Clicky spine

[dhonnachain]

Im 46 and fairly fit and well up to about 5 months ago. Ive had problems with my neck for a few years but Im able to cope with it and have got to know what makes it worse so I can deal with it. Up to November last year I ran once a week and did a 6 mile run , what with Christmas and everything I didnt run after that. Since about January I have had pains in my hip and lower back and its got progressively worse so much so that even hoovering is difficult. My back clicks and grinds like crazy and is very uncomfortable most of the time, especially in bed. I went to the doc last week, he said the problem was with my back rather than my hip and told me to do exercises! Ive been doing some that I found on the net but things seem worse. How can I suddenly go from being able to run 5 or 6 miles fairly comfortably to feeling like an old lady? I feel quite miserable!
Has anyone got any ideas what I should do or if I will recover?
Caron

 

[Flopdingme]

I've had very similar problems. I used to do half marathons but my feet became very painful a couple of years ago. I had had a stiff painful neck for quite a few years before that. I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and more recently with osteoarthritis. Now I get pain in my feet, knees, hips, back and neck as well as my hands. I have been told to take paracetamol regularly. I did see a physiotherapist for a while and she has shown me how to stretch out my muscles. This is helping with my back and neck.
You don't say what type of exercise you do but perhaps you could try stretching exercises. I would think gentle rather that brisk would be best till your back feels better. It is best to keep moving rather than resting.

 

[Chris A]

Oh dear, Im sorry to hear you have similar problems. You didnt say how old you are. I consider 40`s still very young and I worry how I will be in 20 years time! The exercises I am doing are stretches and are fairly gentle. Im so frustrated I cant do anything more and Ive put on weight around my middle ( ughh, muffin top!) I cant believe how quickly , I used to have a six pack!

A very frustrated and fed up Caron.

 

[Pompal 09.]

I'm 55. I did actually start getting neck pain when I was about 25. I had some treatment from a chiropractor about 10 years ago who suggested the pain was caused by whiplash when I was on the walzers some years before the pain started. I did wonder then how bad I would be when I got to the age I am now. Now I wonder how I will be in the next 10 years. I too get frustrated that I can no longer run and have put on about a stone and a half so I understand how you feel.

If you feel the exercises aren't working, maybe go back to your GP.

 

[runners.wife]

Hi Caz
Just wondering does running so much have anything to do with your problem? I always thought that it jars your joints.
Anyway hope it gets better and you find relief

 

[Dr. Natural]

hi all, Im 34 and dont and never did run or anything like it, I prob couldnt run the legnth of myself im 4ft 10 and just ver 8 stone if its relevent adn my spine also clicks in bed usually in 4 of the vertibrea and it does it twice, as I turn to either side. I find if I dont do it it gets very sore too..... I dont know why or what causes it I just wanted you to know your not alone

 

[360J]

I have a slightly different take on spinal clicking, I see it as good thing!
When I can't get my vertabrae to click when exercising, twisting, stretching and relaxing, I know that reactive spasms are trying to 'lock me up' and prevent me from moving freely. Although they mean well, they don't have give me a good kicking.
It's a bit like a piano players warm up rutine I suppose!

Viva la clicking!!

SPINELF

 

[Anjuli Lewis]

Hi Caz
I'd suggest a good overhaul from an osteopath. Your Dr may well be right that the hip pain is coming from your lumbar spine. Often low back problems can give pain in the pelvis, hip and lower limb for several reasons. As referred pain, nerve root irritation (in cases of intervertebral disc injuries) and often they just cause the muscles around the hips to tighten up.

Long term the latter will compromise the function of the hip and like all other synovial joints, the hip joint is very dependant on regular movement through a good range of movement. The constant compression of tight or 'spasming' (I might be making up words there ) over time will this will contribute to the rate of degeneration.

It's important be clear what your regarding as the hip. Often folks think of there hip as the boney prominences front and side of upper pelvis - these are the iliac crests. If the pain is radiating around either or both of these it's almost certainly referred pain from the lowest lumbar spinal joint, where L5 sits on the top (S1) of the Sacrum. Just releasing this joint aught to solve it if you can then do the appropriate stretches to keep it moving.

On the issue of stretches - I would advise against extension (bending backwards exercises) for both your neck and lower back. If you've been doing the latter, then that may explain why it got worse.

Good Luck.

 

[Brom]

Dear Caz.

Please listen to Anahata's advive, it is as clear an explaination that I have ever seen!
Please make sure that you follow those suggetions, now!

Best wishes and kind thoughts.

SPINELF

 

[Cumhaodala]

Hi Caz, I'm 29, I've had similar problems to what you're describing, pains in my hip and a clicking spine. I went to see an osteopath who did wonders! She used a machine on me (can't remember what it was called) but she ran it up and down my spine for around 20 mins. It had 2 feet like things that went up and down both sides of my spine. She changed the strength and frequency every few minutes. After this she did some manipulation/twisting on my back. After a day or so I felt so much better and only had to see her the week after for a check up. I'd definately recommend seeing an osteopath but would also visit a good physio who will give you back strengthening exercises to prevent the problem occuring again in the future!

Hope this helps

 

[aeagesee]

This was probebly an unltrasound machine. These are widely used by Osteopaths for
non invasive deep massaging.

Besy wishes

SPINELF

 

[ovenmitts09]

An ultrasound with feet???

More likely to have been a PAM (Power Assisted Micro-manipulation) machine?

 

[Element]

My 5 Osteopaths have never used one of these PAM's. I have never heard of it.

Can you describe it's uses for me please?
Are they any good?
Can patients by them privately?


Best wishes

SPINELF

 

[Ufdpddybdggfo]

Hi Spinelf.

It appears that the UK franchise for PAMMs has gone now and only available in the States.

But you can see something almost identical here:

Theraflex physiotherapy equipment for treating back pain

I came across the PAMM years ago when I was suffering from sciatica so bad I could hardly walk, stand, sit or lie down comfortably and had to take packets of frozen peas with me to meetings to help me get through them!!

I could only sleep kneeling in front of my sofa with my arms folded on the seat in front of me and my head on my arms - not very comfortable, but the only relatively pain free position. Apart from dead legs and sore knees!

I went through the usual GP route and eventually got an appointment with a back specialist at the hospital - with a six month wait!! I did call the specialist's secretary who did speak to him and came back with the advice that I should take two paracetamol every four hours - for six months!!!

I tried no end of osteopaths, chiropractors and physiotherapists, none of whom could help me.

Then I came across a guy who was a sports therapist (with dubious credentials!!) in a local gym and he had one of these PAMM machines.

He treated me for about 20 minutes and I got off the couch absolutely pain free! I was in tears, an absolute mess, the relief, after more than two months of continual pain, was so immense.

And I've not had trouble again since!

 

[Darcridaguags]

Thanks for the info!

SPINELF