I have had chronic moderate pack pain since I left high school, now I'm 65. I've never had any serious problem other than "being down in my back" every few years and it goes away after taking it easy a few days. Woodlot maintenance and firewood chores are aggravating it. My core muscles are just not as strong as they need to be, I think that is the problem. So, what to do? I am not one to run to the doctor with every sniffle and I am not presently injured, so... I wonder if there is any need to see a doctor. I doubt a doctor would know much any way, you'd probably get referred to someone and then the bills could be enormous for something nebulous like that because they might "check you out" pretty good with tests. I find modern medicine to spend way too much money very often. Wondering could you just buy a back brace, and, if so, what? Anyone got experience with this? I see workers wearing braces and wonder did they just buy one, did the employer just issue them one, or just what. Of course, they may have been injured in the past but not all of them. Don't they issue these as preventive type equipment for certain jobs? I see back braces online but have no clue what is worthwhile. If I have to get referred to a physical therapist, I'm game, as I would like to get some help IF it is effective. If it's just "get yourself in better shape," ok! I look to be in decent shape at 6'2" and 235 lbs but my core is just too weak in my opinion.
Beware of back braces as there are many on the market that are not worth much at all. Best to get a referal from a doctor then go to a place like Wright & Flipis. Beware too that many times wearing a back brace will actually make your back weaker! Also from what you are stating, most doctors and therapists will probably recommend doing some exercises to strengthen the back.
Yawner this is the brace ive been wearing religiously since late Winter. Good friend of mine who is 65, just retired. He was given this one by his son who is a massage therapist. He goes to a chiropractor, which i never have, regularly. Hurt my back in mid January and pain didnt subside. Ive pulled muscles many times but this pain was different. I finally ended up getting an mri in late April. Turns out disc issues. Pain/tingling going thru my left rear end into my legs. Went to some PT and it helped. Orthopedist says no surgery as the pain has subsided. Seldom does it go over a "5" on the pain scale. Id run back home for the brace before my cell phone if i forgot them. I didnt like it at first, but quickly got used to it. I take it off and realize what a difference it makes. I still lift a lot and try to be mindful on heavier logs, which is not always the case. Ill wear it all day in the heat and its doesnt get that uncomfortable either. Sometimes sawdust gets in there and i take it off. Putting it on is as automatic as tying my boots now.
I see a chiropractor to keep my neck and lower back loose. He doesn’t use any gadgets. He just uses his hands to give what amounts to a deep tissue massage. It’s amazing what he can do in 15 minutes. Stretching on your own goes a long way as well.
I'm using the same back brace as brad, and I absolutely love it. I don't have significant back pain, but occasionally I do something random, and it goes out. This happened the day before we were moving last year, and I bought the brace to get me through. It worked great, and I used it all last winter for wood. I haven't had a problem since I started using it.
PT for sure. Do the stretches and exercises they recommend. Regularly. Back braces are a bandaid, and contribute negatively to weak(ing) core muscles. BTDT, still suffer it from not stretching and exercising consistently (my fault).
Buzzsaw Brad, as for getting a brace, that Mueller brace is, exactly, the brace I had been looking at getting. Yes, need to strengthen the core. And stretch. But I haven't done stretching in 65 years of living.
I hurt lower back pretty good a couple years ago lifting huge rounds while trying to ignore some pain that was already there. One if the things I focus on now is processing wood more efficiently than before. I tool that i love using now is the Logox tool. It helps pick up rounds off the ground without putting a ton of strain on lower back. That a buying a splitter has helped a lot.
My daily routine is stretching. A very useful one for me is : while on all 4's, I extend my right arm straight forward, and my left leg straight back. I hold this until I start to tremble. Then switch sides. A few sets of this. And the other "typical" exercises for lower back/sacrum issues. I hope you find a solution that works for you.
Go to the gym! I love it when Im working out surrounded by the older crowd, they really put it in! They arent curling or chest pressing what I am, they dont want too... but they arent falling victim to the couch!
