Question:
I am looking for successful techniques to relieve chronic back pain. I am very interested in exercise routines, Feldenkrais and Somatics routines,and the role of herbs and amino acids in pain relief. Any help is appreciated.

Answer:

I, too, suffer from a great deal of back pain, along with pain just all over sometimes...concentrated in neck, back, shoulders, elbows, knees, etc. (you probably have heard them all). The back pain gets severe enough, I have had to actually sit down on the floor at a store a couple of times. What does seem to offer good temporary relief for me is sitting in my spa for a vigorous water massage (or as vigorous as I can stand on tender areas) with the temperature of the water at about 102 to 104 degrees Farenheit.

I usually sit for about an hour ar two. This seems to do a little bit more than my various prescription medications most of the time. Sitting in a bathtub with hot water helps a little, but the water massage in the spa appears to be the secret. If a person doesn't have a spa, perhaps try a small gym membership just to allow them to use the spa for a few days, just to see if it would be worth trying to purchase one for the home. (prices usually start at around $1,800 and go up from there) I am on retirement disability, and have had Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome since 1987, and was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia about three years ago.

My daughter was diagnosed last year with the same things, and has been unable to work since June of 1994. She is just 26 years old...and Fibro is stealing her life's ambitions. She also derives considerable relief from using the spa. I've been using a home traction kit for almost a year. I only use it when my neck, shoulders and back are interfering with my ability to function. I find that a 30 minute traction session (18 lbs of water) works a miracle on me and keeps me fairly pain free for a day or two.

have been suffering back pain for fifteen years. I have learned to minimize it by exercise. In the morning I stretch for almost a half hour. None of those exercises are unique for those with back pain. When for some reason I don't do them I'm sorry the rest of the day. If interested I could describe those stretched to you.

I also have worked to build up back muscles. I joined a gym and try to faithfully two three times a week run through my toning routine. While I'll always have to be concerned I have not been debilitated by my back for a long time now.

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