensive and only takes a few minutes everyday. This is just what helps me. Brett |
| May 15, 2017 Mannjo 61 posts | Armiho211, just a suggestion. I had an injury to my back last year. I hurt what is called the SI joint. I have a great sports oriented orthopedic surgeon and he suggested Chiropractic help. Plus he recommended PT. I have a great PT and chiropractor person. He designed a back strength and stretching program. The chiropractor adjustments helped. In six weeks taking his advice I was as good as new. I now do back strengthening as part of my workout plan. |
| May 15, 2017 B94 Men's 50 138 posts | I'd also advise you to stay away from the Advil. It's really hard on you. A great natural alternative is Tumeric. I was amazed how well this worked for me... |
| May 15, 2017 mck71 Men's 60 344 posts | I have had 2 separate surgeries and the second shut me down for about 7 yrs before starting "back" up a few years ago so I will add the following: All the suggestions are GREAT above (though I have never heard the "Tumeric" one), hopefully an orthopedist or chiropractor will have you get an MRI, that will tell you what can be fixed by whom. My cousin is a chiropractor and he eventually told me there was nothing he could do for me which is why I went the "shots then surgery route". I did the shots every 4 months (3 on each side, stings for a little, feel MUCH better in a few days) for 2 years but they stared wearing off quicker. I had NO disc (degenerated to non existence, bone on bone) in the S1/L5 and L5/L4 and severe herniation in L4/L3. I added x-stops in the 2 lower levels at age 47 to stay away from fusion (didn't hear many good things about that procedure). At my dr's insistence, I quit playing after the second surgery (first ones were titanium, one popped out so he did surgery again 2 yrs later with a different material and they are still in place 9 yrs later). So you might ask me why am I playing again? First, I LOVE to play the game and missed it (still umpire, 25 yrs now). Second, I was playing open but now senior so while it's still VERY competitive I am managing what I can vs what I can't do (sliding for me is NOT smart nor diving for balls). I will tell you that usually by Sunday my back is sore and there are times when I need help (have a painkilling script that seems to work for me). I own a few different braces and wear them when needed, ALWAYS when taking BP. As mentioned above, ice when I can (end of tourney days), icy hot (or your favorite brand) during games keeps me loose enough, especially when it is cold or there are long delays in between games. Hope this helps, good luck! |
| May 15, 2017 Lecak Men's 60 1026 posts | Armiho211 About 6 years ago I was scheduled for back surgery. As a last resort I asked for additional therapy. I was sent to a rehab clinic that specialized in Pilates. Long story short we cancelled the surgery and I don't have many issues except when I over do it. I continue to do Pilates with an instructor 2-3 times a week. Anyone that asks me I always suggest talking with your doctor and see if he or she will recommend Pilates. If you can get 10 sessions the information and education on your core is worth the investment. Make sure your doctor is involved. I have not found much that would qualify as over doing it by the way. Good luck back pain sucks. |
| May 15, 2017 DCPete 409 posts | Anything other than an MRI is just guesswork. A lot of back problems can be completely cured by surgery when necessary. |
| May 17, 2017 armiho211 Men's 70 449 posts | Thanks to all that responded, Will try to find a sports ortho. doctor that will not tell me to stay home and play with the grand kids..... appreciate you all !!!! |
| May 17, 2017 Wayne 37 Men's 65 773 posts | Frank, Talk to me Monday night. I can offer you some suggestion as for what I do. Wayne |
| May 18, 2017 bogie Men's 65 448 posts | The Mri as soon as possible is really the key if the chiro, massage, shots etc. does not help. I tried them all for almost 3 years, little improvement, until I gave in and had an mri. I have stenosis or arthritic narrowing of the entire spine, but the lower lumbar was squeezed down to 25%. I waited so long on mri, I have some permanent nerve damage but after surgery where they took out bone, and other tissue to open the hole, its a big improvement but will never be like new as aging continues. Surgery was no biggie. I would also advise not to read all the forums on back issues on the internet. I found them 90% negative and from people who had bad experiences and were desperately searching for answers or comfort from others..those stories will scare you, most surgeries are successful, but no guarantee. Research the physician as fully as you can and get the best one you can. I sympathize...I've had a ton of other joint, tendon problems and they don't compare to back problems. Good advice on this thread from the others. If you don't rehab, lose weight or change lifestyle, success might be shortlived. jmo |
| May 21, 2017 tj.brk 4 posts | I was like you but my back issues came from the Marines. I had to have total spinal reconstruction. I could not play at all for about 5 years because I hardly had any use of my left leg. After a carbon fiber cage L1-L5, nerve graphs T9-L5, blood vessal graphs, muscle graphs, Bone graphs, Ligiment graphs, artificial discs, I got about 70% use of it back and can play again. Not like I used to before the injury's, but I can play. Here is what i recommend for you. Yoga, Diet and I mean watch your diet. Eat foods that are good for your body. Stay away from foods that create swelling in the boy. Acupuncture use it regularly. It will help with stimulating the body for healing. If you can use Marijuana CBD oinment or pills for pain use them instead of Ibu, or Tylenol/Hydocodone for better results and less effects on the body. YOU MUST LOOSE WEIGHT. Carrying extra weight kills your back. Make sure you have proper intake of Vitamens B and D for healing. Training and Exercise: Guess what. You have to do this regularly the rest of your life in order to keep pain down in your spine. I hope this helps you. |
| May 22, 2017 WI/COWBOY 2 posts | It is called a epidural steroid injection. The Pain Management Dr. looks at your back under an xray machine and puts the needle where the inflammation is . It makes me feel 20 years younger.. PAIN IS NO FUN. I was A RODEO COWBOY for 5 years many injuries. But the low back and constant pain . It ruins the quality of your life. Don't listen to any one that says your to old STOP PLAYING. There is a fix . Go to a PAIN MANAGEMENT DR. and take if from there. Good luck. |
| May 22, 2017 SOFTBALLNUTZ 36 posts | I have had 2 Epidural Steroid Injections...They made me feel good for about 1.5-2 months...After 2nd injection I was told that further injections won't do much good...I have arthritis in my spine pinching my sciatic nerve..Tried acupuncture and chiropractor with only short term pain relieve..Inversion table helps but it also is only temporary...Now I have to do lots of body core stretches and exercises...It helps a lot but the pain will never totally go away...Running and lifting weights over my head inflames the spine and pinches the nerve bringing on pain in my lower back and right leg. There is a verity of reasons and causes for back pain. |
| May 22, 2017 titanhd Men's 60 638 posts | Just as a note. If you are driving or flying for more than 2 hours to a Tourney or at any time really it is a good idea to wear a back brace. At our age it does not take long for our mucsles to start to athropy after sitting for a long periods of time. The back braces that I wear is in the link below.I simply wear it under my shirt. I take batting practice with it and have actually played entire ballgames while wearing. They are a bit stiff when knew but,they loosen up and are still adjustable as you need. https://www.uniquefit1.com/mueller-sport-care-adjustable-back-brace.html?gclid=CJjng7Leg9QCFcm3wAodktsKvA |
| May 23, 2017 ocden 35 posts | If i may make a suggestion to help back problems & sciatica problems! It's have worked for me & others people i suggested it to. Try and get some acupuncture treatments & most ins co.are now covering it. Try to find a chinese or taiwanese doctor. I did this & it was the best thing i could've done for myself! I will say it's not a permanent fix but it helped for 3 1/2 yrs & then had a couple more treatments & been fine since. Even my chiropractor said acupuncture is good! It's better then having surgery which doesn't help most of the time! |
| May 23, 2017 Mulewhipper Men's 55 128 posts | I have over 25 years of chronic back pain, mostly stemming from bulging and herniated disks in my lower back. Aggravated by having spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spine). I found that traction was the only real thing that has helped me get relief. I started out using this huge machine at my chiropractors, where I would lie on it and basically get stretched out for 30 minutes a couple times a week. Now I have a new routine where I do a form of traction myself with a pair of crutches. I put the crutches under my arms and slightly bend my knees and let the weight of my lower body stretch my spinal column, usually for a couple minutes or so. I do this several times a day and it has helped me immensely. |
