All of you out there with bad backs

[LOZHUG]

I was just wondering how do you cope with the day to day care of your horse/s?

I always suffer from lower back pain not sure what I have done to cause it. When ever the winter comes and its in time for the horses to come in at night, meaning mucking out every day till around april next year it gets really bad to the point I cant put socks on my feet, cant get in and out of my car properly etc.

I mucked out last Tues and got stuck crouched down I couldnt get up and when I could get up I couldnt stand straight and my legs felt like they were going to give way I just burst out crying as I was in so much pain. I am on strong painkillers from the Dr and anti-inflammatories but nothing seems to help. I have not mucked out since tues which has cost me £50 which I cant really afford but have had to pay.

Any hints tips?

Thanks

 

[sea_view]

I started getting physio sessions and they made a big difference as it turned out I was not aligned in my back - he literally cracked it into place the first session and then worked with me on sorting my posture and working on it there after - I had 8 sessions nad have felt so much better for it

 

[beckieswann]

I see my chiro regularly! for a couple of weeks my back feels great... I also use a heating back support as well when it gets really bad!

I definitely think a physio or chiro will help you.

 

[kezimac]

horse lives out!!!!!

good back protector - got one by mueller
i have had disc removed bet L4 and L5 - and was very painful before and after op but touch wood its ok now but mine lives out i just have to poo pick my field which isnt as back breaking as mucking out.

You need to see doc and get physio or be seen by specialist believe you will get to a point where you cant even ride and luckily i have medical insurance with work so my op was done private but still took a while from original consultant appt to mri to physio then op. then off work 3 months and physio.

dont leave it. if done on nhs will take ages - get seen now and demand to see specialist.

 

[LOZHUG]

I am off to see the chiro on Monday after work. I went to one last year which made my back worse so I am a bit wary, I am going to a different one this time so hope I get on better this time.

I wear a back support to muck out. Dr's have referred me for physio but there is an 11 week waiting list.

 

[1275gta]

I too have had a disk removed, before I couldn't do anything, I am know fine, I have just had a couple of bad days due to a pulled muscle.

I think you need to keep going back to your doc and get him to refer you to a specialist, they won't kn ow what is causing it until you have had a scan, you really do need to push for it.

 

[alwaysbroke]

See chiro as often as possible. Also use Welda arnica massage oil at least twice a day, it contains lavender and really helps me relax.lots of hot baths and a concious effort to relax the muscles in lower back.
Also saw GP last winter and had 3 free physio sessions was given some very useful excerises to do which moves the spine in all directions.
If things are really bad in might be a good idea to pay your GP a visit

 

[sea_view]

Also Lozhug are you making sure you turn when you are mucking out and not twisting - this also made a big difference to me.

 

[qwertyuiop]

I used to use a physio, but they only ever treated the symptoms. Since I switched to a chiro, and then added in Pilates, my back has been much better.

 

[LOZHUG]

The thing is I work at the Dr's and have been to see all 6 GP's at one point or another about my back changed meds but nothing seems to take the pain away.
As to having horse out all horses have to be in over winter which doesnt help.
Will go to Chiro on Monday see what he says prob go back and nag one of the Dr's if it doesnt make any difference.

 

[WandaMare]

I started doing yoga after a persistent back ache and it really helped, it helps relax and tone your back muscles. I wouldn't recommend it though until you get the go ahead from the doctor or physio just in case you need medical treatment first.

 

[kerilli]

i hope this won't be taken the wrong way, i'm not trying to belittle anyone's agony, but i read recently that something like 80% of back pain can be allieviated by being hydrated enough, the discs literally dry out and therefore can't work properly because the body's not hydrated enough, so 4 or 5 pints of water (nothing else, plain water) per day (in addition to whatever tea, coffee, whatever you drink normally) makes a HUGE difference. (if you're already doing this, i apologise.)
since finally starting to drink enough, and not having to drag wet haynets out any more, my back pain has gone completely... it used to be chronic, along with my sciatica.
hope that helps someone, it's worth the additional trips to the loo!

 

[kezimac]

you need mri scan to see what is the cause as different exercises are fantastic for strengthening your core which in turn holds your lower back in place. however dont do any exercises til you know whats going on as could damge it more.
I had excruiating pain down leg (sciatica) from disc pressing on nerve to the point where i lost feeling from knee down and there are still a few spots where i am numb now due to nerve damage (and my op was quick!)
You defo need to nag nag nag at docs and get bumped up that list and demand to see specialist - they need to refer you for MRI.

Just be careful when mucking out you could do so much damage as you tend to twist - can you not keep horse out?
And water buckets are heavy - so take care there too.
Dont envy you at all - dont think ppl who havent experienced back pain can really know what its like - i used to dread sneezing that would put me in tears.

pls be careful.

 

[0ldmare]

A few weeks ago I posted on here in desperation about my mum who had been crippled with sciatic pain for the last 14 months. She was on HUGE numbers of pills, plus patches etc and was getting worse (to the point that she had to be rescued a few times because she couldn't get out of bed due to the level of pain).

She saw consultants, went into hospital, went to pain clinics, you name it.

Anyway, getting to the point, she has had 4 sessions with a Bowen Technique practitioner and is *currently* pain free 90% of the time (crosses fingers and fervently hopes that I am not tempting fate by posting this)

Might be worth a try, its very gentle, no bone crunching!

 

[scribble]

yog or pilates really helps keeps my back good but do occasionally now go and see a physio. when you see a chiropracter/physio make sure you see a good one. I see one that is recommended by AXA PPP healthcare. there are lots of chiropracters and physio out there but it is a case of finding a good one and one that works for you. they should give you exercises in between to do and i also use a heat pad or lavender filled bag you put ion microwave.

 

[Burnttoast]

Can you make things a bit easier for yourself over the winter by getting rubber matting for your stable and using minimal bedding? I know it's expensive but I cannot (and will not, it's too frightening) add up how much I've spend on chiros, physios, massage, orthoses, pilates, ergonomic office chairs, cold packs, heat pads, prescriptions, the list goes on and on! You only need to see the chiro ten times (which is quite possible) and you might as well have bought the mats. I wish we'd had them when I was mucking out 6-7 big straw boxes every morning - I certainly couldn't do it now.

 

[Persephone]

Litelift stable tools are good.

http://www.lite-lift.com/

I have the shovel and the shavings fork. They are a bit odd to get the hang of but they do make heavy work much easier.

 

[flowerlady]

Does it only bother you when you've mucked out? How do are you when you don't muck out? Is there no one at the yard would help? £50 a lot since Tuesday? I really feel for you. You need to badger the doctor till they sort out what the problem really is.

 

[MrsMozart]

Aw hun.

See the chiro regularly.

I ditched my nice deep bed for rubber mats and a thin sprinkling of shavings. Back hurts far less now than it used to!

Make sure your lower back is kept warm - tuck your top into your jeans/jods, and wear a jacket that goes over your bum.

 

[soloequestrian]

I had an operation a few weeks ago to remove a bit of prolapsed disc that was giving me sciatica. I've still got the pain but now at least have the hope that it will go away! I saw a physio privately when the pain was really bad, and although I didn't know at the time, I was lucky because she is also an NHS phsio and is the 'gatekeeper' for one of the back surgeons in this area. She put me straight onto his list (NHS) and although I still had to wait 6 months for the op, that is normal because they need to see if the problem will resolve by itself before opening you up. As you're involved in healthcare already, see if you can find the person who is your local 'gatekeeper' - that is your route to a scan. I've heard terrible things about chiropractors so I'd think very carefully about using one.

 

[ester]

chiro and pilates

 

[beckieswann]

kerilli - that's actually really interesting. I'm one to always be dehyrated... and I have bad back problems - I'll drink more and pray it helps!! Other than that chiro visit is on Monday - yay

 

[Persephone]

My chiro tells me to alternate 5 minutes of heavy jobs with 5 minutes of walking. Apparently it frees you up and makes your body doing the opposite of what it was doing. It does make a difference.

Once you have been to a Chiro you will probably become much more posture aware anyway which will help.

I also fill my water buckets already in my wheelbarrow, this takes any uneven load away, and providing you lift the bucket out correctly saves a lot of wear on your back and shoulders.

 

[JoJo_]

I fell off 6 weeks ago and ended up in hospital with a small fracture to one of my vertebrae. My mum came to stay with me to be my nurse and groom! She leaves tomorrow though so I have to look after my horse on my own again. A friend rides her 3 days a week while I cant do too much but i'm dreading working 8.30-5 then having to go muck out in the cold. My back is going to hurt

I had a bit of a bad back before I bought my first horse 18 months ago and used to go to chiro but it got too expensive and then I couldnt afford it when I got my horse so I quit going. I'm 21 so its probably not as bad as some of you have anyway.

 

[Cliqmo]

My OH went to a physio for months trying to sort out a niggling back ache. He wouldn't go to my chiro (who I see about every 6mths now for a de-kink of my rotated pelvis) because it was regarded as 'alternative medicine' and so not covered and paid for by his work

Eventually I convinced OH to go and after 3 sessions he literally was 100%

Chiropractors really are wonderful

 

[Booboos]

So sorry to hear about your back! I have a combination of sacroiliac and lumbar problems which is a nightmare!

The MRI is a must so that your doctor can figure out what is going. The NHS guidelines are that they should offer you an x-ray or physio referral after 8 weeks of back pain, but that is just rubbish. Push for an MRI now!

I would recommend regular physio, pilates and the Back Friend http://www.medesign.co.uk/

My physio also mentioned the dehydration and explained this is why most people feel worse in the morning so it might be an easy thing to try.

 

[Snowysadude]

orthapedic consultant keeps an eye on it (as broke it) and physio, chiro and other treatments help it!

I also do PILATES.... that has helped build up my back muscle especially in my lower back no end and has really helped ease the pressure and pain there (lots of the exercises the same as the physio gives me which tells me they must work!)

 

[suzyseymour]

I've been to physios, a chiropracter, sports therapist, had injections n my back. My back is a muscular problem, but still bad after 8 years.

If it get really bad I use a TENS machine on it. Works wonders on my back, and cuts down the number of pain killers.

 

[Chestnutmare]

blimey glad i'm not the only one...after I prolapsed my disc a few years ago I still get bad sciatica, had physio when it happened but tbh i stopped going, I tend to feel it more when I am doing more like lifting bales of hay etc around soon as I do anything like that I'm on my back in agony but I just carry on and on and hope that it will go away I should really go and get it sorted once and for all, I used to use my mums Tens machine when it really got bad and that helped loads, I just dose myself up on painkillers esp when the cold cold weather sets in or if i'm stood around for too long my backs quite weak now, wish I had've carried on with treatment maybe I will one day.....

 

[elliegirl12]

I fractured my L5 in my back and have been having regular pysio sessions cuz of it, i do cope now and pysio has definetly helped but i had to take a while of riding

but am gradually getting back into it, i struggled with the mucking out but my mum would do that, i have another 4months of pysio before i may actually be pain free

but going to the doctor and they can send you on to a pysio if need be!

Ohhhh forgot to add pilates is very helpful

i am starting to see a difference with it after 1 month!