Trapped nerve in lower back

I have an excellent osteopath who put me all back together after a nasty fall. NHS were useless sending me to a physio.

But I would a)pester your GP for the MRI and follow up b) find a sports physio, especially if your local football club does outside work. One of my staff was given traction, then an op, then ended up medically retired in a wheelchair still in pain.

A friend of a friend recommended Swansea City's physio - miracle cure - walked out with no pain after years. He explained that although the traction had moved the trapped nerve back where it belonged, the actual pain was coming from the nerve regenerating, and the muscles in spasm because they too had been stretched out of shape

Thanks to you all for your help.
The wheat bag has been great.
The tens thingy is a fankle but possibly helped.
I've come to bed as my day has been long, painful and tiring.

I am sorry you are suffering like this.
If you are on strong painkillers be aware that your bowel could turn to concrete so take preventive measures!
I had to laugh at the cat pose ... if I were to try that I would be on the floor forever!!

I'm watching this thread too as I have my own thread posting on here at the moment discussing Pain Relief, but am getting similar answers to yours - all kindly meant but without really helping.
It seems hopeless unless we can get hold of illegal cannabis or something of that ilk.
The person who develops an effective, safe analgesic will deserve to make a fortune! Good luck.

I read this thread after just struggling along the landing to the bathroom. I feel your pain. A recent MRI shows I have bulging discs and a recent break due to osteoporosis. It’s worse at night I think because there’s nothing to distract me, just trying to sleep whereas in the day there are many things on offer to distract although they don’t always work. Has your dr prescribed a 5% ibuprofen gel? I use this and it helps a lot. I also have lidocaine patches which help for 12 hours, but the gel is very good, you can’t buy it but is prescribed. It’s called Fenbid 5% gel and you don’t need much to get some relief. Far better than amatryptiline type meds. Also an electric heated pad placed on the back is good too, the heat is very good. I am using these pain relievers right now with a couple of paracetamol too. I wish you well, the pain is miserable.

Not on the nhs but there’s acupuncture, homeopathy, osteopathy and some other holistic therapies that could help.

Can you afford an appointment with a sports physio ? My son had a sore back for a while despite physiotherapy and eventually made an appointment with a sports physiotherapist. Within 2 sessions his back was back to normal. Worth a try?

67notout

I read this thread after just struggling along the landing to the bathroom. I feel your pain. A recent MRI shows I have bulging discs and a recent break due to osteoporosis. It’s worse at night I think because there’s nothing to distract me, just trying to sleep whereas in the day there are many things on offer to distract although they don’t always work. Has your dr prescribed a 5% ibuprofen gel? I use this and it helps a lot. I also have lidocaine patches which help for 12 hours, but the gel is very good, you can’t buy it but is prescribed. It’s called Fenbid 5% gel and you don’t need much to get some relief. Far better than amatryptiline type meds. Also an electric heated pad placed on the back is good too, the heat is very good. I am using these pain relievers right now with a couple of paracetamol too. I wish you well, the pain is miserable.

That sounds really miserable. I am so sorry. Chronic pain is so debilitating.
I have several grabbers round the house so if pain is bad I do not have to bend. I also have a rollator which I use outdoors but sometimes indoors if things are very bad.

It's true about being distracted during the day makes it seem bearable.

I had a bad night . I stagger and squeal my way to the loo at intervals. I am waiting for codeine to work so I can dress and go downstairs.
I have a viewing for this house at 11. 😟
My next home will have to be on one level.

There is an osteopath/sports therapist but it's a car ride away. There is no way I could drive in this state.
Chiropractor on Thursday. He's just a short walk from here.

The ice pack was possibly better pain relief than the heat pad as it numbs the area. An anaesthetic would be good 😯😉
Sorry to hear so many of you are suffering too.

My last post was a week ago and the back pain is just as bad.
I think I'll have to see the doctor again and try to get an exray or scan. Depending on painkillers just to function can't be right.

People tell me back pain goes away eventually. Does it?

I have all manner of back issues.

If it’s a trapped nerve, is it sciatica?

For a trapped nerve, try a hard rubber ball, position yourself by a wall and place ball as close to trapped nerve as possible, on top is best, then push back against ball and move in circular movements.

Or find yourself a very good, deep tissue masseur, it’s not comfy at the time, but provides great relief afterwards.

You can also purchase machines which provide deep massage, but you need someone at home with you to use it on your back.

Or hot and cold works for a limited time.

For me, oral painkillers are almost all a “no no” given that they really only dull the pain but more because they have an awful effect on my tummy etc.

Good luck, trapped nerves are awful!

Many years ago when couldn’t get on top of lower back pain. We had not long moved house and the bathroom floor had thermoplastic tiles that had been coated in something. The only was to get it off was scrubbing with I can’t remember what To cut a long story short that repetitive motion did wonders for my back. My knees wouldn’t take it now !

I have tried all these suggestions.
Today I had a session with a fascia release therapist. It was nice at the time.

I am seeing a physiotherapist on Friday so hope she will work some magic.

Grammaretto

I have tried all these suggestions.
Today I had a session with a fascia release therapist. It was nice at the time.

I am seeing a physiotherapist on Friday so hope she will work some magic.

Good luck and please keep us all posted

Have you asked to be referred for a scan?
Surely no therapist of any kind will know what they are dealing with until they see the results of a scan?

Yes, I agree that a scan is necessary to identify the problem. Sorry to hear you’re going through this, especially when you’re selling your home. All best wishes Grammaretto. 💐