How I Messed Up My Back

By Zane Durant * March 31, 2014 * Reno, Nevada

I think I just figured out what happened to my lower back. Two things. First I sit for long periods of time doing online stuff, and I also adapt tv shows from other countries into English, so for of all I think I sat way too long. I was working on a web site pulling major hours, then I would sit and edit Korean dramas for hour on end. That was part one of why I have been in horrible pain for the last three weeks.

The other part of my lower back pain originates in my posture while working out. I was just looking at a chart that shows how much pressure you put on your spine during a given moment. For instance standing up you are applying 100 percent of your bodies average load. If you are laying down, that's only 40 percent of what your back can take. Let's say you are sitting down with really nice posture. That is actually putting 150 percent of your average load on your lower spine. If you are like me, sitting there hour after hour, with your back all hunched over, you are most likely at 185 percent of what your lower back can handle.

So I was sitting there for hours, and doing that with poor posture, add weight lifting to the mix and you got a lumbar from hell.

I have been working out really hard, getting a little older so I want to look good for my young wife. I finally got up to the 45 pound weights, one in each arm, benching, moving around etc. I just found out that carrying 90 pounds incorrectly puts about 600 percent more pressure on your lower back that it should have. So sitting, and lifting like a fool, put 6 or 700 percent more pressure than I should have on it, all while I am trying to get in shape.

So now, I think it's 18 days I have been hurting. I see Dr Welch in Reno tomorrow. I will let you know what happens. -- ZD

Would Someone Take The Knife Out Of My Butt?

March 30, 2014 * Reno Nevada

You know all your bones are connected, but did you know that there are nerves running though each bone? Take me for instance. Right now I am recovering from a lower back disc bulge. Somewhere down at the bottom of my spine near the L5 bone, there is a nerve passing in and out of my spine. It runs down the spine, into my butt and down into the leg.

This sharp pain I am feeling is caused by a "pinch" in my lower back. The remedy? A nice session of spinal manipulation. Tomorrow I will make an appointment for the chiropractor and see if he can get this thing to relax.

When you injure you back, swelling occurs. This swelling makes the bones less responsive to  chiropractic adjustment. Sometimes you can go to the chiropractors and get adjusted and feel perfect, other times it takes a few sessions to make the area relax and go back into place, so be patient. If you went in for an adjustment and it didn't move, don't blame the chiropractor, believe me, if they wanted to move your spine it would move, but usually a chiropractor just makes a minor adjustment.

Spinal decompression removes pressure on the spine by using a counter weight to relieve pressure. If your chiropractor is not using spinal decompression, it may be time to seek out a new doctor.

There are several qualified doctors of chiropractic in Reno, check out a chiropractic directory at Reno Spine Care DOT com.

One I am adjusted, the sharp pain I am experiencing right now will go away, or at least chill the heck out. To find out more about sciatica, check Web MD.

Injury to Lower Back

March 29, 2014 * Reno Nevada -- by Zane Durant

I am 51 years old, and I have never been in so much pain as I have been this last two weeks. I must have done something to myself without knowing it, because I have literally been flat on my back for 15 days now. 

Where is the pain? On the right side of my sacrum just below L5. I also seen to have issues going to the bathroom now, so I am adding an injury to the coccyx (tailbone) too. 

Something in there is driving me crazy. My leg is numb, I have a knife like shooting pain in my butt on the left side, and if I sit more than 10 seconds I can't get up. I can't bend forward to wash my face so I have been avoiding shaving.

I have been in for spinal decompression 5 times (and I am much better) but I am still hurting.

My lower back has almost made me forget about my migraine, which is now over 115 days long. I'll talk more about migraines later.

What do you do when your back is out? Do you take anything? What do you recommend for your back ache, you know, what works for you?

Chiropractic Today is a blog that originates in Reno Nevada. Please check back daily for new posts on various topics. This page is about an "Injury to Low Back" Add your comments below.

I recommend chiropractic treatment by Dr Xavier Martinez at Integrated Spinal Solutions in Caughlin Ranch.

Overdid It Today - Hurting Again

March 28. 2014 * Reno, Nevada

I just spent the last couple a weeks trying to recover from a lower back issue. This morning I was feeling much better after several decompression treatments. I walked the dog, even took him an extra long way around and I did some shopping, went by my friends, and even made lunch.

Its about 8 o'clock and now my lower back is hurting again, I guess I over did it a little. Now, I gotta try and treat it before it gets bad again.

Ice. I am getting the ice pack right after this blog. I am going to stay off my feet for the rest of the night, my wonderful spouse will have to get the chips for the rest of the eve.

Electronic therapy - Starts tomorrow. I have a portable EMS machine that shocks the area to relax the muscles. I also will wear my back brace to morrow too.

What is your remedy? What should I do for my lower back pain? Any suggestions? Please leave them below.

If you are looking for a really good chiropractor. Please consider Integrated Spinal Solutions in Reno. My chiropractor is fantastic!

Back Out: Day 2 through 14

March 27, 2014 * Reno Nevada

I can't believe I just spent the last two weeks completely flat on my back in bed. I thought this episode of "My Back's Out" would only last a few days. Alas, here I sit, in bed, day 14 blogging from my laptop because I can't sit upright in a chair while working.

(Sigh)

It has been a rough week for me. If you have back issues a lot, I now have a new respect for what you go though. I have back "issues" not "problems" usually. I did something to myself though. I know that for sure now.

If I was single, I would not have made it though the last two weeks. My wife has cooked and cared for me more in the last two weeks that in the previous 20 years. We live in a two story house so every water, every sandwich, and dinner had to be hauled upstairs to my "flat on my back" ass.

Thank God for Netflix. I am not doing a commercial here, but I have lived by my Netflix. I have enjoyed Capt Picard from the first episode, something I never had the chance to do back in the late 80's. If you are laid up, dude, babe.. get the Netflix. I recommend The Tudor's.

Now back to my back.

I think I pulled it working out, or maybe I sat too long again working. Something has caused my Lumbar-Sacrum area to compress. The spinal decompression and adjustments are relieving the pressure put on the spine. Hopefully I will feel better soon. I can't afford to miss anymore work. I wish I had Aflac.. but they fired Gilbert Godfrey, so the heck with them. I could still use the insurance though.

I recommend spinal decompression and chiropractic treatment because it works. If you are looking for a chiropractor in Reno, please consider Integrated Spinal Solutions. There are two offices in Washoe County. One in Caughlin Ranch, and the other in South Reno off Longley Lane.

For those in the Round Mountain, Nevada area and those in the surrounding community, ISS is open off Eureka Blvd.

Back Out:: Spinal Decompression Therapy: My Diary - Day One

March 14, 2014 * Reno, Nevada

You should have seen me crawling across the floor trying to get to the bathroom just now. I don't know if it was funny or sad. But let me back up a bit.

I woke up this morning and I noticed it hurt when I tried to bend over. I said to my wife half serious, oh maybe my back is going out again. She said, "you better call the chiropractor before its too late. You remember the last time that happened, you waited too long and you were out for a week.

I called Integrated Spinal Solutions on Longley Lane, and they said my regular chiropractor, Dr. Dan Welch was out of town and Dr Riley could help me. I went in at 4 and he set me up for a 30 minute spinal decompression therapy. As soon as the machine started pulling I felt a sharp pain for about a second, then, it was gone. I felt soooo much relief during therapy I almost fell asleep.

When the treatment was over he removed the belts from me, and I did a couple of stretches and then tried to get up. My back had other ideas.

It took me a couple of minutes to get up straight, my pain was back, the doctor told me, the muscles in my lower back had gotten tense, and I needed an EMS treatment as well. He hooked my up to the machine, and it sent little pulses of energy to my lower back for about 25 minutes.

I barely got out to the car, thank God my wife drove me, and by the way, thank God for my wife in general.. anyway, she got me home, got some ice for my back, made a yummy dinner, and actually just brought me some rice cakes to munch on while I work. Her awesomeness should be another blog.

So back to the bathroom episode. We watched the new star trek movie, and I needed to pause it and go to the bathroom. It took me nearly 5 minutes to go from sitting up on the bed, to face down on the bad completely trembling. I could, or would not accept help to the bathroom, I set my wife for more ice, and I crawled literally one tile at a time to the toilet. I grabbed the knob, and used that and the window sill to stand up straight. In the end I found it easier to go sitting down. Hope that wasn't TMI.

So here I am, in bed after day one of decompression. I have to ice by back over the weekend, use my belt Dr. Welch gave me, and two or three times a day use the EMS machine he also lent me. Monday I return for treatment #2. I will keep you posted.

If you have ever had an experience like this, please comment below. If you are looking for a great chiropractor, I recommend Dr Nicolas Riley, or any of the nice people at Integrated Spinal Solutions.

My Chiropractor is Better Than Yours!

March 13, 2014 - 5:43 pm.

Remember when you were a kid and you knew your big brother was stronger than any big brother in your neighborhood.. well that's how I feel about my chiropractor. My chiropractor is WAY better than yours, for the following reasons.

MY CHIROPRACTOR:

1) actually cares about how I am doing, aside from ailments.
2) did not charge me for an x-ray when he found out I was out of work.
3)  will get me in whenever I call, and he doesn't charge me emergency fees.
4) has all the latest chiropractic training and machines
5) includes EMS and Ultrasound therapy in my treatment
6) has a really good massage therapist on staff who is very reasonable
7) in house personal trainers that can help you rebuild your core, and maintain your spine
8) reasonable rates
9) two offices in Reno

There are many more reasons, but then you might accuse me of bragging. Who is this chiropractic genius? Dr. Martinez, and Dr Welch at Integrated Spinal Solutions. Dr Martinez is celebrating his 20 anniversary! 

What's the point of this blog page? For you to tell me about YOUR chiropractor. Who are they, what do they offer. Do you like them, etc. Please comment below. 

If you don't have a chiropractor, please consider one from this free directory.

ZD-- Reno, Nv.