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Post by vicioustom on Jan 25, 2017 10:11:03 GMT -8
Yeah, I've been using Aleve for years now, helps with the majority of joint injuries, I'm pretty banged up. But by far, the back problems are the worst.
I've been thinking about getting into hammocks, they're allegedly better on your back. I seem to have the most problems when I sleep at an odd angle.
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Jan 25, 2017 11:48:14 GMT -8
I switched over to a War Bonnet Black Bird (WBBB) years ago. Best nights sleeping in the last 4 decades. If I had a convenient place to hang it at home, I'd sleep in it 365. I never wake up with a sore back if I sleep in it.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Jan 25, 2017 20:45:57 GMT -8
But, in reality, you have to stop sometimes anyway (gas, bathroom breaks, meals), so it really hardly slows you down at all to add 5 minutes to your stop to move and stretch a little. It's especially important for me if I have a long drive home after a hiking trip. Yes. On long drives (and we do some killer ones), we trade drivers every 1.5 to 2 hours, and at each stop take an extra 5 minutes to walk or jog. It pays off.
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Post by autumnmist on Jan 26, 2017 10:06:03 GMT -8
In long car trips, try to never go more than two hours without getting out and stretching a bit and walking a bit (like just a couple laps around the rest area). Also, use a small tubular lumbar pillow, or the lumbar support in the car seat, or a rolled up jacket or something. I've discovered some other issues with driving; perhaps it's just me but I'm wondering...? I've had more leg soreness and some back tenderness since I began driving an automatic shift car, not by choice, but just b/c standard transmissions just aren't that common anymore in passenger vehicles. There's an imbalance that's created on leg function with the left leg just sitting while the right one is working. Or maybe that's just old age. I've noticed also that the seats are not so much at right angles as seats in older cars used to be, making lumber support a necessity. Seats with backs that angle backwards creating an obtuse angle put more pressure on backs, and seats with the sitting portion that also angles back put more pressure on legs, which become artificially elevated. At least that's been my experience. One particularly bad experience occurred when driving a rental car; I forgot to bring my blanket that I angle to create a flatter seat, and by the time I drove less than 20 miles my right leg was so bad I had trouble getting out of the car and into the house. This lasted for several days. I finally realized it was the seat position. It was as if the whole seat had been tipped backward. I really don't understand why ergonomics isn't a REALISTIC function of automobile seat design. I'd rather have a good supportive seat than all the tech stuff that's being added to cars. As to gyms, this is probably a very personal and individualized opinion but I just can't stand the so-called music. I'd rather work out at home listening to music of my own choice than the racket that's often played in gyms. It unnerves me and makes me so irritated I just want to get out of there.
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Jan 26, 2017 11:15:55 GMT -8
I've noticed also that the seats are not so much at right angles as seats in older cars used to be, making lumber support a necessity. Fortunately, my seat back adjust to fully vertical, and the seat bottom tilts so that I can get as little as 80 degrees. I'm much more comfortable with a straight back. It makes me hold my neck straighter, too, which easier on my shoulders as well as my neck. It's surprising that near the end of middle age, I'm stronger than ever before and I have better posture, too. I'm going to be really awesome just in time to fall completely apart.
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Jan 26, 2017 14:58:16 GMT -8
I've noticed also that the seats are not so much at right angles as seats in older cars used to be, making lumber support a necessity. I have been told by some automotive engineer types that the seat inclination has more to do with keeping you in the car, should a front collision occur. I can see some factor involved with body mechanics being used to determine the optimum seat inclination for most people. Need to allow the safety belt more time to do its job.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Jan 26, 2017 21:17:23 GMT -8
As to gyms, this is probably a very personal and individualized opinion but I just can't stand the so-called music. I'd rather work out at home listening to music of my own choice than the racket that's often played in gyms. It unnerves me and makes me so irritated I just want to get out of there. Love my Y. No loud music, except in some of the classes (and they are in closed-off areas. I listen to books while working out.
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Jan 26, 2017 22:02:45 GMT -8
I don't hear the gym music because of what I'm playing on my phone. I don't crank it way up, but it's enough to keep me distracted.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 27, 2017 5:14:24 GMT -8
Just lately I've been having just a little pain maybe when I wake up? Some time ago I would have pains maybe after sleeping. That has gone away though. It was a little depressing...
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swmtnbackpacker
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Post by swmtnbackpacker on Feb 2, 2017 10:36:58 GMT -8
Same thing. Went ultralight but may need to go "sub-ultralight" (basewt< 7.5 lbs). More biking though lap swimming was recommended by my Doc (I have "microtears" which may be different).
Laps get boring though...
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Post by bpackgirld on Feb 3, 2017 12:26:30 GMT -8
I have painful muscle spasms in my lower back, and had to stop for awhile because of the pain. However, I was gradually able to get back into the swing of things. My recipe for success has included chiropractic care once a week, massages twice a month, a very-low dose medication for the spasms, and physical therapy and yoga which I do twice weekly. These have helped to strengthen my core which supports the lower back, improve flexibility which keeps the muscles from having spasms due to tension, and my overall alignment is better. Also, I have learned my limits so that I don't push myself too far which has meant cutting down how often I go backpacking so I can enjoy myself without pain when I actually do go.
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Post by vicioustom on Feb 3, 2017 12:52:54 GMT -8
I've been prescribed physical therapy. I'm not sure how that's going to help with the bulged disk, which has been triggering nerve pain in one leg, but I guess we'll see. If that doesn't work the Doctor says we'll "explore other options". I hate it when doctors say that.
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Post by motorcyclist on Feb 10, 2017 12:21:46 GMT -8
Definitely agree with all the folks saying to stay active and keep the muscles strong. Strengthening my legs helped me tremendously with knee pain I once had. In my experience there really is nothing like back pain though. Worst thing I've ever experienced by far. While it didn't fix the issue, going for some regular massages definitely helped to alleviate my symptoms. Ultimately I had to have surgery and am now back at full strength. No regrets about the surgery at all and as soon as it was presented as an option I went for it.
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reuben
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Post by reuben on Feb 10, 2017 15:28:43 GMT -8
My recipe for success has included chiropractic care once a week, massages twice a month While we may have similar symptoms, we all have different bodies, and the causes of the symptoms vary, despite similar symptoms/aches/pains. For me, foam rolling is a form of self-massage, which is by no means a panacea, but I can do it whenever I want, anytime I hurt or anytime I know I'll hurt the next day.
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Post by cuzimthedad on Feb 25, 2017 14:40:05 GMT -8
As a used and abused carpenter/contractor/former but always Navy Seabee here are a few things which have helped me: 1. Weight loss. I have lost over 20# over the past 14 months and have 14 to go to reach my Desert Storm combat weight 2. Diet. Taken sweets, sodas, alcohol, gluten, and processed sugar out of my diet and replaced with fruit, salads, veggies and potatoes, lots of chicken meals, and actually increased my beef intake. Although I still have a cookie once in a while and will eat the bun around a good burger, I've been able to stick to this and don't really miss the bad for me stuff. This is good for me and supports the wife who is in a no compromise situation due to health issues. A win win situation for both of us! 3. Exercise. Someone else mentioned strengthening the core muscles. This is a must and will really help with your back issues. If your health care provider offers classes, see if they have one for your core muscles and for back pain. 4. Walking. Separate from exercise as we do it outside of that function. Good shoes are a must and upgrading them with good insoles is like adding fuel injection to a once carburated engine. 5. Drink plenty of water! 6. Accept the fact you're not 20 anymore and try and compensate for it. I recently pulled a calf muscle crawling under my house and deck, a rather large square footage foot print, like I was still in the Navy and under fire. Didn't work. Should have done it a lot slower and paid attention to the ground layout. Better still, I should have hired someone to do it for me and saved the three week recovery period my doc has me currently mired in!
Most of this is common sense and requires only commitment and planning. Good luck with whatever you plan on doing.
One more thing...I used to see the chiropractor every other week. Over the past two years I have gone only three times because I haven't had to and I am more active today than I was before two years ago. Now that's just me and others may have differing experiences. But at $50 a visit the savings can pay for a lot of astronomy and hiking gear!!
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