Back pain

Thanks Shiney I'll check them out next time I go into town.

 

Hardly, he could only manage to walk up the road and back and even then he had to stop for rests, now he goes for a long walk again!!! It does take about 3 weeks to kick in as it has to get into your system.

Val

 

I had a major operation a couple of months ago and was prescribed 'nimesulida basi' as a painkiller which I actually didn't need ... but was told it was excellent for my osteoarthritis. Here at the chemist it costs €2,85 for 20 tablets ... don't know if it's available in the UK ???? but perhaps worth asking your doctor about?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nimesulide

I have three magnetic Hematite bracelets but I'm not sure I think they work ... but they look gorgeous!

 

You're right Victoria the magnets don't work for everyone but they have for my husband, my mum, my dog and my daughters dog. Dogs can't 'lie', so it wouldn't work like a placebo or auto suggestion for them, the difference with both dogs was amazing.

 

Try changing your bed {mattress}if over seven years old.I did that when I had cronic Sciatica for eleven months and it certainly helped my problem which I only get bad now if I sit on a hard surface for too long or stand still in one place chatting for too long when we meet people when out walking

 

http://www.healthspan.co.uk/

 

I have had various twinges in my back ,I do a course of exercises EVERY morning and this helps no end.
As regards Glucosomine, I asked my GP if it would help.
He said "that nothing has been proven ,so don't waste your money"

 

For those who've had physio or some sort of chiropractor intervention, what exactly did they do and did it work?

 

I get intermittent back problems, and have done ever since I properly hurt my back when I was only about 21 or 22.

The doctors don't prescribe rest any more, since it was found that resting weakens the muscles and actually makes it worse.

At this point I should point out, as if its not obvious, that I'm not an expert by any stretch of the imagination, so what follows is my observation and the result of some light reading.

For me, standing still always causes my lower back to lock up painfully. If you ever see me about, you will notice that I only stand still for brief periods. If I have to stand longer, I'm constantly shuffling my weight about.

Footwear choice makes a tremendous difference. I went through a phase where my back was just ruined, and I realised that my shoes were no good. The heel wasn't firm enough so when I stood still, without consciously realising, the muscles all down the back of my legs and lower back were tensing to compensate.

Also, its not enough to just have strong back back muscles. They also need to be supple. Otherwise all that happens is they pull tight and cause pain, so some gentle stretching exercises of the kind that most men dismiss can be helpful (yoga, tai chi, or just plain old stretches). You also need to keep good blood circulation there, as oxygen starved muscles give that dull ache that can turn into considerable pain. That just means non strenuous aerobic exercise of some variety.

 

Hi JWK what dosage do you take?
I have been diagnosed with Osteoporosis in the Collarbone, the shoulder and in the Knee. Always thought I was fit but this has told me otherwise. I think it's maybe because I was on steroids for 2 and a half years for Polymyalgia which helped with the pain but does have side effects. But will give the pills a try and keep my fingers crossed. The thing that hurt me most the Dr. recommended I give up eating chocolate and for me that is tragic news. Mind you the amount of money I spent on chocolate will buy the pills.