Discussions

Went to Doc they can't do anything to help .  
What are your remdies to help ?

If you’re referring to the type when it brings you pain to bend over, I found the only remedy was to sleep on the floor with my feet propped up on a chair or couch. It took a few days of this when I had them.

Go see a physio, especially if you can find one with a spinal decompression machine. Excercises and decompression really turned my life around.

What place did you go to, and who was your physiotherapist?

I tried a physiotherapist. I tried a chiropractor. I tried drugs prescribed by my doctor. Nothing helped much-the drugs were a complete waste of money, they didn't touch my pain. Then I bought a TENS machine - best $80 I spent. It helped me so much! I now use it once in awhile, here and there, and that is all it takes to keep my back working well and pain free.

I've had episodes of back spasms over the years and I second both TENS and physio. They are the only thing that will help long-term - the TENS helps manage the pain so you can do the exercises the physio will give you to strengthen, stretch and heal the region.  
 
If you have a heart condition, check with your doctor before using a TENS unit. But there's otherwise no drawbacks to using it. Physio is covered by most major health insurance plans (it ought to be part of universal healthcare).

I had a similar problem. Nothing would work, muscles so were so tight chiropractor couldn't adjust. Had a good physio guy(he has since left town). He, after many conventional treatments, did acupuncture and it worked but after a few weeks spasms would return. I then went to the chiropractor a couple of days after the acupuncture when muscles were relaxed. An adjustment was then possible and it worked. Have not had those spasms ever again. Anyway, everyone and situations can obviously different but that is a method that worked for me and got my life back!!

If going the robaxacet route if your stomach can tolerate nsaids get the robax platinum with ibuprofen. My back surgeon said nsaids will have a much more beneficial effect than robaxacet because it is an anti inflammatory whereas robaxacet with acetaminophen will only mask the pain.  
 
That said some people can't take nsaids for a variety of reasons. I ended up on celebrex for some time and found it worked significantly more than anything else.

Tens has done wonders for me with a frozen shoulder  
Q is do any of you know if it should be used for herniated disks apparently mine are low severity?  
Look forward to Abbysmum, response,  
Golly i enjoy reading her responses on many topics, seems so informative and logical and educational and to the point.  
You are a very intelligent person Abby  
Don't ever change  
hagd 1