Incognito, stretching, stiff calves and hamstrings has been a point of recovery for me. I have been more cognizant about the elasticity of those skeletal muscle groups, thanks for the reminder.

SJ, walking is a great idea. I just get so emotionally negative when I walk. I wonder if it is because the physical sensation of adrenaline is identical to a trigger's emotional toll? I have never been able to walk more than a few times, then I just do not have the motivation to get up that next time and walk. Oh yeah, and cold is definitely out of the question.

Welcome to the Wimp club, I am President and Founder, lol,
Sam

Sam,

Some people are more prone to back pain issues because the nerves grow closer to the disc(s), and any rupture in the disc(s) can cause serious pain. Others have nerves that grow away from the discs and have broken thier backs and don't even know it until discovered my coincidence e.g. x-rays taken for other reason. Wow, "close nervers" we got screwed!

btw, Truck drivers are at high risk, they sit and the vibrations can ruin thier backs. I m not a truck driver but felt this was important for some who may be.

I Injured my back many many times, caused by some construction work and some sports injuries and finally after trying every non-surgical prodcedure right on up to a series of epidural injections I went in for a minor surgery to remove some disc material in order to make room for the nerve being pinched. Unfortunetly the surgoen wasn't the best and his procedure caused an infection which has now caused me 13 years of complications. After that bad surgery I had an epidural and I take a few pain meds up to 7xs day with no end in sight.

I do know stretching, weight loss and building core strength have helped me. I also dicovered a machine form Europe on late night TV that helped me reduce my pain by 40%!! I say 40% because that is how much medication I have been able to cut back on since using the back2life Euro machine. If you have questions about this please message me. I do NOT sell or rep these machines, I just want to help.

Also, I could get a fusion, but I would 2 levels fused and this is much much more complitcated to recover from. The instability is risky for a double fusion, sooo no thanks! I have been told by sane surgeons to wait, maybe they will develope better sureries in the future..so far none (I call every year os so).

I'm probably leaving a lot out but I can always edit this if needed. One thing if you can learn to get out of the heavy lifting and behind a desk it might best for you in the long run. I wish I had...I'd be far far better off and probably be enjoying more in my life, rather than being partially disabled.

Message me anytime if you have questions.

Kurt

Hey kurt I am sorry that you have to experience that I'm thankful for the knowledge that it brings for us. I have hurt my back badly just lifting a light object the wrong way. I am not sure which category I fit into but it feels like it's coming more from the muscles of the sides of my back than from the center of my spine, but I am not a doctor.
For now I'm just going to remain emotionally overwhelmed but I will keep chipping away at it.
Thanks Kurt and fellas,
Sam

One of my good specialists explained that heat helps muscles realx, also if you can stand it, ice first to bring down swelling, then the heat...the heat is then supposed to bring fresh blood rushing in, to aid healing. Problem can be ice tenses muscles (yet it helps nerves since swelling is less and presses on nerves less) so if you can alternate the two, it is best. 20 minutes of each.

This is a tough thing for most, alternating, and if just the heat helps...skip the ice! or vc vs. (vicious cycle, ugh)

Try to go easy lifting on the job.

Stretching ham strings is the NUMBER one muscle you should stretch, also calfs and quads...3 minutes each, for a total of 18 minutes every moring if you can. this can help soooo much.

I hope your back heals quickly.

Thanks for the well wishes Sam.