The Real ‘Mechanisms’ That Create Short-Term and Long-Lasting Pain Relief
If we make things really simple, here’s how it works:
1.) Pain medication blocks the nerve signal that is letting you know something is wrong.
2.) Pain relief comes from fixing whatever is wrong, but oftentimes this is difficult to do when you’re in so much pain and can hardly get anything accomplished.
Pain medication is great if you simply cannot function without it, or you just underwent something traumatic like surgery and there’s no physiological reason to be in pain outside of this direct trauma and now you’re sore. In other words, the pain is not protecting you in any way, because you know to be careful in this area, and it’s only temporary.
Pain medication works through various mechanisms such as hormonal and neurotransmitter releases, or even as extreme as triggering the opiod mechanism in our bodies, which is 1000x more powerful than morphine. In all cases, there is an increase use of our livers to filter this toxin from our bodies, and our bodies are smart enough to stop producing pain relief on their own, after awhile, when they know it’s being supplemented.
The biggest trouble with pain medications over time is that our bodies will adapt, and our pain tolerances will become lower. It’s really important to understand that if you choose to use pain medication for anything outside of really acute pain, do so with caution. It’s best to “use” pain medication, in the sense that you’re using it to buy you a window to exercise and fix the problem.
Once you begin to observe this philosophy for pain relief, you’re planning to actually heal. Now, it’s time to start figuring out the root cause of your pain, and how you’re going to plan to eliminate it…
Identify The Root Cause Of Your Pain:
This is most difficult if you’ve had a ton of issues over the years, and you’re not even sure when your body started to fall apart, but I want you to think through this, anyway, and get as close as you can. Your body began a process of self-deterioration as a result of a disease process, or an internal conflict that put your body into a process of self-destruction.
This is hard to wrap your head around, I know, but think about this from a logical perspective. If there wasn’t one major trauma to your body that totally changed the game and your body has never been the same since, or there’s no insidious process taking place that’s slowly eating away at your organs, then why are you in so much pain?
Your body is trying to tell you something. It’s explaining to you that something is wrong, and it’s asking for your attention. Wait long enough, and it will demand your attention. That’s what I’m here for… to teach you how to communicate back and ask the right questions, while you listen for answers.
Communicate With Your Body & Learn What’s Holding You Back:
Communication with your body is through a very simple experimentation process, provided that you’re already seeking proper medical care. If you were to come into my office and get an evaluation, I’d ask you specific questions as they relate to your injury. Here’s a list of some of those questions:
- Why are you here right now? What’s causing you discomfort of some kind?
- How long has this been going on?
- How intense is it?On a scale of 0 to 10, where:
0 = no pain whatsoever
10 = worst pain imaginableHow intense is your pain right now? - How would you describer your pain, if you had to select from one or more of the following words:
Sharp, shooting Deep Sharp, but stays in one place Numb Dull and achy Electrical/Shooting Superficial (close to skin) Throbbing or Pulsating Cold Hot - What increases your pain/symptom?
- What decreases your pain/symptom? In other words, what makes it feel better?
- Have you had any medical exams performed, such as a doctor’s visit, X-Ray, MRI, etc.?
- Do you have any allergies that might affect your treatment? Or any other special considerations?
Once you begin to gather this data, you can start to find the best path to pain relief, and reverse engineer the process to get ultimate relief.
I’d like you to take the time to answer each question above on a separate piece of paper, or in the comments section below. When 150 people comment, I’ll randomly be selecting people who comment as ‘case studies’ and demonstrate some of the possibilities for optimum treatment and outcomes.
Good luck!
44 Comments
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Check out HealnSoothe for a pain reliever that won’t rip your stomach apart.
http://www.losethebackpain.com/healnsoothefreetrial-30.html?&p=WKLY-10-09-11It works for backs, headaches, shoulders, cramps, etc.
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sharp, general area, electrical/shooting. The pain is in the heel of my foot. When I lift my foot the pain is shooting and sharp. When I sit for a while and then then stand it’s almost unbearable, very intense. After I’m on my feet for a while it calms down somewhat. I work on concrete floors all day.
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I suffer from peripheral neuropathy in my feet. It comes on every evening. I am a Type 2 Diabetic. I have read that nerve pain is the most difficult to conquer and I am finding that to be true. My neurologist prescribes pills that are supposed to stop the pain messages from reaching my brain, however they are becoming a lot less efficient. The pains prevent me from being able to relax and sleep. A body that is not properly rested is not a happy body!
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Pain in lower back.
1.)I’m here because i care about my health! My lower back is causing discomfort
2.)Pain has been going on and off about the last 3-4 months?
3.)On a scale of 1-10 I’d say it is probably a six
4.)Dull/achy,deep,throbbing pulsating
5.)doing my computer work for school increases it. online homeschooling.
6.)Standing up and walking around more
7.)No doctors visits about it
8.)no allergies except I don’t like taking medications -
Backache and stiffnes in bed at night, has been troubling me for years. Moderate intensity, dull and achy, numbness in toes. Pain is decreased when I arise out of bed and and walk around a bit. Medical exams have shown spinal stenosis of the whole spine and moderate lumbar spondylolysthesis. My neurosurgeon advocates against surgery at this time. I have slight summer allergy (hay fever). My legs are weak impairing excercise that you recommend, but I still persevere because I think they help me
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Ok so I know I have my body out of alignment. The problem is once it gets back in alignment it won’t stay there.
My original injury started while doing CPR recertification. My instructor insisted I take my hands off the dummy in between each compression and do 100 compressions per minute. My body wasn’t strong enough to do the overly exadurated move at that rate and I ended up tearing my lumbar disc at L5S1. It took two years to prove my injury to workmanship comp and get surgery.
My problem now is I am having nerve irritation enough while laying down that I need medication. I know it can go away as I have gone up to 4 nights with no problems, but don’t know what I did to get that way or back out of it. Plus I feel a little ache in my pelvic area frequently. I know how to reset my S.I. Joint. I have even purchased an inversion table that helps.
Msm is helping with the inflammation but I want something that will help me stay in alignment and keep me off medication.
HELP ME Dr K.Thank u, Tina
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I am here now because I have long term pain issues that usually prevent me from exercising how I want to and how I know is right to exercuse. I have bad knees, maybe from falls from horses and other falls, but also from the way that I am built. My Q angle is like 90, and my tibia and fibula are curved outward to compensate. My hips also hurt, due to arthritis and locked up SI joints. I have whiplash from a car accident one year ago. Also, my L4 vertabra is subluxated.
My right knee has been been painful for 18 years, and the latest MRI showed that it is laterally tracking, and out of its’ groove. It has swelling behind the patella; the beginning stage of arthritis.
The intensity of my pain is 4 on a scale of 0-10 right now. It becomes a 7 or an 8 when I try to use the joints for exercise or other movements.
The knee pains are usually dull and achy, but become sharp if I bend them beyond what they tolerate. I am unable to do lunges and squats, because of my knees, and I do love these exercises. My neck pains are sharp and stiff. My hips pains are sharp,burning, and throbbing.
My symptoms are worsened by activity. I baled hay for 4 hours, and the whole left side of my neck, back, buttock, and leg were so sore for 5 days. The chiropractor that I see said that because my head was turned to the right to watch the baler, and my body was stabilizing the right side, the left side of my body took all the vibration of the tractor and the motor vibration. Also, I hiked up and down steps on a mountain side for a friend’s wedding, and my left leg and glutes were sore for another 5 days.
Rest usually reduces my pain, but also makes my muscles mush and makes me gain weight. I cannot bend my knees too much at rest–even when sitting.
I am allergic to all adhesive tape, even paper tape.
I hope that I have successfully answered your questions, and that you will be able to help me.
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1)i’m afraid this will make me invalid in the years to come…
2) almost a year now , my upper thigh poor sensory , diffiulty in flexing my knee, severe shooting pain
3) 8 to 9 but i have hight tolerance to pain.
4) DEEP AND NUMB
5) after an playing badminton, the next day…when i get up in the morning…numbness in my lower extremity
6) when i put warm/ cold compress… in the morning after a few hours…i am able to move around…lessen when i try to neglect it. I ALSO TAKE PAIN MEDICATION WHEN PAIN GETS UNBEARABLE
7)EMG….NERVE ENTRAPMENT….IN MY GROIN AND LOWER BACK(ALSO WITH PAIN)
I USED TO BE OBESE….BEFORE 12 YEARS AGO…I LOST 8OPOUNDS, I’M STILL OVERWEIGHT AND NEED TO LOSE WEIGHT AS PER ADVICE BY MY DOCTOR.
BUT I AM HAVING DIFFICULTY NOW WHEN I DO INTENSE WORK OUT.
8)I HAVE NO ALLERGIES.THANK YOU
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1. No discomfort at the moment
2. Two years on and of
3. 6 or 7 when it is on
right now it is ok when I use the muscle it hurts
4. Sharp, but stays in one place
5. use the specific muscle by movements
6. rotating
7. no, no, no
8. penicillin -
Back pain which has been diagnosed as two pinched nerves and peripheral neuropathy in my legs and feet. It started approximately in the mid 1980’s. I would describe the pain as an 8. It is numb, throbbing and pulsating. It increases my pain to walk long distances, trying to do too much work in one day and overdoing things. I’ve taken pain medications that stopped working so I stopped taking them so now I am in pain but no medicine. Basically nothing is stopping it now. I go to pain management, have had numerous x-rays and a few MRI’s. I’m allergic to medicine that contain sulfur.
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I have had pain on and going for ten yrs. In 2001 I had a blood clot which they found at my waist. I also formed ulcers on my leg and can’t take penicillian anymore. I am on warfarin and
take morphine for the pain. But I don’t take it everyday. I have gotten use to the everyday pain.
But when it gets so bad I want to chew on nails, I take a pill. I use to be very active, but not now.
Doctors say don’t work. Gain alot of weight over the years. Don’t know if this injury is from
being in the military or what. I do know I want to lose the wieght. -
1. Left trochanter, left buttock area. Which is unusual because it’s usually the right side that hurts like this.
2 It’s been there around 10 days.
3. pain level around 7-8. Not debilitating, but keeps me from sleeping.
4. Deep – throbbing, pulsating – sharp but stays in one place – hot.
5. mostly unknown what increases it, but seems to be just standing too long, moving or not.
6. What helps – deep tissue massage (using my fist and knuckles); spot therapy with a Theracane; Eden energy exercises, heating pads.
7. No medical exams. I think all they would do is prescribe painkillers. I have no faith that they would provide a true solution.
8. No known allergies or other considerations.Many thanks, Dr. K!
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1. pain of upper left back/shoulder/neck area
2.I remember sitting at desk in elementary school rubbing that area, i’m 52 now
3.7/8..I’ve had it so long i’ve just gotten used to it but sometimes i have to resort to taking motrin or i would jump out a window
4.dull,achy
5.being still,,or maybe when i’m moving around i just don’t notice it too much. it really starts aching during and after bike riding
6.direct pressue of massage makes it kind of hurt and feel better at the same time,,but it never goes away
7.i see a chiropracter, he cracks my neck but again..it never goes away
8.no
9. thanks for listening -
1. I have had low back pain since an auto accident in 1997. Within the past 6 months I started having pain in the mid back also.
2. over ten years
3. varies but up to six at times
4.deep pain in low back, sharp, feels like it is pulling mid back feels out of place.
5. standing in one place causes pain. Wake up with pain. Being overweight contributes to pain.
6 stretching or moving around decreases pain
7Yes- had MRI, x-rays which showed nothing
8no allergies -
1.Pain in both upper arms at top of shoulder muscles.
2.About ten years or more?
3.ongoing about 5/6. Increase with certain movements to 9.
4.Hot, Dull and Achy plus sharp shooting.
5.Certain movements of arms- Holding arms above head height to do simple things.
6.Arms in a resting position and or not using them.
7.Yes. Xrays and Physio tretments. No long lasting effect?
8.Suffered from frozen shoulder 15 years ago. ty. -
1. Problems with muscles and joint pain (legs and arms): muscles fatigue too quickly, joint pain unexplained; hypermobility (body does’t seem to want to support itself); neurological issues (recently told nerve signals in spine possibly need to be reset?)
2. Initial injury: ’98-running (groin pull)
Led to sciatica, bursitis, hip weakness and eventually spinal fusion & nerve decompression (spina bifida occulta with pars defect) ’00
3. Worst pain: 8-10
Least: 0-nagging 4
4. Deep, Dull Achy to Throbbing and/or Sharp & Shooting (depending on activity)
5. Exercise makes joint pain worse. Overdoing daily activities makes muscles worse.
6. Rest & heat temp. fix for joint pain. Exercise to the point of muscle fatigue helps tightness of muscles, if I can push through the joint pain.
7. Yes. Followed by VA with little success or help. Most of my success has come from God and Marine Corps determination. (used to have to use wheel chair and was heavily medicated compliments of VA)
8. Aspirin (developed allergy from taking too long?)
Dilantin (heavy Rx & narcotics led to seizures)
Latex
Penicillin -
1. After becoming pregnant I have had horrible back pain in the middle of my spine. Even after giving birth and waiting a few months, the pain has not gone away an has seemed to get a little worse.
2. The pain has been going on for almost a year.
3. At times it makes it hard to hold my 4 month old baby. The pain level is 3-4 depening on what I do.
4. There is a long muscle pain going up and down the back that feels like my back is breaking. Other times it’s dull and achy.
5. Bending, lifting, twisting, sitting for too long. Breastfeeding (the position I sit in to feed my son puts a strain on my back.)
6. I don’t like to take medicine. Most of the time I have my husband massage me… this helps relieve some of the pain but it does not take it all away.
7. Due to radiation I was told I can’t take these exams while breastfeeding.
8. No allergies. -
I have both nerve and joint pain. I was told by a doctor my hip pain was caused by being out of alignment for so long that my knees are stiff and walking stairs make me feel much older than 38. My hip pain kicks in after heavy after my soccer games our even after walking the dog I may sit for a min then getting up gives me sharp, deep, shooting pain and my knees ache. My doctor corrected my hips alignment, but hip pain still continues 2 months now. My pain ranks an 7-8 will reduce after standing and moving, though knees tightness kicks in. help! I’m unable to do many of the movements in your program because of knee pain.
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1. Gouty arthritis (attacking ankles and wrist). Torn ankle ligaments in both feet. Right wrist with limied mobiliy.
2. 5 years
3. Worst pain: 8. Normally about 0-4
4. Sharp, hot pain when experiencing flares. Dull and achy pain usually.
5. Unpredictable. Sometimes after a bad diet. Sometimes after a good week with great diet and exercise. Pretty frustrating.
6. Unpredictable as well. Sometimes exercise makes it better, sometimes worse. Sometime rest makes it better, sometimes not. NSAIDs help at times.
7. MRI shows torn ankle ligaments. Blood test shows high level of uric acid.
8. Nil.
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1. Pain near left shoulder blade.
2.Frozen should intitally caused pain by carry a bar fridge incorrectly. Two years before shoulder released but for the last 3 years having this pain near the shoulder blade.
3. Pain scale 5. Normally a 5 everyday I’ve learnt to just live with it.
4. Deep pain – sometimes with burning sensation which increases the pain to 7.
5. Increased pain doing some excercises and spending too much time on the computer.
6. Massage and hard pressure on the the spot. It feels like a nerve or something keeps getting caught.
7. Had xrays – nothing found. 3 cortizone injections to release shoulder but that didn’t work. Had several sessions of PT to release shoulder and that didn’t work. The shoulder released
on its own accord but I had not had any treatment since.
8. No allergies. -
I’m here because I’m worried that if I have this level of pain at 56 what am I going to feel like at 70!
The pain has been getting gradually worse for years; depending on the body part up to 15 years! Most of the time the pain is bearable during the day, but keeps me awake at night sometimes quite intense, but usually just dull pain. Today my pain has been about an 8 in both feet and between 4 and 7 on various other joint pains. It usually intensifies with activity. I use alot of ice which helps some. Only use pain meds rarely. I’ve been to numerous chiropractors over the years over the years and finally a podiatrist for the foot pain which resulted in surgery. 28 and 26 years ago I underwent back surgeries. The most recent xrays haven’t shown much except some degree of arthritis. I don’t have any allergies. -
the best advice that you gave me was to make a fist and vibrate it over the area that is hurt section of the area that is in pain to spread it over a wide are and to loosen the knoted area and this has worked for me. thanks Dr K
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My most signifigant pain issue is with my knees. It is very easy to overwork them and pass the point where you are pushing your self to your fullest vs overdone and have too much pain/swelling to work out the next day. I try to correct this by builiding squats & lunges into my workouts, however I struggle to add the variety of rotation and different formats, or work with a substantial amout of weight without twisting my knee where I then reinjure it. I am trying build in more of 3 dimesional exercises, but I frequently need to start with no weight to be able to master the movement with out injury. I am not sure if I am challenging myself enough when I do this.
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Why are you here right now? Your email caught my eye.What’s causing you discomfort of some kind? Left shoulderHow long has this been going on? 5 months (+/-)How intense is it? 3-4 (when it hurts)How intense is your pain right now? 0How would you describer your pain, if you had to select from one or more of the following words: sharp, but stays in one place; deepWhat increases your pain/symptom? Shoulder exercises (presses in particular)What decreases your pain/symptom? In other words, what makes it feel better? (not using it)Have you had any medical exams performed, such as a doctor’s visit, X-Ray, MRI, etc.? noDo you have any allergies that might affect your treatment? Or any other special considerations? no
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1. Pain from Interstitial Cystitis-bladder pain. Under control with meds
Problem: Pain not confined to initial problem. Numerous life limiting symptoms, including severe fatigue.
2. 7 years
3. Intensity. with meds 1 to 2. Has ranged from 2 to 7
4. Deep. Sometimes sharp, but generally dull-ache to core. Hot
5 Increased by stress, emotion (good or bad-adrenolin), too much activity.
6. Decrease-staying home, not doing too much. I am active at home, watercolor, sewing, jewelry making- all help pain and I don’t give in and lie in bed or watch TV. Stopped working 76 years ago.
7. Many tests, surgery etc. Diagnosis: Interstitial Cystitis accompinied by more diffuse pain and fatigue. Allergy tests-negative. Working with good pain doc. In process of trying to get off “painkiller” that surpress pain. Have been on for 6 years. Also, 2 anti-depressants to break neuropathic connection.
8. Severe pain has improved. Sometimes at 0. I have gone from weighing 118 at onset (5’3″) to 152 lbs. -
Why are you here right now? My pain keeps coming backWhat’s causing you discomfort of some kind? SI Joint pain – left sideHow long has this been going on? June, conducted a squat lift with bar, back was arched, pain for a couple of weeks then subsided until September 4th, 2011, now continuous.How intense is it?4-7How intense is your pain right now? 4
How would you describer your pain, if you had to select from one or more of the following words: sharp, shooting, deep, hotWhat increases your pain/symptom? sitting too long, standing up, bending forwardWhat decreases your pain/symptom? In other words, what makes it feel better? infrared heating pad, stretches, hot tubHave you had any medical exams performed, such as a doctor’s visit, X-Ray, MRI, etc.? Doctor – Sept 13th, referral to physio, 5 weeks of physio – discharged, pain returningDo you have any allergies that might affect your treatment? Or any other special considerations? no
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Hi Dr. K-I’m not a fan of pain meds and I’m rather direct in my approach to curing pain issues. I suffered plantar fasciitis for nearly a year and tried every remedy available short of the injections. When I finally did go to the podiatrist, I refused the cortisone and opted immediately for an endscopic fascial release in my left foot. It was amazing, quick surgery and quick recovery and I suffered no pain…until just recently. I wear orthotics ALWAYS and in the last couple days I have been feeling that dull, achy pain just under the arch in BOTH feet. I’ve cut out all running and plyometric exercise, concentrating on walking properly and balancing the weight between supinating and pronating. I’m nervous that I might be headed down the same path as before…what to do, what to do??? I know this is a common ailment for many avid exercisers–any ideas?
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I’ve had a pain in the left hip or front of upper thigh for about three weeks. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly where it is. I notice a sharp pain when I stand up after sitting for a while. I’d say it starts at about a 7 or 8 but quickly subsides after a few steps. It does not affect my exercise at all…I can run, walk, do squats and it doesn’t hurt at all while I’m doing it. I might add that I’m over 60 and started doing joint mobility movements/stretching because my hips are quite tight. I had this looked at by my Chiropractor. He did not take x-rays but found nothing wrong in the joint by doing a range of movements and suggested I not stop the stretching but perhaps take it a little slower and not force anything.
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Morning,
I ‘ve been getting pain from the hip to ankle both sides, neck and shoulders,and some lower back. The good news is that one session of your antigravity mobility exercises chased it all away for several days. Now I have hip and shoulder joint pain, but greatly reduced, so I’ll be continuing with the mobilty exercises. By the way, I loved the exercises, but don’t understand from the overview video how often to do what. Please let me know ,as I’d love to get it right ,and convince my parents(almost 80) to give it a go -
right groin right side hip right rib area inside right knee right ankle right foot heel and funny enough with constent working forklift favouring everything my left shoulder is in pain pain vary from sharp to throb and it is 24/7 tightness and pressure please help had physio utra sound ct scan mri all ok
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Deep pain that moves about. Doc thinks fibromyalgia. Have tried every form of therapy available in my town!
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L-4/L5 bilateral discectomy. Subsequent to the surgery I have significant pain in my right leg (7-8) constantly. The quad muscle has deteriated by 30%. I avoid pain medication however am looking for better, more effective ways to deal with it. When I do take pain meds I take a combination of Ibuprofen as an antiIflamitory and a 12 hour time release morphine combination, and only when the pain in my lower back and leg become unbearable. All I can say is, “please help”.
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My left knee does not have any cartlidge (it was resurfaced 5 years ago, cleaned up 15 years ago for a meniscal tear) and it started getting worse about two years ago as I decreased by medications for Crohn’s (I am in remission right now). When it hurts, the pain is 4-5 but can keep me up at night. The pain is mainly an ache but it can be sharp shooting. If I do not ride my bike, or sit too long, or stand too long it gets worse. It gets better if I stretch daily, ride my bicycle, if I climb stairs and if I do squats and lunges (I hate lunges). The Dr indicated that I have no cartlidge in either of my knees and that I have a bone spur on my left. I got cortisone shots in each knee ( I was having problems going from sitting to standing if I sat more than 30 minutes — I sit all day at work) and the pains went away in my right knee but my left knee still hurts. He said I can get cortisone every 4-6 months until I am ready for knee replacement. But I really don’t want that if I can help it. Besides, I have to loose 30 more pounds before I will get it done (I lost 30 pounds last year and have maintained that loss for a year). I am cannot take NSAIDs for pain. I cannot have milk or milk products in my diet or it activates the Crohns.My treatment plan: Lose 30 pounds (using XFLD or 1000Cal), ride my bicycle 20-40 miles per week, walk 1-2 miles per day and start doing bodyweight exercise for my knees and core.
Any other suggestions to make sure that I don’t need the surgery? -
Low back pain.Achy. Rt quadriceps numb. Have had 2 back surgeries: L4-5 fusion with laminectomy; L3-4 fusion. Now I have L2 herniation & spinal stenosis. Long periods of inactivity (i.e. sleeping) make it much worse. Activity makes it better, but I’m having a hard time with what is the right amount. Just had an epidural injection. Yikes. Now I have new pain that I’ve never had before. Calling MD tomorrow. Lt lower back, hip, into groin. Definitely nerve pain-extreme burning & aching. Nothing helps, even medication. I’m still doing pilates, spinning. Got to do something, or I’ll be crazy! Saw ortho MD. He says it’s time for surgery to clean up everything that’s been going on for 6 years. I’m scared!. I’m in school for my nurse practioner certification. Don’t want to mess up.
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i have leg pain in my calf in the front of my calf and the side , did i possible pull some musles ? as it has been hurting for weeks now.
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I am 5’2″ 120 lbs in my mid 40’s and growing “old” fast. My mind, memory, eyesight, deteriorating rapidly since 40.
On and off in the last 6 yrs or so: fatigue, tingling in lower neck/shoulder muscle, ankle into foot shooting pain, big toe short shooting pain, hips-R & L at different times comes on suddenly, lasts ~ 1 hr sharp pain, can barely walk, pain L side back of thigh to knee sciatica(?), sore throat. The following on and off sine my early 20’s: joints, esp knees, hands, wrists, carpal tunnel, upper and mid and lower back. Lower back more constant dull ache and worse lately. Exercising is difficult with bad knees. -
Hello, i deal with early morning lower back pain. It is a deep pain, a 10 on the pain scale. I use the restroom and walk around the house for about an hour and pain is gone. Later in the day, similar pain, only a 7 on pain scale but pain in mid back near shoulder blades. I try stretching arms etc and often get stabbing pains in sides. Then sit down to try to relax, breathing through pain and then tailbone becomes agrivatinly painful at a 3 on the pain scale. Any suggestions?
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I am in my late 50s working as a nurses aid in senior care. I read your email in the staff room today as it so pertained to everything I have been dealing with lately. Almost everyone in there could relate as all were suffering from low back and hip pain. We spend hours on our feet. . I was until I read your email going to make an appointment with a chiropractor to see if he could alleviate some of the pain. It wakes me up at night most nights.
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My main problem is sciatica. I’m in my seventies. About 5 years ago I began getting a bad reaction to any activity that involved bending over. If I pulled weeds for a few hours, the next day I would be in pain. In the last few months, the situation has gotten worse. The pain sets in sooner and comes about with just a little time spent bending over.
When the sciatica sets in, there is a deep pain in my piriformis and psoas on the left side, so that it it hurts to walk. Usually there is nerve pain running down to my ankle. I’d say that the pain level is a 7 or 8. But a day or two of rest will relieve the pain.
My pelvis is unstable. The sides tend to rotate in opposite directions, the sacrum twists, and the left SI joint pops easily (with a left leg lift, for example). I see an osteopath for manipulation, and I am starting a series of prolotherapy injections in the sacroiliac and low pack areas to try to help maintain a better structure. I do some self-massage on painful areas, especially the piriformis, psoas (as much as I can reach), and ITT, and I’m looking into exercises to help balance the core area.
Thanks for your article. Lots of good information here.
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I am a 65 year old overweight woman. I would exercise more except for pain in my right knee. I am no expert but I think it is muscular not arthritis. That’s because my right knee is the only joint affected and the pain is in the area right next to the knee cap. The pain is not steady and seems to be getting better but then I will do something to make it worse. That usually is twisting. Often not when there is weight on the knee but doing things like getting into bed or out of a chair. Any exercise or treatment you can recommend?
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Hi Patnap! Thanks for writing in! You might want to check out these video links from Dr. K addressing this issue:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mv2Aa2zUTmMhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCeEHaMiOos
You can also get in touch the Dr. K support team through support@drkareem.com for detailed advice. Thanks again and wishing you a healthy, happy and prosperous 2014!
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Hi everyone! On behalf of Dr. K who’s currently overseas in Puerto Rico, thanks for writing in and apologies for the delay in response. Kindly check out
http://drkareem.com/article/low-back-pain-and-fat-loss/
for those of you with back issues. You can also get in touch with us through support@drkareem.com for detailed and specific advice and information. Thanks and wishing you the best in 2014! 😉 -
I have been suffering from lower back pain plus pain in my right hip for the last month. Aspirin nor pain relief creams have little to no effect. This happened shortly after I started a ketogenic diet. I also started taking Nervestra for another problem I’ve had for years. I can’t think of any activity I’ve engaged in that could be causing this problem.
Nancy K
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My lower back hurts at certain times, especially decreasing my mobility, for the past 2 1/2 mos. The pain is a 5, depending on what I do. It’s sharp, but stays in one place. Sitting and getting up and down, even out of bed increases the pain. Sometimes exercise helps, sometimes it doesn’t. I’ve had no medical visits re: this problem. I’m allergic to sulfa drugs and erythromycin.
