Back issues

[Anon1711055878]

I've tried to figure this out for the last year or two, so I might as well see what the Paddock says. My lower back is a constant, dull pain and some days are worse than others. I've seen doctors and got x-rays. They diagnosed as degenerative disc disease, which is pretty common, but not at my age (mid 30s). After doing some research (I know all you doctors hate this ****), it seems that ddd presents in the entire spine. However, my x-ray basically shows the discs almost touching at the L5:S1. The rest of the discs are very healthy and the spine is in great shape.

So I'm wondering if it's something else. It seems like ddd is a kind of punting the diagnosis, and I get it, the back and brain are really tough to diagnose. Have any of you all had similar experiences? Experiences with surgery? I don't know how much longer I can just live like this without some kinda fix.

I'm 6' 170lbs. and lifting is my preferred exercise, so that's a pretty lean 170. Don't lift heavy anymore, and no deadlifting or squats. Miss deadlifts, but squats can stay extinct.

 

[bthaunert]

I have a “flat tire” in one of my dish’s too. Have had it for quite a few years and I’m 45. Sounds like the exact same thing. I also have a herniated disk that has caused me issues for years. It flares up a few times a year and a prednisone pack usually takes care of it.

I will say that I’ve had pretty good success with acupuncture. I went in to it extremely skeptical but felt relief after a few visits. Might want to consider that.

 

[Anon1711055878]

Thanks. It's like 50/50 when I ask people about chiropractors. Half the people I know love them. The other half hate them. Also, I'm a lawyer, and in law school we read some gnarly tort cases with chiros. I may look into acupuncture.

 

[John Henry]

I've tried to figure this out for the last year or two, so I might as well see what the Paddock says. My lower back is a constant, dull pain and some days are worse than others. I've seen doctors and got x-rays. They diagnosed as degenerative disc disease, which is pretty common, but not at my age (mid 30s). After doing some research (I know all you doctors hate this ****), it seems that ddd presents in the entire spine. However, my x-ray basically shows the discs almost touching at the L5:S1. The rest of the discs are very healthy and the spine is in great shape.

So I'm wondering if it's something else. It seems like ddd is a kind of punting the diagnosis, and I get it, the back and brain are really tough to diagnose. Have any of you all had similar experiences? Experiences with surgery? I don't know how much longer I can just live like this without some kinda fix.

I'm 6' 170lbs. and lifting is my preferred exercise, so that's a pretty lean 170. Don't lift heavy anymore, and no deadlifting or squats. Miss deadlifts, but squats can stay extinct.

Oh yes but mine started at later age. early 60's. I am 6' 2" and carried 185 lbs most of my adult life. I started gaining a little weight after the back problems started.

I have stenosis of the spine which is a narrowing of the spinal column causing pressure on your spinal nerve. It will lead to paralysis and a wheel chair if not treated. Since it is a deterioration of the spine the only treatment is surgery. Back manipulation will only make it worse. Tiny spurts grow out of your vertebrae and grow into the nerves. They must be removed and the back stabilized. I had discs collapsing on it other. I also have a new pelvis which gave me back 2" I had lost over the years due to the deterioration.

Over a period of 20 years I had 5 major back surgeries and the x-ray below will give you an idea of what I had to do to stay out of a wheel chair . I have a few residual issues I live with such as numbness of the legs and feet but I can do anything I want to do and walk. That is important. Walk. And I would do it all over again if I could walk.. The best to you and I will be praying. God bless you

 

[Anon1711055878]

Damn, man. Thanks for the well-wishes. The spinal column is as vulnerable as it is fascinating.

 

[bthaunert]

Thanks. It's like 50/50 when I ask people about chiropractors. Half the people I know love them. The other half hate them. Also, I'm a lawyer, and in law school we read some gnarly tort cases with chiros. I may look into acupuncture.

I tried a chiropractor and I can’t relax enough for it to work. I’ve been to 2 different acupuncturist’s….1 didn’t work and the other was amazing. Good luck!

 

[H. Lecter]

your low back takes a lot of abuse over the years. Pretty much everyone has ddd as we age. Starts earlier for some. A good starting point is some simple stretches especially the leg muscles. If you could spend 10-15 minutes in the am and pm. Stretching your hamstrings, glutes, piriformis, quads, calves etc you may find relief. Also throw in a prayer stretch and see what happens. The key is to perform a good stretch while taking your time and not stretching into pain. It’s worth a shot and if you do this religiously and with good form for 2-3 weeks you may be surprised. If you start to feel better start some light core strengthening while continuing to stretch.

 

[TortElvisII]

Anyone in this thread ever tried an inversion table?

Do they work?

I would like to get one but I'm going to admit that I'm terrified of tipping down and never coming back up.

 

[DSmith21]

I know several women who had breast reductions because of the hell it played on their backs. If you have major moobs, it could be a similar deal.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

Inversion table isn't bad. They have it designed in a way that a simple pull on the handles flips you back up.

As for the OP, being 6 foot and only 170lbs, that's pretty amazing. There's obviously not a weight issue here.

Idk what your daily work schedule is like, but almost everyone could use more stretching. I'd maybe look into making a 10-minute daily stretch routine. Supermans, bird dogs, anything that stretches the lower back, hamstrings and hips.

But that's just to prevent issues. Sounds like you have something that needs to be addressed.

 

[wildcatdon]

I have ddd and had back surgery in 2012 for spinal stenosis and a herniated disc. L4-L5-S1. In 2014 I had to have a fusion. After my first surgery my doctor said I would probably need the second. I have had several sessions of dry needling and they did see my to help some. The back is nothing to mess around with. Hope you can get it rectified.

 

[UKRob 73]

Everybody is different and everybody responds differently to different treatments. You have to find what works for you.
I will tell you this, from someone who had the same thing you do. There is nothing dangerous about having a degenerative disc, it's just the level of pain and discomfort that goes with it. That's why pain management is so popular for your diagnosis. I know multiple people who go in multiple times a year and get an epidural, and that leaves them pain free. Epidurals did nothing for me. But RF ( radio frequency) has. It's a very simple procedure that seemed to last maybe 10 minutes. They cauterize the nerve associated with that disc. It takes about a year for that nerve to regenerate. Pretty simple procedure to do once a year.

You will know when you have had enough and require help. Until then, icing the back is one of the simplest forms of pain relief for alot of people.

 

[Anon1711055878]

Thanks for the responses. I used to just live on a heating pad when I got home for the night. Developed "toasted skin syndrome" lol. No heat for a while. Ice is great after a workout, but man, I miss sitting against that heating pad.

 

[KyCatFan_rivals45723]

Oh yes but mine started at later age. early 60's. I am 6' 2" and carried 185 lbs most of my adult life. I started gaining a little weight after the back problems started.

I have stenosis of the spine which is a narrowing of the spinal column causing pressure on your spinal nerve. It will lead to paralysis and a wheel chair if not treated. Since it is a deterioration of the spine the only treatment is surgery. Back manipulation will only make it worse. Tiny spurts grow out of your vertebrae and grow into the nerves. They must be removed and the back stabilized. I had discs collapsing on it other. I also have a new pelvis which gave me back 2" I had lost over the years due to the deterioration.

Over a period of 20 years I had 5 major back surgeries and the x-ray below will give you an idea of what I had to do to stay out of a wheel chair . I have a few residual issues I live with such as numbness of the legs and feet but I can do anything I want to do and walk. That is important. Walk. And I would do it all over again if I could walk.. The best to you and I will be praying. God bless you

Damn dude. I thought I had it bad. I basically have no disc in my lower back. Also have issues in the neck area. Haven't gotten to the point you are at yet, but this is bad enough. Was just starting dry needling when I got sick with Covid-19 like symptoms and haven't completely gotten over it yet to resume the treatment.

 

[rick64]

I’ve been going to a chiropractor for several years which has helped my lower back. A good one won’t touch you unless they feel like they can help. And a good one won’t touch you without examining X-rays of your back. As someone else said, they don’t work for everyone. Good luck!!

 

[OHIO COLONEL]

Damn dude. I thought I had it bad. I basically have no disc in my lower back. Also have issues in the neck area. Haven't gotten to the point you are at yet, but this is bad enough. Was just starting dry needling when I got sick with Covid-19 like symptoms and haven't completely gotten over it yet to resume the treatment.

My youngest son is kind of the same way. Don't know/remember all the specifics...but about 6 inches of his spine is basically gone. Was on a job in New Jersey...picked up something that weighed about 10#....took about 5 steps and heard a pop in his back and excruciating pain. Tried to keep going but finally someone took him to the hospital. By that time he could barely walk. Spent about 6 weeks in the hospital in N Jersey, then I got him in via an old business/friend contact in Atlanta to Shepherds Spinal Center for rehab.
Seems that they put in like a titanium tube in the place of his discs.

That was about 15 years ago. He was mid-late 20s at the time. My fear was that it would give him more and more problems as he got older and it has. He had a procedure about 2 years ago...can't remember what it's called...but where they go in and either cut or freeze nerve endings to stop the pain. He said it didn't work.

Back problems are tough. All the best to you.