[happygolucky]

Having to walk dogs helps me no end.....I however detest stairs........I can walk miles on the flat
Shopping is more tireing than long dog walks.......I wish I had  my hip replaced and fixed years ago, then I would not have the twist to my spine that I am left with.
 

[landhallow]

I am in the 'bad back' club too  I have pain around my SI joint in my pelvis on the left side... I get a horrid pain in my left buttock, numbness and a toothachey pain down my left leg and sitting, standing or lying for too long makes the pain worse... so I am like a jack-in-a-box and am always moving, sitting, moving, sitting...
I do get angry when it stops me from doing something  like stacking hay bales, chopping wood, lugging rocks round etc... and being a weedy 8 stone who thinks she's built like a tank doesn't help! 
Tramadol was the worst drug I tried and made me feel like a zombie, Ibruprofen makes me constipated, co-codamol doesn't work. Amitryptiline makes me sleep when I should be up and about 
It can get quite depressing at times. Good job I have the dogs, horse and sheep to keep me going!
Best person I see is the Osteopath and she crunches everything out and it feels better for a while...

Scarlettorara: your comments made me laugh so much... I always shave my legs and wear 'sensible' knickers when seeing the Osteopath or Physio after having a 'bad choice of underwear' moment!!! 

Had cortisone injections but they don't seem to sort the problem out... anyone had a nerve block injection? Think that's what I am having next. Just wondered if anyone had had good results from that.

[Lesley Silvester]

I've had steroid injections.  They were great until the local anaesthetic wore off then I was back to what I was before.

I'd second the advice about swimming.  I've just been referred for hydrotherapy which I'm looking forward to as I love being in the water.  They only do a three week course of twice a week though.  I used to go most days but can't get in the ordinary pool now, plus I suspect my joints would object to the temperature of the water.

[TheCaptain]

I too am in the gang with back pain- I've had a Tarliv cyst nicknamed graham that lived (s?) in between and on my L5/S1 vertebrae and nerve root. It's like sciatica on steroids and not much fun. Had two nerve aspirations and steroid injections as well as nerve root blocks that were amazing until the local wore off! Had my operation to marsupialise 'graham' back in September; they didn't get all of it out and I'm still chewing my way through a couple of Slow release tramadol a day on a good day. Nine years of running around with Bergans/body armour have not helped my poor back but the worst it ever got was when I was sitting at my desk all day and commuting a couple of hours a day!!!
You have my sympathy!

[happygolucky]

My concern is not so much pain as loosing mobility or control of my bladder and bowel. I am still OK.....but its funny how being still is the worse possible thing...I am a fidget too...I hardly ever sit on a soft chair for long, thats why I am the comp a lot, I sit on a wooden chair with a cusion at the base of my spine and multi task........ 

[plumseverywhere]

Another bad back here - years of NHS nursing before hoists and proper 'lifting' (sorry, manual handling) instruction was put into place have left me with a weakness whereby I can literally lift a tin of beans out of the cupboard and OUCH>  Not easy when you have livestock reliant on you is it?

[sabrina]

I think joint pain goes hand in hand if you have worked long term with animals. Its all the heavy work out in all weathers that gets us all in the end.

[Tilly]

 
 Oh dear ,    to all who are suffering.
 
Womble,- sounds like similar problem l have had- The sacroiliac joint .
 
I was referred by my doctor to the  bio-  mechanical department at the hospital, and they found one leg slightly shorter - I  wear a little shoe insert now.
 
- also went to a chiropractor- who adjusted me and who got the affected joints moving properly.
 
- used a Tens machine for pain relief -which really works for me    and allows you to keep mobile and carry on with daily chores.
 
-A Cold pack or packet of frozen peas- will help inflamed joints (15 mins a time, on the sore joints)
 
-Think Posture and do stretches.
 
 -and it seems a funny thing to say, but work on building your stomach muscles - which really helps,  if you use them in conjunction with your back muscles when lifting.
 
Hope things improve soon 
 
Tilly 

[TheCaptain]

 -and it seems a funny thing to say, but work on building your stomach muscles - which really helps,  if you use them in conjunction with your back muscles when lifting.

Not that I like to boast but since having the Smallholding (and chronic back pain - the two seem to have gone hand in hand but more by coincidence than anything else) I'm the fittest I've ever been and have the body of an Adonis. Seriously.

[Backinwellies]

Have suffered with back, leg hip and knee pain on various occasions so have every sympathy with everyone.
 
 On a lighter note Rusty me's Freudian slip made me chuckle     " and taking the big burger for a trot along the track ".
Very topical!

[bigchicken]

Join the club bad back from time to time best to just get on with it and try to keep active and good posture helps helps me. When I have a bad back I stand like the leaning tower of Pisa funny but not ha ha.