Lower Back Pain

[Silo9]

I've been out of work with a lower back injury. Doc said it was a L5 problem, and has been working with me. Still have the pain. IntuFow helps, but Doc said I need to strengthen lower back muscles. I have a program that I do in the morning, it's in the intro to my training blog. Anything else I can do? Tired of icing down that area everytime I walk to long, or sit to long, or over do it with Xtention program. Any advice? Also have to be carefull, with knee pain, due to inproper squats. I am working on that also.

Thanks,
Dave

[Joseph David]

Dave,

On thing you can look into is a natural digestive enzyme that is also a natural anti inflamatory. Bromaline is naturally occuring in pineapple. Though you couldn't eat enough to get the quanity needed to act as a anti inflamatory. I vagualy remember the dosages about 1400 IU taken on an empty stomach, you don't want it to act as a digestive aid.

Please do you own research on this instead of taking this verbotim.

[KD Jones]

I have had some apparent positive effects taking large doses of glucosamine/chondroitin/msm/hyaluronic acid.

There are a number of suppliers who combine 3, and in one case, all 4 of the above.

I was told by an MD that, in his experience, the suggested doses don't do much. I'm currently taking a supplement that includes glucosamine/chondroitin/hyaluronic acid at 1500 mg, 1200 mg and 3.3 mg respectively, 6 tabs twice a day, and 3 tabs msm 1500 mg, also twice a day.

I haven't had any negative effects, but that does not mean that you won't. As Joseph said, study up for yourself before you try anything... ask a professional you trust... build up to a larger dose if you decide to try it. Basically, be cautious.

Also, have you tried alternating ice and heat (multiple times)? I've had positive effects with that.

You may also want to try to catch up with Jarlo in the chat room also. He's smart with this stuff (though no-one can diagnose online...)

Regarding strength building, have you looked for a physical therapist that you can trust?

Blessings. Keep us posted.

[Jarlo Ilano]

Dave,

Best to ask your doctor for further options if you are not pleased with your progress. Ask him what he would like you to do. Whether that includes going to physical therapy, doing some exercises on your own, or whatever.

Ask him for a timeframe for his expectation of you getting significantly better. If it seems reasonable to you, apply all of his advice diligently for that timeframe.

This is both fair to your healthcare provider and also to you, because you start your recovery in a stepwise progression, rather than introducing the very many variables that happens when everyone chimes in with their opinions. (No matter how well intentioned the opinions are...)

If after that timeframe, you don't feel significantly better (this is determined by you, not anybody else), then ask your doctor what else you can do. Since you did everything he asked of you before, and didn't add anything that he would deem detrimental, you are now on "higher ground" to have higher expectations. Then you can go on from there.

I do hope you get better within that timeframe though...

I (and others here) could give you all kinds of useful advice, but wouldn't it be best to let your healthcare provider do their job in a specified timeframe that is agreeable to the both of you?

Sorry to seem standoffish, but the above is my opinion.

Good luck to you. I understand the frustration of back pain, not just because I treat it, but because I have had it , and am dealing with it, myself.

[Silo9]

Okay, thanks for the input. I guess I was nervous after going back to work on restricted duty, and seeing all that is going on with this new "system" the airline is using. The guys are taking a beating, so I guess I am trying to rush things, and get back to full duty.

I slam lots of glucosamine/chondroitin/msm. Ice, etc. Not to happy with the Doc, but he just tells me it takes time. Given that it's a workers comp injury.......mixed feelings on that, and treatment, but won't go into it.

Jarlo, standoffish? Not a bit!

Thanks to all of you for the advice.

Dave