Ohhh My Aching Back

Well I started this post a few days ago and did not get very far because of my back. Right now I can sit for about 5-10 minutes then I have to move around, which is much improved from a few days ago when just sitting down was near impossible.

About 8 years ago the kids and I were in a wreck where the driver of a large dually pick-up ran a red light and totaled my Taurus. I was left with two prolapsed disk and a hip that often moves slightly out of socket. Fortunately the kids suffered minor injures only lasting for a few weeks.

For the first few months I could do very little without my back hurting then slowly but surely it strengthened and seemed fine, then out of the blue I moved the wrong way several years ago and because I had stopped exercising I was flat on my back again, literally.

Our former pastors wife suggested I go to her chiropractor. I was very leery but I was in enough pain I was willing to give it a try. I had several sessions but never finished all of the treatment because of my schedule at the time plus the pain stopped. It is hard for me to keep spending money when I am not hurting. Also he gave me some exercises to do so I figured all was fine, of course I stopped exercising again which I am finding out is a big no no, at least for me.

Again all seamed fine up until late last year, now it seems as though every few weeks I am aching. This past Saturday I coughed really hard and I must have been in the wrong position because the pain was bad enough I wanted to cry and was unable to go to church Sunday.

I started praying about what to do. Scott and I have seen a surgeon and he wanted to do a surgery that would leave me unable to move for about 6 weeks. That and the dangers of the surgery make it unacceptable at this time. I have seen my regular doctor and her answer is Flexaril and Naproxen; both of those only put a band aid on the problem and when I take the Flexaril I am out cold for hours. I do not feel like that is what God would have for my body. Well as I prayed a yoga video I once had done kept coming to mind. It is by a doctor who specializes in preventive and corrective Osteopathic medicine. I had used her tape about 10 years ago because I had wanted to try yoga. I enjoyed the tape and even used it for a short time after the accident; up until I lent it to a friend and never received it back. I called her office and found out she still sold the series (now on DVD) and it was only $19.99. Well the chiropractor is double that each visit and since I find it hard to work three appointments in each week I figured I had nothing to loose.

Well, I did the tape Monday and Tuesday and I feel better. I am not doing jumping jacks and sitting or standing for long still causes pain but it is improving. I am also using an ice pack on my low back a couple times a day and soaking in Epsom salt twice a week. I started the soaks Sunday and it seem to offer immediate but not lasting relief. I am also using Arnicare, a homeopathic cream for achy muscles. Oh and Advil every 4-6 hours when I have to. All in all it is getting better but I am now resolved that I have to have some sort of daily exercising and for now it will just be the yoga video but I hope to add a brief daily walk in this week-end and see how that goes. The other thing I need to do is lose about 10 pounds, prior to the wreck I weighed 105-108 I now weigh 115-120. I know that does not seem like a lot but I am 5'2" so it is a lot especially with a weak back.


If you have any tips for weight loss or ways to ease back pain I would love to hear them.