back problems???

[P&C Lawn Care]

Weight (belly) makes a big impact on your back. I know most of us as we get older fight that dunlap syndrone where your belly dun-lapped over your belt. Our joints and bones don't work as well either. I have found that taking MSN with glucosamine (MethylSulfonylMethane, is a natural sulfur compound found in all living things. It is actually one of the most prominent compounds in our bodies, just behind water and sodium. MSM acts as an analgesic and anti-inflammatory. It also inhibits muscle spasm and increases blood flow. MSM is critical to the formation of connective tissue of all types. Glucosamine, an amino sugar, is thought to promote the formation and repair of cartilage) helps my bones and joints. My knee and shoulder blade would pop all the time but after I started taking this (about two weeks) the popping went away. This helped the aches and pains after a long day.

[Ric]

Trout

Take two asprin, Soak it and call me in the morning.

[hardboiled]

I thought it was..."put the lime in the coconut and call me in the morning."

I'm glad I'm not the only 40 something that seems to be prematurely falling apart. I believe PT's and sports Dr.'s are more helpful than your run of the mill MD. At least they don't just tell you you're getting old, take your money, then send you on your way.
Its tough to get sidelined for even two or three days, because of how fast things stiffen up or atrophy from inactivity (when you're closing in on half a century). It seems to snowball, one injury brings back some of the other old ones.

[locutus]

I got rid of my rider and now use a W/B with a Velky. My back problems dissappeared.

[steve-o]

i know this sounds silly but shoes make a big difference.i have been a ltl truck driver forever and lifting heavy crap . in and out of the semis. it helps to wear the right stuff. now that i am doing this mess i walk with the walkbehind . i think the exercise helps. don't forget the cold beer..........

[GeeVee]

For me, A few days of pain sends me to my Orthopedic Surgeon. I try not to be a puss, so I wait almost a week to make sure it is a potential injury.

I've sent my surgeons children to Ballet, Horseback Riding, and at least one new convertible over the years. A good friend, I value his skill and ethical treatment.

I am suffering right now with a shoulder....... A wee bit of joint inflamation. I have never been able to gain relief with oral anti inflammatories, never. So I have to endure the Steriod shots. The current shoulder problem is something that could go away and not return, since it is not a trauma related thing. One thing for sure, the pain "refferred" to elbow, wrist, tricep, pecs, scapula...... The unknown caused me pain mentally. I still have no reason for the inflamation.

Again, for me, and maybe for you, a diagnosis makes me feel better. You have everything to gain and nothing to lose by seeing a doctor or two.

Besides seeing the doc, I too, would have a look at your footwear. Worn shoes can cause problems- take them with you, they can tell a story. I still can wear shoes I've had since High School, having many pairs, lets me rotate them and they last forever. Cheeap shoes are no savings.

[Envy Lawn Service]

Anybody have relentless pain? I notice for 2 years now aches in my upper legs. A hot shower and scorching hot water on my back is the only thing to kill this. And its VERY temporary. Pain killers (the real ones) are great to but those are hard to come by and pose addiction problems that i am smart enough to avoid now. The pain is not severe usually but just enough to make me gripe about it. Seems worse the less active i am. Winters are worse. Front upper thigh just aches. No throbbing to it. Constant sharp ache. I have only one back injury, a pull that required a doctor because i feared something serious. Recovered in less than a month. Back in early 90s i got into the pumpkin industry breifly and remember severe soreness. Sometimes crippleing back pain for a few days after we unloaded semi trucks of pumpkins. I was young and it went away in a few days but was in fact the worst pain in my life. But mostly i have been injury free. Anybody know of a particular back injury that causes constant upper front thigh pain?
mike

Mike,

Ummm.... yeah. Shoot me a PM and maybe I can help. These problems are seldom as simple as "go to the doctor" and most often require a teamwork approach to manage them.

[Allan]

PT Pam's advice

Seascape,

This is not Allan, this is his wife, Pam and I am a physical therapist. It's interesting that everyone assumes that you have back problems causing this leg pain. Although this is possible, it does not seem to me to be the most likely from your post. For one thing, most, not all but most, back problems that cause leg pain, would cause the pain to be in the back of your legs, possibly shooting down to the foot. The other thing that you said is that the pain is constant, only relieved by hot showers. Constant pain, not relieved by movement or position is generally not musculoskeletal in nature. If you were my patient, I would definately send you back to the doctor for further evaluation, at least from what you said on your post. I would recommend seeing a D.O. or someone who does appear to know about muscle/joint related problems and medical problems. And, of course because that's my field, if he does determine that it is muscle and joint related, a good PT can probably help!!

Pam