Backpain - any idea?

[Heronbrook1]

Firstly I appreciate many others have much worse pain than me and i truly feel for them!! but my mild pain is driving me nuts!!  Im more concerned about what it is than the pain.

I have pain in my mid back - more specifically I have about two joints next to each other that are tender to touch.  They are more tender when in the sitting position and very tender between the two joints.  They give me a dull aching pain.  When I have been sitting for any length of time the pain gets much worse and I need to then lay down to relief the pain.  What is strange is I also feel pain in my xiphoid process (bottom of the sternem round the front).  When I press down on my xiphoid it gives me pain for a few minutes after it which then also turns to a dull ache.  What I find strange is that the symptoms are much less and I feel much better the day after a good workout at the gym.


I also get pain in my back when I try and touch my toes (I cant get anywhere near them!!)
I have had 4 trips to the osteopath and two to the physio.  They always improve my movement in the back but my back joints hurt like hell for the week after.

Whats also weird is that if I play a sport with a lot of twisting ie squash or field hockey, my back aches/hurts really bad ammediately after but the next day my back feels 95% perfect but after a couple of days goes back to square one.

The very worse of the pain is when I have been sitting at a desk all day and my xiphoid process gives me a stabbing like pain.

I am 28 years old 6ft, 13 stone and very active (but not over active).  Generally very good health.

The only other symptoms is aching (but not pain) in my lower back sometimes and numbness down both my arms to the end of my fingertips that comes and goes.

Any ideas??

I have been to the Doctors - and yes you guessed it - they prescribed pain killers!!

I am in the UK

[nuggetone]

My question is have you had a MRI?  Ask for one.  Until I had one they acted as thought it was just a strain and would go away.  But I ended up with surgery and looking at doing it again.  My nuerosurgeon says nooooooooooooo  twisting.  And only do what doesnt hurt.  In other words know your limit.  That is hard for me cause I have always been so active but I have learned to maintain.  Pain pills make me sick so I take somas.  I do hope you get relief.  If your not satisfied with your Dr. Go to another.    Much Luck.  I know what you are going through.  And no I cant touch my toes either.  LOL

[Adamshah82]

Hi,

I have exactly the same symptoms you have mentioned. I have been to see my doctor who was not very helpful. Did you ever find out what it is and have you managed to cure the pain?

I look forward to hearing from you
Regards
Adam

[Heronbrook1]

Sorry - i didnt mean to post that again - was trying to post it to the doctor