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Anyone periodically suffer with it as I do?
I did a lot of damage to my spine during my 10 years as a Marine Corps Grunt. Being 5' 9", I was strong and tough, but my frame just was never built to carry the kinds of loads I was routinely asked to carry during my service. I have had 2 cervical disc surgeries (the latest in January) and those have largely resolved issues with pain and mobility. But I still 'throw out' my lower back a couple times a year. When I do, man - it is just miserable. Excruciating pain, can barely get up or down, walking is a challenge. It is just a total bummer as I literally cannot do anything until it 'calms down' and heals.
I don't know if I have lumbar disc issues as thankfully my tweaked lower back always seems to heal. I wouldn't be surprised if I didn't have some issues there though. I have found that, when I am in outstanding physical shape, especially when I am active with full-body exercise (such as cycling), I almost never have any issues. It is when I am not in shape that I have recurring issues.
I have not been able to get fully active since my cervical surgery - but was getting close to being restriction free when I tweaked my lower back 2 weeks ago while, of all things, weeding my garden. That healed up relatively quickly until I tweaked it again about a week ago. It is taking me awhile to bounce back from this one.
My general approach when I do 'tweak' my lower back is to ice the hell out of it, take anti-inflammatories (Motrin or Alleve), alternate some heat on it, and use a TENS unit to deal with muscle spasms. All those things help a little, but basically I just have to rest and give it time.
I absolutely hate it when my lower back acts up - it is miserable.
Anyone else have similar issues? I am trying a new strategy. Beyond getting in shape and strengthening my core muscles (once I'm able to start exercising again), I purchased an Inversion Table today and am going to try that on a scheduled basis to see if I can't get some relief and preventitive benefit from it. Anyone have any experience with an Inversion Table?
I did a lot of damage to my spine during my 10 years as a Marine Corps Grunt. Being 5' 9", I was strong and tough, but my frame just was never built to carry the kinds of loads I was routinely asked to carry during my service. I have had 2 cervical disc surgeries (the latest in January) and those have largely resolved issues with pain and mobility. But I still 'throw out' my lower back a couple times a year. When I do, man - it is just miserable. Excruciating pain, can barely get up or down, walking is a challenge. It is just a total bummer as I literally cannot do anything until it 'calms down' and heals.
I don't know if I have lumbar disc issues as thankfully my tweaked lower back always seems to heal. I wouldn't be surprised if I didn't have some issues there though. I have found that, when I am in outstanding physical shape, especially when I am active with full-body exercise (such as cycling), I almost never have any issues. It is when I am not in shape that I have recurring issues.
I have not been able to get fully active since my cervical surgery - but was getting close to being restriction free when I tweaked my lower back 2 weeks ago while, of all things, weeding my garden. That healed up relatively quickly until I tweaked it again about a week ago. It is taking me awhile to bounce back from this one.
My general approach when I do 'tweak' my lower back is to ice the hell out of it, take anti-inflammatories (Motrin or Alleve), alternate some heat on it, and use a TENS unit to deal with muscle spasms. All those things help a little, but basically I just have to rest and give it time.
I absolutely hate it when my lower back acts up - it is miserable.
Anyone else have similar issues? I am trying a new strategy. Beyond getting in shape and strengthening my core muscles (once I'm able to start exercising again), I purchased an Inversion Table today and am going to try that on a scheduled basis to see if I can't get some relief and preventitive benefit from it. Anyone have any experience with an Inversion Table?