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I notice my back worsens while I'm at work sitting for a long period of time.

July 9, 2014
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A MyMSTeam Member

CoolLioness, you got that right laying on floor/bed and getting those legs set up on wall certainly takes the pressure off. I have had back problems for ages, carried my boys on my back, worked in a plt. nursery moved/carried any and everything, moved furniture...my stubbornness 'I can and will do this' sent me to the herb bks found grape seed extract & germanium (sp)plus the magnet gave me relief and eventually sorta gave up being the super mom..to this day still depend on these for when the back (shoulders-lower-mid) scream. AND NO I am no longer Super Mom!

July 11, 2014
A MyMSTeam Member

Yes on the mid to lower backaches, laying flat on my back and using a bath towel and gently stretching my legs seems to help, sometimes the physical therapist will stretch my legs after my routine which does help alleviate later 'spasms'.in my back.

July 10, 2014
A MyMSTeam Member

Yes the lower back pains get so bad I can't walk standing up straight. I often find myself bending over almost at a 90 degree angle. Using a cane I can often pull my self upright if I catch it early enough. Otherwise I'm bet over. And my husband never offers to help me. Pisses me off!

July 9, 2014
A MyMSTeam Member

Yes @A MyMSTeam Member I have a big problem with lower back aches. Spasms seem to take over there and travel down to my thighs etc to my feet sometimes. Baclofen doesn't seem to help much. Good luck. Maybe a massage would help.

July 9, 2014
A MyMSTeam Member

Back pains in MS are caused by many factors.
Trunk & abdominal muscles can get tight and painful from de-conditioning : someone here posted about their therapist using a large ball to sit on and I highly recommend getting yourself one of these balls. I was introduced to their use by the Heuga center MS and I have a large red one (Gymnic balls come in different sizes and resistance levels, available on Amazon.com - don't get one with a handle). You improve trunk & abdominal stability and balance just by sitting in front of the TV as your upper body works to maintain balance. It can also be used to stretch back and side muscles but you should have a therapist run you through this so you don't overwork yourself.
Many upper and lower body exercises can be done using a Gymnic ball that will help maintain muscles in a way that will alleviate pain.
The most important muscles that support the lower back seem to be your abdominals. You don't need a Schwarzenegger six pack but being able to hold your tummy in helps your lower back tremendously.

If you experience hot, electric like shocks that seem to originate from your tailbone and affect your walking then talk to your neuro about that. That kind if pain is a major MS symptom that can be helped with an anti-seizure med. Shooting nerve pains originating in the lower back cause the muscles to seize up in an attempt to have you protect your lower back but, in the case of MS, the spine itself might not be dealing with potential damage but the pain messages are nerve disruption from MS damage.

If you find your back pain radiates into your buttocks and/or legs then you might be dealing with a ruptured disc that is causing sciatica or chronic spinal nerve damage that causes terrible pain in your middle hip area called Priformis Syndrome. These conditions are best dealt with starting with your GP.

How do I know all this stuff ? I have them all.... and I'd love to have a Schwarzenegger six pack, thank you very much ;)

July 31, 2014

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