quote:

Originally posted by hillbille:
Here's one. Maybe there's something comparable out your way.
http://www.sandiegospinalcare.com/?gclid=CMHjmtqcppQCFST7iAodyTfx0A

I bet we could fab one of those up in Johns garage

I think it's a little more copmplicated than your average "rack" from the middle ages, or the "racks" they have in choro offices, these days.

I actually went to these folks, last year, to check them out. They wanted me to get an MRI before proceeding. I went to the VA, but they wouldn't help me- wanted me to get X-RAY instead- no help there as that won't show soft tissue. SoI'm going to do the MRI on my own dime( and med spending account).

They talk about lots of sensor feedback built into this "DRX9000", that, supposedly, allows it to do it's thing when the particular muscles surrounding the problem vertebrae are relaxed.
They also say that if the muscles tense in anticipation to the "adjusting" that it does, the adjustment doesn't work- and that's why conventional "racks"( forgot what they're relay called) in chiropractor offices don't work in the long term. You feel good for a short while, though.

That's part of the discinction they make between thier therapy and that rec'd in a "chiro" office.

Bill, Thanks for the feedback.

Niki wants me to go try accupuncture to treat the pain, but honestly, I have a hard time believing sticking needles all over me is going to help anything at all. She says it helps with her knee pain, but I dont see a medical/physical relationship between needles stuck all over and a reduction of pain. She and I got into it a bit last night about this. I'm a very logical person and believe in a logical/chemical/biological cause/effect relationship between medical treatments and the things treated. She got very angry with me for suggesting this. So, after a night to let things simmer down, I told her this morning that I'll try it if she sets up the appointment, but if it ends up being a waste of my time & money, I wont be going back and will have some strong words for the naturopathic doctor. I dont see how sticking needles in me can fix a messed up disc. Makes no sense to me.

The biggest thing for me is that any treatment I do MUST be carefully carried out. With a bulging disc/herniated disc, one wrong move and I lose use of my legs & my life is changed forever.. scary stuff.

John,take it from someone who's been there:ESI's,PT,and building up your abs are the way to go.Accupuncture is B.S.Real vitamins,too.

Logically, at best acupuncture could alleviate the pain. There is no possibility of it fixing the problem.

-Spike

So I'm amazed I've waited this long to chime in. After the first time I was rearended at a dead stop by a car doing at least 40 I had MRIs taken. Mine showed the bulging of a few discs and the fact that I have spinal stenosis. Besides doing sit-ups and crunches and lots of stretching one of the things that works best is an inversion rack. I go over to my parents house and use my dad's inversion rack. Hang upside down and do rotations side to side nice and slow. Also do crunches while inverted. Strengthening the gut and abs are the best thing for back pain. I just need to remember my own advice more often and work off the beer.

http://www.heartmonitors.com/inversion/

quote:

Originally posted by Zcarmaniac:
....Real vitamins,too.

( as well as abundant minerals)are contained in real food( which is cheaper than doctors).

meaning: foods that don't contribute to inflamation- foods that are high in Omega 6
( vs Omega 3) to put it in simple terms. THERe are other factors besides the type of fat...

some inflammatory food examples Farmed salmon is high in Omega 6, feedlot beef( same), hydrogenated oils, sugar

anti-inflammatory foods WILd salmon high in Omega 3, same w/ grass fed beef, grass-fed cow milk( we get raw, organic grass-fed milk),avocados, extra virgin olive oil( to name a few)
- more here > http://www.metabolismadvice.com/anti_inflammatory_food/


AND one other thing: You might as well resign yourself to the fact that this will cost you ( over time- at the minimum) $5K. That's w/o any surgery , of course, if that's the option you take.

If you don't already have a medical spending account set up at your workplace- start one so that the money you spend on this will be deducted from your gross pay- and not be taxed. It brings your AGI down by the amount you spend on medical, in other words.

I couldn't have said it better myself.Healthy foods,good vitamins,and an MSA.Get used to the fact that this is a rest of your life thing and that you should put as much energy and passion into your longterm health as you do into your projects.You should become your favorite project.

quote:

Originally posted by Zcarmaniac:
I couldn't have said it better myself.Healthy foods,good vitamins,and an MSA..

not another acronym translation please

never mind- a mine safety appliance-I guess that's a back support, eh or a medical spending account

quote:

Originally posted by hillbille:
They wanted me to get an MRI before proceeding. I went to the VA,

And let's not forget AGI......

Hey Datz..

I just remember that my neighbor went through some back pain similar to yours..

He went through all the normal courses that we all do..

See a Doc, do an MRI, do pills, do therapy, do this, do that... nothing seams to work..

Then he went to a "special" therapist that did the trick... two or three treatments... pain went a way for good..

I'll see if I can get the contact information... it'll be a few days as my neighbor is in Chicago right now...

Damn dude, that sucks. Went up to my parents cabin for a couple days and just check the site and found this thread. If you decide to go the chiropractor method, my mom knows a good one. She has some discs that were rubbing and eventually got them fused. The chiropractor helped her. He helped me out with the pain from my pinched sciatic nerve, I think at the L2. My older brother Tim injured his back a few years ago, something about a disc (Can’t remember). He had an operation and is better than ever now, so I’ll ask him what it was. I know it’s tough to take it easy, but I know you can do it. My last job, Medtronic, has done lots of research on back problems and pain reduction. They have various back problem solutions and portable pain relievers, but usually the process is to go through drug therapy first for some reason.

When you get better, think of projects to help save your back. For example, I’m planning to build a ditch digger Junkyard Wars style. Details will be posted on another thread in the near future, but I’ll give you a call this weekend to chat.

Hang in there dude
I’ll let you know what Tim says and I’ll see if I can find out anything short term for ya.

Welp back from the doctor with an update on my MRI. I have a bulging disc in my lower back that is compressing my spinal cord. Because of this, my motor control in my legs isnt what it was. Driving is a whole differnt experience when your legs are lagging behind what your brain tells them to do...

I start physical therapy tommorrow and will probably be off work for a good 4 weeks.

that friggin sucks John. i have pulled a muscle good in mine a few times and got that great stabbing pain if i moved for a few days. i got lucky though.

my cousin ruptured a disc at work. without thinking about it he reached out sideways to catch a wheel falling off a BMW(stupid lug studs) and ruptured a disc on the spot. i think he had it "fused" a few weeks ago after months of avoiding surgery with other treatments that didnt work, was in constant pain and definitely couldnt lift anything or bend. But he is doing great now, surgery worked wonders.

oh and isnt it great how much you get screwed by getting hurt? have to be out of work for 2 weeks here before you can get benefits. when i hurt my back i was normally unable to work for about a week which meant i took the loss.

Wow, John! I just pulled my head out of my ass and read this. Sorry to hear you are suffering. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

I suspect that the it was a reaction to the unusual amount of physical effort the day before. My worst back problems have stemmed from excess use of a particular muscle or muscle group. Afterward, the muscle swells, forcing the spine out of place.

Muscle relaxers/anti-inflamatorys can help, but my best relief always came from a good chiropractor. They can massage or otherwise relax the affected muscle, then attempt an alignment. As the swelling goes down, the alignments get your back closer and closer to the correct alignment. The relief can be instantaneous once some pressure is off of the cords.

That is the most logical and mechanical explanation I can offer. I have tried meds for muscle relaxing and pain, but it took a lot longer without the chiropractor.

Ask around to find a reputable one in your area and go. I sure hope you get well soon. If I lived closer, I would come by and help out here and there.