Remedies for the "Twinging Screws"?

[Cardiffbloke]

I had suffered from sports related lower 'bad back' pain for years, so much so, that on one occasion i could not walk, but had to crawl around the room! After many visits to doctors, radiologists, osteopaths, physios and chriopractors the bottom line is this.... Once your back is 'gone' thats it. Even with surgery you will never regain the spring and bounce you once had. The most effective way for compensating for this damage and resultant pain is to improve the condition of your abdominal muscles. They then act like a clamp on the damaged back area (bit like a knee stocking on a 'bad knee') and allow you to function pretty well. TAKE IT EASY at first with the sit ups and make sure that the greater proportion of abdom muscle work is of the leg raising variety as these work the inner abdoms (spine clampers) and not the traditional hands behind the head sit ups as they work the outer abdoms (the six pack).... and its the inner ones you want to strengthen..... Work up slowly and regularly and get yourself into a strict regime of doing them. I Guarantee that this will improve your situation..... plus improve your whole posture.... Abdoms are everything to a back..... trust me... i am a veritable skipping buck these days :wink:

 

[Penners]

The Alexander Technique is well worth investigating

The present Mrs P had an Alexander treatment some years ago for some unpleasant arthritic problems she was going through. It did her a power of good.

But I don't think it's a technique that will diminish existing back pain. As you have said, I believe it's more of a long-term posture improvement technique to help with chronic conditions.

Aren't we all very, very old?!

 

[Penners]

i am a veritable skipping buck these days :wink:

Thanks, Cardiff bloke. I'll take that on board. If you can transform me into a skipping buck, you're likely to be ranked up there with the world's greatest miracle-workers!

 

[Moo]

The Alexander Technique isn't really a 'treatment'. It's something you learn. which is why it's not much use to have just a couple of lessons. My friend and I indulged in a course of fourteen daily lessons a couple of decades ago when we were at the Dartington Summer Music School (our husbands played, we just played around). It's proved to be one of my best investments.

 

[Cardiffbloke]

Mate.....trust me.... a few years ago i actually thought the way forward for me was to be gently led into a field, stroked on my nose and promptly head shot!... I then did the sit ups and now.... believe it or not..... at the ripe age of 50.... foolishly i might add.... played a game of rugby the other day.... so there you go.... good luck and dont go mad at first.... just a few leg raises to start with and then after a while up the anti.... you'll have a six pack like Denise Lewis by Xmas 2007 and you'll be plaing scrum half for England!!!!

 

[plumbers mate]

Surgery open in the Crown Posada, Newcastle on Saturdays 13.00 - 15.00 by prior appointment only.
http://www.pubsnewcastle.co.uk/CrownPosada.html

 

[Penners]

you'll be playing scrum half for England!

Well, if I could do even half the job that Matt Dawson has done....!

Denise Lewis? Hmmm - wrong skin colour, wrong gender. Otherwise... yes, I can see a slight resemblance. :?

 

[BMcD]

I like the look of Plumbers Mate's surgery. Who needs a six pack when you can have a party 7?

 

[middi]

Having had my share of back problems I am well qualified to offer advise on the subject.

You are required to use the same approach for curing back problems as you would an old building.

1)........ Get a structural survey from someone who understands older bodies.

2)........The advise for cure may work on a certain body but not on another unless the fundamentals of the construction are fully understood

3)........Once the remedy for cure has been established, same as an old building, the process of repair takes longer to put right.

4).........Treat your symptom same as damp, be sceptical of advise from someone that does not undersatand old bodies, get more than one survey if you have to.

It would be a shame if you have to be put down because of bad or incorrect advise, it would be a sad loss to this site. :wink:

 

[Gervase]

...and whatever you do, don't use cement on an old back!

 

[MDE]

Try this
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Treat-Your-Back-Robin-McKenzie/dp/0959804927
It works for me. Keep doing the exercises to avoid a repeat problem.

 

[Penners]

It would be a shame if you have to be put down because of bad or incorrect advise, it would be a sad loss to this site.

Thanks for all that excellent advice, Middi. I did consider a full structural survey, but in the end I decided against it. I think I was terrified that the survey might reveal dry rot.

However, I think I may have come up with a defence against the threat of demolition. I'm going to try and get myself listed.

 

[lordmulberry]

Penners

Contact SPAB (Society for Protection of Ancient Blokes). I found them very helpful.

Cheers

 

[Penners]

Thanks for setting me straight on that, Your Lordship. I always thought it was the Society for the Prevention of Ancient Blokes.

And thanks for that useful link, MDE.

 

[plumbers mate]

You're thinking of COGS (Curmudgeonly old gits) - although that may be more for mechanical engineers.

 

[Paul Hopper]

Penners

Me old dad (god rest his soul) swore by good scotch whisky and Newcastle Brown Ale.

it worked for him for years and years, he expired at 86 complaining that all he came in for was another scotch! true!!

With me its the knees and this weekend I have to overhaul some of the ridge caps on the main roof.!

Paul (Honorary COG)

 

[middi]

Attend to your knee caps first, sod the roof ones.

 

[Paul Hopper]

Middi

thanks for that.. its Mrs H that wants the ridge caps doing before the winter,

wish me luck!

Paul

 

[Jocelyn]

I reckon Penners should win an award for the greatest number of replies and the widest range of advice on care and repair!

Joss

 

[Moo]

Careful, Joss - remember what happened last time someone started counting!