back and neck

[bluebird305]

I have had serious back pain in lower region, and it is scaring me.  I am 65 and I am afraid my bones are falling apart.  I have osteoarthritis.  I also experience bone cracking in my neck.  The same for my knees.  I can almost tell when it's going to rain.  The back pain starts as soon as I get up in the morning.  After I have taken a muscle relaxer it is still there but only slightly.  I do not want to become dependent on pill.  I have hepc and cirrosis of the liver.  Can you shed a little light on my problem.  Thanks a bunch  Bluebird

[4Maddie44]

You must not do strenuous lifting if you have back pain.  Gentle exercise is what you need, nothing heavy.  

I am so very sorry you are depressed.  I know how that feels, as I am also on depression site.

Of course I am not sorry I asked how you are, I truly want to know, as I like to hear how other people are doing, and I feel supporting each other is a lot of help, well it is for me anyway.  I really care about other people.  I care about you.  

Please, please keep in touch as I need a friend.

[bluebird305]

Hi I'm back  (lol)  I want to thank you for all your support.  I think exercise has helped, however I do not think strenuous lifting will help.  I preform for the seniors at various nursing places, and I have always given a very energetic preformance .  I jump around alot.  I am scared of not being able to do that.  I have recently lost on of my children, so I have been very down and depressed.  I do think that also has alot to do with me staying in bed too much.  You are probley sorry you asked how I'm doing now huh?  Oh well back to the drawing board.  Hope all of you have a blessed day, after all that is all we do have.  One day at a time.  

[4Maddie44]

Hello how are you doing?

[4Maddie44]

I have several books about helping with back ache and they all advocate doing gentle exercises.  Physiotherapist at hospital told me to take glucosamine and showed me some exercises.  Also yesterday the osteopath told me best exercise is to lie on back and draw both knees to chest and just gently rock.  This opens up the spaces between facets in spine and eases them.

I am still a bit sore from the manipulation yesterday, but pain has eased.  I will see osteopath twice more.  He showed me a photo of my back and I have a very big hollow, and my muscles were in spasm, and although his manipulation hurt it freed up the tightness.

We all get arthritis as we age, as we cannot stop the wear and tear.  Like you, I do not like taking too many pain killers.  I think it best to keep moving, and not lie around too much.  Muscles then weaken and will not support spine.  My doctor said this week it is important to strengthen muscles.  She gave me a leaflet from Arthritis site with exercises.  I have already been on arthritis sites, and they give some good information about how to manage.  

Don't be scared, a lot of people manage by gentle exercising.  I know it is difficult when the back pain is bad, and of course we have to rest when it is acute, but do try to do a little walking or similar when it eases a bit.  

Have you see a doctor about this?  I highly recommend seeing an osteopath.

[bluebird305]

Thanks alot guys

[4Maddie44]

Hello I am 73 and also have osteoarthritis in my spine.  I have had bad back ache recently, so today went to see an osteopath to ease my pain.  Costs a lot, and I don't have much money, but it is worth it if pain is eased. I saw my doctor yesterday and offered co-codamol tablets, but I am loathe to take them as they can cause dependence.  

I had depression for over 20 years and recently it took me 10 mon ths to withdraw from them.  I don't want to become dependant on other medication.  I do exercise to help my back.  Bones don't fall apart I can assure you.  

Perhaps you would like to see someone who can help you with some manipulation like bozana and myself.

[bozana64]

Hello,

I had also back pain problems, but here are enough ciropractics and they did help me.
For knees we have one therapist: she does it with the coatings of the resin. She does it also for whole spine, but in that case person can't sleep. If you find somebody doing this therapy it helps for knees (people are very satisfied).
Hope, you find at least something.

Hug to you!
B.