Advice needed from other people with back problems please

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ha903070

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There must be lots of other people on here who have problems with their backs, I'm struggling at the moment with this - 5 weeks ago I picked up a feed bucket and snap my back went and i was in pain for about 48 hours, a week later picked some clothes up off the floor it went again same thing. A week or so after that filling water bucket and it went again, however the pain has affected my walking now, has lasted over a week and today I picked up a slice of hay and it went again this time with a cracking sound to go with it.

I'm clearly going to have to give the horse jobs a rest (which will drive me mad) but how long for, do i get going again as soon as the pain wears off and I'm walking normally again (I have neurological problems so walking hasnt been normal for 2 years now but as near normal as I usually am) or do I wait longer?

I've been to my GP and he's given me painkillers but they make me sleepy so I cant rely on these.

Any experiences/advice gratefully received, thank you x
 
Book in with a good osteopath, mine sorted my back out with in 2 weeks and I'd been having trouble for many years and then just go back every 8 weeks for a top up, I've never felt better in my life, can even touch my toes:D:D
 
Totally agree with Echo Bravo. Find yourself a good (registered) Osteopath. They did wonders for me - highly recommended! Good luck.
 
I'd try a chiro, osteo or physio. Take your pick, different ones suit different people. Sadly GP's know nothing about backs, my OH ended up having to have an operation due to our GP, when the physio who saw him afterwards said it could have been sorted without operating.
 
I broke my back a couple off years ago and have had problems ever since. Simple things like yours will trigger it off, and the last time was taking my shoes off!!! Being a single mum with 6 horses I have no option but to carry on and have thought about selling my horses but the thought off that makes me upset.
I can't comment on yours but can tell you a bit about mine and see if it applies to you in any way.
My back is worse with the less I do funny enough, so after the horses being out most off the summer my back weakened and now the early mornings mucking out was taking it's toll but after 5 weeks seems to have hardened up to the work but a day or 2 in day ill and I'm back to square one. I also get my back treated now which is helping. Iv got a back support but tbh I feel it does more harm than good and don't use it now as I feel my back relies on it and makes it weaker.
Yes every now and again it will go for no reason and I really don't know why but keep moving seems to be the best.
Your not alone x
 
I used to find a chiropractor useful when I had problems, but tbh regular pilates (good teacher, small class and some private sessions) helps me mostly avoid the problems in the first place (as long as I keep it up!). Re lifting etc., I do get a bit casual when I'm feeling okay, but if I feel at all vulnerable I do everything I can to protect my back - squatting to pick things up, lifting things in stages if they are heavy, ignoring them altogether! Don't bend over casually even if you're not lifting, as your back still has to lift some of your body weight when you straighten up and this can be too much - keep your back straight and use your legs. Echo what thatsmygirl said about keeping moving!
 
Agree with the Osteopath route.
Also, invest in this book "Healing Back Pain Naturally" by Dr Art Brownstein. Used copies can be bought on Amazon.
Its easy to read, is based on his own personal (and painful) experiences and has good and clear photos describing easy exercises which will help you strengthen your back long term and deal with the pain initially.

It changed my friend's life and I have found it extremely helpful personally
Good Luck
 
I've tried osteopaths & chiropractors & found the latter more useful on a long term basis. Also, when I had time to do it, found pilates really,really helped.
 
another one for pilates :) I can't stand orthopaedics you spend 8 months in agony waiting for an appointment only to be told there's nothing wrong it's just a twing that you should ignore!! I was quite livid
 
Another who recommends an osteopath and pilates. I would also suggest that you take it easy (but still exercise it) until you have been given the all clear, I have had back problems for 10 years and just ignored it. I am now on lots of weird and wonderful drugs and am having an MRI in 10 days :( my back basically turned round and said ENOUGH!
 
A good matress
Vitamins for joints/bones
keeping back warm in winter...no short skimpy tops!
back supports
wheat bags you heat in microwave designed for your back
bend legs not back
a good massage!
 
After years of hopeless GPs, walked into an osteopaths's clinic, bent double, on a stick, walked out 45 minutes later upright, without the stick. I went to him for about 18 months, and it was the best thing I ever did. Cheap it wasn't, but I haven't seen him for 10 years now (he's probably retired!), I can lift 25kg sacks, push cars in the snow - all the things that used to be beyond me. Don't go on suffering, see someone!

Also, get to know your back, and the symptoms. Don't mollycoddle it, but don't ignore standard warning signs. If my back feels 'tired' I often put a hot or cold water bottle behind it, depending on what season it is; and hot deep baths are magic. Good luck.
 
Hi newbie here- first post! I have been lurking for a bit but had to jump in on this thread as it is something I have a lot of experience of.

I have been plagued with a bad back most of my life- managed to give myself a herniated disc playing rugby many years ago and it has been my achilles heel ever since. I agree with all of the above advice, but specifically what helped me:

1) A good osteopath, not just for when it goes but for an occasional tune up now and then as well

2) A Tempur memory foam mattress and pillow. Expensive but so worth it! If out of your budget look at regular mattress with a memory foam topper.

3) Keeping active - I find walking to be a excellent when I am having back issues, start off slowly etc.

4) I looked at my lifestyle (outside of riding). I was at a desk job, sitting down for 15 years, this put the wrong kind of pressure on my back. I swapped to a standing up desk a couple of years ago and my back has been excellent ever since. The only time it has 'gone' completely was after a couple of unlucky falls but even then it is in much better shape than it was and I recover better than I did. I don't know what you do for a living but just thought I would mention it

5) Core work and trying to stay as fit as poss in between any flare ups. I am middle aged now so I have a move it or lose it philosophy!

I have gone from thinking I would never ride again - my chronic back pain was so bad - to starting again 2 years ago and have just bought my first horse - yay!

Something I thought I would never be able to do because in the past my back was so bad. These days I find gentle riding (mainly hacking, I don't jump much) really helps my back, helps keep everything moving.

I also read a great article on back posture when riding in an old mag, I will try and find it again, it explains how to find a good 'neutral' position for your spine before getting on.

Anyway just wanted to add my 2 cents. Hope your back gets better soon!
 
A good chiro is your best friend!

I ruptured a disc at 15 and spent several years taking paracetamol on doctors orders. Then finally was taken to a chiro and walked out of the surgery a different person! I go reasonably regularly and though now almost 60 I feel so much better after visiting him.
 
Evelyn said:
A good chiro is your best friend!

I ruptured a disc at 15 and spent several years taking paracetamol on doctors orders. Then finally was taken to a chiro and walked out of the surgery a different person! I go reasonably regularly and though now almost 60 I feel so much better after visiting him.
Click to expand...

Could`nt agree more,I used a sports injury clinic..after epidurals etc privately failed,two treatments and pain free.But,be honest,if you are overweight ,lose it,it is a major cause of back/joint problems.
 
I have to say I have never found osteopaths or chiropractors have made one ounce of difference to me.

The things that work for me are;


Get fit. Your muscles will support your back, take painkillers/anti inflammatories as you need them. You won't be moving properly if you are in pain and cause yourself more issues elsewhere in your body (sound familiar? ;) )

Bend your knees when lifting

Keep warm

If you get a twinge, listen to your body and take it steady for a few days. If you get a bad attack like you are having now, rest and be guided by pain. Allow yourself to come back in to work slowly.

Get good supportive shoes and keep your shoes off at home/as much as possible

Try to keep yourself in neutral spine alignment all the time.

I have a congenital back problem and was told never ever to ride by a consultant when I was 12.

Having refused spinal surgery and 20 odd years later having worked with horses full time as an apprentice jockey, hunting groom, eventing groom, horse dealer, running my own riding school/livery yard, literally hundreds of horses later, the old back is still going strong! :D
 
I broke a vertebrae in my lower back (horse related, as most injuries seem to be!!) and at the same time found out I had a condition called Spondylothesis. I had to have a spinal fusion held together with metal rods and plates etc and I was recommended by the Consultant to not see a Chiropractor due to the nature of the injury but to work in building up the core muscles i.e. pilates. If you book in with a physio (once you've been given the go ahead by your GP) they'll show you the best exercises to do.
 
Morning all, Thank you so much for the replies first task of the day tomorrow will be a phone call to the osteopath, I saw him years ago for a slipped disc in my neck and never thought to go back!

Will look into the Pilates too, I tried Yoga and 3 days after my first session ended up in hospital, it played havoc with my neurological probs esp the walking so never went back after a weeks admission!

I have a feeling my walking problems have contributed to the back problems as never suffered from them before but 2 years of not walking properly must be taking its toll on other parts of my body :-(

hope you are all managing ok and thanks again x
 
Damaged my back in 1979 . Bucked off a pony who jumped a ditch , could not run with my back straight for 1 month after i ran hunched over, 1981 saw my back go out for the first time, gp said pills, went back to weeks later said here are stronger pills, 2 weeks later stronger ones, physio said
You have damaged back in lumber 3-4-5 they go into facet lock and spasm, if you had this sorted when injury occurred you would not suffer what you will suffer later on How right she was,


with many many many times back went out with no warning leaving me unable to dress turn over in bed get off the chair etc, from 1981 through to later 1887 had an injury on the common when i landed on my back broke collar bone and shoulder blade, 1998 saw my back go out when i stepped over the new extension wall which was 1ft high, my back went out, took ibuprofen that night,the following morning my back was fine but couldn't walk.


GP said you have sciatica and if you had not taken the ibuprofen last night you would now be paralyzed for life.:eek::eek::eek::eek:.

Since then I have had a slipped disk, hubby found me lying on the floor unable to move.

injections in my back, and the cop it all got bucked or broncked of my gelding in 2007 couldn't move for a while covered in bruises and GP said you should not be here after that injury you should be 6 ft under.


So to this day I can say I am lucky and

1 think before you lift
2 good mattress
3 back support when doing heavy lifting
4 bend knees when lifting,
5 take inbuprofen when u get a warning of pain
6 good heat pads when u need them
7 hot bath after strenuous work,
8 know your limitations
9 good supplements
10 good physio
11 epidurals help allot speek to GP
12 swimming
13 good posture in a chair
14 good computer chair when sitting as while at computer
15 good support in your car or horsebox when driving long distances
16 be careful how you sit on hard kitchen chairs as you might find you sit awkward as chair is hard causing muscles to cramp
 
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You've had great advice here. PLEASE invest in the book I mentioned earlier, it supports those posts that talk about exercise and flexibility which are the key to keeping the muscles strong in order to support your spine. It also has some good practical advice regarding pain relief (as the title suggests)
Good Luck and hope you feel better soon
 
Frankly, with all the advice you've received, I think the first thing you should do is get your GP to arrange for you to have an MRI. Without knowing just where the problem is, some of the aforementioned disciplines could be contraindicated. I have bulging discs at L3, L4, L5, S1, and spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal). My legs are affected to such a degree that walking normally is a dream to which I aspire. I know, without equivocation, that my 16+ years having horses (I don't ride) has exacerbated my condition. I struggle in winter, as do all of us, and in so doing, make matters worse. Proper exercise, posture, nutrition...the operative word here is PROPER, meaning specific to your physiologic situation. Despite certain symptoms being indicative of deficits in this or that disc, facet, root, having an MRI will pinpoint the precise site or sites of your problems. Once you have that information, you will be able to proceed, hopefully, in the right direction. As Festnuttyfairy mentioned earlier, if at any time you have serious numbness in your legs/feet or you have a problem with incontinence (either wee or poo), get yourself to a doctor as soon as possible, no ands, ifs or buts!
 
awww dear horrible remember bend down with your knees dont just lean over and you do need to get it looked at myn goes evey now and then to be honest its more stiff now than in pain like it use to be
 
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