Do any other TAs have back problems? Things like back spasms, or seizing of muscles? I get the irregularly but when I do get them they come in a high quantity and they range in pain from a slight twinge to extremely painful. My worst ones seem to be when im lying down to go to bed and my muscles on the right of my back seize up.

My problems come from a variety of sources. I played hockey for 12 years (10 year-round), football, and I have really only worked service sector jobs where Im required to lift things and be on my feet all day. I also have a habit of bad posture.

I know the problems are only going to get worse. My doctor only reccomends gayer or advil with an ocassional trip to the massuse. I also bought a soft mattress pad for my bed. What sort of things do you do for a bad back?

Last edited by on Oct-21-2005 at 16:13

you could always get one of those things old people have in thier cars with the beads on for your back

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My doctor gave me an anti-inflammatory drug to take (diflofenac) whenever my back gets sore, which preludes spasms/stiffness with pain.

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Originally posted by akkare My doctor gave me an anti-inflammatory drug to take (diflofenac) whenever my back gets sore, which preludes spasms/stiffness with pain.

Dude, you dissapeared from SR.

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Originally posted by chojin you could always get one of those things old people have in thier cars with the beads on for your back

i have that right now, it's teh shit

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Anti-Purple Alliance.

i don't get those in my back, but i'll get them in my foot sometimes...just like a spasm but that shit hurts :/

some proactive things you can do to try and make it happen less are get in shape. Work your abs out, when those are solid your back woks less. Also sit with better posture, make sure a soft mattress is what is best for you, and make sure your pillow is best for you. also, with everything, reduce stress, that kills a lotta people.


then when it happens take drugs.

Get a cervical pillow, a body pillow, an Obusform back support, and a firm matress. That should do the trick for staving off chronic back pain.

Also get yourself a massage therapist.... they can do wonders not only for occasional back pain but for chronic pain as well... you will want one that is proficient in myofacial work, muscle engery, and trigger point therapy if you want long term results (anything else yeilds only temporary gains).

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Originally posted by RickyM you're just a shit version of Moral Hazard. At least he knows what he's talking about.

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Originally posted by pkcRAISTLIN lol, i love it when moral feels the need to lay the smack down

go to a chiropractor. they aren't the most popular in the medical field, but that's only because they won't send you out of their office with 50 fucking prescription drugs that the pharmaceutical industry shoves down their throats.


you probably have a bulging or herniated disc in your back (or maybe more). the only way you'll know is if you have an MRI done...u said your upper back so u'd need a cervical spine one...do you get pain radiating down into your limbs like your arms?

anyway, lots of people have their opinions about chiros, but i swear by them now. yea, you have to keep going to them, but you have to think of it like therapy. think of your spinal cord like they are your teeth. how many times a day do you brush your teeth?

anyway, make sure you're sleeping on your back and i would invest in a orthopedic pillow...one that shapes your neck/head so that you don't strain it. do lots of stretching in the mornings and at night before bed. like sitting down and reaching to your toes. heat packs will loosen up the muscles too...and most importantly STAND UP STRAIGHT.

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My soliloquy may be hard for some to swallow, but so is cod liver oil.

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Originally posted by notelfreak man i can't believe i tried to come off as responsible in that other thread, i am so full of shit just don't tell anyone

I have some back issues as well. Due to injuries, I have some alignment issues with my shoulders and my right leg is a bit longer than my left. It really affects my posture and makes for some very wierd tension in my back.

I exercise regularly so this is very routine for me but, I stretch my back ALOT. This stretching is above and beyond any normal stretching that I do as part of my exercise program. It really helps to relieve alot of the tension or tightening that can accumulate. I usually do it 3 times/week for about 10 minutes at a time.

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Originally posted by Slylee go to a chiropractor. they aren't the most popular in the medical field, but that's only because they won't send you out of their office with 50 fucking prescription drugs that the pharmaceutical industry shoves down their throats.

DO NOT LISTEN TO SLYLEE ON THIS

Chiropractors are very very good at treating acute conditions. For instance, if you take a fall and knock your back out of alignment a chiropractor will be able to realign it for you. This is what they do, however, SIX ADJUSTMENTS MAX!!!!! If you continue to see a chiropractor beyond the acute phase of your injury you begin to do more harm then good. This is because chiropractic adjustment is a traumatic injury that you are subjecting your joints to. Because the action of a chiropractic adjustment is suddon and violent it will cause stretching and lengthening of muscles, ligaments and tendons over time. What this results in is more mobile joints, which makes it far easier for your joints to move out of proper alignment with less force applied to them. Essentially, you will become dependant on chiropractic care because your joints will no longer be strong enough to hold themselves in proper alignment.

See a chiropractor to fix the immediate problem but do not see them for long-term maintenance or treatment. For long-term treatment/maintenance go to an RMT. Massage therapy can realize all the same health advantages as chiropractic care but without causing collateral damage to the surrounding soft tissue. BTW, an experienced and well trained RMT will also be able to realign your joint by stimulating the appropriate muscles (this technique uses your muscles to pull bones into proper alignment rather then pushing them into position via external force).

FYI, the Ontario Chiropractic College states that no chiropractor should see any one patient for one condition for more then six months.... if the condition cannot be corrected in six months then the patient should be refered to another medical practitioner.

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Originally posted by RickyM you're just a shit version of Moral Hazard. At least he knows what he's talking about.

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Originally posted by pkcRAISTLIN lol, i love it when moral feels the need to lay the smack down

I've had mild degenerative spondylosis in my mid thoracic spine for around 4 years now. Sitting for more then 20 minutes hurts. And within the last year I've developed chronic headaches.

The only way I manage to stop the pain is to totally stiffen and keep my back straight. I think I might have to end up gettting a spinal fusion if the pain doesn't go away because I won't be able to work.