Bad Back - any suggestions for massages or adjustments?

Steve S · Post by **Steve S** » Fri Apr 03, 2009 4:46 pm

Massage Therapy and Chiropracty aside, just being on island in the warm air and an hour or two of snorkeling each day really loosens up my vertebrae and I feel great by the end of my stay!

Jo Ann - VA · Post by **Jo Ann - VA** » Sat Apr 04, 2009 9:16 am

Thanks everyone for your responses. It's a lot of good information!

Cid · Post by **Cid** » Sat Apr 04, 2009 1:48 pm

Here's a question...I just got a Tens unit for my back. Am I going to look like the Unabomber with this thing when I greet my friends from the TSA at the airport? I'm getting a vision of the guy on the first day of work at the TSA getting me in his line. I thought there was going to be an international incident when I forgot to take a bottle of hot sauce out of my luggage.....lol!

Does anyone have any experience with this?

designbyroe · Post by **designbyroe** » Sat Apr 04, 2009 2:18 pm

Cid wrote:Here's a question...I just got a Tens unit for my back. Am I going to look like the Unabomber with this thing when I greet my friends from the TSA at the airport? I'm getting a vision of the guy on the first day of work at the TSA getting me in his line. I thought there was going to be an international incident when I forgot to take a bottle of hot sauce out of my luggage.....lol!

Does anyone have any experience with this?

I have a tens unit and travel with it. Since I do carry on, they have never even asked. I have a note from my dr if they did. It describes what it is and has the dr's signature

cypressgirl · Post by **cypressgirl** » Sat Apr 04, 2009 2:46 pm

Cid wrote:Here's a question...I just got a Tens unit for my back. Am I going to look like the Unabomber with this thing when I greet my friends from the TSA at the airport? I'm getting a vision of the guy on the first day of work at the TSA getting me in his line. I thought there was going to be an international incident when I forgot to take a bottle of hot sauce out of my luggage.....lol!

Does anyone have any experience with this?

I had a small Tens unit many years ago that I used while I worked. I haven't had one in years. Did you get yours through your Dr? That might be my solution to my back pain whild flying.

Thanks for any info.

Cid · Post by **Cid** » Sat Apr 04, 2009 6:38 pm

Yes, my understanding is if your Dr. prescribes one for back pain (or other pains) most insurance companies will pay for one. I would check with your carrier first.

bevm · Post by **bevm** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 5:00 pm

cypressgirl wrote:Bevm.......I am glad to see that I'm not crazy. I have had chronic back problems for years, sometimnes ok, most of the time painful, and sometimes unbearable, but I always seem to feel better by the second day of floating in that water. I can carry heavy coolers, hike, and do anything I want, almost pain free. By the time I get home, I'm in pain again. I'm miserable on the plane each way. I always get an isle seat and squirm and shift constantly. I've tried Soma's, Valium, Vicoden, nothing works. I don't think an ice pack would help me....I need moist heat. I don't know how I could do that on the plane.

This day is about an 8 on the 1 to 10 scale. Is it too early for a drink?

It's never TOO EARLY!!! I have a suggestion for you for the plane. Put BioFreeze on your back at the airport, (I get it at the chiro. but it's also sold at drugstores. It's non-staining and WONDERFUL!! I always have a few packets in my purse..)Then put one of those Thermacare back wraps on. It stays warm for 8 hours and you'll feel so much better.

crash · Post by **crash** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 5:47 pm

Cleveland Dave....look at the sorry girl with the cherry up her nose. The answer is NO I would not be able to get her butt up that hill. Who's gonna carry my sorry butt!! I hear the ambulance service is good!!

A good massage after arrival to get rid of the travel tension and a couple of bourbons does wonders for me!

bevm · Post by **bevm** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 6:02 pm

crash wrote:Cleveland Dave....look at the sorry girl with the cherry up her nose. The answer is NO I would not be able to get her butt up that hill. Who's gonna carry my sorry butt!! I hear the ambulance service is good!!

A good massage after arrival to get rid of the travel tension and a couple of bourbons does wonders for me!

PLEASE DISREGARD THIS POST ABOUT BEVM'S BUTT...
SIGNED,
BEVM

cypressgirl · Post by **cypressgirl** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 6:25 pm

Bevm, Thanks for the info. I have been using something called Thermalon. I got it at Walgreens. It comes in different sizes but I got the largest one that actually wraps around your waist for the lumbar area. To use it, you microwave it for a minute or two, until as hot as you can stand it, and apply to the area. It gives a lot of relief, but it only stays hot for about 15-20 min. I'll try the product you mentioned and see how it works. That may be a big help on the plane. I really do recommend the Thermalon products if you are going to be hanging around the house and have access to the microwave. I use the one I have for my neck too, but they make a smaller one for the neck and I think one for places like elbows. I even fall asleep with it on. It really helps alot because it is moist heat. I don't think dry heat is nearly as helpful.

bevm · Post by **bevm** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 7:13 pm

Not to be personal cypressgirl, but do you have a herniated disc??

cypressgirl · Post by **cypressgirl** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 7:33 pm

I'm not sure about that since my X-ray are a few years old. I know I've had buldging discs and spurs since I was in my early 30's. I was a dental hygienist for 17 years, and played a lot of sports, and had falls and accidents as a kid. I also have mild to moderte scoliosis, and a rotated spine (from my years of D.H.) I am also very sway backed due to genetics, I guess, so my tail bone does not tuck under like it should, it it straight, which kills my lower back when it's out.

I'm sure the forum does not want to hear about my specific medical problems. Sorry.

bevm · Post by **bevm** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 7:59 pm

cypressgirl wrote:I'm not sure about that since my X-ray are a few years old. I know I've had buldging discs and spurs since I was in my early 30's. I was a dental hygienist for 17 years, and played a lot of sports, and had falls and accidents as a kid. I also have mild to moderte scoliosis, and a rotated spine (from my years of D.H.) I am also very sway backed due to genetics, I guess, so my tail bone does not tuck under like it should, it it straight, which kills my lower back when it's out.

I'm sure the forum does not want to hear about my specific medical problems. Sorry.

I P.M.'d you...

Bobbyboy · Post by **Bobbyboy** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 9:47 pm

I am a physician. Back pain which resolves when on vacation and then starts acting up on the plane ride home sounds like severe muscle spasms caused by stress.
Read "Healing Back Pain," by John Sarno MD. This has helped some of my patients who have had back pain but no herniated discs. Using hiking sticks when walking on trails to and from the beaches will take pressure off the back and knees. And of course, make sure you have pain meds just in case.

cypressgirl · Post by **cypressgirl** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 10:21 pm

Well, Dr. Bobby, stress is my first, last, and middle name. I do believe that being on STJ is a natural healer. But I can't be on STJ every day. Do you have any other ideas?

Thanks so much...........cypressgirl.

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Bad Back - any suggestions for massages or adjustments?

back pain