The Alternative Healthcare Thread

Hi, all;

Well, here's the other shoe  . . .  Who knows what causes these things, but, without any prior warning, I woke up with lower back pain yesterday morning, and it's gotten nothing but worse.  First ice, then heat, have given me temporary relief, but have not stayed the progression.  I have some experience with back troubles (a tad of instability at S5/L1), and know the usual postural precautions, but spasm and inflammation are my closest companions at the moment.  As I type, I am standing with my laptop on a makeshift stand, as sitting seems to exacerbate the instability. 

I was about to head to my library and study up on herbal antiinflammatories, and realized that I might try to throw this question out there for any of our resident herbalists, or just regular folks who have been using home remedies.  Any information, whether herbal or other therapeutic strategies, would be most appreciated.  My garden is in full swing, and I can't be on my can when I should be at my canner . .  .

 Well I am anxious to hear what advise you get .    We danced way to long last night and  am toooo old to keep up with the younger ones .  It  always uses muscles I  do not use regularly !!!  I have a real catch in my getalong  this morning . Buggers it stinks getting old .... not wiser that is for sure .

I am not old . . . doggonit!    Just crippled, today . . . . I'll go back to being old tomorrow . . . .

 Hey C1.   Gerson Therapy will kill cancer and Tumeric will help with back pain.  about 5 to 6 grams a day.  

 Hi C1oudfire,

While your description of your ailment was all to brief for an accurate assessment, I would like to suggest that the most likely cause (by statistical average) of your low back pain is trigger points in the Quadratus Lumborum muscle that is found deep in the low back region. For more information about trigger points, please visit my wife's website www.painwhisperer.com. I suggest that you start here, and then use our Pain Mapper to identify and learn more about the specific trigger points that may be involved with your condition. Also, I would suggest that you avoid apply ice, as this aggravates trigger points.

Hope this helps.

(Edit: I'm not trying to sell you anything, just providing some info)

FWIW (and admittedly I'm a biased witness here), learning the concepts taught in Pilates -- and making it a regular part of your fitness regimen -- will (in the absence of a serious structural issue [herniated/ruptured disc et al.] and sometimes even in spite of such) alleviate or entirely cure one of low back pain.  Assuming you find a competent instructor and are diligent in your practice, Pilates will add decades of pain-free daily function to your body.  In our practice, we've had instances of near-miraculous recovery amongst clients w/back issues.  YMMV.  

Viva -- Sager

Sager,

I agree with you by and large but while Pilates is an excellent fitness and treatment modality, with all due respect, your statements may be a bit overly optimistic.  Been there, done it, have taught courses on the subject matter (at the undergraduate, graduate, and post graduate levels), written articles and chapters in textbooks, etc.  Qi gong, tai chi, hatha yoga, Trager Approach, Alexander Method, Feldenkraise Method, etc., etc., could also be effective but are all generalized, not specific and prescriptive, approaches.  All are good, none are a cure-all.  All have their strengths and weaknesses.  I've seen many, many successes and some failures with all of these and other approaches and combinations thereof.

A primary problem with this subject area and that back pain is lumped into a general category by far too many health professionals including physicians.  In fact, the sources of back pain are so varied and multitudinous that to advocate any one intervention for back pain without more precisely knowing its source (be that intervention surgery, injections, or conservative treatment including movement or manual therapy, medication, nutrition, psychology, magnets, chicken entrails, or what have you) is a disservice to the public (although the lay public thinks of it in the same way, unfortunately).  That's why a thorough differential diagnosis by someone who fully understands the biochemical, biomechanical, neurophysiological, and psychoemotional components of spinal pain is important before making any blanket recommendations.

C1oudire,

See my comment to Sager.  Sight unseen, unless the person is Edgar Cayce, no one will no for certain what type of intervention would be best for your back pain.  However, based on the information that you provided, if I had to make a guess, I would guess your low back pain is discogenic in origin, brought on by sustained and/or repeated flexion with gardening, and this is the most accessible available source that, IMHO, would provide you with some of the information necessary to self treat your problem.   

http://www.amazon.com/Treat-Your-Back-Robin-McKenzie/dp/0959774661

Hi, JK;

Thanks for the reminder about turmeric.  I'd forgotten about it's role as an antiinflammatory.  I've got a mason jar full of the stuff, but no capsules on hand.  Any suggestions of how I can take it without capsules?  Also, would you recommend divided doses, or a single daily dose? 

Hi, Jeff;

After reviewing your links, I can say that it's pretty clear that both the iliopsoas and quadratus lumborum are involved, bilaterally.  On palpation, my husband can clearly follow a vertical muscle along my spine in rocky hard spasm.  Also, any activity on my feet is painful.  My pelvis feels unstable when walking.  But also, I have bilateral pain in the lower abdomen, whose presence is directly related to position and the intensity of back pain.  It occurs simultaneously with muscle spasm type pain in certain positions. 

From past instruction by a highly skilled sports physical therapist, I can detect that my pelvis seems to be slightly rotated posteriorly on the right.  Viewed from the front, the landmarks on my anterior iliac spine are 1/4 to 1/2 inch lower on the right than the left.  If, while looking in the mirror, I make a conscious effort to correct this, I am rewarded with some pain relief, but it is unsustainable d/t the intensity of muscle spasm.  I am normally quite flexible, but my range of motion is limited now, to some degree by pain, but even more so by spasm.  Bending forward is the most severely restricted movement.   

Second to the hot bath, the most useful intervention I've found is laying on a hard surface.  I slept on the floor last night, with lower legs on a stool, all joints at 90 degrees.  I can also lay on either side, on a firm surface, with knees/hips in 90 degree flexion.  Except for the pressure on hips and sacrum (I don't have much padding), I'm relatively comfortable in these positions, after a few minutes. 

Because I can lay on either side, I doubt that the gluteus medius is involved, but my pelvis does feel unstable when walking.  As described on your wife's site, I do find myself supporting my upper body with my arms to avoid pain.

I concur that ice is not useful.  I applied it soon after initial pain onset, and the progression of muscle spasm involvement accelerated from there.  Heat was initially useful, and warm bath or massage yields a temporary partial, but much welcome relief. 

Right now, I'm relatively comfortable, but doped to the gills with Flexeril and ibuprofen, out of desperation.  I disdain both drugs as any kind of long-term solution. I can only hope that this post makes sense . . .

I doubt a disc problem, as I was right as rain until waking up two days ago, and there was no heavy lifting or awkward positions in the period preceding onset.  I did, however, spend more time sitting, than is my usual habit. 

I am impressed with the specificity of your wife's website, and would like to pursue trigger point therapy.

Thank you so much for your response.