Changing my screen name to Quasimodo...

[Dee*Jay]

Well, the source of my Easter ER visit has become known...

Seems I've spent the past many years developing a curve in my spine (this pic was taken straight on from the back) and last weekend it decided to make itself known. I went to a chiropractor on Friday and he took x-rays, and when I went back yesterday for the results he said even he was "amazed" at the curvature. And a chicken/egg question: did my knee/hip problems lead to the back issue, or did the back issue lead to the knee/hip problems? (When I say knee problem BTW, I mean ongoing issues that have plagued me for over a decade, not the fall down the mountain that resulted in a torn ACL/MCL/meniscus--what led to that was pretty obvious and not likely back related. )

Aside from being religious about the PT type exercises the chiro gave me, any other advice on how to improve this?

 

[iheartscience]

Ha, love the title of this thread! My husband has scoliosis that somehow wasn't discovered until he was in late high school and it was too late for braces and such. What has helped him the most is doing CrossFit. He started it back in October and it has strengthened his core, back, shoulders, everything, and his back and shoulders actually look less crooked than they did before, for lack of a better word!

So based on his experience I think overall core/body strength is probably the best bet. Plus when I hurt my back a few years ago the PT gave me a ton of core strengthening exercises, so that seems to be the solution for most back issues.

I hope you can get some pain relief quickly though, and then build up strength!

 

[marymm]

I echo the suggestion of core body exercises - also:
* be conscious of using correct posture *all the time*
* don't slump when sitting
* a cross-body style purse is best - if you don't wear a cross-body purse, then each month switch off your purse-wearing shoulder
* evenly divide your carrying load so each hand carries a similar weight - if you can't balance the weight, then switch off bags half-way

I would also suggest checking in with your regular doctor to get his input on your condition and to ensure your medical record is up to date with your curved spine diagnosis.

 

[fleur-de-lis]

I echo the suggestion of core body exercises - also:
* be conscious of using correct posture *all the time*
* don't slump when sitting
* a cross-body style purse is best - if you don't wear a cross-body purse, then each month switch off your purse-wearing shoulder
* evenly divide your carrying load so each hand carries a similar weight - if you can't balance the weight, then switch off bags half-way

I would also suggest checking in with your regular doctor to get his input on your condition and to ensure your medical record is up to date with your curved spine diagnosis.

Respectfully disagree with bolded; your chiropractor might have advice on whether carrying your tote/hobo style handbags on one shoulder exclusively versus the other. I have a touch of the curve following a childhood gymnastics injury, and my degrees actually *improved* once I began carrying a purse on that shoulder as an adult!

 

[marcy]

DeeJay, feel better soon!

 

[Enerchi]

Oh - that seems like a surprise diagnosis! At least your kidneys are fine...
Now your liver, however, seems to be taking a bit of a turn.....

Seriously tho - glad you have a focus and some help coming your way. Hope the physio makes a difference for you!

 

[Haven]

Great thread title, Dee*Jay!

I'm sorry about your spine! My advice is to listen to your body. If you are doing exercises, even those prescribed by the PT, and you find yourself in pain--stop. Rest. Your body is trying to tell you something.

I say this as someone who thought it was the right thing to do (because the PT told me to) to be tough and push through the pain after a bad broken ankle first healed. It took me eight years to finally find relief from all of the problems that PT prescription left me with.

Feel better soon, Quasi!

 

[MissGotRocks]

Aha! I sort of thought that your excruciating pain wasn't due to kidney stones but rather to a back issue. Glad you have been able to pinpoint the source and at least find a way to start feeling better. Might not hurt to have the opinion of an orthopedic surgeon as well; don't know that they would recommend surgery at this point for correction but I'd be interested to know what the ortho guy thought or recommended in terms of therapy.

Here's hoping you feel much better in the coming days!

 

[merilenda]

I don't have any great advice (although I luckily work with a PT and OT, so I sometimes go running to therapy when something hurts!) But I definitely hope that you feel better soon!

 

[Gypsy]

Ugh, I'm so sorry sweetie. My mom was developing a hump and she had surgery for it, but she went against the advice of 5 surgeons until she found one who would do it, the surgery failed and she had to do 5 reconstructive surgeries to get where she is now, which is partially paralized, walking with a pronounced limp and she still has a hump.

So whatever you do... make sure that you listen to the advice of the professionals and don't go against their recommendations.

((HUGE HUGS)).

 

[Dee*Jay]

Thing and marymm - yes, I think core strength is key here! I tried doing all the exercises for the first time today, and of course The Demon and Oscar thought it was some fabulous new game that we were all playing down on the floor together.

Fleur - I may be the only woman in America (perhaps on the entire planet) who likes to carry NO purse, let alone a heavy one. I typically tuck my credit card, license, and $ in my pocket and go, so at least I won't be contributing to any further problems like that. Interesting though about your scenario getting better in that way!

Thanks Marcy and Merilenda! Aleady have VAST improvement over last weekend, so we're moving in the right direction.

Enerchi - LOL on the kidney/liver thing! (As I sit here with a rather large--purely medicinal!--glass of wine... )

Haven - I'm with you on the PT thing. To this day I maintain the reason I ended up having surgery on my right knee was becuase of the way PT was carried out on my left knee...

MissGR - I hadn't even thought as far forward as seeing an ortho about this, but it's really a good idea.

Gypsy - promise me, as my friend, that if five doctors advise me NOT to do something you will not let me seek out that sixth doctor who will do it!!!

 

[Enerchi]

Purely medicinal, you say??

 

[Dee*Jay]

Purely medicinal, you say??

 

[diamondseeker2006]

That glass of wine is very good for your health!

So sorry to hear about the back problems, but it is good that exercises can help. I would avoid surgery at all costs unless I had 5 doctors tell me it was absolutely necessary! I have just seen too many people end up worse off! I saw a survey not too long ago that said for most cases of back pain, patients reported that chiropractic treatment was as effective as any other treatments!

 

[Gypsy]

[quote="Dee*Jay|1334544230|

Gypsy - promise me, as my friend, that if five doctors advise me NOT to do something you will not let me seek out that sixth doctor who will do it!!![/quote]


I promise.

 

[Imdanny]

Whoa- I thought this was a simple thread about a name change and I was going to offer you my support and say, "Good for you!"

I wish I knew what to tell you! I think PT and you seem to agree is VITAL. I'm amazed by how many people (not saying you!) won't do it and will take pain killers instead. PT works!

Since I'm no kind of medical expert really, I feel embarrassed saying this but something that came to mind is swimming. We get a gentle work out of all over the muscles, with no weight put on joints. Strengthening (and stretching and relaxing) the muscles might be a good idea.

Sending you best wishes and hugs!

Danny

 

[Missy]

Hope you start feeling better soon Dee*Jay and that the PT exercises (build up slowly and carefully) help you lots!