I am on a journey to heal from a serious fall that herniated L4 and L5, and L3 is bulging. I went on disability, lost my job, lost my health insurance. I have tried, with various levels of success:
- physical therapy
- narcotics (prescription)
- steroid injections
- accupuncture
- herbal medicine
- supplements
- TENS unit
- massage
- exercise and stretching
- hot yoga
- bottles of OTC pain reliever
- inversion table
- spinal decompression
You will find me posting about my journey to overcoming back pain on my posts here, but also on Twitter. Just search in the Twitter search box for #backpain and you will see a growing community of people trying to work things out together. I have just completed a 6 month series of spinal decompression treatments at Spinal Relief USA in Kirkland, Washington, USA. I report on my progress (or lack thereof) daily. Just call me a human test subject — letting people know what works and what doesn’t. If it helps one other person get some relief — it’s all worth it! As you can see from my blog I am now moving into the core strengthening phase of my recovery with CrossFit. I won’t be doing any heavy overhead lifting in deference to my vertebral discs but with any luck I will work up to it!
Hi,
I really know what you are going through with the backpain at the end of 1986 and until June 1987 I couldn’t walk do to 3 herniated discs, then came the operation took me 12 weeks to get on my feet again and after fusion I was ok until 5 or 6 years ago. Now after trying everything (no more ops allowed) I am on daily doses of morphine which just about take the edge of things. I am now following you on twitter so keep on in there.
My Warmest regards
John
One of my good friends gets a good deal of pain control with morphine tablets. It allows him to work and teach so we are grateful. Thanks for sharing your story — I will keep reporting on my progress with the spinal decompression. No pain relief yet but I continue with the 4 x a week treatments. Peace to you!
I was diagnosed with several back conditions as well as peripheral neuropathy and dystonia. I have been in remission for over 2 years with only occasional flair-ups. My saving grace has been reducing (almost eliminating) salt and processed foods from my diet. I feel your pain.
Ray,
You’ve been through a lot with your back and I have also. After 20 years of searching, I finally got to the root of the problem, and am now completely free of back pain.
Please don’t continue to suffer. Come to my web site, http://www.backcoach.net, and see what you think.
I’ve developed a specialized wellness coaching process designed for people with back pain. I am now offering 3 months of BACKCoaching at 40% off for up to 10 people for an outcome study to prepare for a course I’m teaching in the fall for a group at Harvard Medical School and for an upcoming book.
This really works. If you’re willing to put in the time to have results that last a lifetime and go back to doing EVERYTHING you want to do, go to the site where you can learn more and sign up if you think that BACKCoaching is for you. Or email me if you have any questions.
You don’t need to live in pain and I would love to help.
Best,
Mary Williams, MSEd, CPE
Founder, BACKCoach ™
Ray,
I fell and had DDD at L5/6 and thought nothing would take the pain away. Prayer and exercise (more of the first than the latter) did it for me.
A friend of mine is currently dealing with something similar to you. They did an experimental injection on him and it worked almost immediately. It’s a sugar-based substance that encourages the area to mend itself. It’s called something like LoFlo or LoFol. It will be a “once in awhile” type of thing. But I’m guessing that he will need it less and less as his body does its job of healing.
No chiropractic listed…..that would help best.
After trying many of the same things on your list, I’ve been doing aquatic therapy in a warm-water pool – about 93 degrees. It was a slow process (about a year and a half) but I’m much better than I was – functional, even.