I have suffered low back pain with an undiscovered cause for years, and have done everything for pain relief but take drugs, get injections or undergo surgery. However I am now ready to pay out of pocket for the best diagnostic workup the American Riviera has to offer. Referrals, please, to any and all medical professionals, is appreciated.
COMMENT 233716
|
2011-11-17 10:43 AM |
|
Alta Orthopedic saved my husband from years of back pain
|
| |
AQUAHOLIC
|
2011-11-17 11:15 AM |
|
I suggest hiring the best and most accredited Personal Trainer you can find, and start a regime of core strengthening. Working all the muscles in the back and core area will put you on a path of eliminating low back pain forever. Oh, and don't forget flexibility and stretching...they too are key to success. There is no simple "cure", or god forbid, surgery that will take the place of this. Yes, it's hard work, yes, it's expensive, but what price can you put on living pain free? Definitely get a workup and any diagnostics you need, but invest in the rest of your life...good luck.
|
| |
AQUAHOLIC
|
2011-11-17 11:16 AM |
|
Oops, I meant regimen, but regime works too!
|
| |
COMMENT 233731P
|
2011-11-17 11:20 AM |
|
I have the best sports medicine/chiropractor ever - CALL HIM - Benjamin Holt..he works not only on the back but with the muscles. He knows what he's doing. I had a 20 year old injury in my back and when I first came to him he could hardly touch me without me screaming in pain. Today (just 3 months later) I feel awesome! He's great! His number is 560-6666. He works M-F 12-7. He is the best!!
|
| |
COMMENT 233734P
|
2011-11-17 11:23 AM |
|
and another thing about Dr. Holt - after reading your post again I must say you are a perfect candidate for him..He has seen lots of people with cases like yours and it might be painful and slow at first but it will pay off.
|
| |
COMMENT 233737
|
2011-11-17 11:28 AM |
|
Not sure if you're open to this, but Dr. English, a sports-med chiropractor -- has helped me enormously. I had a lot of injuries as a child and now they've affected me as an older person. He gives great adjustments after x-rays, sets up exercises, and more. He's also helped many of my friends and family. Good luck.
|
| |
COMMENT 233739
|
2011-11-17 11:30 AM |
|
I second Alta Orthopaedics. You need to find the cause of the pain and go from there with options such as physical therapy, chiropractic treatments, a good core strenghtening regime like pilates, med's if nothing else works. I know your pain, it's no fun.
|
| |
COMMENT 233741
|
2011-11-17 11:44 AM |
|
Highly Recommend the Core Laser, designed here in Santa Barbara and a wonder program for back pain! Look up Laser Gym for the Core Laser and information
|
| |
COMMENT 233742
|
2011-11-17 11:44 AM |
|
Stand up paddle was a big help for me. I would suggest staying away from Chiropractors. I can't tell you how many people tell me how great their chiro is and then tell me how long they have been seeing him/her. If you need more then six weeks they are not helping just taking your money. Are you over weight? Losing only 20 lbs was a big help for me and also just eating better. Lots of books on the subject. Good luck pain sucks.
|
| |
COMMENT 233748
|
2011-11-17 11:50 AM |
|
I like Aqaholics suggestion, it is ALL ABOUT THE CORE!!!, swimming has always been super powerful for me as well as stretching, yoga has kept me pain free for extended periods of time, I also pay attention to my diet, take inflamation measures (green tea, probiotics, tumeric and of course Vitamic C) how much coffee do you drink? I didnt believe it at first, but the caffine in coffee and teas can put your back out in minutes...
I love Steve Sherwin at the Healing Loft, he is a "healer"
his #805-627-2297
|
| |
COMMENT 233751P
|
2011-11-17 11:53 AM |
|
742 I thought the same thing and I went to a few different ones over the years feeling horrible. But there is a difference between a regular Chiropractor and someone who does muscle and tissue work (sports medicine/Chiropractor). If you have had the injury/pain for long enough just working on the spine won't do much. It's a slow process of relaxing/stretching out the muscles and retraining them to be where they should and doing what they should. Lower back pain is typical and can be caused by things as simple as standing incorrectly. It didn't take 6 weeks for this injury or pain to occur and it's not going to take 6 weeks to heal. Don't write all chiropractors off just because you've had a bad one or three. I am glad I didn't!
|
| |
COMMENT 233752
|
2011-11-17 11:55 AM |
|
I was born with a double curvature which was discovered early. Mom had a a chiropractor friend who worked on me until I left Minnesota and I am straight. Before most people accepted chiropractors. Later as an adult, many pregnancies, strain and stress, and a few falls, my lower back gave me excruciating pain. So the round of doctors and painkillers were really in in those days, the 70's and I only became like a zombie and the cause of pain not fixed. The doctors said I would soon be in a wheelchair. One day, I threw the meds and called a nearby chiropractor, as I could hardly sit to drive. After constant spinal manipulations, he suggested that I swim every day. The other doctors had suggested surgery. We put in a pool, and I swam every day,not strenuously, but therapeutically. I am now 75 and walk tall and straight, and have been a very active woman without pain for forty years. I suggest chiropractic and nonstrenuous exercise.
|
| |
COMMENT 233757
|
2011-11-17 12:05 PM |
|
i concur with 748. diet is critical.
i am juice fasting and one result is my years-long sciatic pain has gone away.
doing a fast is a detox and repair process; afterwards, adjusting one's dietary intake is a life change.
if you're ready to live pain free, start by drinking live, nutritious, regenerative food once a day, and when you're ready to experience a miracle, do a juice fast for 28 days.
|
| |
COMMENT 233778
|
2011-11-17 12:52 PM |
|
Dr. Oz just aired a show yesterday on new pain relieving techniques using pulsed electromagnetic therapy. Check out his website and print out the page where he describes it and give it to your doctor. Here is a link.
|
| |
COMMENT 233795
|
2011-11-17 01:39 PM |
|
I have degenerative disc, sciatica, curvature, you name it. I went to chiropractors on and off and believe that they do have their place but the three things that really saved me were my acupuncturist, Miklos Hubay (http://sbacupuncture.com/), yoga, and strength training. I was in pain all of the time, every single day, sometimes with blinding headaches until I began my treatments. The yoga helped so much with my lower back and now I know what poses to do at home when I am in pain. The strength training took away a lot of the pain I experienced in my neck and shoulder by building that extra support. Anyway, that is my three cents. :)
|
| |
COMMENT 233797
|
2011-11-17 01:48 PM |
|
I have been dealing with lower back pain for years, and I am only thirty. Had an MRI done and had bulging disk that touches a nerve. Tried Physical therapy for a while along with taking Trampoline, a non-narcotic or addictive pain pill. Nothing really worked. The Physical therapist will give you exercises to strengthen your core and stabilize your back, but all can be found on the internet for free. Plus they kept adding stretching/exercises, I was spending an hour in the morning and an hour at night doing them. Realistically who has 2 hours to stretch a day. I am going for cortisone shots tomorrow which I hope will help. My Dr. is great, he tries everything before taking an abrasive approach. His name is Dr. Segal and he practices at Sansum. Good luck, I can relate how debilitating back pain can be.
|
| |
COMMENT 233813
|
2011-11-17 02:44 PM |
|
742 here, I hear you 751. Just have friends who use it as a crutch and that was what I was getting at. You have to put the work in.
|
| |
COMMENT 233846P
|
2011-11-17 04:02 PM |
|
I agree core training is important but if you are in pain you need relief of that pain. A combo of muscle work and core training is good - I did that and it worked for me.
|
| |
COMMENT 233858
|
2011-11-17 04:35 PM |
|
Go see Erick Hudson 805-252-9564 best in town Massage therapist. He evaluates the entire body and focuses work accordingly.
|
| |
COMMENT 233881
|
2011-11-17 05:38 PM |
|
I had chronic lower back pain for 30 years until I started doing yoga and a walking 3+ miles every day; having a 90 deep tissue massage every either week; sleeping on a memory foam bed; and sitting less or use a memory foam back pillow when sitting. Chiropractors help but regular deep tissue massages work better for me and yoga is a must.
|
| |
COMMENT 233903
|
2011-11-17 06:55 PM |
|
Shana Lauer for acupuncture.....she also has a pharmacology degree as well as he acupuncture degree. Jim Weston of Weston Chiropractic. Both are excellent, and know how to help low back pain. Good luck, and just know that it does take a little while to get better. It is a process.
|
| |
COMMENT 233918
|
2011-11-17 08:28 PM |
|
Someone gave me a paper-back book, called "Oh My Aching Back", which helped me diagnose myself. It was very helpful. Try and avoid surgery. The doctors always want to cut ya open.
|
| |
COMMENT 233927
|
2011-11-17 08:53 PM |
|
1. get a MRI
2. Diagnosis from orthopedic specialist (MD)
3. If herniated disc do nothing..pain will subside over time
4. Do not see chiropractic,massage therapist etc
|
| |
COMMENT 233951P
|
2011-11-18 06:45 AM |
|
My sister has three problem vertebrae (forgot the medical name for bulging). Anyway, she finally got hyaluronic acid shots in her spine (not cortisone) and it made all the difference. Amazing. Shots weren't comfortable, but well worth the relief. Good luck.
|
| |
COMMENT 233953
|
2011-11-18 06:55 AM |
|
If you haven't been to a doctor, that'd be the first step. If you have been to a doctor but the diagnosis was in the general "deal with it" category, then I'd read a book called Pain Free by Pete Egoscue and possibly visit Motion Unlimited, the Santa Barbara Egoscue clinic, at the corner of Sola and de la Vina. The Egoscue method uses simple exercises to tone up the appropriate muscles and allow the spine to align itself properly.
|
| |
COMMENT 233961
|
2011-11-18 07:15 AM |
|
There are "Chiropractors" and there are Chiropractors. Those that specialize in"manipulations" and claim they can cure anything by manipulating your back are one step above a quack. On the other hand there are those that are therapists who use a number of modalities to treat chronic pain and nagging orthopedic problems including heat, ultrasound, excercises of various types including pool or water excercise, diet changes, weight loss, accupuncture and medication, etc. Some serve as team trainers for school sports like Mark Brisby. Generally they refer patients to orthopedic and nuerological specialists if they believe the problems warrant closer medical attention and even, in some cases, surgery.
|
| |
COMMENT 233963P
|
2011-11-18 07:18 AM |
|
Are you overweight? Are you active and strong? Do you have a balanced musculature regarding strength and flexibility ? Is there a genetic disposition? Too many questions need to be answered before you should just take an Edhatter's advice.It's best to at least get a medical doctors opinion (rheumatologist, osteo, ?) but like others have said, beware that they may want to cut or they'll do the opposite: marginalize it and say "take an aspirin and do these stretches." That said, here is my recommendation when you get ready to see someone. Kevin Fisher is an excellent physical trainer who knows the body very well. He is also a chiropractor who, along with his wife, does soft tissue work . He spends time with each client/patient. He has a strength training gym to address your back care needs. I promise I am only a client of Kevin's and have no financial interest in promoting his services (except that as a small business, I don't want to see him go out of business). Good luck. It's no fun living with back pain.
|
| |
COMMENT 233981
|
2011-11-18 07:57 AM |
|
don't know your specific issue. I've had a decrease in back pain after having it for years. Have you checked whether digestion contributes to it?of all things, eating more apples helped me there. I had a change in jobs where I walk around more- used to pop my back a lot and now I don't have the same need.
|
| |
COMMENT 233991
|
2011-11-18 08:21 AM |
|
ACUPUNCTURE!!
|
| |
COMMENT 233999
|
2011-11-18 08:43 AM |
|
Rilascio 805-899-3333. None better for releasing back pain.
|
| |
COMMENT 234042
|
2011-11-18 10:19 AM |
|
Google John Sarno MD, Healing Back Pain. It's worth the investment.
|
| |
COMMENT 234091
|
2011-11-18 12:39 PM |
|
It was a medical doctor that killed Michael Jackson. It was a medical doctors prescription that lead to Elvis' death. It was a medical establishment that almost killed Dennis Quaids children. It was a medical doctor who put the breast implants in the lady who was there for foot surgery and the breast implant lady got the foot surgery. These threads make me sad. Bashing Chiropractors who help so many people all the time. "Good ones" "Bad ones" EVERY profession has "good ones" and "bad ones". Acupuncture has wonderful success for many people. Acupuncture doesn't help dome people at all. Wouldn't it be great for all the medical professions to work together. THAT would be great. Chiropractor's/Acupuncturists usually don't kill someone if the treatment isn't effective. Get a diagnosis then try the non-invasive choices first. If I were the initial inquirer I still wouldn't know where to turn. Ask your friends who have had favorable results and not a group of naysayers.
|
| |
COMMENT 234124
|
2011-11-18 02:56 PM |
|
Hey folks, OP here. This thread has been fascinating and from it I have a better sense of the different paths that others have chosen, which is what I was looking to get a sense of. Thanks to all, and -091: well said. As matters of the soul can be resolved by any number of religions or spiritual paths, so it goes with the old bod & so let's all just get along, now!
|
| |
COMMENT 234131P
|
2011-11-18 03:31 PM |
|
I fractured my back four years ago and was sent to physical therapy - a specific class for back injuries/pain. It was through Sansum or Cottage - can't remember which. It was very thorough and a lot of it was to do with stretching. They gave us a handout to take home and use there.
|
| |
