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Loretta Maciukas
Feb 16, 2009 - 2:47PM
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Degenerative disc desease, sciatica and fibromyalgia
This my first time so I thought I would try.
My pain is delibitating and I'm going to try the losethebackpain system. I'm reading the book online and it makes alot of sense.I'm in Canada and I guess I need a detoxifier.Are there any good organic formulas that work?
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judy
Feb 17, 2009 - 4:58PM
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Re: Degenerative disc desease, sciatica and fibromyalgia
Hi Loretta,
I too have debilitating sciatica which has caused me to leave my job. It started out of the blue in mid October last year. All of my pain is in the back of my left leg and foot. I've had two epidurals with one week of relief. My ortho confirmed that I have a herniated disk of my L5. I have no back pain. I too have ordered the system with the hope that it may provide relief. I haven't done the assesments yet but have watched the vidoe. I am doing all the recommended sciatic exercises but with no relief to date. I'm so very desperate to get off drugs and have my very active life back. I'm just amazed that I am losing my job over this pain. Look forward to hearing if you have any relief.
Thanks.
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Loretta Maciukas
Feb 20, 2009 - 3:23PM
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Re: Degenerative disc desease, sciatica and fibromyalgia
Hi Judy, don't loose hope. I have been in chronic pain for over 10 years now. I've seen Chiropracters, and ostiopaths, had physiotherapy, muscle relaxants, anti inflamators, and currently taking flexeril and oxytocin (morphine) which I take only when I cannot stand the pain anymore. I'm going to pick up an inversion table right now that I ordered. I'm in Canada so i bought one locally ( cheeper ) but still over 300.00. I'll keep in touch. My sciatica is full blown and it hurts all the time. Stiff lower back. I have a back brace that I wear when I'm in too much pain to do motherly duties. I also have a cane that i use when I can't put pressure on my left leg. I've got to put an end to this pain. I'll let you know how things work out...Loretta
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Freida Kirkland
Feb 22, 2009 - 11:35PM
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Re: Degenerative disc desease, sciatica and fibromyalgia
Just wanted to say "Hi" to my fellow suffers :) I am new to this back program and have a lot of hope that it's going to work! I'm in complete and nauseating pain right now with this particular sciatic flare up for the last 3+ weeks now, but will be trying the assessments in the morning.
I have DD and Fibro, Failed Back surgery, sciatica, bulging and herniated discs; L4-L5 S1 and now in the Thoracic region, along with a bunch of other crud, but I am totally into trying to fix this myself now that I've had it with doctors and am tired of taking Oxy(over 10 years now!?) and everything else, plus my doctors are saying that they can't see me until the END of June!! Don't they know I'm H-U-R-T-I-N-G!!?? Maybe I'll be able to tell them to go to H3l1 when I see them in June, eh?!
Anyway, for some really weird reason I guess I'm happy to meet others that are going thru this. Now, I'm NOT happy you're hurting, just glad I don't have to suffer alone, I guess?
Hope to 'meet' ya'll soon - take care the best you can - and here's to sleeping painlessly for more than 3 hours!
Freida
freidak2002
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Paulbc
Feb 23, 2009 - 2:23AM
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Re: Degenerative disc desease, sciatica and fibromyalgia
Hiya Freida, Loretta and Judy,
I was where you are about 15 years ago. Not quite as full on...didn't have back operations luckily, but nobody could help me...except temporary relief.
This forum looks like it might become a great melting pot of trial and error stories...and I look forward to seeing you all get great results from the program you're trying.
Everyone is different of course...but what I found with doing extra stretching and strengthening etc was that it made me tighter. Yeah, I know, that sounds like a contradiction in terms right?
Well, I already was very fit when I developed chronic back pain and fatigue...so the advice to get more flexible wasn't really relevant. It may be great for people who lead a sedentary life to get moving again...to get flexible and fitter...but still, there is a problem with doing more movement with a body that has no awareness.
Let me explain.
If you currently have a habit of slumping when you sit in a chair (and who doesn't?!)...then when you sit down on the floor or on a bench to do a stretch...you will most likely do a slump there too.
What do you know about slumping as far as your lower back goes?
It creates compression and tension through your spine... especially your lumbar.
Then...you apply a stretch or a strengthening movement Whilst you are in this slump...
What happens next?
You're aggravating what you're trying to help!!
So how do you make sure that the stretching and strengthening is helpful to your situation and not more damaging?
Well, it is simply a case of knowing your current situation better before you go trying to change it! Duh, sounds stupid doesn't it?
But it's really that simple. Unless you know what you are already doing in your daily movements to cause the sciatica (oh, and sorry to break the news to you... but it is you that is causing it) how on earth is anything extra by way of movement and stretching going to help unless you STOP doing the things that are causing it in the first place?
It's a question that most physical therapists don't ask first...because they don't know how to see it in a person's habitual movements. They go bowling straight in with a set of stretches and exercises (hopefully custom designed for you) but nevertheless...MORE movement and expect that this is going to fix the problem that you are already causing by using your body poorly!
Oh well, I tried all sorts of "fixit" methods for 5 years and eventually found a way to learn self awareness. The pain went away slowly...but it didn't require any of the stuff that most physical therapists were prescribing for me...and get this, it never came back.
Hope to hear some great results from your efforts soon, Best regards Paul
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Paul
Feb 23, 2009 - 5:15AM
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Re: Degenerative disc desease, sciatica and fibromyalgia
Paul-
That is great news. It does help to become aware of your posture. Eventually it appears you created new habits.
I know I have terrible posture and need to correct it. However, it is much easier to have good posture if your hip flexors are loose, your pectorals are loose, etc.
You make great points but the 2 should go hand and hand.
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awaq
Feb 24, 2009 - 8:41PM
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Re: Degenerative disc desease, sciatica and fibromyalgia
Ladies,
Have you tried STATIC BACK when you are in pain? It completely unloads your back letting the muscles realx and the spine decompress.
You can see the video here:
http://www.egoscue.com/wherePain.php
1) Hit "SKIP" if you don't want to enter your e-mail.
2) Then click on the guy holding his back and you will see the video come up.
Take care.
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Fran - BC
Feb 25, 2009 - 5:47PM
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Re: Degenerative disc desease, sciatica and fibromyalgia
This is my first time on here. Sciatic pain is a real "pain in the butt" for me but the exercises for sciatic pain provided in the Lose the Back Pain system are great!
I also have chronic pain/fibromyagia -- let me tell you, GO TO THE POOL -- if you want to know what it feels like to have no pain, go in the water. I was amazed! Unfortunately once I got out of the water and drove back home, all the pain was back. :-(
I'm really looking forward to trying the whole Lose the Back Pain system.
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paulbc
Mar 1, 2009 - 6:35PM
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Re: Degenerative disc desease, sciatica and fibromyalgia
Hey Paul,
Yes, the two do go hand in hand...but it's the classic chicken or egg question.
Do you stretch your muscles in order to create good posture, or do you attempt to change your posture so that your muscles stretch?
Best way to find out is to give the two ways a trial.
For example:
1. Diligent, daily stretching of all the muscles you(or your physical expert) ascertains are the important ones to make flexible. Then do nothing for a week and see what happens. If the stretches are effective your posture has changed and you can go about normal daily life without tightness and pain. (and without daily stretching)
2.Become aware of your posture in the moment and adjust yourself regularly as you move and as you are still. (i.e. don't do any stretching at all)
I would try both for 3 months...but most people aren't as serious as I am about having free movement. I surf and play with my kids a lot...so just cannot be hampered by pain.
So, if that seems like too much commitment...do it for 2 weeks each way.
If you're diligent you'll get your answer. i.e what works for you.
I know what worked for me, but that's not for everyone!
Look forward to hearing how you go. (if you accept this mission :-)
cheers paul
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paulbc
Mar 1, 2009 - 6:44PM
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Re: Degenerative disc desease, sciatica and fibromyalgia
Hey Fran,
Yep, the pain comes back. The best thing you can do whilst in the water though is to really embed that feeling of relief and freedom into your mind. What I mean is to enjoy it with every fibre of your being...relish it as the tropical holiday you've always wanted, drink the ease of movement like a cool juice after a hot afternoon in the sun.
Whatever you can do to heighten the experience ...do it. Maybe add a spa treatment after your swim (if that feels good)... then get as many pictures in your head of being completely free of the pain.
e.g. what are you going to be doing when the pain and fatigue is gone? Picture yourself in third person living the life of the fit and healthy.
I've learnt that if you can go there in your mind (when the reality isn't the same) you will get there in real life.
But you must find a way to get your mind off the pain and into "future" mode as often as possible throughout the day.
Here's a tip.
When you get out of the water, see how long you can keep your mind on how good you feel before that little voice says "the pain is back". It might be until you're getting dressed again, it might be once you sit back in your car, it might be when you get into bed that night.
See how long you can go...ignoring the pain and only thinking about what your life is going to be like with a young supple body.
Good luck, cheers Paul
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paulbc
Mar 1, 2009 - 7:57PM
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Re: Re: Degenerative disc desease, sciatica and fibromyalgia
Hi Awaq and people trying "STATIC BACK",
I wouldn't call it STATIC BACK...I'd call it 15 seconds to making your back worse. They've recorded a how-to video that's only 15 seconds long!!
Be careful with this. It looks so simple, but it is way too advanced for someone who has never done it before...and goodness me, their instructions are so rudimentary as to almost be negligent. But that's the web for you...
I lay on my back daily, with my legs up or bent...for 10-15 mins. It's my bit of daily luxury.
But if you've never done it before...here's where you start:
1. Pad the floor (for goodness sake!) Put down a blanket or towels and make it about 1-2 inches thick at least...even if you're doing it on carpet.
2. Put some pillows under your knees that aren't as high as this great big block they're using...sheesh!!
3. Put something firm under your head like a paperback book...and yes, pad that too! (e.g. with a towel) The thickness of the book depends on the shape of your spine but 1-2 inches here is a start. Basically you'll want to preserve the normal (your normal) curvature of your neck. I'm being general here because ANYTHING under your head is better than nothing as they are showing you to do in the STATIC BACK video.
4. Stop after 5 minutes...even if it feels good! Your back is undergoing traction and if it's never experienced this before (like working in the garden after a long break) everything will hurt tomorrow! Yes, you can do it more than once in a day. I was doing it 3 times a day at first. It was more effective and less damaging than my gravity inversion swing. (cheaper too!)
5. Build yourself up to 15 minutes over the course of a week or so.
6. If at any time you feel uncomfortable (in the first 3 months) doing this, stop.
7. The most important part...don't DO anything whilst you're laying there. You don't need to. Your body will be thanking you for simply putting it into a gravity neutral position...finally!
8. Try not to fall asleep...:-)
Let me know how you go.
cheers Paul
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awaq
Mar 2, 2009 - 3:21PM
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Re: Degenerative disc desease, sciatica and fibromyalgia
Hi PaulBC,
Good comments, as usual. I am only on a 1/8" thick cotton mat on a hardwood floor with nothing under the head. I prefer this as padding would take away the "feel" of the floor. Preference I would suggest.
However the one thing I think is vital for everyone is that after lying in static back you then roll over onto your stomach, rotate your hips into neutral, and restore the back's normal lordosis. Flat back, despite what doc's tell you is NOT normal, NOT healthy, and you only flatten if you have some condition which prevents a healthy lordosis. This could be degenerated discs where arching puts too much pressure on the facets. Even in this case, you flatten NO MORE THAN WHAT IS NECESSARY.