Definitely seek out a chiropractor. They will treat the cause of your problem, not just drug the symptoms of pain. They are experts in low back issues, and will not only adjust your spine but also give you advice on how to keep your back healthy. Here's a link so you can do your own research : http://www.acatoday.org/level3_css.cfm?T...

As a chronic lower back pain sufferer, I feel your pain. Once, I had to remain on the floor for almost two full days, because I couldn't be moved. Another time, two burly dudes had to carry me out of my workplace, to my car.

Chiropractic care can work wonders long-term. So can a good muscle relaxant, in an emergency. Good luck.

Ins. probably doesnt cover accupuncture, but most flex spending accounts will. I'd much rather spend the money and fix the problem than worry about ins and a medical practicioner (as in they are still practicing/not perfect) might suggest. I had to go thru the physical theorpy for tendinosis, and a small bicep tear healed wrong. In the end it did nothing, cost out the butt in co-pays and was basically told "I'm healed" but only for normal activities, not lifting weights. After asking for a straight answer I was basically told that surgery was not an option as they won't "fix" a problem unless its more than 50% wrecked. What they do is treat it. I was given the "don't lift heavy weights" and "we can give you this for the pain" and "another few months of theropy" speaches. In reality all they were telling me is "keep coming in so we can bleed more money from you and your ins company".

Chiropractor= correct the problem
Doctor= treat the symptoms
Surgeon= try to fix the problem

The doctor would be the last person I would see. They recommend you to a specialist, who will do nothing more than
a. perscribe muscle relaxers, narcotics, etc...
b. give suggestions
c. advise physical theropy
d. advise suregery
all the while you are in pain. The key is to find out what's causing it...what a simple xray will tell. A chiropractor (a legetimate one) will be able to do this at a fraction of the cost-and in one office visit. If back is out of alignment, they can corect it. If there is damage they can recommend seeing a back specialist and alternative forms of theropy. Surgery would be a last resort as the risks sometimes overshadow the benefits. Physical therapy is also a joke in my opinion. It's all about how many office visits they can squeeze in. I've slipped a disk a few times...not recently. All 3 times were due to either heavy deadlifting or squatting. A doctors perspective is don't do it. A physicall theropist will say the same thing. Chriopractor corrected problem, gave suggestions on how to avoid it...and I've been fine since...and continue to do an activity I like. Doctors will speak out against alternative treatments as they are proven to work, and are cheaper...and they effectively work vs. needing the monitoring/followup. Best way to deal with back issues is maintain an active lifestyle as a child on into old age, sleep on a firm mattress, do a yearly adjustment or see chiropractor when back feels off or out of wack, and most importantly keep excesive weight off back-which basically means lose the fat around the waist.

Ice the lower back 3-4 times each day. No heat, that just enflames the affected area. After the ice, walking is the best thing for your back. I also found that sleeping on your back and side helps as well. I've managed the pain for 5 years with ice and walking.

Going back to that first post....that is an absolute pain in the bass.

"In my experience doctors refuse to treat patients who treat with chiropractors."

Then that doctor is doing you a favor by telegraphing that they have no interest in your well being if it interferes with their arrogance or money gouging tactics.

Time to fire that doctor and start interviewing for a practitioner who will look out for your best interests.

"Considering that at Mercy they consider it complementary care and Mercy doctors refer patients to Mercy chiropractors, chiropractors have apparently reached a certain level of acceptance within the medical community."

Actually...if it helps their bottom line, then of course they reach "a certain level of acceptance".

Money talks.

Accupuncture. My "tennis elbow" was once so bad I could not pass a plate of food to another family member without using two hands.
. . .
Simultaneously I had a flare up of what was diagnosed as sciatica. It was so bad that my right leg would go out from under me.
. . .
Began treatments at Chiro/Accupuncture in Roscoe, Illinois. They now have an office on Randolph Road in Janesville.
. . .
Spinal "adjustments" complemented with acupuncture had me put right in a relatively short period of time. Occasional "maintenance" treatments keep the bogeyman away.
. . .
I recommend it to anyone.

I suffered from sciatica for years being treated by M.D.'s, who would just prescribe muscle relaxers to mask the symptom. I was in so much pain one day 4 vicotin did nothing. A friend suggested acupuncture. I was very skeptical but nothing else was working. What did I have to lose? 1 treatment with chiropratic adjustments and the pain lessened a great deal in 2 days. I returned in a week for 1 more treatment and I was pain free within 2 more days. I did not have a sciatica problem for 4 years. At the slightest hint I go in for an acupuncture treatment and the pain is gone. The combination of chiropractic and acupuncture has allowed me to be pharmacutical free for 10 years. I'm 57, follow a healthy diet and I am on no medications.

Thanks, mgcarguy. Fixed that.
dg468, my wife thinks this blog was too personal, but I suggested lots of my readers probably have a fair understanding of back problems and might offer reasonable advice. She just wants me to get some help, and I did see a chiropractor today. So far, so good; we'll see what the future holds.
Greg Peck

Greg, Back pain can be bad. I get into the pool and while using a float across my chest and lying on my back I do a bicycle pedal exercise, about 100 at a time then stretch my legs and raise each one out of the water, stiff legged about 100 times. Then I float for about a half hour with my feet off the bottom of the pool. My back problem is a herniated disk. Since I have been doing these exercises my back is much better. I also find that standing with my back against the water jet with cold water shooting against my bad disk I am helped a lot. I use cold rather than hot to make my back feel better. Also I have lost a lot of belly fat and this has helped. I am determined to get better. My back problem started six years ago and gets better every day since the exercise routine. Aleve has only one L.

DO is Doctor of Osteopathy....yes, a real doctor.

I believe they are actually more thorough in their exams and history taking.

"DO's bring something extra to medicine:

Osteopathic schools emphasize training students to be primary care physicians.
DO's practice a "whole person" approach to medicine. Instead of just treating specific symptoms or illnesses, they regard your body as an integrated whole.
Osteopathic physicians focus on preventive healthcare.
DO's receive extra training in the musculoskeletal system - your body's interconnected system of nerves, muscles and bones that make up two-thirds of its body mass. This training provides osteopathic physicians with a better understanding of the ways that an injury or illness in one part of your body can affect another. It gives DO's a therapeutic and diagnostic advantage over those who do not receive additional specialized training.
Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) is incorporated in the training and practice of osteopathic physicians. OMT allows physicians to use their hands to diagnose injury and illness and to encourage your body's natural tendency toward good health. By combining all other medical procedures with OMT, DO's offer their patients the most comprehensive care available in medicine today."

http://www.askdrwalker.com/index/What_is...

In my experience doctors refuse to treat patients who treat with chiropractors. I slipped a disc as a teenager & 25 years later I suffer with DJD. I upgraded my mattress to a Sleep Number and when my back acts up I go to a physical therapist. Get a diagnosis first though. Feel better:)

Considering that at Mercy they consider it complementary care and Mercy doctors refer patients to Mercy chiropractors, chiropractors have apparently reached a certain level of acceptance within the medical community. I know it has helped my husband, who has mild scoliosis and whose back sometimes goes further out of alignment than usual. Pain meds don't work when it's not inflammation or pulled muscles but rather truly out of normal alignment. Sometimes it just happens from too long a drive or hitting a lawn bump on the riding lawn mower.

Or here's an even better suggestion: Do what your wife thinks you should do. Certainly her opinion would count more than any of ours?

Can you tell I'm a wife?

Go to a doctor and rule out anything that can't be fixed by manipulation first. Personally, I'd rather go to physical therapy, or even a massage therapist, than a chiropractor.

Give Clinton Chriopractic a try. They have a machine called the DRX9000 and it works wonders. I was told I needed surgey but went to Clinton instead. They had me feeling great after just a few visits. It has been 6 yrs since I was treated and haven't needed to return.

Imjustsayin, I used to feel the same way you did about chiropractors until my back hurt so bad I could hardly stand it and I was sick and tired of taking the Dr. prescribed drugs. My girlfriend who visits a chiro for her back talked me into going. Boy I have to admit, it was the best thing I did. Now, I might have to go once every 6 months or so for another adjustment and I am good. They might not be actual Drs. like you say but one that knows what he is doing can do you a lot of good. Get references before you just jump at a Chiropractor. I'll give you the fact that some of them are not really that good. But you have to give me the fact that some are really good.

Best sleep I ever had was sleeping on a futon with a thin pad on top. That fixed my back pains for years. It's what my grandmother advised. Sleep on a hard surface.

Don't call a chiropractor, call a doctor. Chiropractors are not doctors.
I would never, ever EVER call a chiropractor.

Sounds to me you have a problem in the SI joint,unless you have pains in or shooting down the leg. I am dealing with this problem,and unfortunately for 6 months,a constant pain in the low back,on the hospitals scale of pain it is on average a 4 ,24 hours a day and, at times 8 to 10. I can relate Greg ! hope you get better,