Whose Life Will You Affect?

I saw the title for this Blog on an ad for the Red Cross today. It struck me. Many people have affected my life in such positive ways. I am hoping that some of the resources in my blogs will affect others experiencing back pain in a positive way.

One of the main resources I have used starting at the beginning of my journey through back pain is the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago's: The Back Pain Book (Revised 2nd Edition). It is a "Self-Help Guide For Daily Relief of Neck and Low Back Pain" by Mike Hage.

When I initially read through this book, I did (as suggested) write down notes in the back of the book. Under Hage's heading in the Notes section
List below the positions or functions that you suspect most often aggravate your pain (see chapters 3, 4, and 5 for ideas), I wrote the following list:
1. unloading the washing machine
2. vacuuming
3. pulling the garbage can out to curb from the garage
4. walking uphill
5. lifting groceries out of the cart
6. lifting my youngest out of the carseat
7. bending at the waist
8. reaching across my body- right arm over left hip
9. walking across mulch
10. unloading bottom rack of dishwasher
11. taking "heavier" items out of the oven
12. driving for long periods (over 25 mins.)

I also found that the following things brought some relief or were helpful:

1. a removable shower head massager
2. whirlpool jets
3. cold on initial days of inflammation (ice)
4. heat (I have a buckwheat pad that you microwave for two minutes... a great gift from Germany)
5. supportive furniture: aerodynamic Swedish chair for computer and eating at the table; new mattress; new couch
6. I was outfitted for a corsett for instability but quickly learned not to use it for long periods of time as the goal is to strengthen the core muscles in my case
7. I found out a walking stick keeps me more upright than a cane


After visiting with many, many doctors, reading, and researching, I came up with an abundance of information that has been helpful to me. My purpose is to help others know what type of resources are out there, but is in no way intended to replace the medical advice of your physician. Please work with the medical team that knows you and your condition. Your comments are highly valued.