Lower Back Pain

DH has terrible lower back pain that's irritated when he sleeps to much or spends too much time on his back in bed. He'll wake up in the middle of the night unable to move. His twin brother has the same condition. When he finally can move, it sounds like crackling in his back, almost like fluid is moving around in there.

He saw a chiropractor the other day who told him it's best to stretch his back on a regular basis, and recommended exercises. DH has been doing the exercises, but last night woke up in horrible pain. This morning he is extremely depressed because he felt he's doing everything right and it's still not working. I said maybe he overdid it, or didn't do the stretches correctly, but he claims he did exactly what he was told. His brother says that he feels that weight lifting in order to strengthen the muscles surrounding the spine has really helped him. I tend to agree, but DH is being very stubborn and says it's all 'bollocks'

Anyone else have a similar condition? what do you do for it?

Well I cannot tell you I have the same thing that your DH has, but I do have a bad back. In 1999 I was rear ended and my car went under another car. I ended up with 1 Herniated disc in my neck, 2 in my back, sciatica, TMJ, and Whip Lash. I went to the Chiropractor 3 times a week for 3 years, an orthopedist, and a nurologist. I actually found that going to the chiropractor really helped me in the beginning. I also had to do the stretches to stretch my muscles. Some Chiropractors do Acupuncture, and they find that really helps out. I am not sure if your DH's chiro does that, but it is something good to look into.

I also found that being lazy and not excersizing.....really made matters worse. If maybe your DH starts walking or doing some sort of excersize during the day, he will find that he will sleep better and not be in so much pain.

I no longer go to the chiropractor because I found I was becoming addicted to it, and I had to get myself out of that. Now I try to walk a few times a week or do some sort of excersize to keep from my muscles getting stiff. I also found that Therma Pad makes an excellent item that you apply to the sore muscle and the heat from the pad helps to make the sore muscle feel better. Im not sure where you would get them, where you live, but in my area, CVS and Genovese or any other drug store should sell them.

I don't know what your DH does for a living, but it is important for him to not sit around in the same position for to long of a time. He needs to take breaks and walk around to stretch his muscles. Also getting a pillow for his chair at work will help out a lot. A back pillow, which your chiropractor should give you. I got mine for free from mine.

My friend who was in the car with me when I got hit, lifts weights and he said that he doesnt feel any pain from his back anymore. He says that lifting helped him out a lot.

I hope this helps,
Scott

Did the chiropractor actually 'diagnose' him w/ anything such as herniations, bulging discs, etc...?
If exercises are in order, he should definetly do ones to strengthen his abs, that is indicated to help ease lower back pain
Has he looked into getting massage?
If it's muscle tension causing the problem, massage therapy can work wonders.
Heat can also ease the pain as well. I like to use those microwave heating pillows (the ones w/ flax seeds in them) when I go to bed for my neck & I feel much better in the morning b/c my muscle's had time to relax through the night.
Just some personal advice from a Massage Therapist, hope it helps.

Geez, Farah, let him be on top!

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Posted by t

just thought it could also be a pinched nerve which is painful

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No, it's been going on for a very long time and his brother has the same exact problem!

Thanks everyone (except for Wendy ) for your helpful suggestions...I will pass them on.

Oh, and I've been trying to get him to relax a little and soak in a hot bath...he just won't take the time! And I have tried back massage (given by me I'm told I have great hands ) and it does work, but it doesn't last...

He's visiting the chiropractor again on Thursday, so I guess we'll see what he says and the next stop is probably an orthopedist.

Thanks all!

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Posted by usuk2004

Thanks everyone (except for Wendy ) for your helpful suggestions...I will pass them on.

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Aw, c'mon ... I included a

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Posted by wc0143

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Posted by usuk2004

Thanks everyone (except for Wendy ) for your helpful suggestions...I will pass them on.

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Aw, c'mon ... I included a

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Was the for me or for him, or do you fancy a sandwich??