Pain in the Back 2
Matt Seinberg

This past Tuesday I was doing some work outside, trying to replace a broken sprinkler head that just wouldn't pop up for anything. Mildly cursing under my breath, I started to dig around it so I could unscrew it and replace it.

This wasn't my day

The next thing I knew, I saw stars and felt that pain in my back that I had a couple of months ago. Since I couldn't just leave a hole in the ground, I tried putting on a couple of sprinkler heads I had in the garage. Lo and behold, they either didn't work or didn't fit! This just wasn't my day.

I still had a couple of errands to run, so I took some ibuprofen and managed to limp around the rest of the day. Getting in and out of the car was a chore by itself.

Some relief was on the way

By the time I got home, I could hardly move. I got on the heating pad and just took it easy the rest of the day. I texted my chiropractor and asked if I could see him on Wednesday at 9 am. He said yes, so I knew I would get some relief. I also texted my manager at work and told him I would be late.

Let me tell you this, walking hunched over is no fun. There's too big a chance of missing something right in front of you. I've told Dr Steve this many times; lying on that table, in room one, for 20 minutes is the most relaxing part of my week with the electric stimulation and hot packs on my back. The only thing that could possibly make it better is Jennifer Love Hewitt giving me a therapeutic massage.

Dr Steve does his thing, and tells me my sciatica is acting up on both sides. He works on them, and does his usual thorough adjustment. I know I won't make it through the week without another treatment, so I make another appointment for Friday with him and his partner, Dr Walter who is a pain management specialist.

Nine-in-ten Americans suffer back pain

Dr Walter gives me two shots of Lidocaine in my back, and while the relief is not immediate, I can feel a difference. He also gives me a prescription for a muscle relaxer, so at least I can get some sleep at night.

Did you know that 90% of American adults have back pain of one type of another? Mine are due to a stupid accident at work many years ago, and several car accidents. All it takes is one little thing to set off a bad spasm, and I'm out of commission for days.

A friend of mine at work is going to have back surgery soon, so I asked him for the information for the physician. I'm hoping he can do something more permanent to relieve my daily pain and discomfort.

Thank goodness, I have my trusty cane. It helped me get in and out of bed when I could barely move. I love my cane.

Click here to read more about Matt and back pain.