What can I do to relieve my back pain, driving is killing me.
I have to drive to work every day, but I can't drive very long before my back hurts. Is there anything I can do to relieve it?
My back reacts very painfully when I drive something with a bucket seat, I have determined that I have to have a stiff blanket behind my back so I do not sit with my shoulders hunched forward. I have tried using the seat stiffener lever, but they really do not have the ability to make the seat completely flat. Different vehicles have different kinds of seats. Thanks for bringing this issue up!
Oh and pay attention how you sleep, it matters a lot. Too soft mattress is for me no, no. Low pillow is nice for me.
There was typo (probably many) "But we need (everyone does but we especially) lot's of EXERCISE.
I think you are right on the sleep part. I am looking also right now to change my mattress once again. I made a mistake on getting a medium firm, when I should of gotten firm.
Hope your doing well.
Nicky (Team Member)if I were you I'd seek extra stiff - with (not sure if this is the right word) natural latex mattress topper. It's not actual mattress... Thinner and stiff'ish. They are quite expensive (here).
Yeah, we spend incredibly lot of our lives in the bed... And if you're already suffering from some pain... You would want to fix what you can.
Thanks for asking, not too well. It's pouring cat's and dogs. But hey look at the positive side - I get to collect free rain water for my girls! š
Have a good one!
Well, I suggest you to walk a lot - sit only when absolutely necessary. If possible, buy a car that has the seat up high. You may want to place something behind your lower back... As you prefer. I chose to drive only when absolutely necessary - instead using a bike. I've done all the groceries by bike, and I know, it's pain in the ass But we need (everyone does but we especially) lot's of experience.
Walk a lot, I did 8km a day. Avoid static postures... Try to save your joints but keep your muscles in shape. I'm 52 and last year did still 17 pull-ups... Now I've give up - too painful.
If needed change all your bad habits to healthy supportive ones. Quit consuming sugar, wheat flower, alcohol, tobacco... You should know the drill. We all do. It's just that we (most of us) feel so bad that we want to comfort us by these shitty habits.
Consider brewing kombucha, making sauer kraut (all sorts of fermented food), make natto (it's one of the best super food), make your own sauer bread (if need bread - like I do). As you see, our dietary habits are all wrong - especially for us since we have autoimmune decease which means chronic inflammation. Sugar feeds inflammation :/
If you're overweight - I'm sorry, you really should lose weight. The lighter you are the less you burden your joints. Don't eat pig. Better to not eat meat at all (?), but I do a little. Loot's of veggies and greens... Drink lot of water - I do drink 2.14ltr a day. I have a jar which keeps me really drinking a lot. Water lubricates our body and mind. Also the water makes sure that our metabolism removes what should be.
You know, there's also advantages for getting ill. It is an opportunity to start embracing your body, soul and mind. You'll see 😀 while in grocery store, watch what people load in their bags... 80% is harmful for them.
The healthier lifestyle you achieve the better you feel and the slower your symptoms spread.
Strech a lot, I can't highlight its importance enough - as everything I've written. I don't write for nothing - I try to help.
Meditate, it's difficult - in the beginning, but it really moves you on to the next level - closer to your best version of yourself.
Be positive. The happier you are the better your body feels - is. Laughter, good sex and creativity helps. Negativity on the other hand poisons your body - in worst scenario you create yourself cancer.
Be mindful - avoid DBN (default brain network) and instead be sure you stay in TPN (task positive network). Won't go into detail, do your research. Shortly, be mindful. Everything is about choices and decicion - if not yours then someone else's. Better do choose yourself. Some master some serve.
Dunno what to say about meds... I'm not health care professional - not giving you instructions. I don't think it's a good idea to eat pills... It may cover up something but... Well our body is like a mobile - you adjust something and it affects something else. Big pharma is nothing but pleased about this situation. Our body on the other hand not. I think we ourselves and nature has all that we need. Like a seed has all information about what it is and what it needs to do - we should too. But we're a mess, nothing but consumers 🙁
These were all my thoughts, you may have completely opposite opinion - that's ok. Listen to yourself and you know exactly what is best for you - what to do and what not. Everyone has the same ability to see. We just have to want to see and look.
"Only few see with their own eyes and feel with their own heart" A.A
Choose to be one of us and have a smile on your face!
interesting to hear your strategies, I follow many of these too and have seen good results.
I have soy beans and natto culture sitting in my pantry ready to try, your post has just reminded me to go do it! Natto is such a great (and rare) source of Vitamin K2, powerful calcium transporter and excellent for our bones when we have AS.
I also love making my own kraut and kimchi in support of better gut health. It's made a difference to me for sure.
I'm curious, would you take meds if it allowed you to exercise the way you used to? I'm a big fan of using all the tools available, regardless of what category they fall into. I know meds have side affects, but I think a healthy lifestyle can mitigate those affects.
I used to push myself through crazy amounts of pain and refuse to take drugs, I was depressed and couldn't exercise for the pain. Now I take NSAIDs when needed so I can get out there and exercise, feel motivated and do all the things my body needs. Usually it doesn't take long to get back on track.
I love that you respect others ideas so this isn't judging you in any way, just curious to know your perspective. You may totally disagree with how I approach it and that's fine too! Always great to have healthy discussions around these things.
All the best!
Anne-Marie (Patient Leader)I actually appreciated your answer, nevertheless the reason behind it (not judgmental comment rather than suspicious in me... Since you represent some sort of profession (usually people sell something when they approach😉).
I have tried them too, and the biological meds too. Actually I started just a while ago again - I.v. Haven't done anything else so far than cured the inflammation in my thorax spine area. But it was bad, really bad - couldn't even couch š„µ
So better some relief than nothing!
I'm so happy and proud of you... At the same time I feel sorry for myself cause I understand that I'd need similar friend /partner in my life. It's just too much for me to bear alone. But it is what it is, right.
Anyways, you are probably so kindred spirit, hope you have similar people in your life - it makes a big difference!
Oh, I seem to sidetrack - again š¤£ So dunno... I think I'm not going to take any meds - other than the biological meds i.v.
But something nice in the end of this message. While trying to find a proper vape device - which seems to cost fortune, I found the "pinky"! What a blessing that people share their love - for free š
If you have heated seats that helps me. My husband laughs when even if I am riding passenger on a hot day I usually have my heated seat on.
My heated seats are fabulous! A way of helping my back and pelvis, even on hot Arizona days. Thx for sharing this with the community. Rebecca (community moderator) True, I remember that... It was a bless to turn the seat heat nozzle south š But since I gave up driving and switched to bicycle I didn't even remember this...
