Both upper and lower back pain

[DIBBS]

I injured my back pulling fence posts out of the ground approximately 5 years ago. My family doctor prescribed physical therapy which I did, along with the take home exercises, and while it helped, it never totally aleviated the pain. Fast forward to today, and I've tweaked the old injury. Most of the time now it feels like I have an ice pick stuck in my left shoulder blade, and my lower back below my waist hurts as well. At times it hurts to cough, so I'm trying to determine the best course of action. I don't know whether to go to a spine clinic, chiropractor, or ???? Appreciate any suggestions you may have. I'm 52 years old, 6'2 220 lbs. Thanks.

 

[Captain Moroni]

Re: Both upper and lower back pain

Check out a good acupuncturist. I have had back problems my whole life and the acupuncture has helped me more than any DR, therapy, exercise, or drug ever has. Plus its cheaper most of the time. make sure its a eastern acupuncture specialist there are some western guys out there but I think the real Chinese stuff is better.

 

[jimbowe]

Re: Both upper and lower back pain

Can you tell if your muscles are spasming (constantly tight)? I think when the muscles get out of balance sometimes other muscles stay tight to try and compensate (that's what happened to me anyway). I've been through my own back issues and got some relief from massage and a TENS unit. Alternating heat and ice maybe. I went to multiple doctors and neurologists and they just took guesses and suggested things to try. Unless you are going to get an MRI and they find something that surgery would alleviate, that could be your situation as well. I guess there's dozens of different causes that might all require different approaches, but if you can do sit-ups without it aggravating the problem I would recommend that too. I wonder if the lower back issue is something with the sciatic (sp?) nerve. Have you tried anti-inflamitory meds? That chronic pain can wear a man down. Stay strong.

 

[JJones75]

Re: Both upper and lower back pain

Sounds like you may have somthing putting pressure on your spinal cord , could be bulged disc , or just missalignment , I'd get a least an X-ray , MRI would be much better.
If it's not spinal have amgood deep tissue massage , go to amfeed and tack store where horse supplies are sold and get a bottle of Absorbine Gel liniment , it works better than any other analgesic I have ever used and doesent feel like it's peeling your skin off

 

[Erud]

Re: Both upper and lower back pain

I would definitely check with a good chiropractor. I am a runner and had a knee problem 3 years ago that I thought would keep me from ever running again. I figured it would need surgery for sure. I have very poor insurance coverage so I avoid doctors whenever possible - everything costs a fortune. Never believed in chiropractors but I was desperate, so on a buddy's recommendation I went to see his. He looked at my shoes, felt my knees and watched me walk back and forth down the hallway and said; "No problem, I can fix that." Yanked my leg every which way and had me come back 2 more times that week and it was fixed. He showed me some stretches to do before running that I did for a little while but haven't for a long time now. I went and saw him 3 more times after that but all pain was gone and I was running again after 3 visits. It has never come back and I still run 25-50 miles/week.

You might be pleasantly surprised, and if not, at least it won't cost a lot and you won't have any new scars - probably won't be able to say the same if you go to a doctor first. They can always cut you open later....

Good luck,
Erik

 

[tye270]

Re: Both upper and lower back pain

go to a chiropractor an mri would be good i would say your shoulder issue is a nerve witch is a very minor surgery i had a nerve get torn in half and was back in 6 weeks full clearance as for the back problum erud has a great point our bodys just as everything starts from the ground my step brother had torn 2 ligaments in his knee got surgery re injured it a year later he got good support shoes (ariat boots lace up) and got good soles for them a month later he was back to working out squatting 315+ so try a chiropracter and maby shoes if your trying to keep it cheap

 

[wowak1]

Re: Both upper and lower back pain

check out ART its active release therapy, some chiro. specialize in this basically its breaking down scar tissue and releasing bound up muscles to help other work more efficiently.

 

[diggler1833]

Re: Both upper and lower back pain

I'll try to make this as short as I can. I injured myself many years ago as well, and experienced the same pain below the waist (actually down my legs, into my feet, and my groin).

You need to get an MRI. It is the only way to find out if there is a bulge/prolapse of the discs in your back. Plus an MRI is a great way to see if you suffer from degenerative disc disease (DDD). DDD is a lot more common, and leads to a lot more back pain than a lot of people might think.

At the age of 25, I was diagnosed with DDD, two herniated discs (L4/L5 and L5/S1), arthritis, and spina bifida occulta. Surgery has helped a little, but the pain persists. The only way for me to be a somewhat functional human being is to religeously work out, and exercise my core muscles.

 

[Wanderlust]

Re: Both upper and lower back pain

At the risk of sounding like a hippie I can say yoga has helped me a lot. That and LOTS of core and back workouts, free weights, body weight etc.

I've got chronic muscle spasms in my upper and lower back which started in Afghanistan. Feels exactly like the pain you're describing, like an ice pick being shoved into my left shoulder next to the spine. It hurts to cough, take a deep breath; and when it's really bad it just plain hurts to breath.

 

[hermnrob]

Re: Both upper and lower back pain

I had a back injury it was also herniated L5/S1 had 16 weeks of traction an therapy (did not want surgery). The only thing that worked was a Chiropractor he was a hippie had to swing his beard an pony tail on his shoulder to adjust me and used all natural remedies. Still have on an off problem so I go to see him when i can and I also use a inversion machine seem to help too. I was told I could reach down for a pencil an mess it up so I'm real cautous. I have lived with it for a while so I know what to do an what not to do. Really should go get an MRI to find out what is wrong.

 

[Jake03TJ]

Re: Both upper and lower back pain

Yoga does wonders! Also, I have a large rubber exercise ball that I use when my back gets tight. I injured my back this past year when I fell off a large piece of construction equipment. The only reason that I didn't get severely injured was that the muscle on my back is so dense. I pinched my sciatic nerve.. When it bothers me I stretch out on that ball. rolling my body on the ball. It seems to loosen it right up.

 

[Wanderlust]

Re: Both upper and lower back pain

I use a medicine ball, same effect though.

 

[nomad 1]

Re: Both upper and lower back pain

Would see a Doctor they are to get checked out and have a complete physical........
As for a bone popper ours has helped with a great many sprains
and pulled tissues back arms and legs.......
Best to you get fixed.........

 

[Irish Sitka]

Re: Both upper and lower back pain

If you can track down a doctor involved in Sports Medicine.
A guy who works with a football team or some field sport.
He would be well used to treating this injury.
Swimming would help and proper shoes that support your arches.
I suffer from back pain like everyone else and I pay big attention to my posture, standing up straight, foot wear etc....
I also have a back support on the seat of my jeep as I have a curved in lower spine, this device is the best thing I ever invested in. Let me know if any of this helps, PM me if you like.

 

[Mo_Zam_Beek]

Re: Both upper and lower back pain

Sounds like a stinger...

A nylon sock - insert tennis ball #1, tie a knot with @ 2 fingers of room, then add tennis ball #2 and tie off the end.

Use it against a flat surface as a self massage. After it goes away - strengthen your upper back. Also - once things feel better - a strong core (ab work) protects the low back.




Good luck