Low back problem

[Sidewinder]

I am having a low back problem and live out in the boondocks, far, far from
an orthopedist so I am seeking information here.

Whenever I lean forward slightly, like when washing dishes, ironing or
running a vac, etc (I'm male and live alone so these things still have to be
done), I experience an unbelievably tired feeling in my lower back. It feels
as though my back is going to break in half. I can relieve it immediately
merely by standing up straight. There is no pain or spasm or anything of
that nature. Other than this, my back is fine. Has anyone out there ever
had this problem? Does anyone have any idea what causes this and what the
solution might be? For whatever it's worth, I'm 77 and in otherwise
excellent health. Many thanks.

[ZZ]

On Mon, 11 Jul 2005 19:50:17 -0500, "Sidewinder"

Post by Sidewinder
I am having a low back problem and live out in the boondocks, far, far from
an orthopedist so I am seeking information here.
Whenever I lean forward slightly, like when washing dishes, ironing or
running a vac, etc (I'm male and live alone so these things still have to be
done), I experience an unbelievably tired feeling in my lower back. It feels
as though my back is going to break in half. I can relieve it immediately
merely by standing up straight. There is no pain or spasm or anything of
that nature. Other than this, my back is fine. Has anyone out there ever
had this problem? Does anyone have any idea what causes this and what the
solution might be? For whatever it's worth, I'm 77 and in otherwise
excellent health. Many thanks.

No diagnosis here, but if and when you do see an orthopaedist, you
should, if not ordered, get (all standing) AP/Lat/Flexion/Extension
views on your xrays. This will recreate the conditions where you have
your pain, in addition to other factors.

[Mozart]

Post by ZZ
On Mon, 11 Jul 2005 19:50:17 -0500, "Sidewinder"

Post by Sidewinder
I am having a low back problem and live out in the boondocks, far, far from
an orthopedist so I am seeking information here.
Whenever I lean forward slightly, like when washing dishes, ironing or
running a vac, etc (I'm male and live alone so these things still have to be
done), I experience an unbelievably tired feeling in my lower back. It feels
as though my back is going to break in half. I can relieve it immediately
merely by standing up straight. There is no pain or spasm or anything of
that nature. Other than this, my back is fine. Has anyone out there ever
had this problem? Does anyone have any idea what causes this and what the
solution might be? For whatever it's worth, I'm 77 and in otherwise
excellent health. Many thanks.

No diagnosis here, but if and when you do see an orthopaedist, you
should, if not ordered, get (all standing) AP/Lat/Flexion/Extension
views on your xrays. This will recreate the conditions where you have
your pain, in addition to other factors.

You might want to discuss your symptoms with a physiatrist, an MD who
specializes in physical therapy. I am not a physician, however, with no
leg pain, thigh pain or foot pain it does not sound serious. If you
begin to get radiating nerve pain down the back of your thighs, then it
would probably need some immediate attention.
I am 63 years old and also share the back ache that you experience.
However, I have worked with a physical therapist and I do excersises
daily. Sometimes twice per day. These daily excersises have helped
immeasurably.

[Mozart]

Post by ZZ
On Mon, 11 Jul 2005 19:50:17 -0500, "Sidewinder"

Post by Sidewinder
I am having a low back problem and live out in the boondocks, far, far from
an orthopedist so I am seeking information here.
Whenever I lean forward slightly, like when washing dishes, ironing or
running a vac, etc (I'm male and live alone so these things still have to be
done), I experience an unbelievably tired feeling in my lower back. It feels
as though my back is going to break in half. I can relieve it immediately
merely by standing up straight. There is no pain or spasm or anything of
that nature. Other than this, my back is fine. Has anyone out there ever
had this problem? Does anyone have any idea what causes this and what the
solution might be? For whatever it's worth, I'm 77 and in otherwise
excellent health. Many thanks.

No diagnosis here, but if and when you do see an orthopaedist, you
should, if not ordered, get (all standing) AP/Lat/Flexion/Extension
views on your xrays. This will recreate the conditions where you have
your pain, in addition to other factors.

You might want to discuss your symptoms with a physiatrist, an MD who
specializes in physical therapy. I am not a physician, however, with no
leg pain, thigh pain or foot pain it does not sound serious. If you
begin to get radiating nerve pain down the back of your thighs, then it
would probably need some immediate attention.
I am 63 years old and also share the back ache that you experience.
However, I have worked with a physical therapist and I do excersises
daily. Sometimes twice per day. These daily excersises have helped
immeasurably.

[gr_anand]

Doctor! I have exactly same problem but i am only 30 years old and Man! i
feel like i ma breaking into 2 halves( i cannot breath) when i do any
house work like washing etc which requires me to bend. When i stand, its
all normal after a while.

Please help me!

-- Anand

[b***@gmail.com]

guys!!
you all have the solution to your problems -
you all have relief - "when you stand up - straight"
standing incorrectly - usually exacerbated by lifting your arms for
long periods/standing "over" something like a sink which causes your
weight to shift or picking up heavy objects by bending your back rather
than keeping your spine straight and bending your knees -
will cause your spine to be out of its natural alignment and therefore
your muscles in your back (particularly those that connect at your
vertabrae all the way from your lower back up into your neck - to
strain
or even spasm...

make sure you wear shoes with an inch or so at the heel - never
completely flat
try to wear those with arch support as well
be concious of your posture
be concious of your feet being parallel to each other, hip width apart,
hips in line with your shoulders
try to keep your upper body "soft"
breath using your diaphram (visualise breathing into your belly button
and exhale by drawing your belly button to your spine)
when at a sink stand on a telephone book if it allows you to not raise
your hands as high or get closer to the basin
exhale when you bend and only lift anything by inhaling to do so and by
bending your knees not your spine

in an emergency ie. ouuuuchhh!!!
lie flat on your back...
on a flat surface - not a bed
check your postural alignment feet hips shoulders should be in line
gravity will do the rest...
tuck your chin forward toward your chest (gently)
try to relax all your muscles

do 12 rounds of deep breathing through your nose only
keeping your mouth closed
you'kll find that as you exhale and "pull" your belly button towards
your spine it will flatten onto the surface
on your last exhalation gently and slowly in time to your breath itself
draw your knees to your chest hugging them to you
rock very very slowly from side to side
this massages your back
you may even hear your vertabrea click into line

i wish you health and healing

BE BRAVE
Robyne

ps. broke my lower vertebrae, sacrum and pelvis two years ago and did
exactly this safely and effectively, when I needed relief