Who's dealt with severe thoracic back pain?

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And what did you do to fix it?

Mine had gotten unbearable and borderline crippling, did a lot of expensive dry needling therapy and it was a short term fix. I'm going to start doing the needling again next week but if anyone else has dealt with it, do share please.

By severe, I'm talking 24-7 pain, no sleep, can't lift anything heavy, can't stand straight without sharp pain, ect. Even a 5lb backpack is painful. Anyone else?

Edit-To clarify, this is muscle tension pain, not spinal pain. CT Scan showed my spine was fine, it's all muscle tension I can't get to loosen up.
 
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mxgsfmdpx

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Talk to a good, reputable, orthopedic doctor. Travel far if you need to. They will then refer you to specialists, surgeons if needed, physical therapist, etc.

Chiropractors, acupuncture, and all of that junk never gets to the root or actual back issues. You need x-rays, ultra sounds, ya know, real stuff that can actually diagnose what’s wrong with your chronic pain.
 
OP
Idaho4x4Bronco
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Talk to a good, reputable, orthopedic doctor. Travel far if you need to. They will then refer you to specialists, surgeons if needed, physical therapist, etc.

Chiropractors, acupuncture, and all of that junk never gets to the root or actual back issues. You need x-rays, ultra sounds, ya know, real stuff that can actually diagnose what’s wrong with your chronic pain.
I did all of that. Ct scan and X-rays as well. The most recommended ortho in town, who sent me to PT for dry needling, which at the time made a very very substantial difference, it's not nearly as bad as it was but still very bad and life altering.

I was hoping others on Rokslide have dealt with the same muscle issues and had a longer term solution or longer experience with the dry needle therapy.
 
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I dealt with this for a few years. Terrible flair ups would come and go. After alot of money spent and time at chiropractors, spine specialist, and orthopedics I took a little from each one and now manage it on my own and it's had the best results. I do a host of stretches regularly that target the area, workout supporting muscle groups, use biofreeze gel, ice, and heating pads. It's alot but it's effective
 

FLATHEAD

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I get muscle spasms in my back, I think from an old football injury/slipped vertebrae.
Absolutely shuts me down when it happens, usually for a week.
 

Nicaburns

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I have multiple fractures in c1,c2, t9, l4,l5, s1… t9 causes the most pain and arthritic trouble but muscle spasms get bad too. Controlling my weight, eliminating sugar from my diet, and stretching have helped me the most.
 
OP
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I dealt with this for a few years. Terrible flair ups would come and go. After alot of money spent and time at chiropractors, spine specialist, and orthopedics I took a little from each one and now manage it on my own and it's had the best results. I do a host of stretches regularly that target the area, workout supporting muscle groups, use biofreeze gel, ice, and heating pads. It's alot but it's effective
Currently I can't lay flat on a bench at the gym, and the pain is 24-7. I tried a light 135lb shoulder shrug a few weeks ago and it felt like a gun shot. For the record, I was pulling 405lb deadlifts off the hex bar just 2 years ago.

They told me I quit the PT (dry needling) too soon and I am going back to doing that this upcoming week, I was just reaching out to see if anyone else had dealt with it.

How does the biofreeze work for you? I've never heard of that before.
 
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Ouch, you've got it bad for sure. When mine was at its worst a co-worker has to swing by my house to put my socks and shoes on so I know your pain. Biofreeze is a gel that I've found helps manage the pain, it's similar to icy hot but better. It's tricky finding what works to provide some relief but once you find things that help, do them routinely even once the pain subsides.
 
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Currently I can't lay flat on a bench at the gym, and the pain is 24-7. I tried a light 135lb shoulder shrug a few weeks ago and it felt like a gun shot. For the record, I was pulling 405lb deadlifts off the hex bar just 2 years ago.

They told me I quit the PT (dry needling) too soon and I am going back to doing that this upcoming week, I was just reaching out to see if anyone else had dealt with it.

How does the biofreeze work for you? I've never heard of that before.


It definitely takes a lot of time to get back to good but I hope you can see some improvements soon.
 

Cynoscion

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For years I had major lumbar pain. Nothing gave me long term relief until, by accident, I found a massage who told me she thought she could help. I actually met her at the chiropractor‘s office (which never helped anything for me except making my wallet lighter).

This is not the kind of massage I always thought about. In fact, it was the first time I’d ever been to one. I always thought candles, weirdos, creepy, etc. but this lady worked me over almost to the point of tears. Long story short, she fixed me for good and I maintain it by stretching. My lower back pain was caused by very tight hamstrings. Once she got them loosened up, it was major lower back relief and I’ve all but gotten away from any major back pain since.
 

Fatcamp

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I would lean towards therapeutic massage as well. While not back related I had a lady fix a shoulder/scapula issue when others said nothing was wrong. She was pretty amazing.
 
OP
Idaho4x4Bronco
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For years I had major lumbar pain. Nothing gave me long term relief until, by accident, I found a massage who told me she thought she could help. I actually met her at the chiropractor‘s office (which never helped anything for me except making my wallet lighter).

This is not the kind of massage I always thought about. In fact, it was the first time I’d ever been to one. I always thought candles, weirdos, creepy, etc. but this lady worked me over almost to the point of tears. Long story short, she fixed me for good and I maintain it by stretching. My lower back pain was caused by very tight hamstrings. Once she got them loosened up, it was major lower back relief and I’ve all but gotten away from any major back pain since.
The ortho mentioned my hamstrings being extremely tight as well, and I actually found a massage lady here in town just earlier to call tomorrow. Think it's like $180.00 for a 2 hour swedish massage?

I'm going to call her tomorrow, will try the biogel as well.

I'm willing to try anything at this point. I originally quit going to PT because they jacked the price p, was costing me 240-360.00 per week at $120 per session.
 

Cynoscion

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Good luck man. The lady that fixed me up would literally put here elbow into my hamstrings, put all her weight into it and “grind”. It was horrible but was obviously just what I needed. I hope you get some relief!
 

CHSD

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I've had some back pain, not nearly as bad as what your describing, but still would bring me to my knees. I would go to the chiropractor get cracked then they would put do some acupuncture and hook a TENS unit up to it. That seemed to help. So I bought a cheap TENS unit of Amazon and when my back gets to hurting, I hook up to it and it seems to help me greatly.
 

Ice-kub

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Maybe a little thc, or a lot, if you're into it and some yoga/stretching.
 

505Wapiti

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I too have experienced debilitating pain in back and neck for well over a decade. Lots of good advice with stretching, eliminating sugars, electrolytes, staying hydrated, etc., but I was getting to the point of losing my mind because nothing would touch the pain, narcotics didn’t help and I hate taking them anyway. Fortunately a really good friend turned me on to Intelligent Threads…. I use the $25 patches and put one on my lower back center of spine for 7 days and it’s like having the hand of Jesus relieving muscle and joint pain. See link and shoot me a PM if you have questions. I wouldn’t post this if it wasn’t life changing for me. I wish you the best, as I know how miserable it can be.

 
OP
Idaho4x4Bronco
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I too have experienced debilitating pain in back and neck for well over a decade. Lots of good advice with stretching, eliminating sugars, electrolytes, staying hydrated, etc., but I was getting to the point of losing my mind because nothing would touch the pain, narcotics didn’t help and I hate taking them anyway. Fortunately a really good friend turned me on to Intelligent Threads…. I use the $25 patches and put one on my lower back center of spine for 7 days and it’s like having the hand of Jesus relieving muscle and joint pain. See link and shoot me a PM if you have questions. I wouldn’t post this if it wasn’t life changing for me. I wish you the best, as I know how miserable it can be.

p
That looks very interesting, I'm going to try that. Is that their only product you use? I see they have clothing as well
 

A.hol1

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I had debilitating lower back pain from tight muscles and inflammation in my hips. Could barely walk or carry anything over 5 lbs.

I did PT and massages for 6 months to start. Now I do yoga 4 or 5 times a week and stretch daily. I am pain free now for the first time in years. I also can do my weight trainer and other exercises now too without any issues.

There are a bunch of free yoga workouts on YouTube, I ended up downloading an app that focuses on my back. Tons of options


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
OP
Idaho4x4Bronco
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I had debilitating lower back pain from tight muscles and inflammation in my hips. Could barely walk or carry anything over 5 lbs.

I did PT and massages for 6 months to start. Now I do yoga 4 or 5 times a week and stretch daily. I am pain free now for the first time in years. I also can do my weight trainer and other exercises now too without any issues.

There are a bunch of free yoga workouts on YouTube, I ended up downloading an app that focuses on my back. Tons of options


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
What type of massage and PT? That's my plan as well. Going to start Friday and go until the pain is gone.
 
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