Back pain relief?

[Kenneth Winslow]

Ever since my first year in the Navy I've had chronic lower back pain from handling scores of 70# boxes.
Over the years it really gets uncomfortable after sitting in a car for more than two hours.
Now that I'm looking at a return road trip of two full days driving I'm going to have to try something.
I've been using lower back support for a long time, and it makes a big difference. However now I'm seriously considering some sort of pain reliever.
Any suggestions?
The only thing I can think of is Bayer Back and Body, since I haven't taken anything in years and I don't have anything on hand.

[creationliberty]

It really comes down to proper stretching of the muscles, and how when they are not stretched, the pull on the bones, which causes numerous types of back pain. I could not advise you unless I knew more, and even then, it is a complex subject for me because of how many different things can cause the problem.

[Kenneth Winslow]

The pain emanates from the left side about four inches above the belt line, and when it gets intense it can go down the back of the upper part of my left leg.

One thing I do is squat as low as I can, about 2 or 3 inches from the floor, and 'sit' like that for a couple of minutes. I do that a few times a day. That really stretches my lower back and always provides at least temporary relief.
Rolling my fists/knuckles on either side of my spine in that area, messaging the muscles, helps a little too.

[Jeanne]

A good calcium/magnesium supplement would be good. One thing Dave Janda recommends (and uses himself for his arthritis pain) is Steuart's Pain Formula. It's a topical cream using all natural ingredients, so no drugs.


The pain going down your leg sounds like sciatica, which is a pinched sciatic nerve.

[creationliberty]

But identifying a pinched nerve does not do anything for anyone. It does not solve the problem. The reason nerves get pinched is because there is pressure from something else pinching them. That could be bones, and bones shift because of muscle pressure. And there is muscle pressure due to tight muscles for what could be a variety of reasons.

For example, Lorraine has had chronic back pain because her fourth rib on her right side has been out of alignment. Some of my back pain has been due to tight hamstrings. I cannot diagnose anyone else simply because I am not educated enough on the muscle/bone structure, but I would recommend a physical therapist. They are more expensive than your average physician visit, but they can educate you on those things. I would be visiting one myself if I could afford it on a regular basis.

[mrs.creationliberty]

Having a weak core can also contribute to back pain. I too would recommend seeing a physical therapist. They can give you exercises to do that will help solve the problem. I saw one right after I got pregnant last year cause I knew that if I didn't solve my back pain then it was only going to get waaaay worse. I went 3 times over the course of 9 weeks and it helped a great deal. If you are up front with them about what you need they will work with you as best as they can.

[mpeay7]

Dear Kenneth
I know your pain. Look we share a name! ( Almost)

I (likely) herniated a disc from baking and I'm almost certain you may be feeling that now. It is unbearable and can put you out of commission.
Let me give you some facts and tips on how to start healing. It is a long road, but it is possible to heal. Considering there are no other health complications with the spine.

Fact
Herniated discs are very common injuries and most people will sustain this injury ( according to statistics) at least once in their life.


Tips
Tiger Balm Extra Strength has been very relieving. Especially after bathing in warm water.

Fortify the spine. I wear a corset every day now. If I do not wear it, it issues pain at the herniation.
I wear a corset for women. There are men's corsetiers.
I just want to add this quick note: If you are looking for a mens corset, you will find strange men dressed in cabaret, or worse.
I must add, that all pharmaceutical back braces are based off of the design of the corset. The back brace is not a novel idea and evolved from corsets. It is possible to find a proper pharmaceutical back brace, but they can be uncomfortable, plastic, and less visually appealing. You may need to go to a specialist to be perscribed a special brace, and it may need to be custom made.
I'm not trying to sell a men's corset to you, I just want to offer you what has brought me healing and relief. I can go without my corset sometimes, with no pain. When I originally injured the spine, I could not walk, sit, stand.

A proper mens corset does not (should not) give you an hourglass shape. It is not hard to breath in, and it is easy to tie yourself.

I have a Mueller velcro wrapping brace that does work for temporary excursions. It does not offer anything close to what my corset does.

Just remember that some of the sanitary women's products for menstruations evolved from WW1 and WW2, men using similar product to save lives.
Men wear skirts called Kilts in Scotland.
God has made room for fabric in this life, that is why he outfitted vegetarians Adam and Eve with animal skin clothing.

This link will lead to an etsy website for the Peartree Tailor in Kansas. There are no inappropriate pictures, just a man fully clothed in a corset designed to look like a vest.



I hope these two tips will help

https://www.etsy.com/listing/815027575/mens-corset-vest-size-xl?ref=shop_home_active_2&frs=1&sca=1

[Anna G]

Ever since my first year in the Navy I've had chronic lower back pain from handling scores of 70# boxes.
Over the years it really gets uncomfortable after sitting in a car for more than two hours.
Now that I'm looking at a return road trip of two full days driving I'm going to have to try something.
I've been using lower back support for a long time, and it makes a big difference. However now I'm seriously considering some sort of pain reliever.
Any suggestions?

Hi Kenneth

You may want to investigate sleeping on the floor as this can be very good for the back. I advise researching it properly because you need to support different areas of your body, e.g. it’s good to have pillows under the knees, and some people need support under the lumbar area. Of course, everybody has different pain/needs, so it’s best to trial what support works for you individually. You may also want to look into the height and thickness of your pillow as this will also affect your sleeping position and therefore your back.

Anyway, I hope this information blesses you.