Years of pain.

[Kayliegh78]

I am 32 and have suffered from back pain for as long as i can remember.  Since having my 2 boys it has become progressively worse.  I have had mri's done and they showed DDD and bulging disks.  I am also starting to suffer from sciatica in the past year which is greatly affecting my mobility due to the pain.  I have been to a pain management clinic that just pushed narcotics to block the pain but i want a treatment not a disguise for the pain.  Narcotics and me don't mix well, i have been on them so much in the past that my body gets addicted and then it is hard to stop so i would rather not start.  i have started to try exercising and losing some weight to try to help but the pain is unbearable most days.  Can you suggest anything that help.  

[Kayliegh78]

Thank you for all your help everyone.  You have given me alot to research and investigate and speak to my doctor about.  I finally have a doctor that is working with me to find ways that will work for me.  Our first priority is in find me a new PMP.  We both agree that wieght loss will help a bit.  He just hope that i can get past whatever scares me the most about surgery as he says it will happen eventually.  I will need to repair my back if i want to continue to walk and run with my kids.  
Yes Jaded i do get spasms on a regular basis and even just the slightest touch brings tears to my eyes.  I find that i can handle the back pain better then the nerve pain.  maybe because i  have been dealing with it for so long.  
Thanx again everyone!  There is hope yet!

[JadedSweetheart]

Massage is great for breaking up muscle spasms, but it can be very painful if you have a big spasm that they need to work out.  I have also had them use ultrasound on the spasms to get them to release.  That doesn't hurt at all.  The most effective was when they massaged the muscles, then used the ultrasound.  
They have also done traction, which I enjoy, and the tens-unit.  
I don't know if you have muscle spasms as a result of the other pain.  My nerve pain causes spasms, and the spasms pull the vertebrae further out of place like a viscious cycle.  Physical Therapy did seem to help and I am planning on vigorously pursuing it again when I am free to do it.  I have been told the physical therapy is one of the best ways to put off or prevent surgery and in some cases it can physically help the condition as opposed to just treating the symptoms.
Are you currently seeing a doctor at all for the condition and/or the pain?  You may have good luck in finding a different PMP.  They can vary a lot in the treatments that they do.  Some don't do any procedures and prescribe a lot of medication, others only do procedures and therapy and don't like to prescribe anything.  I prefer to have a doctor somewhere in the middle.
I hope that you're able to get the therapy and relief that you need soon!  Being a mom is hard work.  Being a mom in chronic pain is like running a marathon every day.

[skmedlin27703]

Guided imagery is one that has worked well for me....

[sandee1818]

Here are some alternative treatments...
If analgesic tablets or prescription painkillers aren't helping you manage your discomfort, it may be time to explore a more natural type of pain relief.

There exists a range of therapies known as either complementary medicine
(used in addition to traditional Western therapies)
or alternative medicine (used in place of traditional Western therapies),
and devotees have used them for conditions as minor as a headache and as
major as cancer.

Studies suggest that a low-fat, high-fiber diet may help to stave off aches and pains. In addition, certain anti-inflammatory spices, such as ginger, cinnamon, and cilantro, may have therapeutic effects
and play an important role in chronic pain management.


The National Pain Foundation endorses a comprehensive list of nontraditional remedies, below. See which ones work for you:

Acupuncture.
This ancient Chinese practice involves inserting long, thin needles into various points on the body. The idea behind this is that optimal health is achieved when energy flows freely through
the body, and the needles remove any blockages of this energy.
Acupuncture has been used successfully to alleviate pain from musculoskeletal issues as well as headaches.
Massage.
Not just a perk for wealthy spa-goers, massage has in recent years come to be recognized as important to overall health.
It reduces muscle tension and stress, can relieve soreness, and may
even boost your immune system.

Biofeedback.
This teaches you to focus on your body's response to pain and stress via a monitoring system that gives off sounds or visual cues whenever your muscles tense.
Eventually you become able to use nothing more t
than conscious thought to change your physiological response to a particular type of stress on your body.

Hypnosis.
Popular as a cure for smoking as well as overeating, hypnosis can also be used to manage pain.
A trained clinician induces an altered state of consciousness, making you more receptive to suggestions of behavioral changes that can reduce your pain.
For instance, if you suffer from chronic lower back pain,
under hypnosis you might be taught to visualize your back muscles opening up. Some people can even learn to hypnotize themselves.

Guided imagery.
This involves imagining yourself in a peaceful setting.
The more detailed the scene, the more your mind can truly transport you out of your discomfort and into the soothing scene.

Are there any questionable pain-relief remedies?
Yes. Think twice before relying on herbs.

Health-food stores are full of herbal supplements purported to reduce pain, but be careful.
The FDA does not regulate these supplements, and some of them have negative side effects, particularly when combined with over-the-counter pain medications.