If one has a bad back what may they and what may they not do?

[dsc]

I would really like to know. I have a somewhat bad back. Fortunately it doesn't act up often but when it does I can't do much. For those who think Dean was a faker just what may I do and what may I not do and still be a non faker. Please be specific as I don't wish to offend all of those out there who obviously know so much about this issue despite apparently naver having gone to medical school nor having had a bad back. So again, all you net mothers out there. Mother what may I do?

[Abe Linkman]

1. A lot depends on what kind of regimen...

you are on. For example; if you have a lot of money and get on a RUSH regimen, there's apparently little you CAN'T do. And, seems you can actually feel relaxed and have a great time doing whatever you do.

Based on Mr. Limbaugh's experience, it seems his only problem is that ungreatful housekeeper who took advantage of an opportunity to make some extra Jack. RUSH wasn't paying her very much (I think I read it was something $1,600 a month or less). Maybe if he had been a little more generous, none of the subsequent unpleasantness would have occurred and he would be ensconsed, as usual, behind the golden EIB mike every day, instead of off at some hippie-type psychobabble retreat getting in touch with his "feelings". (that must be a trick - for someone who hasn't really had any feelings, except feel-good feelings, in a long time).

Just goes to show that if ElRushbo had been even half as generous to his maid as he was to his monkey, he'd be flying around on the bars right this minute.

As for Howard Be Thy Name, wasn't the deal with him the simple word "Vietnam"?

[dsc]

2. He failed his induction physical

that is what one gets from a miliatary doctor.

[DrFunkenstein]

8. He Brought A Note From A Civilian Doctor

I would hardly be surprised if he wasn't connected to Dean's Wall Street tycoon father, either.

[Egnever]

3. LOL

that was a great read!

seeing as how Howard seems to be ahead of Kerry on this whole Iraq thing it wouldnt suprise me to find out he was ahead of him on the Vietnam thing as well.

[izzie]

4. Well I have had this for years.

Keep the lbs. off do sit ups or some thing to keep the back strong and pick up thing the right way. If you are a women let me say having kids does a job on it also. I had a 'thing' to wear that really made the back feel better.

[sam sarrha]

5. It depends on the injury... I had a bad sprain, a bad disk is different.

It is not passable for me to know what is injured in your back, My problem is weak ligaments from a sprain.. i favor one side and that sets me up for back pain.. my legs and back have different strengths on different sides..one side is more flexible. if i pick up something to the side..especially bent over the muscles pull my back out of alignment. then i have to go to a chiropractor and have it rotated back into alignment. all chiropractors are not the same... some will push on your hip while on your side toward your upper body in line with your spine.. this procedure is a Killer and i end up hurt much worse than before for WEEKS, i do not recommend it. I get relief by the knee drawn up, hands clasp across the chest, leg and hip pushed down and shoulder rotated back and down on the table in the opposite direction. i can hear and feel the vertebrae sliding and snapping and thumping in place. after a couple days of a little soreness I'm better. usually a bulging disk will press on a nerve or the spinal cord... this can produce a deep agonizing, white knuckle blinding pain, i believe that is pretty constant and without relief, but might start out a minor pain, it is accumulated. there is a new company that is starting to set up in lots of Walmart stores called 'America's Back', that uses a Lumbar Extension Machine. they can determine which muscle groups are weak and develop a program of exercise for $10 a visit or $29 a month, I have heard good things about them. www.americasback.com ,check with your doctor. I have neglected my back injury to prevent Insurance problems, I have not been treated for 10 years to keep it off my records, after my injury i couldn't get or keep a job for nearly 6 years, finally a friend told me the Compensation carrier for his company called and said that they could hire me but if they did they would cancel all 29 comp policies for all their other employees and raise the cost of their compensation policies. I left California and got a job out of state and never went back. but i still have problems getting employment over 90 days nearly 15 years later. I plan to check out the back machine...dont bend over and pick up anything. face the object, pull it against you to pick it up.. if on the floor one knee down use arm on leg to lever object up CLOSE to you pull it close and stand straight up. always have object close to you, at arms length an abject on a table puts 50x PSI at the back joint compared to close to body. It accumulates!!! over years... just say NO to helping move large ungainly things... 'I have a back problem, sorry....' my wife went to www.bonati.com ..out patient spinal surgery. they have a unique microscopic arthroscopic techinque..no bolt and plate. really a miracle, check them before any back surgery, the insurance co's dont pay for therapy with the traditional hack and plate surgery's and that is why lots of them are worse than not doing anything...good luck.............

[Feanorcurufinwe]

6. Long-distance running is out. Like running for President.

Anything else is ok.

O8)

[southerngirlwriter]

7. I've had a bad back for fifteen years......

You have to learn the warning signal of pain versus pain that means your back is about to go out. When I say "go out," I mean that your entire back will tense up and you will feel agonizing pain, and will be unable to move hardly at all.

When my back hurts, it's one thing. When it's about to go out, it's almost an electric-shock kind of pain -- as though an electrical current ran across the top of my back.

I take Skelaxin, a muscle relaxer, when it goes out. The only thing you can do is lie flat on your back with a pillow under your knees and take enough Skelaxin to knock you out. If it ever goes out and a muscle relaxer and rest doesn't take care of it, then you need to see a doctor. It may be an injury, not a muscle spasm problem.

As far as preventing it, learn to bend with your knees. Be very careful about overextertion. You can exercise, but when it hurts, take it seriously. When you get a "warning" kind of pain -- that electrical current, go home and go to bed.

My five cents.......

[dsc]

9. I guess I need to go back to sarcasm school

I am pretty amazed that despite mentioning Dean in the post and the umpteenth Dean is a draft dodger thread being on the same page so few people got this. I must be pretty bad at sarcasm. BTW I really do appreciate the hints. I will take them under advisement when my back flares up (thank god very rarely)