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Severe Low Back Pain After Standing?

Not sure where to post this, but I'm getting worse with this problem.  I get severe low back pain after standing or walking.  It's been like this for a few years, but lately, I can't stand more than a couple minutes without feeling the need to bend forward to alleviate the pressure on my back.  I've mentioned it to my doctor and my chiropractor and both of them just sort of blow it off as nothing - but it's seriously affecting my quality of life.  Even grocery shopping is difficult anymore.  Any ideas?
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Avatar universal
I am 32, F. I have multiple compressed and depressed discs in my lower to mid back and a fracture to the right side of my lower back. I get this as well. Last night I was trying to brush my daughters hair. I tried bending forward to relieve the ache. It didn't help. So I squatted. And kept brushing. I ended up having to stop brushing because my back felt like it was going to snap in 2. I sat on my bed but it still hut. So I took my Ambien and went to bed. Today it still hurts so bad just to sit or walk. I am supposed to go to the neurologist soon for suspected MS. So I have other issues as well. I wish i knew what was going on. And this is not the first time that this has happened. I also have one hip that is higher than the other. I guess you could say that I am a mess. LOL
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Avatar universal
Hi all
I have lumbar DDD plus facet joint degeneration which together causes narrowing of my spinal canal (stenosis). I've had this condition for over 20 years. So I can't stand for long and have had sciatica and constant  stiffness.
A few months ago I read a book by an Australian physiotherapist called Sarah Key. She explains the causes of most disc/facet/stenosis problems.
The sequence of events is the following.
The disc loses fluid thru bulging/herniation/prolapse. This in turn causes the vertebrae to drop down onto the facet joints (holds spine together) below that segment causing the joint to shear and inflame the joint capsule. The joint segment is now unstable so the muscles covering this area (mainly erector spinae and multifidus) go into spasm to stop the joint moving. This is a protective automatic response from the brain. Unfortunately this causes the spine to become even more compressed and so more pain follows.

Treatment is the following (depending on severity of condition).
Decompression of spine using a backblock (plastic/wooden shaped block which sits under your sacrum and you lie on it face up for 60 seconds. Then you do 60 seconds of spinal rocking followed by 60 seconds of reverse curl ups. Repeat 3 times.

I have been doing this for a few months now with definite improvements. Its a slow process but very worthwhile. I recommend googling Sarah Key if interested.

Hope this helps :)






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Avatar universal
I'm not sure if you still read this but I just wanted to say that really stinks that basically they are telling you to just live with it. I am very lucky and found a doctor that has scoliosis and has had back problems the majority of her life so she never just blew me off. I too was overweight, i still am but I have lost 30 pounds and still going. I had other problems that developed at the about the same time so we had several things to deal with. I also had joint pain develop in several joints and was diagnosed with arthritis and was finally put on Celebrex which helped with the other joint pain, but the back continued and got worse, so my doctor sent me for an MRI and X-rays. I have Degenerative Disc Disease, and bone spurs on 2 lumbar vertebrae. She had sent me for physical therapy before we did the set of X rays that showed the DDD, and it didn't work so she put me on a Phentermine and gave me a diet to follow to help with losing weight. I too have trouble doing very much so I thought, how can I lose weight, but I have. I take one pill a day, really watch what I eat and do simple things like take little short walks. I am 5'4" and weighed 227 when this started and as of now I weigh 197. I just started going for intermittent traction so I can't tell you if it might help you, but if you are like me you would try anything to stop or at least minimize the pain. I guess my point is if you haven't already you should find a new doctor, one that is more sympathetic to your problems and will try more than just mild anti inflammatories. My doctor finally prescribed a pain medication so I could at least function since I am a single mother to a 6 year old. My hope is to lose more weight, and find something to let me live a good quality of life with no pain medication, don't get me wrong, I'm thankful for it now, but who wants to take that stuff long term. I hope you have found some relief by now, but if you haven't I hope you can find the right doctor.  
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Avatar universal
I have the same problem. If I stand for more tham15 minutes the pain goes from my back down both my legs,terrible pain.I get like a throbbing pain down the middle of my back. I got an x-ray the other day. Waiting on results. Now with this problem are you able to work,because the job I have I am on my feet 7 out of  8hrs.
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Avatar universal
Don't give up hope! Try and do as much research as possible on your own.  And yes, diet will help a tremendous amount!
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Avatar universal
Get off the computer and get exercising.  Seriously, start slow and work up to more.  Join a gym, find a trainer there, they will help you with a program that's just right for you.  Exercise is usually not pleasant at first, but really, you have to understand it gets easier and you will get stronger.  With a regular routine a few times a week you will notice a huge difference in even one month! If you can't afford the gym, seek out a trainer for a few sessions to help you learn some exercises that will strengthen your core and that you can do at home.  Too many people think they can't exercise because they have knee pain or other pain, and much of that is contributed to weak and unbalanced muscles. Make a goal and try it for 3 months, feel the difference.
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1 Comments
sorry but i don't believe you have experienced the debilitating kind of pain most of us on here are dealing with...sounds like most of us had a very active lifestyle when this mystery came out of nowhere and knocked the life out of all of us...to those that don't understand i try to explain it like you would a car...i will speak for myself...if my brakes are a bit faulty and my muffler is loose and perhaps my spark plugs need to be changed along with my oil...i can still get around...but what happens when you blow the engine and the transmission?  do you get it now?
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