Back advice?
 

Ok.... I wasn't sure where abouts to post this so please move it if it is in the wrong place :-) Thanks...

I have scoliosis and my back hurts for the majority of my life just mildly but on odd days... such as today I feel like my spine is going to die OUUUUCH. I was wondering if anyone knows some great stretches/positions/massages?/tips for soothing back pain? I don't want to keep pumping painkillers into my body everytime you see. Thanks.

Sophie.x

Hi Sophie. I have scoliosis too, in my lower back. It hurts when I sit or stand in one place for too long, from just below my shoulder blades to below my waist.

There is a book about stretching that was recommended to me. The title is Stretching by Bob Anderson and illustrated by Jean Anderson. Some of the stuff in it is very helpful!

Wow thank your blondiebear. I will definitely look into that book!! I have an S curve the top one being 24 degrees and the bottom one 18 degrees and I get most pain in my shoulder blades you see. Thank you again! Very good advice there!

Sophie.x

It may be worth you seeing a doctor and getting a referral to a physio (or going to privately see a physio). You could also see osteopaths/chiropractors but you usually can't get them on the NHS and they are not always advisable.

It's better for you to keep moving around so that you don't stiffen up but make sure you don't overdo it. Hot water bottles are also good in most cases for back pain. These help to relax your muscles which are spasming and causing the pain. If it happens a lot then it may be worth investing in a TENS machine which are a drug-free way of getting rid of/helping pain by working with your bodies own endorphins. The cheapest place that I've seen them is Lloyd's Pharmacy and they are pretty good. If you want more info on them just ask. You can also take Ibuprofen and Paracetamol (or co-codamol that you can get over the counter) together (stagger when you take them though to make them most use) if you haven't got a prescription for painkillers off your GP.

Also, if there is something that makes it worse, try not to do it and don't put any strain on your back. If your lifting anything make sure you bend your legs.

If you've got problems with your lumbar (lower) spine, one exercise that I've got for my back (I won't tell you the others because though they may help, they can cause damage too...) is to lie flat on the floor with your knees bent and the bottom of your feet flat to the floor (does that make sense?). Then try and push your lumbar spine down to the floor my moving your pelvis. It just helps with the mobility of your lumbar spine and prevents the muscles tightening too much.

If the pain doesn't start to ease in the next few days, it worsens to something you don't usually experience, you start having symptoms lack numbness/reduced co-ordination in your legs and incontinence, get it looked at

Ooo wow thanks, lots of things to try there! I am very mobile because I dance lots. I was on lots of painkillers when I had a back brace but now I prefer to try and stay away from the drugs as much as I can. I will try all the non drug advice you suggested though. Thanks lots.

Sophie.x

I too have/had scoliosis but I had the fusion and correction surgery for it. I too has a S shape. If your scoliosis is getting worse I would also look at treatment options for that (bracing)... try not to let it get to the point of needing the surgery, spinal surgery is a big thing. They usually only consider surgery when a curve gets to 40/45* and upwards so try to see if you can see a scoliosis specialist and talk to him/her about it. I see a spinal consultant in London at Guy's hospital.
Try physio as that helped me before my surgery. Although it doesn't stop your curves from worsening it does help with pain.
PM me if you want to chat,
Lyssie xx

My curves won't worsen now I have stopped growing. I wore the brace for two years to prevent the curves from getting worse while growing but now I have stopped growing the curves won't get better or worse. They're not large enough for surgery either. I have been seeing an orthopedic surgeon at the Royal Orthopedic (sp?) hospital in London for about 4 years now but now I don't have a brace I don't see the point in going back just for a few x-rays to say nothing has changed. I might look into phsyio but I think it's expensive and my case isn't bad enough compared to others for me to see one I don't think.

Thanks for the offer of a chat alyssa, spinal surgery must have been such a big ordeal to go through!

Sophie.x

Your curves can worsen after growth has stopped. I know so many people (from a scoliosis website) who had Drs tell them that 'you've stopped growing so your curves can't worsen' and their curves have got worse. My Dr was so baffled by the fact that even though I had stopped growing my corves had gotten from 35* to 40*. A lovely woman I know had surgery when she was 49 for scoliosis.
What kind of Dr is it that you are seeing?

You should really be seen by a Dr who is a scoliosis specialist.

Eck.... I haven't seen him in ages. He's a doctor and the royal orthopedic hospital. I really hope the curves don't get worse!!! How horrid! Gosh.

Sophie.x

I haven't been up to london to the hospital for over a year

When was the last time you had your curves measured? I would see if you could get an appointment and get them measured again.

Measured? erm about a year and a half ago. Perhaps I should see about booking another appointment for an xray. Thanks.

Sophie.x

Yes you must indeed, my curve got from 40 - 44 in 6 months. Take care,

Lyssie xx

And you may not have noticed anything as you have 2 curves instead of 1, your staggital balance can equal out (basically how level your waist and head are to eachother) and so the curves can eaqual eachother out. I dont know if this maes sence???

Any news on your scoliosis hun?

Oh I've kind of just left it :-S As long as my back isn't giving me pain I tend to not think about it. All depends on how much exercise I do and how I sleep which determines if I'm in pain or not. Luckily there isn't constant pain. As the scoliosis is only minor I think I'll leave it unless it drastically gets worse..... perhaps not the best move but heh. Thanks for checking up with me. :-)

Sophie.x