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bad backs and the weather.......

Stoner4Life

Medicinal Advocate
ICMag Donor
Veteran


got the sciatica in my right leg again, nothing can really help until :tumbleweed: that nerve slips back into place.......

screamin' pain
 
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Chamba

Taking pain meds for a bad back is like wearing a raincoat indoors if your roof is leaking...there is a better way!

Fix the roof and stay dry for years......with a sciatica and or lower back pain you can actually do something about it yourself in your own home free of charge which will offer immediate and permanent relief in most cases...but it takes an hour per day 4 or 5 times per week of doing a set of simple beginners yoga poses..the only cost is buying a yoga mat

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbyHCkNEOKo

the good thing about practicing yoga is that while your intent to get relief from pain...you will also become more supple, breathe better, improve your posture, have more energy, be less stressed, become happier, improve your brain function, develop a firm butt, lose a few inches from your waist etc etc...and best of all you can be high and practice yoga as the two compliment each other, though I find that my balance is not that great if I'm too high. but a few tokes is nice and makes the session fly through.
 
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Stoner4Life

Medicinal Advocate
ICMag Donor
Veteran


I know about the bandage routine, I was last prescribed 2 opiates (2 months supply) in April/'11, I renewed those prescriptions 11 months later, I avoid using the opiates.

some bodies are not/no longer able to sustain yoga, the intense shooting pains radiating from my spine when I move only an inch or so the wrong way are killer.

The very best therapy (& I'm gonna have it) would be one of those endless pools.

built in​
endless%20pool.jpg



free standing with spa area
swimspa.jpg


right now I can't get up off the floor without the help of a person or a chair.......
 
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Chamba

8 years ago I was exactly where you are now Stoner, my sciatica was so bad I developed 'foot drop" (my foot was floppy when I walked, I had little control over it) and walked like a stroke victim, the pain was so severe I would toss and turn all night. My back used "go bad" every 6 or 8 weeks, but the time I had severe lower back pain and then sciatica was the worst,it was a month of pain, ganja didn't help the pain, I didn't take any pharmaceutical drugs...then Bubbleman suggested I check out that free yoga video....I did and I've been virtually pain free since.

Nothing is going undo a worn out, compressed or damaged old spine but yoga will help strengthen your mid section which will help support your spine, will help improve your posture which in turn eases pressure from compressed discs, you will re-learn how to breathe correctly which ease tension and help relax etc etc.

Start off slow, don't try to push yourself too far too early and breathe into each pose. I'd also suggest sleeping on a hard mattress and do daily walks and or swimming, do a lot less sitting/slumping into front of a tv or pc, eat more fresh fruit and veggies and eat less processed food.....

8 years later I still get a lack of mobility, can't put my socks on in the morning and have lower back pain, but only if I don't practice yoga for a week or more. One thing is for sure, taking opium extracts will only mask the pain and do nothing to help the problem.....try practicing yoga at home and take control of your body and wean off those drugs.
 

Stoner4Life

Medicinal Advocate
ICMag Donor
Veteran
well Chamba I looked up yoga and my search brought me here:


yp2.jpg



yp7.png



yp3.jpg



yogapants.jpg








I've gotta admit, there's something special 'bout this yoga thing, my back feels GREAT!!! I'm already taking this to the next level if ya know what I mean brother. best part about it is that I haven't even found the need to get onto the floor yet myself.......

although I'm not actually in pain the sight of me gritting my teeth, thrashing my head about and screaming occasionally seems to be scaring the bejesus out of my dogs, have you any fresh advice Chamba?



yp8.jpg
 
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Chamba

Stoner.....lol

yoga classes are the best kept secret, there's usually 5 ~ 8 girls for every guy, if I was single that's where I'd be.....the only problem would be when the instructor said "Let's do "Downward facing dog" I'd be doing "Upward facing pussy"
 

Drift13

Member
Stoner.....lol

yoga classes are the best kept secret, there's usually 5 ~ 8 girls for every guy, if I was single that's where I'd be.....the only problem would be when the instructor said "Let's do "Downward facing dog" I'd be doing "Upward facing pussy"
Do you know of anyone using yoga after a hip replacement? Because I think I have one in my very near future.
 
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Chamba

Do you know of anyone using yoga after a hip replacement? Because I think I have one in my very near future.

I don't , you could do a search online, but it's best to talk face to face with others who have had hip replacement surgery and their experience with their recovery and getting back into exercise and to also speak with several yoga instructors who have experience in this area as well as your doctor, the surgeon and a rehabilitation therapist for advice on what is best and when to do it.
 

justablunttool

New member
Chamba's advice is very good. I found yoga 10 years ago and my sciatica went away. I have a prolapsed disk (L5) and arthritis in a hip which rarely give me any trouble any more. I know 2 people who do yoga with hip replacements, both do a vinyasa style and teach yoga. There are movements they avoid and both were doing yoga before their replacements but as long as the teacher is experienced and understands your condition there should be no problems. I spoke to one about recovery after a replacement and her advice was take it slowly. As Pattabi Jois (the father of Ashtanga yoga) said "There is only one type of person who can't do Ashtanga yoga"...."Lazy person", and Ashtanga is one of the most demanding styles. I think it's also one of the most rewarding.
 

Drift13

Member
Do you know of anyone using yoga after a hip replacement? Because I think I have one in my very near future.

I don't , you could do a search online, but it's best to talk face to face with others who have had hip replacement surgery and their experience with their recovery and getting back into exercise and to also speak with several yoga instructors who have experience in this area as well as your doctor, the surgeon and a rehabilitation therapist for advice on what is best and when to do it.
Thank you for your quick reply. I know google is my friend. I was looking for some personal input from someone that has been there done that. Having been thru 4 leg surgerys and a knee scoped I learned the hard way to listen to what your PT instructor says.
 
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Drift13

Member
Chamba's advice is very good. I found yoga 10 years ago and my sciatica went away. I have a prolapsed disk (L5) and arthritis in a hip which rarely give me any trouble any more. I know 2 people who do yoga with hip replacements, both do a vinyasa style and teach yoga. There are movements they avoid and both were doing yoga before their replacements but as long as the teacher is experienced and understands your condition there should be no problems. I spoke to one about recovery after a replacement and her advice was take it slowly. As Pattabi Jois (the father of Ashtanga yoga) said "There is only one type of person who can't do Ashtanga yoga"...."Lazy person", and Ashtanga is one of the most demanding styles. I think it's also one of the most rewarding.
Thanks justablunttool for the info. I'd been kicking around the idea of either yoga or Tai chi to help after the surgery. But only after the PT and Dr. give me the go ahead. Thanks again.
 

Hydro-Soil

Active member
Veteran
Interesting...

I ate a muffin ( you know, the ones from costco/sam'sclub) and a 'baked from frozen' cookie the other day.

Man... my back ached when this rain we're having came through. Not much, but definitely a 'very' familiar ache I haven't had in a long time. Hasn't done that since I quit the processed foods.

Would love to find out which oils/chemicals are causing it.... but I only eat that crap when I'm sooooo hungry I can't fight it. Usually about 45 minutes after I run out of home-food at work. *sigh*

Stay Safe! :blowbubbles:
 

Stoner4Life

Medicinal Advocate
ICMag Donor
Veteran


had about 30 hours of relief but that sciatica is getting ready to become my #1 fan again.......
 
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Chamba

Stone4life or for anyone else who's in pain now or might soon will be, I'm no expert on relieving sciatica pain. but I do know from first hand experience that if you have supple hamstrings, firm buttocks & mid-section plus a correct sitting and standing posture then you will never suffer from sciatica or lower back pain.

Since doing yoga is something you are still contemplating, perhaps try these doing this set of simple stretches/movements/poses once or twice daily ...do these on an empty stomach, do each movement slowly and controlled while always breathing, never hold your breath. For floor exercises, a carpeted floor is good, but for hard floors use a rug, beach towel or a yoga mat. Bare foot is best.

1) Lay down flat on the floor with your arms straight and flat on the floor behind your head with your palms facing upwards, legs together, firm your buttocks, lengthen your spine, legs and arms as you breathe deeply and slowly for 4 or 5 deep slow breaths...

2) Stand to attention with your feet about a 6 inches apart, shoulders down and back, neck elongated, arms straight down by your side, gaze straight ahead, lift and firm your thigh muscles, elongate your spine, firm your buttocks while keeping the soles of your feet and toes solidly planted....do this for 6 or 7 deep, slow breaths with emphasis on standing tall...this will help gently lengthen the spine.

3) Stand as above and with your arms straight in the air, palms facing forward, stare at your fingertips and as you firm your buttocks, inhale as you arch your back (not too far at first) and then exhale as you bend forward and point your fingers to your toes while keeping your legs straight and firm, your mid-section controlled and your buttocks firm...inhale as you rise back to standing to attention...do this 3 or 4 times with emphasis on being in control the whole time by not over stretching and breathing slowly and fully, inhaling when going up and exhale when bending down..this will warm up your lower back and give the hamstrings some gentle controlled lengthening. It's not important how far you are able to bend backwards or forwards, what is important is to maintain your form, balance and control while moving slowly and breathing.

4) Stand as above with one arm at 90 degrees and the palm flat against a wall for support. If your left palm is against the wall, then move your right leg backwards slowly as far as it will go while keeping the leg straight, this is not a swing, but a slow straight legged movement/arc, do this ten times for each leg. breathing slowly and deeply with the movement...this will work the buttocks, firming and strengthening.

5) Keep standing to attention with the insides of your feet about a foot or so apart, keep both arms straight, with one arm flat against your body and rotate the other arm at 360 degrees while keeping it straight and reaching at all times, starting by inhaling as your raise the arm, (palm facing down) in front of you and then exhaling as the arm is rotated to the rear. Keep your gaze on your fingertips at all times and make sure to breathe slowly with the movement...do 3 rotations on each side

6) Lay flat on your back on the floor with your arms out like JC on the cross, palms flat on the floor, bring your knees to your chest and while keeping your knees together, move your legs/knees over to one side while gazing at the opposite side and you breathe slowly. Do both sides. Feel this movement working your mid-section but make sure to keep your neck, shoulders and arms relaxed...this will help correct your lower spine and strengthen your mid-section.

7) Sit on the floor with your legs straight and together in front of you. Your upper body should be vertical and elongated, Make sure your spine is elongated and straight,firm your legs, move each buttock outwards so you are sitting on your "sitting bones", move your toes back towards you while your feet are angled slightly away from you, your arms by your sides with your palms flat on the floor or towards the floor, shoulders down and back, focus on a point on the wall at eye level while breathing slowly and maintaining your form....after several deep, slow breaths, exhale as your slowly pivot from the waist and point your fingers at your toes while keeping your upper body straight, arms straight while breathing deeply and slowly...don't reach or bend, but breathe into the pose while pivoting/hinging from your hips. Keep breathing as you hold this pose for 3 ~ 5 breaths.

7) Go for a walk every day, 15 minutes initially, then build up to 30 ~ 45 minutes daily...for the first third, walk at a medium pace, the 2nd third of the walk, go at slightly faster pace and for the last third walk at a faster but controlled pace. As you walk, move your arms, breathe deeply and focus on firm buttocks and a firm mid-section of your body.

Do that for a week, sleep on a firm mattress and a pillow that's the correct height and I bet you will throw your pain meds away
 
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Stoner4Life

Medicinal Advocate
ICMag Donor
Veteran


here's how it's working for me when that sciatica blows out. I got a GR8 nights sleep last night not waking at all from discomfort, got up to go pee and when bending ever so slightly as I'm pulling up my jammies (positioned @ my knees) & WHAM the nerves goes out.

sometimes it happens just as soon as I spread my legs in the typical 'guy peeing' position; so now after 55+ yrs of life I have to consider how I handle the most simple & natural of tasks. When I know my back & sciatica are in that tenuous state I'll sit to pee, I've already installed commercial grade grab rails so getting up I rely on upper body strength instead, I'll also pull up my drawers (as much as possible) while sitting to avoid that critical bend once standing.

I'll be walking on pins n' needles hoping not to make any sudden moves that trigger it today either.


Chamba, I'm going to try some stretching exercises when I'm up to it, so far the best remedy for the sciatica has been to walk it off but given my usual use of a handicap walker that's a chore in itself. I've never been a quitter but I do need to approach this at a time when I'm sure to succeed.

 

Hank Hemp

Active member
Veteran
Are yoga pants American invention? I bet they are. I'd like the job of spray painting her draws on of the morning.
 
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