Bad Back Help?

[Shantara]

I've posted a couple of times about an accident I had when I was 13. I fell off a galloping horse and did my back and ankle in.
The ankle pain masked the back pain for a day or so, and I (extremely stupidly) never went to the doctors.
I'm 21 now and still have back pain everyday, but (just as stupidly) haven't got down to the doctors yet and I'm too poor to afford a specialist.

So, I'm not looking for a quick fix, just any little thing that may ease it a bit
Hopefully I'll get down to the docs soon, but untill I do, just wondering if you've got any hints or tips

 

[CarolineJ]

Pilates may help - it'll strengthen the muscles in your mid-section and give more support to your back.

I don't know where you are in the country, but if you can get to London easily go and see the clinic at the British School of Osteopathy:

http://www.bso.ac.uk/mm3clin.htm

They sorted me out a couple of times after falls, you're treated by the third and fourth year students under the supervision of their tutors (when I went, the tutor did the actual manipulation because it was a complicated one that the student hadn't seen before) and it's half the price of going to see a fully qualified osteopath.

 

[Herts05]

Go on the Amazon website and buy this book second hand
"Healing Back Pain Naturally" by Dr Art Brownstein. it will cost you no more than a fiver. He's an American doctor who was crippled by back pain and found a way through without using medication. Has good diagrams of stretching exercises which are based on simple Yoga and these do work. If you get your muscles working correctly this will help the skeletal structure look after itself and lessens the pain, it also talks about how just breathing correctly and learning to relax helps the body recover. It was recommended to me by a good friend of mine who had trouble walking and just living life every day due to degenerative back issues. She now rides at High School level and has competed for Great Britain!

Even if you don't do the exercises you can learn a lot from this book. Its easy to read and not at all quirky (even if it is written by an American!). If you order it today then by the weekend you can experience some pain relief ( I didn't believe it either but it DOES work)

Would also suggest you go the doctor just to check that there isn't anything else
Good Luck

 

[benson21]

An electric blanket is my life saver! I have one that can be left on all night, so I am always warm, which I find helps. I got mine from argos, about £25.

 

[Shantara]

Thanks guys I'll have to check that book out and I've been wanting to try out pilates! My ex sister in law does them, so I might be able to do them with her

Thanks again

Edit: My mother has an electric blanket, she won't go without it! I'll also try and find one of those, always jealous of my mothers

 

[MrVelvet]

I have had a bad back too since the age of 9, I also have an arched back which aggravates the problem. I ride in a prolite back support, and if I know I'm going to be on my feet a long time (like when shopping etc) I wear a thermacare heat wrap. The thermacare is the only one of those heat things that work and stay in place.