Out of the fight

[Ism]

I've had lower back issues since I was 25 and injured myself at work doing some heavy lifting. It was concluded to be muscle spasms. After about 2 weeks I was pretty much back to normal.
From time to time I would bend wrong and have a muscle spasm and be crippled for a few days, but I always recovered and could get back to doing everything without pain.

Now 40 years later I'm having issues with my spine in the same area. Yes, the muscles spasm when I bend wrong, but my spine also pops like cracking a knuckle and seems to shift out of place.
It is extremely painful and incapacitating, but oddly sometimes within a couple hours of sitting or reclining, I'm back to normal albeit my back is tender and warning me not to bend wrong.
I would equate it to something similar to a dislocated shoulder. While out of socket, extremely painful, but once it's back in place, it's tender but useable.

So why am I posting this here? This has ended my ability to go detecting. Even while wearing a back brace and kneeling on both knees, during the act of digging a plug, it pops and I'm finished and have to make the slow walk to the car in screaming pain.
This not only prohibits me from detecting, but afterwards simple things around the house are off the table for about a week. I have to give up our favorite hobby so I can maintain the ability to perform necessary tasks around the house and do my job.

A couple years ago when it first happened, I told my GP doctor about the spine and he sent me for X-rays and they revealed signs of arthritis and disc narrowing in that area. I have an appt with a new GP next week to discuss options in hopes of fixing this.
I am about 20lbs overweight, so I know that isn't helping. I do stomach crunches and stair climbing to try and keep my core strong, but it hasn't helped with this particular issue.

I can't be the only one here who has had something similar happen to them and was wondering what your solution was to get back into the fight?

 

[Odanscoils]

I've had lower back issues since I was 25 and injured myself at work doing some heavy lifting. It was concluded to be muscle spasms. After about 2 weeks I was pretty much back to normal.
From time to time I would bend wrong and have a muscle spasm and be crippled for a few days, but I always recovered and could get back to doing everything without pain.

Now 40 years later I'm having issues with my spine in the same area. Yes, the muscles spasm when I bend wrong, but my spine also pops like cracking a knuckle and seems to shift out of place.
It is extremely painful and incapacitating, but oddly sometimes within a couple hours of sitting or reclining, I'm back to normal albeit my back is tender and warning me not to bend wrong.
I would equate it to something similar to a dislocated shoulder. While out of socket, extremely painful, but once it's back in place, it's tender but useable.

So why am I posting this here? This has ended my ability to go detecting. Even while wearing a back brace and kneeling on both knees, during the act of digging a plug, it pops and I'm finished and have to make the slow walk to the car in screaming pain.
This not only prohibits me from detecting, but afterwards simple things around the house are off the table for about a week. I have to give up our favorite hobby so I can maintain the ability to perform necessary tasks around the house and do my job.

A couple years ago when it first happened, I told my GP doctor about the spine and he sent me for X-rays and they revealed signs of arthritis and disc narrowing in that area. I have an appt with a new GP next week to discuss options in hopes of fixing this.
I am about 20lbs overweight, so I know that isn't helping. I do stomach crunches and stair climbing to try and keep my core strong, but it hasn't helped with this particular issue.

I can't be the only one here who has had something similar happen to them and was wondering what your solution was to get back into the fight?

Unfortunately like me you may need some kind of surgery. Your's sounds like a fusion and stenosis. Narrowing of the nerve channels. My neck is like that.
Micro surgery in my case.
Still yet to see the neurosurgeon for that.
Lower back surgeries are pretty well sorted out these days.
Do a lot of research on your Dr.
And the facility where the work will be done.
From watching friends after surgery.
Fusion will limit some movement.
Though much better overall for them.
The Dr makes all the difference towards the outcome.
Look for any lawsuits and claims against them.

 

[still looking 52]

Try doing backwards set ups, by this I mean lay on your stomach,pull your legs up and catch your legs with your hands then raise your head up from that position.
When I first started doing this years ago I could only do about 15 reps without giving out, now I can fo125 reps without any problems.
Those muscles are naturally weak and this will strengthen them up.
I'm 72 years old so I've been around awhile.

 

[Odanscoils]

Try doing backwards set ups, by this I mean lay on your stomach,pull your legs up and catch your legs with your hands then raise your head up from that position.
When I first started doing this years ago I could only do about 15 reps without giving out, now I can fo125 reps without any problems.
Those muscles are naturally weak and this will strengthen them up.
I'm 72 years old so I've been around awhile.

Quite impressive on those reps.
I've found band core exercises are very helpful as well.
Though in these diagrams I've added different angles of approach in each exercise. Pulling in the full muscle groups.
Back in 2013 as I was rebuilding strength to return to overhead lines.
My side twist was 240lbs.
My lineman sons couldn't do it.
I guess they'll need another 20 years of climbing muscle growth. L o L

 

[Confetrit]

I've had lower back issues since I was 25 and injured myself at work doing some heavy lifting. It was concluded to be muscle spasms. After about 2 weeks I was pretty much back to normal.
From time to time I would bend wrong and have a muscle spasm and be crippled for a few days, but I always recovered and could get back to doing everything without pain.

Now 40 years later I'm having issues with my spine in the same area. Yes, the muscles spasm when I bend wrong, but my spine also pops like cracking a knuckle and seems to shift out of place.
It is extremely painful and incapacitating, but oddly sometimes within a couple hours of sitting or reclining, I'm back to normal albeit my back is tender and warning me not to bend wrong.
I would equate it to something similar to a dislocated shoulder. While out of socket, extremely painful, but once it's back in place, it's tender but useable.

So why am I posting this here? This has ended my ability to go detecting. Even while wearing a back brace and kneeling on both knees, during the act of digging a plug, it pops and I'm finished and have to make the slow walk to the car in screaming pain.
This not only prohibits me from detecting, but afterwards simple things around the house are off the table for about a week. I have to give up our favorite hobby so I can maintain the ability to perform necessary tasks around the house and do my job.

A couple years ago when it first happened, I told my GP doctor about the spine and he sent me for X-rays and they revealed signs of arthritis and disc narrowing in that area. I have an appt with a new GP next week to discuss options in hopes of fixing this.
I am about 20lbs overweight, so I know that isn't helping. I do stomach crunches and stair climbing to try and keep my core strong, but it hasn't helped with this particular issue.

I can't be the only one here who has had something similar happen to them and was wondering what your solution was to get back into the fight?

I can sympathize with you. I don't have back issues nearly as bad as you, but I do have arthritis in my lower middle back that gives me issues. I hope that maybe the Dr.'s can come up with some sort of a treatable plan that can give you some much needed relief. I hate it that this has caused you to not be able to detect. Maybe take a buddy with you. You can locate and pinpoint and let your hunting pard dig the plug where you want have to stoop or bend and risk hurting your back. Just a thought, and Best of Luck to you.

 

[Ism]

Thank you for your replies and suggestions. I will try the backward setups suggested.
I do have a bow flex which is a lot like a cable machine that I can do some of the resistance band exercises on.

Odanscoils, I fear that fusion might be the solution to this particular issue. Thanks for the advice on Dr's.

 

[Odanscoils]

Thank you for your replies and suggestions. I will try the backward setups suggested.
I do have a bow flex which is a lot like a cable machine that I can do some of the resistance band exercises on.

Odanscoils, I fear that fusion might be the solution to this particular issue. Thanks for the advice on Dr's.

Your welcome.
Hope everything works out for you.

 

[Odanscoils]

Thank you for your replies and suggestions. I will try the backward setups suggested.
I do have a bow flex which is a lot like a cable machine that I can do some of the resistance band exercises on.

Odanscoils, I fear that fusion might be the solution to this particular issue. Thanks for the advice on Dr's.

If you start side pulls two Rules.
Or any of the twisting movements.
Start Very light. Like 5-10 lbs.
It will seem easy. Though
Your core is Not used to this.
Can very easily injure yourself.
Just the movement is enough to start.
After a week or two. If it feels good.
Increase a few lbs.
Took me 8 months building up to two hour workouts to get to my max level.

The next is symmetry.
Do exact number of reps on each side.
Not doing this can really mess things up.

And No fast jerky movements.

Just 5-10 reps to start.

Any sharp pains. Stop


I'd like to know how this works for you.
Just light, slow, and easy.

 

[Monkeys Uncle]

An exercise that helped me as follows:
The lower spine is naturally curved inwards. Lie flat on a hard surface (floor). Raise knees by bringing your feet towards your buttocks. Now use your lower abdomen muscles and try to flatten your lower "curved" spine against the floor. Hold for a few seconds (10 - 20) and then release. Repeat 6 - 10 times. Get up by rolling onto your side and use a chair or stool to help you get back onto your feet. Repeat the process a cpl of time per day. It was taught to me by a Dr. and it helped relieve the pain for me. Hope it helps you!

Oh...and don't "slouch" when sitting.

 

[possum _ MO]

When I bulged a disc a few years ago, I could not walk , sit or stand. It sucked crawling around the house on my hands and knees. I finally went to a back clinic. They had a doc, a chiropractor, physical therapists and a spinal decomp machine. They got me going again, Now after 3 years, finally no back pain. I still do my exercises and do not lift much. I am almost 67 and so thankful.
The clinic I went to only recommended surgery as a last resort. But if you got narrowing and arthritis, you might need it. Ask your new doc alot of questions. Can it be fixed with any non surgery, etc. I wish you well.

 

[Odanscoils]

Feeling old. Feeling weak. Difficulty walking. That's me.
This has my interest in a big way.
Though where do I find them ?
Anyone have any experience with them ?
This is Not a commercial or add.

 

[Ism]

An exercise that helped me as follows:
The lower spine is naturally curved inwards. Lie flat on a hard surface (floor). Raise knees by bringing your feet towards your buttocks. Now use your lower abdomen muscles and try to flatten your lower "curved" spine against the floor. Hold for a few seconds (10 - 20) and then release. Repeat 6 - 10 times. Get up by rolling onto your side and use a chair or stool to help you get back onto your feet. Repeat the process a cpl of time per day. It was taught to me by a Dr. and it helped relieve the pain for me. Hope it helps you!

Oh...and don't "slouch" when sitting.

I laughed out loud about the slouching while seated....Guilty as charged.
Good advice though, I will now be conscious of it because of your post.
Bad Monkey!

 

[Ism]

When I bulged a disc a few years ago, I could not walk , sit or stand. It sucked crawling around the house on my hands and knees. I finally went to a back clinic. They had a doc, a chiropractor, physical therapists and a spinal decomp machine. They got me going again, Now after 3 years, finally no back pain. I still do my exercises and do not lift much. I am almost 67 and so thankful.
The clinic I went to only recommended surgery as a last resort. But if you got narrowing and arthritis, you might need it. Ask your new doc alot of questions. Can it be fixed with any non surgery, etc. I wish you well.

67 also. Doc recommended PT first, gave me a script. I have a place in town that I can go so fairly convenient.
I don't want surgery, but if necessary, I will do it.

 

[possum _ MO]

The doc at the back clinic did not like to recommend surgery because of the scar tissue that forms and you could have more problems later.
If the pain comes and goes that may be a good thing. Its the pain that comes and never leaves is where surgery is needed. My brother in law had constant pain,
which was caused by a burr on his bone that was poking the nerve. He had surgery and it was good for a few years. He started getting more pain, checked in with the surgeon
and the surgeon refused to cut him open again. I have since met other people that had back surgery, and are doing fine. If the PT gives you a list of exercises, follow them religiously!
The PT also said that when you have pain , stop, dont try to push thru it, you will make it worse. Back injuries seem to take alot of time to heal. I wish you well, there are better days ahead.

 

[IDB]

The doc at the back clinic did not like to recommend surgery because of the scar tissue that forms and you could have more problems later.
If the pain comes and goes that may be a good thing. Its the pain that comes and never leaves is where surgery is needed. My brother in law had constant pain,
which was caused by a burr on his bone that was poking the nerve. He had surgery and it was good for a few years. He started getting more pain, checked in with the surgeon
and the surgeon refused to cut him open again. I have since met other people that had back surgery, and are doing fine. If the PT gives you a list of exercises, follow them religiously!
The PT also said that when you have pain , stop, dont try to push thru it, you will make it worse. Back injuries seem to take alot of time to heal. I wish you well, there are better days ahead.

Know how you feel about being out the fight. About a year and half ago I had a stroke in the cerebellum that affected my breathing so bad I looked worst than those people in the heart valve adds. Dr tested my heart and lungs nothing showed .At the same time I had cervical stenosis that was pinching nerves that affected my breathing. I go tomorrow to get a epidural in my neck . If that doesn’t work it’s surgery I guess.