Back pain!

[beastman123]

I have been suffering with back pain for almost a year now, which all started with my back getting really tight.  I went to the company doctor and was told I had a rib sticking out only later to find out that I had a fractured rib at my T6 level.  I recently took an MRI and the report reads.....L3-L4 1mm broad based disc bulging, L4-L5 1mm broad based disc bulging with mild hydotrophy and L5-S1 1-2mm central bulging disc with mild hydortophy.  The pain I have been having is when I walk my back starts to hurt and when I sit down my back really starts to hurt like if someone was kicking me in the back!  I am also limited in the amount of weight I can lift because of the pain.  Can anyone give me an idea what the problem is?

[beastman123]

Thank you for the information I am sure it will help me out.  I have tried physical therapy, i've been to the chiropractor and have even done acupuncture and nothing seems to be helping me out.  At this point I don't know what other options I have on my table right now and really worried about my job since I am the only one the works right now.

[lilly434]

It sounds like you have 3 bulging discs.  I have a herniated disc myself so unfortunately I know more about backs than I'd like to.  Your your disc hasn't herniated yet so you are in luck.  Do not pick up heavy items till your back feels better and even then, lift with your legs and not with your back.  If you apply too much pressure to your back by lifting heavy items incorrectly you can rupture your discs and then pain will get much worse.  When you're sitting, you need to sit correctly and that means your behind needs to touch the back of your seat and you need to put something in the small of your back and make sure the back of your shoulders are touching the chair.  You'll get used to this after a while and it will seem natural.

The list of things to do and not to do are pretty basic but I can't explain them all here and I can't post links to sites that have all this stuff listed out.  But, if you want, send me a message and I can give you the links from there.