My old spine and walking

Maria · #1 (**permalink**) 06-01-2007, 06:38 PM

edited as necessary

fireyangel76 · #2 (**permalink**) 06-01-2007, 11:51 PM

maria,
It is nice to hear your back is not giving you too much trouble. I am sorry to hear about the feet and knees though. I know the feeling...at my age when something feels better another thing starts to hurt.
I have been told that sitting puts the most pressure on your discs, especially lumbar area. Standing also. This may be why your back talks to you when you stand or sit. Mine does the same thing.
I hope the knees and feet start to catch up wirh your back.
Betsy

Maria · #3 (**permalink**) 06-02-2007, 01:04 AM

Betsy,
My injury is from the early '80's. Lifting a patient returning from surgery/Neurosurgery. I've had problems so long that it seems more normal to not feel well spinally that to feel well!

Yes, the pressure on the discs is supposedly greatly increased with sitting and standing is just killer to me anyway in one place for my low back but even knees/feet.

fireyangel76 · #4 (**permalink**) 06-02-2007, 07:43 AM

I last injured my back at work 9/11/01...yes right before the planes hit the first tower. I was working ICU and was moving an ER patient from stretcher to bed. Sounds like a very familiar injury. If I think back besides catching a patient mid air this is the same way I always hurt it. I guess thats why hospitals are going to lift teams. Wish they were around 20 years ago. I am so happy to be on my treadmill. I feel like I can claim ownership of my body again. Sitting is the worst for me still but getting better. I have lots of hope now and I am loving ot!

Maria · #5 (**permalink**) 06-02-2007, 01:10 PM

Hey Betsy,
When I worked at the VA in SF back in the early '80's they had a lift team and utilized equipment for full body lifts. I shoulda stayed there but I had the bug to work for a "learning institution" again which was way understaffed (working on skeletan staff aways or a freeze on hiring)~

At night I have to sleep w/legs propped up on about 4-5 pillows and neck on cervical roll. If I side lie my back is fine but neck isn't.

I do wake up w/raging back pain usually and it takes about an hour to two to work off. Walking now seems to help whereas before it made it worse...

I still think surgery could help if it would address pain generators and I'd love to be where you're at AFTER surgery! Congrats on your progress!

Wonder what it's like in Germany w/nurses and other countries...if they have the same number of spinal injuries we seem to have had here over the years?

dshobbies · #6 (**permalink**) 06-02-2007, 06:57 PM

Okay everyone. I am quite familiar with sitting and standing issues which have plagued me just as much as anyone else.

A little known yet very effective tool is the tush cush. I can go by other names and qualities vary from where you buy it. It's generally under $50 but worth so much more in the relief it provides.

The tush cush is a wedge pillow with a small section cut out by the tail bone. By not sitting on your spine, most of the pressure is relieved allowing you to sit much more comfortably and for longer periods of time. Every spiney should have one or two or ten. I buy mine at a Relax the Back store. I keep one in my car and at my desk. When I sit somewhere else and am not using this cushion, I can tell the difference within 10 minutes. It's subtle but so effective. I've even gotten over the embarrassment of taking it with me (like to the movies, etc.).

If you don't like it or don't think it's working for you, you're only out $50. How much more do we all have invested in our backs? Try it!

Also just to mention it, zero gravity chairs relieve much back stress but can be quite costly. I love mine but the tush cush is much cheaper.