Tips for people with back pain

For years now I have used a rolled up towel- hand towel size, roll up tightly the long way, secure the ends with rubber bands - I place it across my lower back, very low, which helps a great deal when I drive. I tried all the seat cushions, back cushions, you name it and they didn't work. My truck seat has adjustable lumbar, and that doesn't help. The simple rolled towel does the trick and you can adjust its location every so often to alleviate any pain. I think a PT gave me that idea. I stop every two hours so the dog and I can get out and stretch, which also is important. Good luck, I know how miserable back issues can be.

Thanks a lot for your suggestions! I do agree that pills are not the right answer. The injury wasn't that bad to do a surgery, but my doctor gave me special gymnastics to reduce pain, which I have to do every day. At first, it was hard for me to sleep on the back or just to sit, I didn't know what to do. So my friend bought me a pillow for reducing the pain. I can't say that the pain is completely gone, but, at least, I can sit without problems. So I decided to try out other types of pillows, found an article with a description of pillows for back pain, and bought some of them. Unfortunately, not all of them worked great, some made even worse. For example, I didn't like the body pillow because it was uncomfortable to sleep with, or maybe I just couldn't find the right position. The best for me were cervical support pillow and wedge-shaped pillows. Even my cat prefers to sleep on a wedge pillow.

As for gymnastics, I'm trying to do the exercises twice a day and it does help. I feel better now.

I have added to my driving hours by adjusting the seat throughout the drive. For me changing pressure points makes a huge difference. I will not purchase a vehicle without a 6 way seat. Also I carry seat cushions that are different thicknesses to also change the pressure points. I also have had surgery and worked well for me.

I’ve had back pain from light arthritis. I make frequent stops and move around, get the blood flowing.
A friend of mine was almost killed in a wreck in the early 80’s. He has been on opioids for years. His back x-rays look like a hardware store. About three years ago he tried CBD drops too. Now instead of a pain killer three times a day it’s cbd twice a day. If he really over does it he’ll take a half pain pill, but it takes a lot of strain to require it.

Do what the Dr/Orthopedist says.
If you want to self treat, exercise or at least stretching REGULARLY.

Depends on back issue. In my case having a stable/firmer driver seat made a significant difference ... that's kinda opposite from the pillow recommendation from your doctor. You may just have to experiment to find the right solution. In the interim .... occasionally pull off the road and relax/walk.

bgum wrote:
Get to a neurosurgeon. Have MRI. Then discuss your condition and treatment options. You don't have to do anything that you don't want to do after that. Pain pills are not the answer.

good advice. that's what I did, see my post above. I went from pretty much constant pain affecting what I could do, to something that I noticed on occasion and back to normal activities. No surgery, no pills, just physical theraphy to mitigate the cause and keep it under control.

Get to a neurosurgeon. Have MRI. Then discuss your condition and treatment options. You don't have to do anything that you don't want to do after that. Pain pills are not the answer.

My wife uses a tapered seat cushion.

My advice: I started having some back pain along with leg pain in my right leg. Then my hip. Had trouble sleeping, driving, sitting. Thinking I was due for a hip replacement I went to a well known hip Dr. After exam, xrays, and MRI the consistent conclusion from all was no, hip was fine. BUT problem was spinal stynosis (sp?) in my lower back. He did not recomend surgery but insisted on physical therapy. I went to the same physical therapist I had for my rotator cuff therapy. She looked at the data, showed me where the problem was, explained what caused it, and what therapy could do. her first excerise I started on started the road to recovery. Did therapy twice/wk for a few months and the pain is basically gone. I get occasional "twinges" but as long as I do some excercises each week and pay attention to what the therapist said, I'm back to normal.

So, my advice get a checkup from a orthopedist and see what they have to say.

I've been taking CBD drops sublingually since February and haven't needed any pain pills or even advil, etc. since then. Might work for you.