has anyone gone through physical therapy for lower back issues?

[GeorgeG.]

Long story short.... I've been dealing with a lower back injury for about 3 weeks. Nothing new, stems from an old trampoline injury as a kid where I did a forward flip, landed on my butt on the mat and I guess I compressed the discs too much. This left me with a somewhat delicate back that doesn't take much to over do it. I've strained it before when I do something stupid except that in the past, the pain went away after about 4 days. This time not so much. I went to a back specialist and thankfully it doesn't look like I have any bulging discs. The dr. recommended PT for a couple of weeks and if that doesn't help, then we'll get an MRI to take a closer look.

The problem is that PT will run almost $300/hr. I know they mentioned 4 to start but unfortunately I can't really afford that since my job has really shitty insurance with a ridiculous deductible and no co-pay. I'm hoping someone that may have gone through it can share what they did so I can do it at home...it's worth a shot.

old people problems...I know.

[Cooter]

join a yoga class at the Y for pennies

[black2002ls]

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[longshot]

I to have a bad back 3 bulging disc . I have had facet injection on both side of each disc that didn't help and finally rhizotomy ( burning the nerves ) I did a little PT before these procedures with no real results . the rhizotmy helped on the right side but I'm still about 80% better on the left . PT is just a lot of stretching and bending with an emphasis on isolating the painful areas IMHO. if you want to try it at home I'm sure you can find info online that will help you . everything I did at PT I could do at home with a little instruction sheet. I have good days and bad , Norco helps on the bad days. hope this helps good luck.

[black2002ls]

You should focus on improving your core strength and stability. Combine that with increasing flexibility through your hips. Focus stretches that will help stretch your hamstrings this will help flexibilityvthrough your lower back.

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[4bangen]

before I tell you anything, I want you to promise you are not the lawyer of a current or future employer of mine. My back is okay right now, but you never know.

[Snatch Napkin]

Focus on core strength, yoga, and an inversion table.
I've had bulged discs since I was 13.
When picking out an inversion table, price means nothing. I picked mine up at Academy for $99 several years ago. The most important thing to look out for is comfort on your feet and Achilles tendon when upside down.

Start off easy on it. It will hurt the first few times. Always get off the table slowly.

[GeorgeG.]

join a yoga class at the Y for pennies

Yoga is no joke...I can barely hang with the P90X yoga session. I haven't done that in a long time though. Thanks for the suggestion, I'll do it next chance I get.

I to have a bad back 3 bulging disc . I have had facet injection on both side of each disc that didn't help and finally rhizotomy ( burning the nerves ) I did a little PT before these procedures with no real results . the rhizotmy helped on the right side but I'm still about 80% better on the left . PT is just a lot of stretching and bending with an emphasis on isolating the painful areas IMHO. if you want to try it at home I'm sure you can find info online that will help you . everything I did at PT I could do at home with a little instruction sheet. I have good days and bad , Norco helps on the bad days. hope this helps good luck.

thanks for the info. I'm doing some googling right now as well.

You should focus on improving your core strength and stability. Combine that with increasing flexibility through your hips. Focus stretches that will help stretch your hamstrings this will help flexibilityvthrough your lower back.

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Thanks Russell. My core is something that's definitely neglected. Stretching feels good, though I don't do nearly enough of it and I've never really been flexible.

before I tell you anything, I want you to promise you are not the lawyer of a current or future employer of mine. My back is okay right now, but you never know.

lol, no, not a lawyer.

[Cooter]

Yoga is no joke...I can barely hang with the P90X yoga session. I haven't done that in a long time though. Thanks for the suggestion, I'll do it next chance I get.

I'm not talking new style American "yoga".

And maybe the Y isn't the greatest suggestion. Just saying that a good yoga class/instructor can work wonders.

Yoga should help, not hurt IMO. There shouldn't be any trying to "hang" or trying to keep up. It should be theraputic

[4bangen]

I'm not talking new style American "yoga".

And maybe the Y isn't the greatest suggestion. Just saying that a good yoga class/instructor can work wonders.

Yoga should help, not hurt IMO. There shouldn't be any trying to "hang" or trying to keep up. It should be theraputic

this man speaks the truth. And to add to what he said, if it hurts, don't do it!
after my first few back injuries I started yoga. I really felt better than I did before I hurt my back. After I had a car wreck in 09 I had to quit even yoga. I feel like shit to this day. But days I stretch I feel better. I think I'm ready for yoga again. But as I said, if it hurts, don't fucking do it. with all the shit I've been though with my back, I still have the same bottle of pain pills since 2009. My rule is if I cant get out of bed I take a pill. If I can a knuckle through it. That"s how I've kept from hurting it worse.
My biggest fear is being hopped up on pain pills, and doing shit that hurts my back and not knowing it.

[GeorgeG.]

By hanging with it, I meant having the body strength to maintain some of the poses. I use to poke fun (in jest) of a coworker that did yoga but man... it requires some pretty good strength.

I'm the same way with pain pills, I don't want to mask the issue and cause further problems. It seems to be getting a little better day by day. My biggest concern is if it has taken 3+ weeks to heal this time, how long will it take when I'm older...

[robray5.0]

In addition to what everyone else has said, you might try a foam roller for your back, arms, and legs.

[Cooter]

I hear that. It's not easy to get into and hold some poses, but a good instructor will listen to you about what's bothering you and give you stuff to do that focuses on that. They'll also give you alternate poses if you're unable to get into a certain pose. Something that will work the same area without forcing yourself into a mold that you simply can't fit into.

[4bangen]

Last time I heart mine I was given a round of roids. Holy shit! I felt like I was 18 again. lol, but I was really worried I was going to hurt myself while on them. I felt like I could lift a house.

[Captain Crawfish]

Never have been to a dr but any way you can find to decompress your lower back may help. I did a few exercises at home to help relieve the pressure and it seemed to help. The chiropractor has a machine that will actually do this. Back pain can really mess up your life being in pain constantly.