Your life is only as good as the memories you make.
This is so true and I have so many
good memories. I am sure I have at least an equal number of bad
memories, but I will not dwell on them. If you find yourself wallowing
in bad memories STOP.It may be hard but just stop it. Think of something good that happened. Then think of something else good that happened during your life. Search your past for those great moments.
Then repeat often.
Your life is only as good as the memories you make. I forgot what
life is all about, why we are here. I was to busy living in bad times
of the physical pain I am feeling right now. The guilt I feel for not
being strong enough for my family to keep things the way they were. The
way things were before that split second changed everything in my life
and the life of my family.
I vow to remember the good I have done, the good I have seen
and to enjoy the good yet to be.
and to enjoy the good yet to be.
Will You?
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The Right (and Wrong) Way to Treat Pain
Chronic pain is a thief. It breaks into your body and robs you blind. With lightning fingers, it can take away your livelihood, your marriage, your friends, your favorite pastimes and big chunks of your personality. Left unapprehended, it will steal your days and your nights until the world has collapsed into a cramped cell of suffering.
Check out the rest of the article By CLAUDIA WALLIS
Chronic pain often presents sufferers with a real "catch 22" dilemma. If they talk about their pain, they risk being perceived and labeled as hypochondriacs, or even worse, fakers or malingerers. On the other hand, if they hide their pain, others don't believe the pain is significant. It is enough to tax the patience of the most stoic person....
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This site contains resources to inform you and hopefully help lower the level of your pain. Please check out the site and let me know what you would like to see or any information you would like to know to improve the site. I have put a lot of work into this site and will add features as I can. I sincerely hope this site will help you cope with the pain and stress and I will continue trying to offer what I can to help people, if you can please help out with a donation even a small donation will be greatly appreciated and can make a big difference. If there are any questions you have I will do my best to answer or help you find the answer. I hope you get the information to help for you or someone you know.
Thank you
*Health Disclaimer*
Any information given about conditions, treatments, and products are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on MY BACK PAIN.
Any information given about conditions, treatments, and products are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on MY BACK PAIN.
Back Pain and Fractures
Compression and Wedge Fractures
Thomas A. Zdeblick, M.D.
Professor and Chairman Orthopaedic Surgery
University of Wisconsin
Madison, WI, USA
What is a Compression/Wedge Fracture?
A compression fracture is a common fracture of the spine. It implies that the vertebral body has suffered a crush or wedging injury. The vertebral body is the block of bone that makes up the spinal column.
Each vertebral body is separated from the other with a disc. When an external force is applied to the spine, such as from a fall or carrying of a sudden heavy weight, the forces may exceed the ability of the bone within the vertebral body to support the load. This may cause the front part of the vertebral body to crush forming a wedge shape. This is known as a compression fracture. If the entire vertebral body breaks, this is considered a burst fracture and is discussed elsewhere. The compression fracture may range from mild to severe in terms of severity. A mild compression fracture causes minimal pain, minimal deformity and is often treated with time and activity
modification.
Severe Pain
A severe compression fracture may be such that the spinal cord or nerve roots are involved, as they are draped over the sudden angulation of the spine. This may cause severe pain, a hunched forward deformity (kyphosis) and rarely neurologic deficit from spinal cord compression.
Risks - Osteoporosis - Trauma
The risk for spinal compression fracture increases with age. Osteoporosis is the most common risk facture for compression fractures. Osteoporosis is a condition in which there is thinning of the bones, weakening them. This may be due to a lack of calcium in the diet, certain medications, old age, inactivity or genetic factors. In general, some trauma occurs with each compression fracture. In cases of severe osteoporosis, the trauma may be minimal, such as, stepping out of a bathtub or lifting a heavy object. Moderate trauma is usually required to create a fracture in patients with mild to moderated osteoporosis. This may range from falling off a chair to an automobile accident. A normal spine may also suffer from a compression fracture when there is a severe forward bending injury. This most commonly occurs from a fall from a height or an automobile accident.
Nerve Injury
Neurologic injury is rare with compression fractures. The degree of neurologic injury is usually due to the amount of force present at the time of injury. If there is severe angulation of the spine secondary to a wedge fracture, this may stretch the spinal cord and create injury. This would then lead to loss of strength and sensation, as well as reflexes. In most patients with osteoporotic compression fractures, there is no neurologic injury but only pain from the fracture. However, if left untreated the fracture angulation may worsen and lead to late paralogic injury.
Diagnosis
A compression fracture is usually diagnosed by the history, physical exam and x-rays. In any patient over the age of 60 with the acute onset of sudden low back pain, a compression fracture should be suspected. Physical exam will usually note tenderness directly over the area of pain as well as mild kyphotic deformity (e.g., a sudden angulation forward or hunched over appearance). Plain x-rays will demonstrate the wedge shape of the vertebral body on a lateral view. A CAT scan is occasionally needed to help differentiate a compression fracture from a burst fracture.
Occasionally an MRI scan is obtained to rule out disc herniation along with a compression fracture. MRI scan may also help differentiate pathologic compression fractures, that is, those that involve a tumor, from a typical osteoporotic compression fracture. In any patient with a known history of cancer, a compression fracture should tip off the physician to look for evidence of a metastatic lesion and pathologic fracture. If osteoporosis is suspected, a Bone Mineral Density (BMD) test may be ordered. This test helps determine the severity of the bone thinning. In addition, laboratory tests to look at blood count and thyroid function may be indicated as well. A decision as to whether to treat osteoporosis should be made by the
patients' primary physician.
Each vertebral body is separated from the other with a disc. When an external force is applied to the spine, such as from a fall or carrying of a sudden heavy weight, the forces may exceed the ability of the bone within the vertebral body to support the load. This may cause the front part of the vertebral body to crush forming a wedge shape. This is known as a compression fracture. If the entire vertebral body breaks, this is considered a burst fracture and is discussed elsewhere. The compression fracture may range from mild to severe in terms of severity. A mild compression fracture causes minimal pain, minimal deformity and is often treated with time and activity
modification.
Severe Pain
A severe compression fracture may be such that the spinal cord or nerve roots are involved, as they are draped over the sudden angulation of the spine. This may cause severe pain, a hunched forward deformity (kyphosis) and rarely neurologic deficit from spinal cord compression.
Risks - Osteoporosis - Trauma
The risk for spinal compression fracture increases with age. Osteoporosis is the most common risk facture for compression fractures. Osteoporosis is a condition in which there is thinning of the bones, weakening them. This may be due to a lack of calcium in the diet, certain medications, old age, inactivity or genetic factors. In general, some trauma occurs with each compression fracture. In cases of severe osteoporosis, the trauma may be minimal, such as, stepping out of a bathtub or lifting a heavy object. Moderate trauma is usually required to create a fracture in patients with mild to moderated osteoporosis. This may range from falling off a chair to an automobile accident. A normal spine may also suffer from a compression fracture when there is a severe forward bending injury. This most commonly occurs from a fall from a height or an automobile accident.
Nerve Injury
Neurologic injury is rare with compression fractures. The degree of neurologic injury is usually due to the amount of force present at the time of injury. If there is severe angulation of the spine secondary to a wedge fracture, this may stretch the spinal cord and create injury. This would then lead to loss of strength and sensation, as well as reflexes. In most patients with osteoporotic compression fractures, there is no neurologic injury but only pain from the fracture. However, if left untreated the fracture angulation may worsen and lead to late paralogic injury.
Diagnosis
A compression fracture is usually diagnosed by the history, physical exam and x-rays. In any patient over the age of 60 with the acute onset of sudden low back pain, a compression fracture should be suspected. Physical exam will usually note tenderness directly over the area of pain as well as mild kyphotic deformity (e.g., a sudden angulation forward or hunched over appearance). Plain x-rays will demonstrate the wedge shape of the vertebral body on a lateral view. A CAT scan is occasionally needed to help differentiate a compression fracture from a burst fracture.
Occasionally an MRI scan is obtained to rule out disc herniation along with a compression fracture. MRI scan may also help differentiate pathologic compression fractures, that is, those that involve a tumor, from a typical osteoporotic compression fracture. In any patient with a known history of cancer, a compression fracture should tip off the physician to look for evidence of a metastatic lesion and pathologic fracture. If osteoporosis is suspected, a Bone Mineral Density (BMD) test may be ordered. This test helps determine the severity of the bone thinning. In addition, laboratory tests to look at blood count and thyroid function may be indicated as well. A decision as to whether to treat osteoporosis should be made by the
patients' primary physician.
Thomas A. Zdeblick, M.D.
Professor and Chairman Orthopaedic Surgery
University of Wisconsin
Madison, WI, USA
What is a Burst Fracture?
A burst fracture is a descriptive term for an injury to the spine in which the vertebral body is severely compressed. They typically occur from severe trauma, such as a motor vehicle accident or a fall from a height. With a great deal of force vertically onto the spine, a vertebra may be crushed.
If it is only crushed in the front part of the spine, it becomes wedge shaped and is called a compression fracture. However, if the vertebral body is crushed in all directions it is called a burst fracture. The term burst implies that the margins of the vertebral body spread out in all directions. This is a much more severe injury than a compression fracture for two reasons. With the bony margins spreading out in all directions the spinal cord is liable to be injured. The bony fragment that is spread out toward the spinal cord can bruise the spinal cord causing paralysis or partial neurologic injury.
Also, by crushing the entire margin of the vertebral body the spine is much less stable than a compression fracture.
Nerve Injury
Neurologic injury from a burst fracture ranges from no injury at all to complete paralysis. The degree of neurologic injury is usually due to the amount of force that is present at the time of the injury and the amount of compromise of the spinal canal. With a greater amount of force, more bony fragments can be forced into the spinal canal causing greater loss of spinal cord function. This may cause loss of strength, sensation or reflexes below the level of the injury.
Typically, in a burst fracture that occurs at the junction of the thoracic and lumbar spines paralysis of the legs and loss of control of the bowel and bladder may result. In an incomplete spinal cord injury only partial paralysis or reflex loss is seen. With mild burst fractures only transient symptoms may be present or no neurologic injury may be present.
Severe Pain
Burst fractures cause severe pain. Typically, this is pain at the level of the fracture, that is, in the back. However, pain may also be present in the legs following the distribution of the affected nerves. Many patients complain of an electric shock type sensation into their legs when there is spinal cord compression. Most patients with a burst fracture are unable to walk immediately after the injury. Seldom, the patient may walk away from an accident and still have a burst fracture. However, often the amount of pain that is present is severe enough that patients know it is a good idea not to walk.
Diagnosis
At the scene of the accident, patients complaining of severe back pain should not be placed into a seated for flexed position. They should be kept lying flat and transported in the flat position. A patient who stands or sits with a burst fracture may increase their neurologic injury. Burst fractures require immediate medical care by an orthopedic or neurosurgeon trained in spinal surgery. The patient should be transported to an emergency room and x-rays obtained.
The diagnosis of a burst fracture is usually made by x-rays and a CAT scan. Occasionally, an MRI scan may be ordered as well, in order to assess the amount of soft tissue trauma, bleeding or ligament disruption. The review of the CAT scan and x-rays allows the treating physician to make a determination as to the level of the fracture, whether it is a compression fracture, burst fracture or fracture dislocation, and to determine the amount of spinal canal compromise and spinal angulation. All of these factors enter into the treatment decision process.
The physical exam should be performed to document both spinal deformity, that is, angulation of the spine or tenderness of the spine at the level of fracture, as well as, a neurologic exam.
Neurologic exam should include testing of the muscle strength, sensation and reflexes of the lower extremities, as well as, testing of bowel and bladder sphincter control.
The Human Pain Effect
By Me
By Me
The effects of chronic pain can be devastating to the way of life not only to the person in pain but also for family and friends. Chronic pain over time can bring the strongest person to their knees. Anyone can block pain for a short period of time say a month or two to heal a broken bone or let a painful condition heal, but when the pain continues past that it can make the pain feel like it is getting worse because it takes more energy and it slowly will just wear you down. This does not make you weak it makes you human.
We can handle the pain for short periods of time because we know the pain will go away, pain always goes away. Right?
Unfortunately the answer is no sometimes pain does not go away. Chronic pain is pain that lasts well past the time of normal healing. You may have a serious injury that at first you handle without much problem (like a broken bone) because you can block the pain by keeping your mind focused elsewhere or by just biting your tongue. But the longer the pain lasts the more energy it takes to block the pain. Explained another way imagine pain as something you can see so you try to ignore the pain by not looking at it and keep your eyes looking away. But as time goes by and the pain does not go away it will take more and more effort to not look at it. Eventually the pain will wear you out. Over time instead of looking away from the pain you get to the point where all you can see is the pain, it will completely consume you before you even realize it happened. A example I use is imagine a pro football player who breaks his wrist. They set it put it in a cast and the next week he goes out and plays with the cast on. People are amazed that he can play in so much pain. But if that level of pain is still there the next year he won't be playing because it is to painful. Even though it is the same level of pain he played with before.
It will wear you down over time.
It seems that having chronic pain can actually create changes in the nervous system. What is Chronic Pain Video-ACPA So what do you do after the pain has already consumed you and you feel helpless. Get involved, the biggest mistake I think I made was not getting involved and letting the doctors take care of me. I actually thought doctors knew everything and the miracles of modern medicine could fix me. Wrong. Doctors know about anatomy but you know how your body feels better than the best doctor ever could. Get involved and get informed. Find out about your condition and talk to your doctor. Unfortunately not all doctors will listen or take your concerns as seriously as you may like. In that case you need to have a serious talk with your doctor or find a doctor who will listen which is not always easy. Also many doctors do not won't to admit that they do not have all the answers. Many seem to think they do. But I would rather have a doctor that is honest with you and tells you "I don't really know but we will find out" than have a doctor more or less guessing and contradicting other doctors "guesses". I have seen a lot of doctors over the years and have only had one doctor say "I don't know". It was unrelated to my back but I liked the honesty.
One thing that seems to be very effective at keeping your mind active and alert is debating friends family or anyone. This is something I used to do on a regular basis before my injury just because it was fun. Slowly I drifted away becoming mentally stagnant without even realizing it. After years of mental stagnation I finally woke up after a heated debate with a friend I had not seen in a while. For so long I had tried to have in depth discussions with mild success because the pain would always affect my thought process making it difficult to concentrate or hold my thoughts together. So whenever you are having a good day get comfortable and talk to someone and get your mind working. You will be glad you did.
We can handle the pain for short periods of time because we know the pain will go away, pain always goes away. Right?
Unfortunately the answer is no sometimes pain does not go away. Chronic pain is pain that lasts well past the time of normal healing. You may have a serious injury that at first you handle without much problem (like a broken bone) because you can block the pain by keeping your mind focused elsewhere or by just biting your tongue. But the longer the pain lasts the more energy it takes to block the pain. Explained another way imagine pain as something you can see so you try to ignore the pain by not looking at it and keep your eyes looking away. But as time goes by and the pain does not go away it will take more and more effort to not look at it. Eventually the pain will wear you out. Over time instead of looking away from the pain you get to the point where all you can see is the pain, it will completely consume you before you even realize it happened. A example I use is imagine a pro football player who breaks his wrist. They set it put it in a cast and the next week he goes out and plays with the cast on. People are amazed that he can play in so much pain. But if that level of pain is still there the next year he won't be playing because it is to painful. Even though it is the same level of pain he played with before.
It will wear you down over time.
It seems that having chronic pain can actually create changes in the nervous system. What is Chronic Pain Video-ACPA So what do you do after the pain has already consumed you and you feel helpless. Get involved, the biggest mistake I think I made was not getting involved and letting the doctors take care of me. I actually thought doctors knew everything and the miracles of modern medicine could fix me. Wrong. Doctors know about anatomy but you know how your body feels better than the best doctor ever could. Get involved and get informed. Find out about your condition and talk to your doctor. Unfortunately not all doctors will listen or take your concerns as seriously as you may like. In that case you need to have a serious talk with your doctor or find a doctor who will listen which is not always easy. Also many doctors do not won't to admit that they do not have all the answers. Many seem to think they do. But I would rather have a doctor that is honest with you and tells you "I don't really know but we will find out" than have a doctor more or less guessing and contradicting other doctors "guesses". I have seen a lot of doctors over the years and have only had one doctor say "I don't know". It was unrelated to my back but I liked the honesty.
One thing that seems to be very effective at keeping your mind active and alert is debating friends family or anyone. This is something I used to do on a regular basis before my injury just because it was fun. Slowly I drifted away becoming mentally stagnant without even realizing it. After years of mental stagnation I finally woke up after a heated debate with a friend I had not seen in a while. For so long I had tried to have in depth discussions with mild success because the pain would always affect my thought process making it difficult to concentrate or hold my thoughts together. So whenever you are having a good day get comfortable and talk to someone and get your mind working. You will be glad you did.
Barriers to Seeking Pain Relief
Read the Ten Steps below for relief
Read the Ten Steps below for relief
Many people with chronic pain don't seek pain relief, or even tell their doctors about their pain. Most often, the reasons for keeping pain a secret are based on fears or myths:
Fear of being labeled as a "bad patient." You won't
find relief if you don't talk with your doctor about the pain
you feel.
Fear that increased pain may mean that the disease
has worsened. Regardless of the state of your disease,
the right treatment for pain may improve daily life for you
and your family.
Fear of addiction to drugs. Research has shown that
the chance of people with chronic pain becoming addicted
to pain-relieving drugs is extremely small. When taken
properly for pain, drugs can relieve pain without addiction.
Needing to take medication to control your pain is not
addiction.
Lack of awareness about pain therapy options. Be
honest about how your pain feels and how it affects your
life. Ask your doctor about the pain therapy options
available to you. Often, if one therapy isn't effectively
controlling your pain, another therapy can.
Fear of being perceived as "weak." Some believe that
living stoically with pain is a sign of strength, while seeking
help often is considered negative or weak. This perception
prevents them seeking the best treatment with available
therapies.
Don't let fears and misconceptions keep you from talking to your doctor and other members of your health care team about getting adequate pain relief. Help and relief are possible, but only if you discuss your symptoms with your doctor.
Fear of being labeled as a "bad patient." You won't
find relief if you don't talk with your doctor about the pain
you feel.
Fear that increased pain may mean that the disease
has worsened. Regardless of the state of your disease,
the right treatment for pain may improve daily life for you
and your family.
Fear of addiction to drugs. Research has shown that
the chance of people with chronic pain becoming addicted
to pain-relieving drugs is extremely small. When taken
properly for pain, drugs can relieve pain without addiction.
Needing to take medication to control your pain is not
addiction.
Lack of awareness about pain therapy options. Be
honest about how your pain feels and how it affects your
life. Ask your doctor about the pain therapy options
available to you. Often, if one therapy isn't effectively
controlling your pain, another therapy can.
Fear of being perceived as "weak." Some believe that
living stoically with pain is a sign of strength, while seeking
help often is considered negative or weak. This perception
prevents them seeking the best treatment with available
therapies.
Don't let fears and misconceptions keep you from talking to your doctor and other members of your health care team about getting adequate pain relief. Help and relief are possible, but only if you discuss your symptoms with your doctor.
Ten Steps From Patient to Person
American Chronic Pain Association
American Chronic Pain Association
Making the journey from patient to person takes time. The isolation and fear that can overwhelm a person with chronic pain grows over time. And the return to a fuller, more rewarding life also takes time. It a journey with many phases. The ACPA describes these phases as Ten Steps. The Ten Steps For Moving From Patient To Person.
STEP 1: Accept the Pain
Learn all you can about your physical condition. Understand that there may be no current cure and accept that you will need to deal with the fact of pain in your life.
STEP 2: Get Involved
Take an active role in your own recovery. Follow your doctor's advice and ask what you can do to move from a passive role into one of partnership in your own health care.
STEP 3: Learn to Set Priorities
Look beyond your pain to the things that are important in your life. List the things that you would like to do. Setting priorities can help you find a starting point to lead you back into a more active life.
STEP 4: Set Realistic Goals
We all walk before we run. Set goals that are within your power to accomplish or break a larger goal down into manageable steps. And take time to enjoy your successes.
STEP 5: Know Your Basic Rights
We all have basic rights. Among these are the right to be treated with respect, to say no without guilt, to do less than humanly possible, to make mistakes, and to not need to justify your decisions, with words or pain.
STEP 6: Recognize Emotions
Our bodies and minds are one. Emotions directly affect physical well being. By acknowledging and dealing with your feelings, you can reduce stress and decrease the pain you feel.
STEP 7: Learn to Relax
Pain increases in times of stress. Relaxation exercises are one way of reclaiming control of your body. Deep breathing, visualization, and other relaxation techniques can help you to better manage the pain you live with.
STEP 8: Exercise
Most people with chronic pain fear exercise. But unused muscles feel more pain than toned flexible ones. With your doctor, identify a modest exercise program that you can do safely. As you build strength, your pain can decrease. You'll feel better about yourself, too.
STEP 9: See the Total Picture
As you learn to set priorities, reach goals, assert your basic rights, deal with your feelings, relax, and regain control of your body, you will see that pain does not need to be the center of your life. You can choose to focus on your abilities, not your disabilities. You will grow stronger in your belief that you can live a normal life in spite of chronic pain.
STEP 10: Reach Out
It is estimated that one person in three suffers with some form of chronic pain. Once you have begun to find ways to manage your chronic pain problem, reach out and share what you know. Living with chronic pain is an ongoing learning experience. We all support and learn from each other.
STEP 1: Accept the Pain
Learn all you can about your physical condition. Understand that there may be no current cure and accept that you will need to deal with the fact of pain in your life.
STEP 2: Get Involved
Take an active role in your own recovery. Follow your doctor's advice and ask what you can do to move from a passive role into one of partnership in your own health care.
STEP 3: Learn to Set Priorities
Look beyond your pain to the things that are important in your life. List the things that you would like to do. Setting priorities can help you find a starting point to lead you back into a more active life.
STEP 4: Set Realistic Goals
We all walk before we run. Set goals that are within your power to accomplish or break a larger goal down into manageable steps. And take time to enjoy your successes.
STEP 5: Know Your Basic Rights
We all have basic rights. Among these are the right to be treated with respect, to say no without guilt, to do less than humanly possible, to make mistakes, and to not need to justify your decisions, with words or pain.
STEP 6: Recognize Emotions
Our bodies and minds are one. Emotions directly affect physical well being. By acknowledging and dealing with your feelings, you can reduce stress and decrease the pain you feel.
STEP 7: Learn to Relax
Pain increases in times of stress. Relaxation exercises are one way of reclaiming control of your body. Deep breathing, visualization, and other relaxation techniques can help you to better manage the pain you live with.
STEP 8: Exercise
Most people with chronic pain fear exercise. But unused muscles feel more pain than toned flexible ones. With your doctor, identify a modest exercise program that you can do safely. As you build strength, your pain can decrease. You'll feel better about yourself, too.
STEP 9: See the Total Picture
As you learn to set priorities, reach goals, assert your basic rights, deal with your feelings, relax, and regain control of your body, you will see that pain does not need to be the center of your life. You can choose to focus on your abilities, not your disabilities. You will grow stronger in your belief that you can live a normal life in spite of chronic pain.
STEP 10: Reach Out
It is estimated that one person in three suffers with some form of chronic pain. Once you have begun to find ways to manage your chronic pain problem, reach out and share what you know. Living with chronic pain is an ongoing learning experience. We all support and learn from each other.
Helpful Hint: Consider going to a pain management clinic or a pain management specialist. NCPOA can help provide you with information about where to find these clinics and specialists. However, since we cannot evaluate the qualifications of these clinics and specialists, we can only give information, not recommendations. Our article ""Choosing a Pain Clinic or Specialist"" can help you make an educated choice best suited to your individual needs.
In My Opinion
By Me
I will give you my opinion of products and treatments I have found helpful. I will also pass along suggestions from others. I will update often so check back also click here to read the ten steps to get your life back. Ten StepsIn the future I will go into much more detail about my dealings with doctors, lawyers, insurance and courts in the meantime e-mail me with your horror stories or successes.
1. Sleeping-my first suggestion is a mattress I like the Memory Foam Mattress , the memory foam molds to your body and while being soft still gives you the support you need and the neck pillow is made of the same material and helps with headaches.
Grand King Memory Foam Mattress
Grand Queen Memory Foam Mattress
15" Grand Plush Memory Foam Mattress - Suede & Cashmere Cover - Twin
2. Back support sitting-my suggestion for lower back and upper back support is the is the Obus Backrest Orthopedic Support high back rest for home, auto or office. Check out different styles. Mine gives excellent support for the upper and lower back and supports the ribs and head and comes with a lumbar pillow that I have found can be used as pillow for the neck and head (for people with upper back problems). The back rest is available at the Relax the Back Store so depending on the severity of your back problem it will help support your back and make it easier to sit upright for longer periods.
3. Electric Mobility Scooter- I have found that a 3-Wheel Travel Scooter can really help when it comes to travel or interaction with family and friends. While I personally was very embarrassed to have to use a scooter (I still am) sometimes you have to just do it if it will help you get out and interact with your family. They can be rented for short periods if necessary. Also a Walker can be useful for stability.
4. Botox injections-It is not just for wrinkles. Botox can be used to deaden the muscles in your back which can relieve some of the pain by relaxing the muscles that are causing pain or irritating the nerves. I have only had one treatment so I cannot tell you how well it works over time. Unfortunately after one treatment the rules changed and the Workers Compensation insurance now says there is no scientific study showing benefit even though it was helping. Out of luck whether it helps or not.
5. Acupuncture-I have tried this and think it was helpful but I did not get much benefit the first time I tried it years ago. I tried it last year in conjunction with the Botox although for the same reasons as the Botox the Workers Compensation insurance changed the rules and now I am out of luck even though it helps.
6. Back Brace - I have a brace for the upper back but it does not fit correctly but if you can get one that fits and supports to keep your back immobilized then you will be able to do more. Spine- Back Realignment Device Note-you would not want to wear the brace to much because you have to work your muscles or they will atrophy.
Pain Resources
What is Chronic Pain
National Institute of Craniofacial Research
American Council for Headache Education
Amer. Pain Foundation
Chronic Pain Outreach
Pain Care Providers
Resources
* Health Encyclopedia
* Scooter Rentals
* FONAR Upright MRI
* Doctor Check
Articles on Medication
* Case for Opiates
* New Strategies for Managing Acute Pain Episodes in Patients With Chronic Pain
* Botox Injections
Medical Articles
Making Breaking Commitments
Chronic Pain and the Family
Neurostimulation-
(Spinal Cord Stimulation)
Chronic Pain in Primary Care
Acupuncture Help's Pain
PubMed
Medscape Search
Pain Pump (Intrathecal Drug Pump)
59 comments:
Thanks for the such an informative blog about the Back pain and fractuers!!!.I have got nice tips to avoid back painfrom it.
The medicines that are used for bone pain are narcotics findrxonline as opioids such as Vicodin, Lortab, OxyContin, hydrocodone and the doctors that are usually used to combat pain they cause diseases such as homeopathy, fibromyalgia and even cancer In general, these medicines are used mostly is the United States and Europe are controlled because their use can lead to addiction.
The reason why back pain relief using abdominal and core workouts is the most effective is because most back pain stems from your lower back muscles not being strong enough to support the weight of your upper body. Many people get a horrible feeling of bones grinding together because all of the weight and pressure is on the lower back joints
Hi,
I am The assistant editor with disease.com. I really liked your site and I am interested in building a relationship with your site. We want to spread public awareness. I hope you can help me out. Your site is a very useful resource.
Please email me back with your URL in subject line to take a step ahead an to avoid spam.
Thank you,
Lisa Hope
lisa.disease.com@gmail.com
Hello, I was very interested when I found ur site. It sounds like I am in the compressed fracture field,since my head hit the ceiling of a car(hard).I developed a headache and it got severe so I just told my friend that I wanted to go home,this was in '95.
Okay, now I went on w/my life and yrs. later,03,I was working over 60hrs a wk. and the headaches and on top of that I wasn't sleeping because I couldn't find a comfortable place at all to lay my head. Well, short story..I wound up in a Neurologist office he told me that I had a ruptured petrusion.I had an ACD & F spinal diskectomy.I did fine until @ 2-3 mos. after surgery then the bottom fell out.I started to burn in my right arm.My surgery,in Feb.'06 and I had gone to see this NL for 9 out of 11 mos. in the same yr.
I heard @ ESI's,the first two seemed to help relieve my pain-some,but the third ESI was a biggy.Something happened that would change the rest of my life.
I jumped on the table like a lightning bolt had struck me. I raised my head to ask what happened and he studdered as he said,"FRICION".He suddenly told me to sit up real fast and got in my face and asked me,"Are your ears ringing,do you have heavy breathing?"I was scared for I knew something went wrong.I told him that my hands/feet were totally numb and what to expect.Both,to this day,are still numb and the pain has gone to cover my whole entire body.Suffered since Dec. 26th,2006 and really believe he struck my something,like my spinal nerve or "Subarachnoid Space".I can't believe they're still getting away with doing these procedures.
As a matter of fact, I went to this one website " http://www.burtonreport.com/InfSpine/AdhesArachToxicDump.htm " Maybe, I can stop someone from having one of those Epidural Steroid Injections, that has seemed to totally take my life and throw it away.
I am mostly bedridden, but am fighting with all I have to find the answer since like you have commented on that some docs just don't listen.
I do wish all the best and am glad I found your site. I will definately keep it in my favs for it seems to really be informative. now I don't know what to do and feel. I just figured it was my surgery and it still could be since there is maybe a two-fold prob.I am depressed and who wouldn't be.IT is just I don't know where to go from here...
Take care and always GOD BLESS
.. KAREN
hi, its very informative, Back Pain Exercises , thanks
Thanks for sharing your ideas about back pain.
Chronic pain, on the other hand, is much more complicated. It is defined as pain persisting more than 6 months. Chronic back pain and chronic neck pain are conditions that require a lifestyle adjustment, as well as an understanding of the back or neck problem causing the pain.
Great post! Very informative. Now I understand well the chronic pain. Thanks for sharing this post. It really helps.
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Thanks for sharing such useful and great information, Chiropractic and exercise help restore and maintain health, function, activity levels and quality of life.Exercise training is effective in preventing back and neck pain an all types of pains.
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This is by far the most informative blog I've found on back pain, thanks for so much info! Keep up the great work, I will bookmark it for reference.
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This post is very knowledgeable and shares a lot of information about Chronic pain. Great job. minimally invasive spine surgery nj
Interesting article. You may want to visit my website on the link I posted with the comment. I wrote a book about back pain care entitled "This is Why Your Back Hurts", eliminate your back pain without Drugs, Doctors or Surgery in just 6 Weeks! You may want to check it out. This would probably helps. Thank you
One thing that I have never understood about chronic pain is its purpose for the human body. I do understand why pain is important as an alert mechanism to warn us of danger or of something that needs to be corrected, but prolonged pain and suffering I don't really understand, unless looking at it from a theological standpoint.
This post shares great knowledge about Back Pain . Great post.
Excellent information. Your site definitely explains essential concepts to its readers. Thanks for continuing to write such wonderful articles.
Back pain relief, NJ has become a common problem in today's world. Thank you for sharing this informative post.
Glorious read! I just passed this onto a colleague who was doing some research on that. I'd also encourage everybody to bookmark this page to assist spread the word. Thanks!
All the best,
Rachel
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I have learned a lot from this post and I suppose every person must read this. pain management Brooklyn
Superb blog! Do you have any tips and hints for aspiring writers?
I'm planning to start my own site soon but I'm a little lost on everything.
Would you advise starting with a free platform like Wordpress or go for a paid option?
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Everything is very open with a clear description
of the issues. It was definitely informative.
Your website is extremely helpful. Thanks for sharing!
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The best practice may be to opt for natural remedies like specially made pillows and accessories, which are cheap and risk-free
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@Lindsey - there's a recent article I saw on NPR about this - that more and more doctors are prescribing medicines that have not really been proven to be more effective than OTC ibuprofen etc. And it's dangerous!
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This blog is truly extraordinary in all aspects.
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I am wheelchair bound since birth. I work for about eight hours a day at a desk and computer. I have been experiencing sharp back pains in my bones recently. Could sitting in the same position cause such a pain? What are exercises I can do at my desk to loosen up my back?
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You are such a strong person, thank you for the blog. My husband has had surgery for his back and he has so many regrets about not being able to do all he feels a person should. It takes such a toll on him, keep in there, we are all routing for you.
Cynthia | http://www.totalemedical.com
I have Spina Bifida and with that I have frequent back pain. What I am wondering is; does my spine look different on an Xray. Does a person with Spina Bifida have all their vertebrae? Is there such an idea as the base of the spinal column and then separate vertebral bones?
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Thanks you so much for this great post. I have been having back pain. I think I might be something with my discs. I should go get it checked before it gets worse.
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I was having really bad back pain ever since I feel after skateboarding. I did a few back work outs every night and it helped out a bit. Though, I'm not really sure if I'm going to need surgery or not. I guess I'll check out a doctor if it keeps up. http://www.fickchiropractic.com/pain-relief
Very interesting read. I have known someone having chronic pain, first I thought she was just faking it but then having been able to read more about it, makes me realize the pain they go through. Thanks for the post. - Jennifer
I have been having severe back pain for a few years now. I was in a car accident that left me in a wheelchair for almost a year. The pain is worst in the morning, so I think it might be my bed. I should also go to a doctor, I haven't been able to get my back seen by a doctor. http://www.bronxpt.com/services
It is neat that there are so many ways to go about relieving back pain. Personally, I really like the idea of going to a chiropractor. It is little wonder that there are so many people who go for their back problems.
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I have been having some pack pain for a while now. I work in construction so I am always lifting heavy objects. I never lift with my back though since that is very bad for you. I have always used my knees, but I assume that the constant strain is getting to me. I should go and see a doctor about getting some treatment for my back pain before it gets worse. http://www.osteopathgoldcoast.com.au
This is an intresting blog that you have posted, you shares a lot of things about Lower Back Pain Treatment, Knee Pain Treatmentand Sciatica Treatment. Which are very informative for us.Thanks
It was helpful to read this article to see how serious my back injury may be. When I was riding my bike every day for hours on end, I started to have some intense lower back pain. I did not tell my doctor about it because I was worried about having to take pain medications or have some kind of treatment done. After I stopped riding my bike so much, the pain seemed to go away. However, whenever I exert too much effort in my lower back, the pain flares up again.
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I have had back pain since I was a little kid. I am so used to it, that I don't stop to think about it anymore. I have stopped doing so many things that I enjoy, so I know I need to do something about it. I don't enjoy taking my kids out, because I know that the pain will be intolerable later on. I am willing to try just about anything to help with this.
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I 35 yeas old and working online based job thus I have to work more than 14-16 hours per day.Recently having my lower pack pain problem.As I haven't enough time to do physical exercise and without having exercise idea I can't take the risk.My physiotherapy specialist in ryde advised to take some rest ,but how it possible where I am living with the income.Your article will definitely help me and I will follow the instructions.
My mom has been complaining that her back has been hurting her. I wonder if it is from her new job. She should probably start trying things to getting it feeling better. http://myfamilydoctorutah.com/whiplash-injury-treatment-back-pain-doctor/
Wow!! i am very impressed with your lovely post.. I always go for swimming to relief with pain beside swimming I also consult sometimes to my Back Pain Specialist Chicago Keep posting..
Our sitting posture is cause of low back pain .
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Hi, lower back pain problem is very hard problem for a man.It is very bad effective our body.I have read the blog and I will follow your blogging idea.
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It is very helpful information. Thanks for sharing this info...
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The information about how back pain can be caused by a compression fracture was really interesting. After learning about how I have osteoporosis, I was concerned about how it could put me at risk for back pain. It wasn't until just recently when I noticed that my back started to feel more sore than it usually does. Since my osteoporosis puts me at risk of a compression fracture, I should see a chiropractor about getting treatment. Thanks for the information!
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Thank you for sharing this blog about your experience with intermittent back pain and how you deal with it, its very educational and i am going to send this information to a friend who seem to be experiencing same degree of pain.
Thanks for your informative writing. Back pain is very effective matter for human. If you want to know more things about Neck Pain . I think that is very informative details for you.
Thanks for your informative writing. Back pain is very effective matter for human. If you want to know more things about Neck Pain . I think that is very informative details for you.
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The pain may originate from the muscles, nerves, bones, joints or other structures in the vertebral column (spine). Internal
structures such as the gallbladder and pancreas may also cause referred pain in the back. So use Home Remedies For Back Pain if you want cure
from pain.
The pain may originate from the muscles, nerves, bones, joints or other structures in the vertebral column (spine). Internal
structures such as the gallbladder and pancreas may also cause referred pain in the back. So use Home Remedies For Back Pain if you want cure
from pain.
Back pain has several causes. Approximately 98 percent of back pain patients are diagnosed with nonspecific acute back pain
in which no serious underlying pathology is identified. So we provide you the best Home Remedies For Back Pain which is work effectively in all
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How come 1 in 5 people suffer from chronic back pain... and it costs the healthcare system more than cancer, heart disease, and diabetes combined yet more companies are not trying to solve the problem?
More companies like PainScale (www.painscale), CatchMyPain (www.catchmypain.com), and Control Your Pain (www.controlyourpain.com) are needed.
Sources:
www.painscale.com
www.mayoclinic.com
www.spine-health.com
www.controlyourpain.com
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