Bluesville

33yrs old and I'm starting to have back issues. I know I need to go to a Chiropractor but before I do does anyone have any tips that helps with lower back pain or back aches in general? Or what they do on the road and at home that helps keep their back pain at bay.

I have a low sharp pain in my lower left side in the nerve but it comes and goes. These old college football injuries are starting to come out and show their ugly face and I would recommend to anyone who has kids who want to play in the college level or beyond to seriously think about their overall health down the road. Even at the gym don't do any exercise that compresses the spine.

Stay well guys and gals. Do something you enjoy or meaningful today.

WhiskeyDelta

I know you said you'll go to a chiropractor but I just want to lend major support to that plan. My guy could tell from my x-rays what seat I sat in. All of the combined years of repetitive motions created a pretty good curve in my spine. I was sold after that. Since everything in the body is impacted by the spine, I think you'll appreciate the time and money you'll put into regular adjustments.

After I started going, he recommended an inflatable back pillow. I found one made by Relax the Back that self-inflates and has a small footprint for traveling.

CaptYoda

I had some back pain due to degenerative disks and about 4 sessions of physical therapy solved the problem. I also found relief seeing a Chiropractor for an occasional adjustment. There are plenty of good videos on you-tube that can also guide you. The big thing I was told as well is that walking is really good for your back, and to lose weight if you are overweight. A belly will make your back situation worse in the long run.

Bucknut

I would have your family doctor order an MRI before seeing a Chiropractor. If you have a nerve issue, having a Chiropractor crank on your back before finding out what the problem is can cause the problem to become much worse. Also keep in mind that studies have shown repetitive adjustments can cause arthritis. This is coming from some one that use to see a Chiropractor on a regular basis. I now get a cortisone injection if my back really acts up and try to stay as active as possible which is tough in this business.

rickair7777

Nowhere in my body's owner's manual does it say I need to get my back adjusted every 3,000 miles. Chiropractic technique can apparently be helpful to treat some issues, but probably not a good idea to do it routinely just because. You get one guess why that practice came about

But if your back is healthy, some compressive exercises such as squats are probably good for your back (moderate weight).

Excessive ab workouts are known to degrade dics, your back just wasn't designed to bend 800 times, five days a week. Make sure you do only back-safe ab routines, and only a moderate amount. My abs are just great with once or twice a week.

And root of all evil for backs in the gym...twisting workouts, your back was definitely not designed to bend while twisting hundreds of times per day. Avoid like the plague.

I had some back pain about ten years ago (nothing degenerative), the fix was to get back into the gym with a holistic strength training program. Abs, squats, deadlifts seem to do the trick. Heavy weights not required.

Flyhayes

I'm terrible at following my own advice, but don't sit on your wallet.

F9 Driver

You're 30% more likely to have surgery, including all the attendant changes to your life, if you have diagnostic films before three months post injury. Whether you choose surgery or PT, the data bears out that, of the two procedures, intense PT had a much better track record of recovery had almost the exact chance of a good outcome as an intense interdiciplinary physical therapy does, and the PT doesn't have any side effects except pain.physical therapy six week program does,

Read this recently published book. A good idea of treatments, old and cutting edge, that work and ones that don't. The author has bad back problems herself, and describes the physical and psychological aspects of disability dead on.

https://www.amazon.com/Crooked-Outwi...s=crooked+book

Great if you've got Auduble.com. The author narrates the book.

Lose weight (cut out most of the booze and watch the lbs roll off), get some GOOD training (not the free three lessons at 24hr Fitness) to strengthen and make flexible your glutes, quads, hamstrings and core. It's work, but you'll have a better life and longer career taking care of your body.

Or start reading the million page plan documentation now, before it changes in three months, to figure out what you can do about it if you get hurt.

Getting old is rough.