I'm only 28 - But having trouble with my back the last week (worse first thing in the morning)  Reached up to the curtains this morning and I was in agony   Trouble is I have to bath the muddiest, hairiest Afghan Hound this afternoon!!!!  I'm dreading it, I know I'll be in agony this evening and I'm suppose to start training for a race tomorrow :rolleyes:  Any magic cures out there?  Hey, I guess slouching in front of champdogs all night doesn't help ;)
Sarah

dont know anything about backs im afraid except that you can do some serious damage to yourself if you dont listen to your body when it tells you to stop.

Best thing you could do would be to take a trip to the doctors i think

Get your doc to refer you to a physio for assessment. There are lots of things that can go wrong with your back, and the treatment varies according to the reason. The treatment that someone else has done for their back could cause you damage.
Cathy.

Hi Cath - I have terrible posture recently!  Things have changed at work and I've moved from looking down a microscope all day to slouching in front of a monitor   Now the dog comes upstairs (Probably getting too cold for her in the kitchen :D) and I wake up with her sprawled all over me :rolleyes:  I have recently bought an orthopaedic matress so OH can put that on tonight ;)
Gonna have to get it checked out though, admit defeat!
Cheers, Sarah

my hubbie swears by the chiropractor, he pays £25 a session but it has made a big difference.

physiotherapists and chiropractors can make a difference if the problem is muscular or sciatica (trapped nerve)..if its more serious like a slipped disc having treatment like this will only make it worse, i have been in this situation and its not pleasant :-) Sarah, be very careful with yourself and certainly don't lift anything heavy or strain your back, it could get worse...go see your doctor for a proper diagnosis good luck :-)

I've had back trouble on and off for about 25 years (caused by mucking out cows mainly) and have spent hundreds at both the Chiro and Osteopaths. It hasn't been much help in the long run as it still "goes" but that's not to say they aren't any good... just didn't help me.  One thing the Chiro did help with,  they told me to use an ice pack while the pain is acute. If my back goes now, I put an ice pack on (wrapped in a cloth and no more than 10 minutes at a time with at least ten mins rest in between or you get freezer burn)  I also rest my back from any lifting, bending etc. but keep moving around gently otherwise I stiffen up. I sometimes take paracetamol too. It usually improves within a couple of days and I'm fully ok again within a week...... till the next time  

I would get it checked out initially though. :) 

Hope you're feeling better soon, bad backs are horrible. :(

Kath. x

I had physio and paid private for a top chiro and neither of them could help me long term either :)

Thing with chiropractors is that generally if they are able to help you, it can take years to be able to solve a problem or recitfy an injury, and that involves making regular trips to them if a condition is serious.  However I would 100 times recommend a chiropractor than a physiotherapist for back pain, depending ofcourse on the type of injury and your GP's recommendation.

I go to a chiropractic regularly once a month and it has totally removed the need for me to wear orthortics in my shoes and relieved my frozen shoulder.  I started less than a year ago at 3 x week, then 2 x week, then 1 x week and now monthly visits keep everything more or less in place.  Best money I ever spent!  Should have done it years ago.

My dog has regular chiropractic treatment too!

My sister has had a similar success story tohme, and she is down to once a month too after (at her worst) not being able to move her neck at all due to injury.  Her baby also now visits the chiro with her, they are amazing, she also wishes she'd found hers years ago, and I have to say, I am of the same thought! :)

Jacki

I am in the same boat as you ! Both a top Physio and Chiropractor have been unable to help and have admitted defeat as well!

I have one option left which maybe an op but I have been putting things off hoping it will go away ! Anyway I have an appointment to go and see my GP on Friday so will admit defeat I think as I was given six months by my Consultant to see an improvement but it has been 12 months and still in the same boat !

I still hold out hope that they can think of something else ! I must admit being run over by the bike a few eeks ago hasn't at all helped things !

Lucy
xx

Not a back expert as such, but 8 weeks lying flat on my back because of a slipped disc has encouraged me to take a healthy interest.....

1) Be aware of what you're asking your body to do - do you spend long periods of time in any one position?  I used to do mamoth stints of ironing (when you just can't ignore it any longer ;)) but found the slight twist that you do when ironing was putting a strain on my back - I now have a press rather than an iron, which doesn't involve twisting....

2) Do you carry a handbag on your shouldar?  I used to, but since I converted to a ruc sac style I've had no further problems (touch wood!)

Hi Digger :)  Well, where do I start :D  I commute from Bristol to Chepstow every day, slouching in my seat!  I slouch in front of a computer and if I'm not there I am out in the lab slouching over a microscope.  I spend an hour a day grooming my dog and about 8 hours once a week bathing and grooming (which aches)  I go running and horse riding but most of all I have terrible posture at times!  Oh and there's the rather chunky afghan hound that sleeps on me   Its safe to say my back is saying "I've had enough" - just need to find time to do something about it before its too late!
Sarah