4 ms·
Interesting stuff. I suffered from acute lower back pain and fairly severe tendonitis for a few years and taking NSAIDs (ibuprofen, etc.) certainly didn't help
by photochemsyn 5y ago
Interesting stuff. I suffered from acute lower back pain and fairly severe tendonitis for a few years and taking NSAIDs (ibuprofen, etc.) certainly didn't help much other than to relieve symptoms when they got particularly bad. That practice just led to one round of re-injury after another.
The long-term solution was to change some basic behaviors (never wear a backback while bicycling, use saddlebags instead, and always warmup before exercise), and I also started a very slow recovery program (i.e. about a year-long very steady-and-slow increase in exercise levels). I'm pretty sure a key component was the use of supplements for connective tissue development (glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, vitamin C) and bone development (calcium-hydroxyapatite and magnesium sources). However, thinking back, I also quit the NSAIDs (which were unnecessary as I always backed off the exercise whenever I felt the slightest twinge during the recovery period).
Nowadays, I just do continual light resistance training for back strength (basically frequent hiking with a well-balanced backpack), some relatively light gym workouts, and I've felt zero back pain for several years, and the tendonitis has also vanished, and I almost never take any NSAIDs (which I used to eat rather like candy). I still take that supplement mix (and I've tried going off it for a few months and had a notable increase in sore joints etc.) but now I wonder if quitting the ibuprofen was equally important.
- revolvingocelot 5y ago>glucosamine, chondroitin, [...] magnesium sources I'll second this anecdata for back pain/tendonitis. NSAIDs become unnecessary, or even as the parent suggests, harmful. My broccoli and fruit intake obviated calcium and vitamin C supplements respectively, and I never heard about the necessity of MSM.
- bawolff 5y agoPeople say this as if eating a healthy diet isn't the cornerstone of MSM.
- Traubenfuchs 5y agoMSM is Methylsulfonylmethane, right? How can something be the cornerstone of it, are you thinking about another meaning for MSM?
- LegitShady 5y agoim thinking "main stream medicine" maybe?
- bawolff 5y agoYes,i assumed that was what was meant in context. Apologies if i misinterpreted.
- revolvingocelot 5y agoWhy would you think that? The comment I was replying to placed "MSM" in a list of supplements... Did you actually interpret the comment as suggesting that 'photochemsyn supplemented his diet with mainstream medicine to support connective tissue development?
- rgrmrts 5y agoCurrent back pain sufferer here. Did you just purchase those supplements independently and mix up a cocktail? Any advice on where to purchase supplements and how to go about dosing? Regular light exercise is the only thing kind of working for me right now, but every now and then the pain gets bad and I fall out or exercise.
- gtowey 5y agoTry these few exercises: https://www.healthline.com/health/fitness/superman-exercise https://www.healthline.com/health/fitness/superman-exercise https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CfiJ4qfaUbM https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CfiJ4qfaUbM And get a foam roller for a easy low back massage. I used to have low back pain for a long time from too much desk work. Although I do a lot of different exercises now, I think those 3 things are the easiest and most impactful way you can keep yourself pain free. They're simple, 5 or 10 min a day will really help.
- rgrmrts 5y agoThanks for the tips, I have an exercise routine that does similar exercises. I found the Superman exercise to exacerbate the pain but maybe I can start adding it back in. I use a foam roller regularly! Less so on my back and hips, more on my legs and upper back. I use a lacrosse ball for my hips and lower back, which feels like it gets a little deeper.
- gtowey 5y agoThe trick for me was to start with a very low amount of them, find something below that threshold where it was causing you discomfort and stick with it until there are some improvements. It's quite surprising to me just how weak my back can get at times if I'm not doing regular strength exercises for it. I also second the lacrosse ball. It's a life saver for long car and plane trips!
- tomcam 5y agoThis may sound rude or obvious, and I don’t mean to. Do you sit up straight when working? Makes a big difference for my lower back.