Chronic Lumbar Back Pain
I was 16 years old when I first experienced chronic lumbar back pain. It was horrifically painful and caused me to seek treatment from both a
chiropractor
and an orthopedic surgeon. I was diagnosed with a
scoliosis
and
muscle imbalances.
I started a treatment program of spinal adjustments and hoped that the symptoms would go away. Unfortunately, they never did. Instead, the pain began a slow but steady battle for control of my life.Articles about Chronic Lumbar Back PainBack Pain Help Back Pain Insomnia Back Pain Solution Back Pain Suffering Upper Back Pain Causes of Back Pain Coping with Back Pain Working with Back Pain Back Pain Anxiety Back Pain Home Remedies Back Pain Facts Back Pain Prohibitions Spinal Aging Back Pain Patients Back Pain Articles Back Pain Forum Painful Back Back Pain Clinical Studies Unexplained-Back Pain I suffered with acute episodes of lower back muscle pain, as well as general chronic lumbar back pain for several years. I functioned normally most of the time, but there were other times when my back would simply “go out.” I found it difficult to predict when I would feel good and when back ache would once again flare up and limit my activity. I was in my early twenties when the pain condition changed. One day, I felt a sudden sharp and burning pain in my lower back and buttocks. This pain was far and above any other I had experienced before! I took an
MRI
test and the doctor told me that I had 2
herniated discs
in my lower back. My L4/L5 and L5/S1 discs were bulging and I was told I now had advanced
degenerative disc disease
in my lower back as well. I was devastated. Chronic Lumbar Back Pain Wins the 1st RoundI continued treatment with both orthopedic doctors and various chiropractors. I was recommended as a good candidate for spinal surgery, but resisted the idea unless it became unavoidable. I received spinal manipulations and physical therapy. I was instructed to do special exercises for chronic lumbar back pain. I explored acupuncture, spinal decompression and reiki therapy. I tried electrotherapy and heat and ice therapy, as well. Somehow my back pain continued…It was several years later, in my early thirties, that my worst pain experience occurred. I suffered an episode of
back spasm
so severe that I was admitted to the hospital. The pain was so intense that I was willing to do ANYTHING to be free of it. The doctors tried every type of
drug
to stop the muscles from contracting violently. One doctor even commented how he had never seen such an acute case of lumbar back pain in his entire career. He must have been 65 years old…
Chronic Lumbar Back Pain Wins Round 2I did recover and was amazed that in a couple of weeks my back was normal again. It made no sense to me or my doctors what had happened to cause the horrible pain or why it had calmed down just as quickly as it started. I was told that I should move forward with back surgery, or at least consider epidural injections for back pain. The only other solution offered to me was a cocktail of various pain relief medicines, anti-inflammatory drugs and muscle relaxers. I was not interested in any of these treatments, unless it became my only option. For the first time, I was beginning to question everything I had been told about my chronic lumbar back pain.I am a fitness professional. I teach martial arts and have also worked as a personal trainer. I have trained in Traditional Oriental Medicine and anatomy for many years, in association with my martial arts interests. I have accomplished much in my training, earning 4 black belts of various Dan (degree) ranking, in 4 distinct martial art styles. I had the ability to do incredible things with my body during training, but sometimes I could not bend to put my shoes on! I began to do huge amounts of research on every conceivable topic related to back pain. I learned as much as possible about the problems that were affecting my poor degenerated spine. I learned about all the conditions that I had and many that I did not have as well. I learned about the
back pain treatment
options and what each was designed to do. It did not take me too long to realize that everything I had been told was not 100% factual. Chronic Lumbar Back Pain / The FightThe fact is that there is an epidemic of back pain in general, and specifically, chronic lumbar back pain. Back pain is the second leading cause for a visit to a doctor, ranking closely behind common respiratory infections. It is also the most common reason why people will miss a day of work. It is rare that I can go a full week without seeing the devastating effects of back pain on a person’s life.The medical community has put up a valiant effort to help people find relief from back pain. The combination of medical doctors, chiropractors, physical therapists, massage therapists, acupuncturists, Reiki practitioners, orthotic manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies have joined forces in an ever expanding crusade against back pain. I do not think that medicine has taken back pain lightly. I do feel that there has been a huge emphasis placed on the
TREATMENT of back pain, rather than finding a true CURE.
NO MORE BACK PAIN =* No more back pain management * No more back pain treatments * No more exponentially growing source of $$$
I was one of the lucky few who enjoyed some relief using purely alternative medicine for back pain. I am not under any medical care, simply biyearly neurological monitoring. I do not rely on any medicines or treatments. I enjoyed many years of being completely pain free until age and injury caught up once again. I am certainly not knocking any healthcare provider who spends their life trying to help others manage their back pain. However, I am clearly stating my opinion that REAL CURES for back pain do exist for 99% of back pain sufferers. The research work of a few incredible medical professionals has proven that back pain can be cured in many patients, if they can achieve a correct diagnosis and find an appropriate method of care. I owe my life and my countless thanks to the doctors who showed me the way to help relieve my own chronic lumbar back pain... even if a permanent cure eluded me in the long run. Chronic Lumbar Back Pain Knocked OutThe mission of my website is simple. I want to provide simple, easy to understand information on various back pain treatment options. I do not receive compensation from drug companies from recommending their products. I do not make my living by involving patients in the seemingly endless variety of back pain relief treatments. I do have a huge amount of passion for this topic and I want to help you find the information which may be able to cure your back pain, as others have helped me.PASS IT FORWARD… In my "day job" as an insurance investigator, I have had the opportunity to see “inside” the back pain industry. It is my MOST SINCERE WISH to help you to help yourself. I want you to be pain free. If I can help do this for just one of you, than my work will be worthwhile. Sincerely, Sensei Adam Rostocki
Chronic Lumbar Back Pain Update 2/09I recently underwent MRI/MRA testing for an unexplained disconcerting condition in my head. The test covered the brain and the cervical spine. While the doctor could not explain the vertigo type symptoms I was having, he did discover that I have 6 herniated discs in my neck. That’s right, every one of the cervical discs is herniated…C2/C3, C3/C4, C4/C5, C5/C6, C6/C7 and C7/T1. The MRI even shows considerable spinal stenosis from one of the herniations… I am adding this detail to my story to show how a person can have degenerative disc disease and herniated discs, yet demonstrate no pain… My neck does not hurt and I have never had any serious thoracic or cervical issues.Chronic Lumbar Back Pain Update 10/09Latest MRI of thoracic spine shows 4 more herniated discs at T1/T2, T2/T3. T3/T4 and T4/T5. This was discovered quite by accident when testing for an unrelated condition. This brings the total up to 12…more than half my spinal levels! There was also a suspected spinal syrinx in the lower middle thoracic region, but the neurosurgeon did not seem overly concerned with it, so I will try to put it out of my head. It is insane. I always wondered the long term effects of full contact martial arts, but now I am my own proof… Can anyone say “diminished shelf life”? This is how I feel at this point. Best, SenseiWell, things have been tough all around and I continue to have some aches, pain and other symptoms. It seems the spinal syrinx scare has turned out to be something more innocent, thankfully. However, I am still reported to have some central and peripheral neurological concerns of unspecific origin. I am fortunate to know the great effects of stress on the body and feel this has kept me well grounded despite some really hard times. This terrible economy has devastated so many of us and my personal casualties began in 2008 with the loss of my job and have continued to include the widespread sufferings so virtually universal at this point… Regardless, despite not being in perfect health, I feel lucky for my blessings and have remained in great shape, despite an aging body full of far too many injuries from all those years of training, teaching and competing. If I had it all to do over again, I might change a few things when it come to the abuses I inflicted on my body through my beloved martial arts… I think now I am at a middle ground of recognizing the damage done to my spine physically, yet understanding the symptoms are mostly transitional and psychologically motivated by stress of all types… conscious, subconscious and unconscious. Luckily, most of you have not put your bodies through the torture I have, or well would all be in real trouble! The point of this update is just to reconnect with those of you who care and offer my continuing empathy for all manner of hardships you are currently experiencing. Hang in there all and I will try to do the same! Chronic Lumbar Back Pain to Back Pain 5/12/06 Revised 1/22/12 |
Sensei Adam Rostocki
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