OT - PAIN and lots of it

[BHoffman]

My neck and back hurt soooooo bad. I'm trying to consciously correct my posture and doing stretching and getting up and walking around at regular intervals. I also invested in a dandy Homedics back massager that helps in the AM when I wake up absolutely crippled. Ibuprofen every morning and before bed helps.

Any suggestions on how you cope with this? I'm guessing it might be common among those of us with lots of desk time and high stress. I tend to "hunch" over when I'm thinking and working and it makes for some bad muscle cramping that I'm not aware of until I stand up.

I'm a mess Perhaps a nice cookie will help....

[KBTS]

If it is really bad, you might try going to your doctor and ask them to schedule you for some physical therapy. Lower back pain can be caused by weak core muscles. If you get some exercises to strengthen your core, than can help tremendously with back pain.

I have also found that Wii Fit Plus yoga and strength exercises has really helped improve my posture. There are also some fun fitness games to work on balance and core muscle strength.

[DTS]

I've found better posture in the chair, in addition to a yogo routine 1-3 times a day are a huge help.

[ChEAr$]

Way back when I was first starting to work (age 8) in father's warehouse, he had an old stand up desk, just like you might imagine Dickensonian clarks standing with eyeshade and bands on their sleeves to keep them out of the inkwell. However there were two high stools available also.

Perhaps a stand up desk might help?
See this URL: http://standupdesks.com/2n1.shtml

for a picture very near to the one I mentioned above.

BTW, "clark" is the old English for "clerk". And that's where the family name comes from.

[Gretel]

Sorry to hear about your troubles.

Three things come to mind.

1. I am still in pain from my accident and recently when on the "lemon cleanse" for 18 days. Immediately after starting my physical condition improved immensely and after I started to eat again my conditions get worse again (just a little), but interesting experience.

2. When I was real young I had bad back pains and am much better now, 30 years later, after going through quite a bit of emotional healing. Not crying enough makes things stuck in the body too.

3. Some years ago I got very bad back pain, all of a sudden, and couldn't sit at all. The chiropractor in town helped very well and soon the back pain disappeared.

I hope you find soon what helps you feel better. Is not fun being in pain all the time.

[joanmcq]

I've got back & shoulder pain too. One thing I did was replace my desk chair with a big excercise ball. I was having sciatica along with the neck & shoulders, and the ball nipped that in the bud. It also helps build your core muscles while you sit. Or if happy you can bounce

I also have a hot tub. Now if it will just get cool again, I'll be able to use it (after a summer with high temps in the 80's it hit 100 yesterday. go figure).

[erchess]

I have had bad back pain

three in my life and off and on minor pain there all my life. When it's been really bad I have benefited from Chiropractic Care and from Physical Therapy. The first time it took a couple months with one chiropractor, the second time about six weeks with a Physical Therapist, and the third time relief came from the first Chiropractic treatment but I have chosen now to make this person's care a regular part of my life.

[Lion]

I'm Sorry

I have back and shoulder problems, too. Old whiplash injury in my neck/shoulders, a muscle that can go into spasm across the middle of my back, the usual lower back pain from sitting too long, and a nasty lower back issue that showed up when bending over earlier this summer. I too go to a chiropractor regularly. And, keep a heating pad handy and use those one-use pads that don't tie you to a cord, keep one in my brief case whenever I go out too. But I keep some muscle relaxant pills on hand. Just having them around is comforting. I need to take one once or twice a year. If I take one when I first feel the need, that's usually all I need; but if I wait it out a few days or have to make an appointment with my doctor for a refill, then I'm on them for a few days before they make a dent in the pain. The anti-inflammatories don't make a dent in my pain, but the muscle relaxants and the pain pills help. Don't get me started on leg cramps that wake me up at night.

[oceanlovin'ea]

Massage therapist and chiropractor

I have bad problems too. I have the BEST massage therapist in the world. (at least I think she's the best). I go to her once a month. She keeps me moving. If I can tell something is out of place, I will go to the chiropractor.

Look for a licensed massage therapist...you don't want a relaxation massage. You need one who can work out the kinks and knots in your muscles. Ask around to see if anyone you know goes to one.

Drink lots of water. Water flushes out the toxins in your body and toxins make you hurt.
That was interesting that Gretel said she felt better with the lemon cleanse. Lemon and vinegar would work the same way I would think. My grandfather lived to be 93 and until he was 91 he lived at home and did his own yard work. He put a little vinegar in a glass with some water and drank it everyday. He never had arthritis. Personally I hate vinegar so I couldn't do that. But there are other natural remedies you might investigate.

Make yourself get up at least once an hour and walk around. Not sitting for long periods of time probably helps too.

Hope you feel better.

Linda, EA

[Burke]

. Don't get me started on leg cramps that wake me up at night.

Have you tried the bar of (irish spring) soap under the sheets? Intellectually, the stupidest thing I ever heard of -- and it works. Go figure.

[DTS]

Have you tried the bar of (irish spring) soap under the sheets? Intellectually, the stupidest thing I ever heard of -- and it works. Go figure.

Aromatherapy perhaps??

[Lion]

Soap

Yes, I heard about that, with what brand to use and not to use and checked it out on Snopes:

http://www.snopes.com/oldwives/legcramp.asp

I keep a bar of soap in my bed and think it helps. I'm using Ivory now. Had my little Cambodian housekeeper confused when I forgot to take it out on laundry day, especially since her English was poor! Now she understands and leaves it on my night stand if I forget. And, I'm sure I confuse hotel maids or gum up their laundry when I forget. The housekeeper at my son's Inn in PA now knows to look for soap in my bed. The first thing I do when traveling is open up a soap from the bathroom and put it between the sheets.

I drink lots of diet tonic water. I do lots of stretching exercises. I have multiple massagers and a massage app on my iPhone for when I'm away from home! Sometimes I just have to stomp around the house in the middle of the night.

[oceanlovin'ea]

Lion

Stop drinking DIET drinks. The sweetener they use can cause all kinds of problems.

Linda, EA

[BHoffman]

Stop drinking DIET drinks. The sweetener they use can cause all kinds of problems.

Linda, EA

Oops. I guess washing down that muscle relaxer with a diet soda and rum wasn't a good idea after all j/k

Seriously - thanks for the suggestions. Joan, my sister also suggested sitting on the exercise ball.

The neck pain is about gone. Those new eyeglasses were causing me to tilt my head back. I put in the contact lenses and *poof* went that pain.

I still have it between the shoulder blades and am going to try out some of things that are working for you guys.

[Lion]

Tonic

Hey, Linda, I know and try to use natural sweeteners like Stevia when I can find it. But, sugar is bad for my diabetes; and, quinine is really bitter without any sweetener. So, as much as I should drink water all day, I do switch to diet tonic in the afternoon to help with the night time leg cramps.

When I'm having a drink out in the evening, I get vodka and tonic -- helps with cramps AND pain!