My situation

I have a nerve and muscle injury and to treat the muscle, I use a Lidoderm patch. Each patch contains 700 mg of lidocaine, you can use up to three patches at once, and you use it for 12 hours on, 12 hours off. It does not hurt and you don't feel much but it seems to help me. Since the patches are large, I typically cut them in half, so they last twice as long. Ask your doctor about it.

I had heard of Lidoderm before, but didn't realize that it was to treat the back. I should look into that. At one of my jobs, I'm on my feet anywhere between 3.5-7 hours on a given day, which can be pretty painful at times. I found this massaging heat pad at a pharmacy that has really given me relief, and it's helpful in that it can be moved to the different areas of the body that are aching.

Some altnerative methods you could try are acupuncture and/or EFT - Emotional Freedom Technique.

I was introduced to EFT to overcome a fear of dogs (after I was attacked) and it really helped me. It's interesting to know it also works for pain...

Have you looked into polarity therapy? Thai massage? There is so much out there! Acupuncture, acupressure? I think we each respond to different kinds of treatment, so maybe one thing will work for you and one won't. This is an interesting topic--if you don't mind, will you keep us updated on what you look into and how it works for you?

I'd be more than happy to keep you all updated.

Actually, just a couple of weeks ago after a very stressful week of work and other contributing factors, I got a 90-minute hot stone massage. I made sure to tell the masseuse to be careful around that lower right portion of my back-I was actually thrilled and impressed that she asked where to focus, giving me the chance to tell her about my injury and the fact that it can't handle to strong of a massage. She was very careful with that part of my back, yet I noticed after the fact that the pain had kicked up a bit. Mind you, I don't blame her at all. It's happened when others have tried to help my back feel better as well.

So long story short, I learned that I may just have to avoid massages of that part of my back all together.

What can you tell me about acupuncture and acupressure? I don't know much about either, except that the former involves needles of some sort-and that makes me a little nervous.

As an acupuncturist and massage therapist, I treat injuries to the lower back and have always used a combination of modalities and find that that works best.

For instance, once I have identified which muscles have been injured I will use acupuncture on points which have a healing affect on the lower back (not alway located in the lower back). Then I put a hydroculator (fancy heat packs) on the tight muscles. I follow this up with electric stimulation acupuncture and massage. Finally I do some stretching work.

Usually the patients feel sore the next day or so but then they usually improve.

Ear acupuncture, chinese herbs and liniments and cupping are also viable treatment options

The number of treatments depend on how fast you heal.

Find a good acupuncturist who is also amassage therapist or find two that work in tandem.

Read a very interesting book on back pain titled, "Healing Back Pain, the Mind-Body Connection", by John Sarno. Very interesting premise that connects well to your circumstance, I think, in that he talks about situations in which back pain persists after the original injury has (or should have) healed.

Thanks for the book suggestion. I'm going to look into it. I really can't understand why I'm still in pain, so hopefully the book will shed some light.

Hello Kristen, I am not a physician though it has been my experience that light muscle toning exercise of the legs may help. Honestly the stronger your muscles are the harder it is to damage them.

Did you give it time to rest? I don't mean just being home--and doing some cooking here---a little light cleaning there--even too many trips to the restroom can keep it from getting the rest it needs to heal.

Our bodies repair themselves at night while we are sleep--and many times if we have damaged a part of our body it needs more time to heal--so more sleep-

I think if you give it adequate rest--then strengthen the muscle you will find it will work much better for you now and in the future. I hope that helps.

Years ago I was in a car wreck and herniated two disc's in my lower back and one in my upper back. The only think that helped was going to a chiropractor after a few weeks, I was off all pain medication. Now, my main pain is from Fibromyalgia. When I am in the car, I turn on the heated seats (if it is in the summer...crank up the ac) and that helps. Also, put some rice in a sock or old pair of pantyhose and make a knot. Then put it in the microwave until it is warm. this helps me more than a heating pad. Good luck

Physical therapy helped me with my back after my car accident and I was given a personalized list of exercises to maintain my back. When I don't do them, I have difficulties. I would be careful not to look too much online, but to have something personalized because some of the exercises may not be good for you or may cause other problems depending on your injury. My doctor was able to refer me for an evaluation with a physical therapist who then recommended treatment. Maybe, you can see if that might be possible. I know that having stronger ab muscles help, but again I would check with a physical therapist or sports medicine professional at least for consultation of something that you can use on an on-going basis.

I did in fact do physical therapy, but since my last accident, I haven't been very good with keeping up with my exercises. More times than I should I just seem to want to "grin and bear it." Not the best course of action, I know. You're right, I definitely should continue with those exercises, and I think I still have the large rubber bands they gave me to help with stretching and whatnot.

I haven't been good at all in continuing, but I can feel the difference. Maybe, we both can try to make it a goal?

I'm in if you are! What kind of things are they having you do exactly?

Read the book "Healing Back Pain" by Dr. John Sarno. It is incredible.

Kerri Knox, RN

Functional Medicine Practitoner

http://www.easy-immune-health.com