Comment from: Joel, 55-64 Male (Patient)Published: December 02
I was in awful pain from sciatica. After chiropractic visits, Vicodin by the handful, and the threat of surgery ("It very probably won't succeed."), I bought a cheap inversion table. I worked up to a complete inversion, doing 15 minutes in the morning and in the evening. It took about a week to get results. Now, the pain is gone. I'm back to normal. I bench pressed 275 pounds the other day (at 60), I ride my bike for miles, and I hike with my dogs in the hills. My chiropractor, who initially advised me against inversion, bought an inversion table for his own use after I told him my experience!
Comment from: Becky, 45-54 Female (Patient)Published: December 02
I have degenerative disc disease. My pain is controlled by two things: an inversion board and yoga back stretches. My doctor recommended this. Both of these things have really helped with pain management!
Comment from: 25-34 Female (Patient)Published: August 26
I've had DDD now for a few years plus many other problems. My treatment so far has been everything from, chiropractic, massage, exercise, pain meds, muscle relaxants, anti-inflammatory meds, Lidocaine shots, medical branch blocks, acupuncture, and radiofrequency rhizotomy. I have found that basically the only thing that helps temporarily is Lidocaine shots. Radiofrequency rhizotomy surgery was one of the biggest mistakes in my life. I had very extremely painful rare side effects. Do not ever get this surgery b/c u may be unable to move for 4 months and in more pain then ever.
Comment from: stephjanedavis, 35-44 Female (Patient)Published: August 26
I am a 38 year old female who has just been diagnosed with degenerative disc disease thoracic spine. I am being told that it is probably the result of being on steroids (Prednisone) for over 22 years. The steroids have been and are still being used to treat my severe chronic urticaria (hives) which close my throat up and cause me to have a lot of trouble breathing. The steroids help suppress my immune system which is what I am being told is the cause of my hives. My immune system is "upset" by something and starts attacking itself. I was told about 10 years ago that by the age of 40, with all the steroids that I have taken, I would either have hip replacements or knee replacements or both. This is a very painful disease and do not know what the next steps are as of yet. I am being told that medicines, therapy and possibly braces will be used to treat me at this point.
Comment from: mrbird, 55-64 Female (Patient)Published: March 25
I am 59 years old and in the last five months have been diagnosed with degenerative disc disease. The pain has been horrendous. It has affected both of my hips, buttocks, and legs all the way to my feet. Since my job is to hike fourth graders in the mountains, I was desperate to find some help. My doctor had me on steroids orally and as soon as I would take them, within a few hours, the pain would go away because the swelling would go down. Because of this, she recommended epidural injections in the spine at the area where the inflammation is occurring. I was hesitant, but last week, I went in for the shots, and it has been a godsend. The doctor uses a portable X-ray machine over the area where he is going to inject the steroids. (They gave me slight anesthesia as needed, and even though it was a little painful, the results have been tremendous.) I can move, walk, get out of bed, whatever. I still have to take it a little easy, but I have my life back. Also, I have been going to physical therapy for strengthening exercises. That has helped tremendously as well. You must get your back muscles strong as well as learn how not to bend, etc....this is definitely worth doing. The epidermals do not always help everyone, but for the most part, I have heard very good success stories. The medication also helps to break up the proteins in the inflamed area, which allows more movement for strengthening.
Comment from: Einjk, 55-64 Female (Patient)Published: February 11
I was just told by my doctor that I have degenerative disc disease (DDD). I am in terrible pain, from my lower back to my hips, and down both legs. I can hardly walk, and standing is a chore, as it can only be done for short periods of time. I also have pain in my groin area. I can't believe the amount of pain involved with this. I can no longer do anything but sit, or lie down for short periods of time. I have major spasms that cause me to scream in pain. I have always managed pain quite well, as I also have other diseases that come with their fair share of pain. This, however, has dropped me to my knees. Once I am in bed, getting out of bed is a real chore too. I spend most of my time sleeping in my recliner. I am a 57-year-old woman. From what I have seen so far in the last two months, it looks as if most of my life is over, or any good parts anyway.
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Suggested Reading on Degenerative Disc Disease & Sciatica by Our Doctors
There are many causes of back pain. Pain in the low back can relate to the bony lumbar spine, discs between the vertebrae, ligaments around the spine and discs, spinal cord and nerves, muscles of the low back, internal organs of the pelvis and abdomen, and the skin covering the lumbar area.
A pinched nerve can be caused of a variety of conditions, for example, carpal tunnel syndrome, herniated disc, sciatica, arthritis, spinal stenosis, trauma, and more. Common symptoms of a pinched nerve include pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness. Treatment of a pinched nerve depends on the cause of the pinched nerve.
Neck pain (cervical pain) may be caused by any number of disorders and diseases. Tenderness is another symptom of neck pain. Though treatment for neck pain really depends upon the cause, treatment typically may involve heat/ice application, traction, physical therapy, cortisone injection, topical anesthetic creams, and muscle relaxants.
Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis caused by inflammation, breakdown, and eventual loss of
cartilage in the joints. Also known as degenerative arthritis. Osteoarthritis
can be caused by aging, heredity, and injury from trauma or disease.
A herniated disc may be caused by injury or degeneration from age. Symptoms depend on the location of the herniation and whether nerve tissue is being irritated. An MRI or CT scan is performed to diagnose a herniated disc. Treatment may involve physical therapy, cortisone injection, pain medications, antiinflammatory medications, muscle relaxants, and surgery.
Lumbar stenosis can be caused by degenerative arthritis (the most common cause), tumor, infection, or metabolic disorders (Paget's disease of the bone). Symptoms include low back pain, weakness, pain, numbness, and loss of sensation in the legs. Other conditions may cause similar symptoms of lumbar stenosis, including diabetic neuropathy, claudication, and peripheral vascular disease. Diagnosis, is a medical history and imaging studies. Lumbar stenosis may be treated with medication or surgery.
Radiculopathy, a condition in which a nerve or nerves along the spine are compressed causing pain, numbness, weakenss, and tingling along the nerve(s). Some causes of radiculopathy include bone spurs, disc hernation, osteoarthritis, tumors, infection, and neuropathy. Treatment depends on the are of nerve compression. Surgery is generally not required.
The five types of spondylolisthesis include 1) dysplastic, 2) isthmic, 3) degenerative, 4) traumatic, and 5) pathologic. The most common symptom of spondylolisthesis is lower back pain. Treatment depends on the type and severity of spondylolisthesis. Surgery is required in some cases of spondylolisthesis.
Pain management and treatment can be simple or complex, according to its cause. There are two basic types of pain, nociceptive pain and neuropathic pain. Some causes of neuropathic pain includes: complex regional pain syndrome, interstitial cystitis, and irritable bowel syndrome. There are a variety of methods to treat chronic pain, which are dependant on the type of pain experienced.
Chronic pain is pain (an unpleasant sense of discomfort) that persists or progresses over a long period of time. In contrast to acute pain that arises suddenly in response to a specific injury and is usually treatable, chronic pain persists over time and is often resistant to medical treatments.
Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH or Forestier's disease) is a form of degenerative arthritis. It is characterized by calcification along the sides of the vertebrae of the spine. Symptoms include stiffness and pain in the upper and lower back. Anti-inflammatory medications are used to treat DISH.
Cauda equina syndrome is a medical emergency condition that is caused by the uncommon compression of the nerves at the end of the spinal cord. Symptoms of cauda equina syndrome include lower back pain, tingling and/or numbness in the buttocks and lower extremities, bowel or bladder incontinence, and weakness in the legs. Causes of cauda equina syndrome include herniated discs, hematomas, or infection. Treatment is generally prompt surgery.
Radiculopathy is a condition due to a compressed nerve in the spine that can
cause pain, numbness,
tingling, or weakness along the course of the nerve. Radiculopathy can occur in
any part of the spine, but it is most common in the lower back (lumbar
radiculopathy) and in the neck (cervical radiculopathy). It is less commonly
found in the middle portion of the spine (thoracic
radiculopathy).
What are the risk factors for radiculopathy?
Risk factors for radiculopathy are activities that place
an excessive or repetitive load on the spine. Patients involved in heavy labor
or contact sports
are more prone to develop radiculopathy than those with a more sedentary
lifestyle. A family history of radiculopathy or other spine disorders also
increase the risk of developing radiculopathy.
What are the causes of radiculopathy?
Radiculopathy is caused by compression or
irrit...
If you think you have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.
Chronic Pain RSS
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I was in awful pain from sciatica. After chiropractic visits, Vicodin by the handful, and the threat of surgery ("It very probably won't succeed."), I bought a cheap inversion table. I worked up to a complete inversion, doing 15 minutes in the morning and in the evening. It took about a week to get results. Now, the pain is gone. I'm back to normal. I bench pressed 275 pounds the other day (at 60), I ride my bike for miles, and I hike with my dogs in the hills. My chiropractor, who initially advised me against inversion, bought an inversion table for his own use after I told him my experience!
Related Reading: sciatica