At-home back pain tricks?

What are good things I can do to help relive my severe back pain? I have chronic back pain and have had for yrs...so far they havent found the problem but right now Im pre-menstrual and the pain is at it's worst!

Do I use hot or cold packs? what else can I do? I take the dogs for a walk often but sometimes that makes it worse? Right now I take Celebrex & Ultram...yeah, not helping.

[toolmaker]

All though not  reccomended by   some  medical personel "tens unit, heating pad and recliner at full tilt " .That gets me through every evening.

[lyastra]

I would suggest trying a hot soak, and lying flat on the floor with your feet elevated on the sofa.  Another thing you can try, this actually came from my physical therapist, is stand up straight right up against a wall then keeping you back and shoulder straight slide down the wall to a squat, the up again pushing you back into the wall.  Don't squat so low you can't get up, and if it makes it hurt worse, don't do it at all.

I always have microwavable heating pads available that I can pop into the MW and warm up, then I sit against it or wrap it around my neck, which ever one is hurting the worst at the time.  Heat helps me a LOT, cold is my worst enemy.  BUT, everyone is different.  If you google back exercises you will find lots of information and pictures on some ideas of what to do for the pain.

Also I would suggest, if you have not already done so get to a spine specialist (assuming it is your back and not female problems.  If it is female problems, the you really need to tell you gyn just how bad it gets.  Heat across my lower abdomen with the feet elevated position I described above used to help me a lot.

Good Luck, I'm sure there are many others who will come along with some great information.

[brooks1304]

I agree heating pad at times.  But also try a hot bath with epsom salt.  I have tried the Ultram, they do work better than the ibo's given..Maybe you need to talk to your doctor about a pain mangement.  Celbrex is a depression and pain relever combined mostly, but the Ultram, your not suppose to take more than 300 mg a day, then if you have any chance for any epilisy or convulsations you would have to take something for that to