low back pain

I don't remember any particular moment or activity that started the pain. I just remembered waking up one day and my back was hurting.

My usual doctor just told me that everyone has back pain and that it would go away. Which is why I went to see the PT. I'm literally going crazy over here, and school is getting ready to start so that's not going to help. Maybe I should see my ortho, but my Dr didn't seem to feel like that was necessary.

oh and to add to this, I'm only 24 and I've had no prior back issues at all. 

There's an amazing and amazingly simple book called Treat Your Own Back. It's got super simple stretches and a philosophy that makes a lot of sense. Check out the 100 or so reviews on Amazon. For $8 it's really worth a try. I had sciatica for a while and a simple stretch, over time, really did the trick.

Good luck--keep us posted.

I suffer from time to time from very low back pain, like SI joint area. I find that doing a series of stretches and exercises 2-3 times a week keeps it healthy. I think its mainly the run that gets it aggravated as 1 leg is longer than the other...

ie. laying on back and hugging one knee to chest while other leg straight.

 laying on back w/ legs at 45 then raising one leg straight up to vertical position and holding for a few seconds.

the arch/bridge

I was going to start a tread about backs so I am just jumping in here since I am going to start some alternative treatment.

SI joing disfunction here - threw it out yesterday and have been immobile for 24 hours.  Had this issue years ago (cured it by cortizon injection and PT.  I signed up for my first tri to ensure I was motivated to cure it right).

I am going to try "Aston Patterning" body work tomorrow morning.  Anyone heard of it?  I will let ou know what I think.  From the internet, it appears to be a combo of body work to release the issue and then movement to reestablish movement patterns.  My neighbo   r does this.  Hey - might as well pick up medical/health practitioners at the dog park as in the yellow pages....  and my dog ate the last yellow pages to show up on my porch.

Same, it sucks big time.  I'm on day 2 of ice, hoping I can get back to running again by tomorrow (since I signed up for the Sept running challenge...).  One other thing that might help, is a decent massage therapist.  I've had some luck with them kneading my muscles to the point where the spine and hips line back up where they're supposed to be.

Been (am) fighting this same issue.  I've been so bad in the past, I've had to crawl around the house on my hands and knees.  Back pain sucks. 

Yoga, chiro, massage, streaching, inversion  (can use the BIG ball for this, balance on your back, lay back & get your hips above your lower back) - all seem to work in combination - - and is keeping my pain down.  Basically, get the spine moving and popping and nimble.  Snap, crackle, pop!

I think swimming is helping too.  PT didn't work for me -- seemed to only agitate things. 

Best wishes. 

my share on my Aston patterning experience:

I had two 1 hour,45 minute sessions.   Consisted of an assessment of my body asymetry and patterns, which he kind of mapped out, some massage that I can best describe as "investigative and directional".  he found tight spots in my joints from my spine to the ribs to the muscles in my legs.   And then some pointers on how to sit/move to open up where I "cave in on myself" posture wise.   I could move sooooo  much better afterwards!

for the 2nd trip he gave me alot of rib work where he worked one side of me to release the tension in my middle ribs that don't move when he presses them, and my neck.    After the one side,  he had my look in the mirror and you could see the difference - my rib cage on the right was more raised, my shoulder more relaxed.    he of coarse, did the other side too.

Each seasion cost $115.   It does not appear that insurance will cover it so I won't really be able to continue.  went to a conventional doc today  (saw a PA) and will get a referral to PT.  also came out with paper work for a mamogram and blood work for being chubby and having borderline high BP

my share on my Aston patterning experience:

I had two 1 hour,45 minute sessions.   Consisted of an assessment of my body asymetry and patterns, which he kind of mapped out, some massage that I can best describe as "investigative and directional".  he found tight spots in my joints from my spine to the ribs to the muscles in my legs.   And then some pointers on how to sit/move to open up where I "cave in on myself" posture wise.   I could move sooooo  much better afterwards!

for the 2nd trip he gave me alot of rib work where he worked one side of me to release the tension in my middle ribs that don't move when he presses them, and my neck.    After the one side,  he had my look in the mirror and you could see the difference - my rib cage on the right was more raised, my shoulder more relaxed.    he of coarse, did the other side too.

Each seasion cost $115.   It does not appear that insurance will cover it so I won't really be able to continue.  went to a conventional doc today  (saw a PA) and will get a referral to PT.  also came out with paper work for a mamogram and blood work for being chubby and having borderline high BP

The best mehtod and proven treatment for low back issues is chiropractic care. It will take the PT that have already been doing along with the spinal manipulation to get you feeling better.  within 2 weeks you should be almost 100%