Lower Back pain and ways to relieve it...

[Adrian]

I just got back from a 3 week course, and sleeping on a cot (or something or another) hasn't been too kind on my lower back.  I've got a slight pain in my lower back early in the mornings and sometimes after lifting heavy things.  It happens often when I get into prone (you know that feeling in your lower back when you get into prone, just above your ass)

Anyways I know I'm probably whining and I'll be told to suck it up, but I was wondering if some of the older more experienced types here have some ideas on how to combat lower back pain.  I for one, plan on staying in the Infantry for a long time so I'm trying to nip the bud as early as possible to avoid further complications.  I know it could get serious if untreated and fuck things up.  One thing I know I'll have to do is get a new wasit belt and back cushion for my ruck.

But I've also thought about going to a chiropractor on a regular basis, or masseuse.  I was wondering if any of you have done so and if it helps at all.  A buddy of mine told me to get one of those blow up/plastic inflated balls that they have at gyms to roll on and work your back.

I'd love to hear anyone's opinion on all this....thanks in advance.

 

[paracowboy]

core work. Abdominals, lower back, obliques. Stretch.
I have herniated disks in my lower spine. I live in constant lower back pain.

Have you seen a professional? Have you identified for certain as to whether it's muscular pain, skeletal pain, or nervous pain?

 

[Bert]

Occasionally, I used to wake up in the morning with a stiff and sore back.  Sometimes it
was so bad I couldn't bend over.     But I took it like a man.     ;D

All kidding aside, I used to have a sore back too.  I basicially understood my pain was
muscular and not structural.  As part of a weight routine, I added the dead-lift.   After
performing the exercise, I found the back pain/stiffness disappeared as conditioning
improved.   There are many exercises and stretches for the mid-lower back.  Personally,
I find the dead-lift best targets the lower back.

The lower back is an area one should take care of.  Go see a doctor and see what they
have to say.  If its related to the muscular conditoning of the lower back, then consider
the dead-lift as part of an over-all weight routine.  Ask your doctor.  Read up on it.  Understand
how to perform it properly or otherwise you could make things worse.   Cycle it with an
abdominal routine.

Good luck.

 

[devil39]

I keep my lower back pain in check by maintaining abdominal strength (and eliminating the 38 year old male tendancy to develop a "beer belly").  I find stretching the lower back, pelvis and hips helps too.

 

[Fishbone Jones]

I just got back from a 3 week course, and sleeping on a cot (or something or another) hasn't been too kind on my lower back.   I've got a slight pain in my lower back early in the mornings and sometimes after lifting heavy things.   It happens often when I get into prone (you know that feeling in your lower back when you get into prone, just above your ass)

Anyways I know I'm probably whining and I'll be told to suck it up, but I was wondering if some of the older more experienced types here have some ideas on how to combat lower back pain.  
I'd love to hear anyone's opinion on all this....thanks in advance.

You'll find that after a month or so of sleeping on one, you get used to it. You get the back pain six months later when you get back to a real bed. ;D

 

[Adrian]

Have you seen a professional? Have you identified for certain as to whether it's muscular pain, skeletal pain, or nervous pain?

No I haven't.  It hasn't been too serious/non existant for me to ever even think about it.  Like I said, I'm trying to the nip the bud as early as possible.  I highly doubt it is nervous pain, most likely muscular.  But I'll be sure to mention it next time I get a physical.

Ok so stretches and physical training is a go...anyone have an opinion on regularly seeing a chirporactor or masseuse?

 

[devil39]

No I haven't.   It hasn't been too serious/non existant for me to ever even think about it.   Like I said, I'm trying to the nip the bud as early as possible.   I highly doubt it is nervous pain, most likely muscular.   But I'll be sure to mention it next time I get a physical.

Ok so stretches and physical training is a go...anyone have an opinion on regularly seeing a chirporactor or masseuse?

I wouldn't go to a chiropractor, but that is just me.  Some guys swear by them.  Some guys swear they have been very nearly ruined by chiropractors.

 

[paracowboy]

chiro is fine for skeletal problems, but be selective in finding one. Lotta money-hungry quacks in that profession. Regular massage is supposedly wonderful for athletes. Helps in recuperation. But, I'd see a physiotherapist, sports medicine specialist, somebody with a piece of paper on a wall, before I took advice from a bunch of armydinks over the internet, personally. This is your health, we're talking about, after all.

 

[swanita]

I know this will be most impossible when on course but maybe on weekends off, using a heating pad would help relax the muscles or that icy hot patch thing i've seen in commercials might be good when on course. If the heat doesn't work (along with the strengthening exercises suggested above) then it might be a skeletal thing. Then i would suggest the doc to see if he/she suggests a chiropractor (i also am not big on them). Hope the pain eases!!

 

[Pea]

This is a little off topic, but I thought I would ask here since it is about pain.Well it's not so much pain, as just plain uncomfortable.

The past few months I have really been noticing that ALL my joints crack and pop. My back does, my shoulders, and my knees. It is mostly my back and shoulders though. It seems every way I move I am cracking in some place. It can get painful after a while too. My shoulders grind when I rotate them too.

I am not sure what would be the cause of this. Am I maybe lacking some cartilage? Should I be taking some sort of supplement for joints or something? Or is this something a doctor/physiotherapist will need to help me with?

Thanks for any input!

 

[SeanPaul_031]

The bridge is a good stretch for the lowerback

 

[paracowboy]

Card,
you're 18 and your joints are popping painfully? I'd suggest taking some glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin supplements. Also, you may want to see somebody about this. It's probably nothing, but it could be the beginning of arthritis. (My joints have cracked my entire life, including childhood). But, it can be a little different with females. Ya'll are more prone to osteoperosis (not an issue for you for several decades), but that's the sort of thing I'm talking about. Do you smoke?

 

[Pea]

Yes, my joints do pop painfully. They have for a while. I know my family does have a history of arthritis. I think I should look into those supplements. Maybe I should go see the doctor. No, I don't smoke.

 

[paracowboy]

No, I don't smoke.

oh, too bad. I need a cigarette.
Anyway, if your family has a history of arthiritis, it certainly wouldn't be a bad idea to see a doc about it. If only to rule it out. And those supplements have been shown in clinical testing to improve joint mobility/recuperation.

 

[Pea]

Yah I think I will go see the doc sometime next week. At least I will know if it might turn into anything serious or not. Always good to prevent it if I can.

Thanks for the help paracowboy!

 

[redleafjumper]

Physiotherapy can be helpful, but you have to do the exercises, and not just at the physio session!  See your doctor to make sure you don't have an injury to your vertebrae.  I have found chiro to be helpful when combined with physio, but again you have to do the exercises and chiro isn't for everyone - choose your practitioner carefully.

Acupuncture from a TCM (Traditional Chines Medicine) specialist is very relaxing and can help to relieve muscular tension.

 

[joseph070]

You can't get any permanent solution for back pain. You have to do a few back exercises, maintain good sleeping posture and also sitting posture, avoid lifting overweight, etc. Taking physiotherapy is another way to get rid of back pain. For more assistance, consult your doctor.

 

[mariomike]

Taking physiotherapy is another way to get rid of back pain. For more assistance, consult your doctor.

And maybe ask about massage therapy, if your work / retirement benefits cover it.

I have been an RMT client for over forty years. I originally went to relieve a back injury, but I soon discovered the relaxation benefit.

 

[Remius]

There are a few Yoga techniques that can help.  Basically fancy stretching.

 

[Fishbone Jones]

Physiotherapy can be helpful, but you have to do the exercises, and not just at the physio session!  See your doctor to make sure you don't have an injury to your vertebrae.  I have found chiro to be helpful when combined with physio, but again you have to do the exercises and chiro isn't for everyone - choose your practitioner carefully.

Acupuncture from a TCM (Traditional Chines Medicine) specialist is very relaxing and can help to relieve muscular tension.

You can't get any permanent solution for back pain. You have to do a few back exercises, maintain good sleeping posture and also sitting posture, avoid lifting overweight, etc. Taking physiotherapy is another way to get rid of back pain. For more assistance, consult your doctor.

It's always possible the OP might not have found relief, but after 14 years I'm sure hoping they have.