Back problems?

[matt87]

Anyone have any back problems? The store I used to work at I was lifting conrete one time into a vehicle and hurt my back, it gradually got better to where I didn't even think about it much anymore. But here latey I've begun to notice it again. It's not a sharp pain or anything, it's like a dull pain in the lower left part of my back, generally when I sit down. I do cardio and stuff like running twice a week, but I was curious if anyone could relate without me having to spend $$$$

[Cinnamon]

I never had back problems until after a couple years on the dept....it's called the gun belt. And I just get massages every now and then for my lower back. And just grin and bear it.

[Firestorm]

I was injured about three years ago. One of my injuries included my lower back. I had to see a chiropractor and undergo a year of therapy. If you're looking for something to strengthen your back, talk to your doctor and he can advise you on what to do.

[matt87]

Thanks guys, I'll probably give it a little while and see if it subsides, just wanted to see what kind of problems others were possibly having.

[hopefull]

Are you stretching enough? If you have tight hamstrings or hips, that can cause back pain. Running can really tighten them up. If I don't stretch out a couple times a week, my lower back will start to ache.

[Valor55]

Get some family/friends recommendations for a good chiropractor. I went in for some back pain in my neck recently. Not only was that fixed but the Dr. found where I have had recurring problems in my lower back since childhood and is now working on fixing that. I highly recommend it if you can find a reputable one near you.

[JakeLock]

I agree, get to a doc and get it checked out. Years ago when I was in Vegas I pulled the muscles on either side of my spine lifting 20 mil cans. I've only gone to a doc once but the difference was incredible, I threw it out again about a month ago so it's just about time to get it realigned again. Take care of it now when you're still young, the older you get the harder it will be to fix. -Jake

[matt87]

Thanks for the responses guys, generally I don't complain about body problems too much but seeing as how I want to be a future LEO your body is all you have. I definitely don't stretch enough, I just stretch before I go run, I'll start stretching more. Today, knock on wood, so far my back feels fine. Hopefully it stays that way.

[Valor55]

Thanks for the responses guys, generally I don't complain about body problems too much but seeing as how I want to be a future LEO your body is all you have. I definitely don't stretch enough, I just stretch before I go run, I'll start stretching more. Today, knock on wood, so far my back feels fine. Hopefully it stays that way.

I found that lack of pain doesn't necessarily indicate things are healed. My lower back, where I usually have problems, doesn't hurt but is completely out of whack. The pain goes away because that "out of whack" becomes normal for the muscles and back but it is still causing nerve problems in other places. Go get it checked by a reputable chiropractor.

[matt87]

I found that lack of pain doesn't necessarily indicate things are healed. My lower back, where I usually have problems, doesn't hurt but is completely out of whack. The pain goes away because that "out of whack" becomes normal for the muscles and back but it is still causing nerve problems in other places. Go get it checked by a reputable chiropractor.

You're right, I've noticed it off and on again today. :( What did they do to fix your neck problem? I just hope its not srious. Thanks val and others.

[Valor55]

You're right, I've noticed it off and on again today. :( What did they do to fix your neck problem? I just hope its not srious. Thanks val and others.

They used an electrical device to measure muscle tension and made a computerized map of my back where I had problems. It was measuring electrical current through the muscles. It clearly showed my current pain by my neck and then showed the region where I have a history of back pain. I never mentioned my lower back so I was impressed she discovered that and it leant a huge amount of credibility to what was going on for me. Then she basically gave me a very painful muscle massage trying to loosen up the muscles. Then I laid down on a table and they put pads on my back where the muscles were really tense. A machine passed electrical current through the muscle. This I could feel but it didn't hurt. You could feel the tingling and the muscles twitching. This loosened them up and relaxed them further.

With all the muscles relaxed the doctor finally did the adjustment. This is the stuff you hear about where they twist you in a pretzel and "pop" your back and neck. The popping isn't bones cracking it is the release of gas built up in the joints. I was really sore the first day after but not again. I was sore because the muscles were trying to twist my back into its previous tensed up and out of whack position.

The first couple weeks I went several times a week. Each time there was less popping because we were retraining my muscles and back to stay where it was supposed to instead of tensing back up out of whack. Now I am at once a week appointments and soon I'll be at once a month for maintenance. So we've almost finished training my back muscles to stop twisting my back out of whack. As they get used to being in the correct position there is less popping during the adjustment and a lot less soreness. The first adjustment was the worst for soreness and after that everything feels much better.

[matt87]

Thanks for the reply, Valor. Pretty interesting technique used, I'll definitely be looking into the chiropractor. Unfortunately I'm having to fight off a stomach flu right now.:mad:

Thanks again

[ratmaster]

i have always had a weak and aching lower back since the early teens. now, i noticed MAJOR differences when i started working out my lower back at the gym. over a couple of weeks my lower back muscles started to strengthen and the soreness started to dissapate.

the back is a touchy subject though, and i am no doctor, just letting you know my case.

[matt87]

i have always had a weak and aching lower back since the early teens. now, i noticed MAJOR differences when i started working out my lower back at the gym. over a couple of weeks my lower back muscles started to strengthen and the soreness started to dissapate.

the back is a touchy subject though, and i am no doctor, just letting you know my case.

Thanks dude, you make a good point. It hasn't bothered me too much here lately, every once in a while I'll feel it but I can live with.

[scarlet_tunic]

Does anyone find back braces work for them?

I just bought one, as I've changed jobs recently (from sitting a lot, to lifting/carrying large bulky packages). I've heard that they weaken muscles, but others have told me they keep everything in line. Any thoughts?

Also, does anyone suggest wearing one under your vest? (More of a logistics question really.)