[blackbird]

I'm trying to exercise more, so help me I am. One thing that gets in the way is this pesky back pain of mine. I have degenerative disc disease in my lower lumber spine, so I have this pain everyday.

Does anyone know of some good ways to get around back pain, and help me start moving again?

I've tried the ice, the heat, the pills... everything! Do you find when you're in pain that it doesn't make you a very motivated person? I do.

[RavenToy]

I do not suffer from the same precise problem, my lower back pain is caused by sacroiliac joint dysfunction, but that doesn't make the pain any better. This is a website I recently found that does give some information on pain relief through exercise, and this is the page on degenerative disk disease. I hope you find something that helps!

http://www.spine-health.com/topics/c...g/degen01.html

[Khewes]

After my back surgery for degenerative disc disease, my doctor and my therapist both suggested swimming as an excellent back strengthening exercise. Do you have access to a YMCA with a pool?

[linus]

hi all i too have degenerative disc disease and was told by the specialiist to limit my exercise to swimming and walking but if like me most day the pain cant decide wether to stay in your back or go on holiday to your legs,neck ,hips ,or any other damn place it desires then id stick to swimming as the water supports your body and i feel like it lessens the pain while your in as long as the waters warm enough hope this helps

[Young Grasshopper]

Hi! Good to see I'm not the only one with a back problem! I've tried physical therepy (only like the massage aspect of it, lol) and I've taken classes at the YMCA. I found the water aerobics pretty good..depended on the teacher. My doc. for pain management also wanted me to take water walking. The YMCA near me also has a class called "Healthy Back". Got all the tools here just really lack on the motivation. Pain comes and goes....feels like the lease was up on my body when I hit 30. Meds help but I hate the sluggish feeling I get.

I'm also supposed to be doing stretches every morning and night......notice the word "supposed" to. lol. I have a friend who also tried yoga and swears by it....not sure which type it is but they keep the room very warm so the muscles warm up.

Now if I could just find motivation and keep it up....anyone know where to get that? lol

Deb

[Happy Canuk]

Hi. I had backsurgery and had a lamenectomy. For a few years, everything was pretty good, just some muscle problems. I found water aerobics great at the time, but only 2 times a week. Three was just too much. Also walking is good, unless of course, the sciatic nerve is causing leg pain and weakness. Now, my problem is different. I tried swimming, but can't have my back arched at all. The problem is now in the Facet Joints. I have tried cortisone shots, epidurals, trigger point therapy, and everything else you can think of. My best treatment has been an Upper Cervical Chiropractor. If there is one in your area, it is certainly worth a try.

www.nucca.org

The facet joints are the ones on the side of the vertibrae that give you motion. Since I had the disc totally removed, and no fusion, it seems that the two joints now lock together when they get bent out of shape Causes excrutiating pain, but sending everything in the area into spasams.

Hope you can find someway to help yourself.