Crippling back pain, throw me some tips

[oilfeildtrash]

Forgive me this is so long. I'm just really depressed by this and I need some direction.

So I've initially fucked my back years ago i was squatting in the gym and heard/felt an audible POP in my lower back. My back hurt but life went on. Quick recovery as expected for a early 20s dude.
Never felt 100% but wasn't bad enough to cry over it. Shortly after was a motorcycle accident that finished it off. Lower right back in the same spot was excruciating. I remember in the hospital complaining that my back was like a sharp stabbing pain. They brushed it off and just said it was "strained" so I didnt really question it.

Life went on but was different ever since. But healed enough to where I didnt let it bring me down. Although ever since I could never lift the same as before and my back would act up on and off over the years.

Fast forward to now I'm 30 and my back seems to be an issue constantly. If I sit too long it hurts. I travel for work and its getting really hard to sit in my car for 2-3hrs straight. I start squirming in my seat after 1hr now. Stand too long and it hurts my lower back. Running fuckin hurts my back too. Etc
BUT! I can still do it. It's just getting harder.

We'll about a month ago I did some light sets of squats on the Smith machine. Nothing crazy because I know my back Is very unpredictable. Some days I feel like I can go super heavy and it feels great. Other days I don't feel safe even picking up the bar. Even when I warm up.

It's a double edge sword because I don't want my back to turn into an excuse not to train or be a pussy but at the same time doing so can put me in the position I am now. Bed bound..

funny thing is I didn't really feel anything wrong that day. Back was a little tight but I got it done. Next day the shit hurt really fucking bad. That went on for weeks. Weird thing is my right leg (Same side as my back) felt very sensitive. It was hard to sleep because my girlfriend brushing up against my leg was so sensitive. Even touching the hair on my leg was too intense. It almost felt swollen too. This has never happened before..

Anyways a couple weeks went by. I slowly got better and then sensitive leg thing went away was well. Now mind you my back is still tight, I feel stiff in the mornings, a little achey so I was still cautious.

Well Yesterday I was doing seated cable rows. And with no warning I finished my set and went to stand up and was HORRIFIED. It feels like the pain from my motorcycle accident years ago. I was hobbling out of the gym. I need my girlfriend to help get me out bed. It hurt just forcing a shit out this morning and wiping my ass. This is bad, this is knife in your back bad.
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QUESTIONS

#1 So like I said I've already been turned away by doctors. They won't even x ray me. They just throw muscle relaxers at me, I throw them in the trash. That's just a bandaid.


#2 Should I wear a weightlifting belt? I've heard they are bad because it makes your core weak. So I never used them. But maybe I need to.

#3Should I see a chiropractor?

#4Any exercises I should do or daily warm-ups? Etc?

#5My lower right back is the bad side, however I noticed my whole left side of my body is much weaker then my right. And it's pretty dramatic. Left Leg, arm, shoulder etc all weaker.
Would my back have some sort of crossover effect? Idk I feel like this shit is all linked. What do you guys think?

#6Also I do sit alot driving, so could having tight hip flexor causing anterior pelvic tilt cause more stress on the spine? I was reading some people say it dosnt really matter so I don't know.

#7Should I do a fuck ton of Abdominal work? I must admit I really don't work my abs at all. But if it'll fix my back ill start ASAP. I just hate that shit lol

#8 Also I'm sure I'll get slammed for saying this. But I've read that PEDS can really help with joints. And the added strength and muscle really help protect the joints. At this point that's enough reason for me personally to start.

#9 when I put my hands on my lower back I swear I can feel the right side has a small hard lump. My girlfriend said she can feel it too. Anyone else ever hear of anything like this?

#10. If I'm 30 and this is the stage I am at. What the fuck is my life going to be like when I'm 50 or 60? Im suppose to be in my prime and im in the worst condition ever right now. I'm really scared and don't want to end up in a wheelchair. I want to go for runs. And hikes. And lift heavy things and use my body the way it was designed. People act like I'm too "young to have back pain" so doctors brush me off. I feel like I have nobody to turn to and don't really know how to help myself.

any lifestyle changes, tips or tricks, drugs, warm-ups/stretches I'll do it right away.

Sorry for the long post if you made it this far I really appreciate you taking the time to help me out!

 

[Wizbang]

Forgive me this is so long. I'm just really depressed by this and I need some direction.

So I've initially fucked my back years ago i was squatting in the gym and heard/felt an audible POP in my lower back. My back hurt but life went on. Quick recovery as expected for a early 20s dude.
Never felt 100% but wasn't bad enough to cry over it. Shortly after was a motorcycle accident that finished it off. Lower right back in the same spot was excruciating. I remember in the hospital complaining that my back was like a sharp stabbing pain. They brushed it off and just said it was "strained" so I didnt really question it.

Life went on but was different ever since. But healed enough to where I didnt let it bring me down. Although ever since I could never lift the same as before and my back would act up on and off over the years.

Fast forward to now I'm 30 and my back seems to be an issue constantly. If I sit too long it hurts. I travel for work and its getting really hard to sit in my car for 2-3hrs straight. I start squirming in my seat after 1hr now. Stand too long and it hurts my lower back. Running fuckin hurts my back too. Etc
BUT! I can still do it. It's just getting harder.

We'll about a month ago I did some light sets of squats on the Smith machine. Nothing crazy because I know my back Is very unpredictable. Some days I feel like I can go super heavy and it feels great. Other days I don't feel safe even picking up the bar. Even when I warm up.

It's a double edge sword because I don't want my back to turn into an excuse not to train or be a pussy but at the same time doing so can put me in the position I am now. Bed bound..

funny thing is I didn't really feel anything wrong that day. Back was a little tight but I got it done. Next day the shit hurt really fucking bad. That went on for weeks. Weird thing is my right leg (Same side as my back) felt very sensitive. It was hard to sleep because my girlfriend brushing up against my leg was so sensitive. Even touching the hair on my leg was too intense. It almost felt swollen too. This has never happened before..

Anyways a couple weeks went by. I slowly got better and then sensitive leg thing went away was well. Now mind you my back is still tight, I feel stiff in the mornings, a little achey so I was still cautious.

Well Yesterday I was doing seated cable rows. And with no warning I finished my set and went to stand up and was HORRIFIED. It feels like the pain from my motorcycle accident years ago. I was hobbling out of the gym. I need my girlfriend to help get me out bed. It hurt just forcing a shit out this morning and wiping my ass. This is bad, this is knife in your back bad.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
QUESTIONS

#1 So like I said I've already been turned away by doctors. They won't even x ray me. They just throw muscle relaxers at me, I throw them in the trash. That's just a bandaid.


#2 Should I wear a weightlifting belt? I've heard they are bad because it makes your core weak. So I never used them. But maybe I need to.

#3Should I see a chiropractor?

#4Any exercises I should do or daily warm-ups? Etc?

#5My lower right back is the bad side, however I noticed my whole left side of my body is much weaker then my right. And it's pretty dramatic. Left Leg, arm, shoulder etc all weaker.
Would my back have some sort of crossover effect? Idk I feel like this shit is all linked. What do you guys think?

#6Also I do sit alot driving, so could having tight hip flexor causing anterior pelvic tilt cause more stress on the spine? I was reading some people say it dosnt really matter so I don't know.

#7Should I do a fuck ton of Abdominal work? I must admit I really don't work my abs at all. But if it'll fix my back ill start ASAP. I just hate that shit lol

#8 Also I'm sure I'll get slammed for saying this. But I've read that PEDS can really help with joints. And the added strength and muscle really help protect the joints. At this point that's enough reason for me personally to start.

#9 when I put my hands on my lower back I swear I can feel the right side has a small hard lump. My girlfriend said she can feel it too. Anyone else ever hear of anything like this?

#10. If I'm 30 and this is the stage I am at. What the fuck is my life going to be like when I'm 50 or 60? Im suppose to be in my prime and im in the worst condition ever right now. I'm really scared and don't want to end up in a wheelchair. I want to go for runs. And hikes. And lift heavy things and use my body the way it was designed. People act like I'm too "young to have back pain" so doctors brush me off. I feel like I have nobody to turn to and don't really know how to help myself.

any lifestyle changes, tips or tricks, drugs, warm-ups/stretches I'll do it right away.

Sorry for the long post if you made it this far I really appreciate you taking the time to help me out!

Answers as follows

1 - Keep looking for a doctor until someone listens to you and investigates it beyond muscle relaxers, you want X-ray/CT and MRI of your back. Also see about getting a referral to a PT.

2 - That's a personal decision, some people find them helpful, some do not, they don't make me feel good so I don't use them personally. It is worth a shot if you think it will help.

3 - I have gone to multiple chiros over the years and what I have found is they want to do regimented visits (copays/payments) to "fix" the problem and after following along for months I was no better than when I started and their response would be "more visits!" They're great for making you feel great right following the visit but that feeling doesn't persist.

4 - Band training could be helpful and has helped me in the past with recovery for injuries but yours sounds much more structural in nature. YouTube some videos on lower back band work and give it a go.

5- You will have compensation occurring from other muscles which can intensify the issue as the other muscles get strong and change your posture/lifting to try to avoid the use of the area. this is bad.

6 - Unsure, would be a question for a PT.

7,8 - No.

9- Go to a doctor and say "what is this" and have them feel it too and when they say nothing or don't know tell them you want it investigated. Advocate for yourself, they're dismissive because you're not pushing back enough.

10 - Get shit fixed now. and then you will have less to worry about at 50-60 because fixing shit at those ages requires much more healing and PT and you may not regain full ROM.

 

[snake]

Find a different doctor. You can tell them your problem and how long it's going on. I can't believe they won't at least do an x-ray. You are in the US with some form of insurance?

Typically x-rays don't tell you much, but the insurance companies require it before you go to an MRI.

A lifting belt can't hurt to use. Keep your reps up and don't try to hump around big weight.

Best of luck to ya!

 

[El Gringo]

I have the same problem. I can’t afford an mri but i think it’s the lumbar lordosis

Is the pain just above the tail bone?

I’ve been stretching my glutes and hamstrings a lot. As well as building up my glute strength

I stopped doing legs because of the pain but it probably only made my glutes weaker. Just recently it’s been better as I’ve begun doing legs presses with the seat raised as far up

Work on your posture and squeezing your ass cheeks. Does the pain subside when you flex your ass?

 

[iron-rage66]

Seek help from qualified experts, not random folks on a lifting forum...

 

[buck]

How many orthopedic surgeons have you been to?

 

[oilfeildtrash]

I have the same problem. I can’t afford an mri but i think it’s the lumbar lordosis

Is the pain just above the tail bone?

I’ve been stretching my glutes and hamstrings a lot. As well as building up my glute strength

I stopped doing legs because of the pain but it probably only made my glutes weaker. Just recently it’s been better as I’ve begun doing legs presses with the seat raised as far up

Work on your posture and squeezing your ass cheeks. Does the pain subside when you flex your ass?

Yea pain is just above tailbone but to the right of my spine. And the pain kinda gets worse when I stand up straight or squeeze my ass. It feels good being slumped over oddly enough.

 

[oilfeildtrash]

Find a different doctor. You can tell them your problem and how long it's going on. I can't believe they won't at least do an x-ray. You are in the US with some form of insurance?

Typically x-rays don't tell you much, but the insurance companies require it before you go to an MRI.

A lifting belt can't hurt to use. Keep your reps up and don't try to hump around big weight.

Best of luck to ya!

Alright

Answers as follows

1 - Keep looking for a doctor until someone listens to you and investigates it beyond muscle relaxers, you want X-ray/CT and MRI of your back. Also see about getting a referral to a PT.

2 - That's a personal decision, some people find them helpful, some do not, they don't make me feel good so I don't use them personally. It is worth a shot if you think it will help.

3 - I have gone to multiple chiros over the years and what I have found is they want to do regimented visits (copays/payments) to "fix" the problem and after following along for months I was no better than when I started and their response would be "more visits!" They're great for making you feel great right following the visit but that feeling doesn't persist.

4 - Band training could be helpful and has helped me in the past with recovery for injuries but yours sounds much more structural in nature. YouTube some videos on lower back band work and give it a go.

5- You will have compensation occurring from other muscles which can intensify the issue as the other muscles get strong and change your posture/lifting to try to avoid the use of the area. this is bad.

6 - Unsure, would be a question for a PT.

7,8 - No.

9- Go to a doctor and say "what is this" and have them feel it too and when they say nothing or don't know tell them you want it investigated. Advocate for yourself, they're dismissive because you're not pushing back enough.

10 - Get shit fixed now. and then you will have less to worry about at 50-60 because fixing shit at those ages requires much more healing and PT and you may not regain full ROM.

Fuckin solid advice thank you

 

[oilfeildtrash]

Answers as follows

1 - Keep looking for a doctor until someone listens to you and investigates it beyond muscle relaxers, you want X-ray/CT and MRI of your back. Also see about getting a referral to a PT.

2 - That's a personal decision, some people find them helpful, some do not, they don't make me feel good so I don't use them personally. It is worth a shot if you think it will help.

3 - I have gone to multiple chiros over the years and what I have found is they want to do regimented visits (copays/payments) to "fix" the problem and after following along for months I was no better than when I started and their response would be "more visits!" They're great for making you feel great right following the visit but that feeling doesn't persist.

4 - Band training could be helpful and has helped me in the past with recovery for injuries but yours sounds much more structural in nature. YouTube some videos on lower back band work and give it a go.

5- You will have compensation occurring from other muscles which can intensify the issue as the other muscles get strong and change your posture/lifting to try to avoid the use of the area. this is bad.

6 - Unsure, would be a question for a PT.

7,8 - No.

9- Go to a doctor and say "what is this" and have them feel it too and when they say nothing or don't know tell them you want it investigated. Advocate for yourself, they're dismissive because you're not pushing back enough.

10 - Get shit fixed now. and then you will have less to worry about at 50-60 because fixing shit at those ages requires much more healing and PT and you may not regain full ROM.

5- You will have compensation occurring from other muscles which can intensify the issue as the other muscles get strong and change your posture/lifting to try to avoid the use of the area. this is bad.
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How can I avoid this though? I definitely feel like this is happening. I almost feel like my whole body is twisting. Like the chain of command with my muscles is definitely adapting in a way that is from thus whole back issue

 

[Wizbang]

5- You will have compensation occurring from other muscles which can intensify the issue as the other muscles get strong and change your posture/lifting to try to avoid the use of the area. this is bad.
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How can I avoid this though? I definitely feel like this is happening. I almost feel like my whole body is twisting. Like the chain of command with my muscles is definitely adapting in a way that is from thus whole back issue

PT would be a good place to start.

 

[Thrawn]

I'm not advocating doing this because it's considered fraud but if you cannot afford an MRI you can always slip, trip, or fall, at work. Start at scratch and say now your back hurts, do not mention from that point forward that you've had ongoing pain in the past, ever.

 

[Wizbang]

 

[Mister Slicksta]

MRI right now. Make a doctor give you one. I just went through a spine fusion. If it’s that I can answer your questions.

 

[Yano]

Good Dr , Orthopedic surgeon , tell him you think you have some nerve compression and need it looked at , when he asks why tell him your symptoms and dollars to donuts he schedules you for mri and xrays.

I have issues with compression of the nerve roots at l1 l2 and it basically shut my left leg off , and it's only now starting to act "normal" again over a month later.