Back Problems

[dragonz]

for back pain try adding 1 drop peppermint oil for every 5ml carrier oil ie almond and massage that into the affected area, peppermint in a natual antiinflamitory and pain killer, you will smell like gum for a while though.
also try going to a pilates class, the execises strengthen the abdominal muscles which support the back.

[Shortie]

you will smell like gum for a while though.

Rather teh smell of gum than the smell of sweat from gardening

Thing is though, if you find it works for you (and in terms of using other herbs, they're safe) why not use them? They're natural and I hate putting chemicals into my body unnecessarily

[SueA]

I was just going to write "it depends on the breasts" when I read this Sue, so thought better of it

I regretted what I wrote as soon as I wrote it- you are a bad influence on us all!

[dragonz]

Thing is though, if you find it works for you (and in terms of using other herbs, they're safe) why not use them? They're natural and I hate putting chemicals into my body unnecessarily

my thoughts exactly

[dragonz]

and peppermint oil doesnt interefere with conventional medicine so can be used along side pain killers, sorted my whiplash within 2 days going from unable to move to being 100% better

[SueA]

You should be careful using essential oils though especially if you are pregnant as some can induce labour/miscarriage etc. & some herbs such as St.John's wort interfere with the contraceptive pill- even eating grapefruit affects the rate at which some medicines such as the pill & blood thinning drugs are absorbed into the body. Although we think natural products are safe to use on our bodies they should always be thoroughly checked out beforehand.

[lilo lil]

Hi All

Interesting post as i've often wondered about this.

I have the following bone and back problems:
Cirvical spondylitis affecting 4 discs in my neck
Osteoarthritis affecting whole body
Osteoporosis affecting whole spine, hips.

When one kicks off, the rest follow in quick succession. I take Dihydrocodine, Tramadol and, on occassion, diazapam to act as a muscle relaxant so I can at least walk a bit when i'm bad.

I still keep the plot going because to keep still is the worst thing that you can do. To stop exercising is the worst thing as well. You have to keep supple and as active as humanely possible without setting the problems off.

I use a long handled spade and long handled everything. I don't dig unless I really have to and I have to regulate how much I do on the lottie otherwise I can't move over the next few days. I'm not good at the regulating bit cos I get on a roll and will "just do another job, it'll only take a minute" Fatal mistake for me but I never learn.

The whole lottie thing make me feel better, I get exercise, fresh air, fresh food. When my mates down on the next plot we have a good laugh, get the bbq going and have a great time with the kids. Makes life groovy.

[Becky]

I was in a car accident when I was 15 (it wasn't me driving, honest), i'm now 25 and intermittently have various parts of my spine aching! It seemed to start at the top in my neck then worked it's way down to my hips and is now back up at my neck again. One of my hips is twisted forward, which seems to send my balance haywire, I can have it put back straight by a chiropractor or osteopath but last time the 6 treatments required cost me £180 and only 2 weeks later I actually felt it pop back out again, so I haven't been for years. I can often click these joints myself, it really freaks people out when my neck does a Frankenstein type crunch. Tend to take Ibuprofen when absolutely neccesary. Glucosomine didn't help me at all - although it works absolute wonders on my pony!
My main difficulty is not my back but my fingers and toes, which have nasty bony lumps in the joints, some are about the size of a pea (petit pois rather than garden) Arthritis and joint problems seem to be hereditary in my family.

[Squirrel]

Had a quick read through this thread and find like others that none of the poll questions are applicable. Suffered with polio as an 18 month old and have one leg shorter than the other.

It has not held me back as I was able to do everything (almost) that anyone else could do - in fact tell me I can't and I will set out to prove you wrong!

Grey haired now and really begining to feel the effects of what is termed 'post polio syndrome' Good days and bad days, try not to use medication and most of the time can get by without. Have found that wheat products give me sore joints! I have not had any tests done but just by cutting out wheat I am so much more comfortable! Eat a sandwich and the aches cut in about 24 hours later and can last for days!

Can sit and weed and dig, but cutting lawns is no fun as it is amazing how much you flex your knees - every tried cutting your lawn five minutes as a time! Suppose that means I need extra short tools!

[andrewo]

I'm glad I started this thread off, it highlights that there is more to back problems then a few poll questions can answer. Glad we can share our problems and in some cases, solutions for weary backs, just shows that if you love doing something, no disability can hold you back and so it should be! It also shows gardeners abilities to rise to challenges, change and create tools for their use.

[WiZeR]

I dont mean this to sound smart, but after just 3 gym sessions, my back seems much better. Only gentle excersises and some hydrotherapy. Just goes to show how lazy i have been.

[andrewo]

It's true that it works with some people, I had a spasm last week on the disc I have problems with, 2:00AM, only ice pain in my left leg and in total agony but I have forced myself back into a gentle/low impact regime and in 24 hours and quite alot of painkillers/anti-inflammatories I am walking with relative ease again but I am totally incapable of lifting anything. This bout came about by just picking up a brick - unfortunately, it wasn't a gold one. Glad you're feeling better Wizer, take your time, go at your own speed and listen to your body.

[Squirrel]

I often get an ache in my shoulders (usually from sitting reading to much in this forum!) and an aching back. I ring church bells and I find that the weight of them stretch my back and shoulders and I always feel a lot better after a bout of ringing. We are always in need to new ringers - anyone interested? Great fun though it does involve the brain now and then!

[WiZeR]

I recently went through an uncomfortable few months of anemia, internal bleeding and other stomach related problems. The root cause was never found but it is possible the painkillers/anti-inflamatorys were to blame. I'd rather have the pain now.

[Squirrel]

WiZer - There is a herbal remedy that you can get from a qualified body - not sure if it is dragon thorn or devil thorn - you know of course that herbalists treat like with like i.e. sharp pain in joints with herb made from plant with sharp thorns. Is an anti - inflamatory and does work. It does not upset the tum either, something I have a problem with if I sue Ibroprufen (seplling? Eish now I can't even spell!) I had forgotten about it until I read this forum, will have to go and have a scratch.