Back pain and anxiety - scared

Hi there. I do not claim to be an expert. Just someone who has had back problems for about 20 years, first lower back and now upper too! That said, I am in my late 60's and arthritis is to be expected I guess. However, your back problems feel somehow different to me.i was told at first that I suffered from a typical office worker back! You sit for most of the day, slightly bending forward to a keyboard or book! What can you do? It's your job after all and you have a family to support. I went to an Osteopath many times before she suggested I went to Pilates. The girl who took the classes was a back sufferer who tried it initially. It helped her, so she went on to teach it. As I say, in my case, it is arthritis, but since going to her classes, my back has improved enormously. It helps improve your core strength, stretching the muscles and aligning your posture. It is also relaxing and I feel that is something you may need as you are getting stressed over the problem. I am told Tai Chi is also good for this.  I hope you can find some relief as I know constant pain can drag you down. Hope this helps a little.

 

sorry its getting to you.  A proper assessment for how your desk is laid out, your general furniture etc may help. Also remembering to move position regularly,  Your other thing -  fretting about a worrying feeling that something is seriously adrift - is something I had for years, then got wacked with a weird diagnosis which has been life changing, so it does happen,BUT -  doing everything you can to keep well, sit properly, and pay attention to posture etc may make a big difference.  If you do suffer with anxiety, it may help to ask for access to cognitive behvioural therapy via your GP, to relearn more helpful ways of dealing with intrusive/scary/ negative thoughts. Also, if you do go outside the NHS for ostepaths, chiropractic or any of that make sure its someone who is properly qualifed.  Ive recently been told by one of my surgeons to tell GP to refer me to back specialists - GP says he cant until and unless a physio assesses if I need it - Im having both acupuncture and hydrotherapy at the local rheumatology physio dept and it helps, as does prescribed exercise to improve core muscle strength, and a friend with a serious back complaint, ankylosing spondylitis, gets massive relief from Pilates exercises. Good luck, and please try not to become a "web worrier", you need plenty of sleep and relaxation, not more time spent at the computer looking for awful possibilities.  Personally,Ive found that a hot water bottle or electric blanket, or a tens machine (little electric shocks!) helps, and like you , I often wake in the night due to pain, so am constantly knackered.  which I had thought and feared was sleep apnoea making me fall asleep in the day - the consultant said its chronic pain syndrome waking me/my body up to make it move away from painful positioning during sleep.  Hang on in there, talk to GP, avoid the quacks, and take it steady.  all best wishes

Your anxiety plays a factor in back pain  try and relax if you play sports? When your back starts hurting try using a hot water bottle or a ice pack if things do get worse try a si belt you can get from amazon they help,

Try not too worry I know it's easy to say  also your job sat behind a desk all day try doing some light exercise to stretch strengthen and mobilise the lower back 

 

Thank you all for your thoughts and advice, I really appreciate it. The pain in my lower and mid back continued to moderate, though was a lot worse for a time at the weekend - I had to carry my toddler a lot at a party on Saturday and the the pain was making me feel nauseous. Then things started to settle over the following days, which was great. A relief. I started some relaxation breathing and stretching. Tried to switch my anxiety brain off. All good until yesterday afternoon. Something just got me thinking worst case again, I don't know what. Instantly my pain, particularly mid back, is back with a vengeance. It is painful to sleep and sit. A dull burning pain which does lessen if I stretch from side to side. Any thoughts guys please? No other symptoms but mid back has been very painful all day. 

Hi again, just a thought, haev you tried keeping a log of when it hurts, and what activiites or mind set you have been in, might help spot if theres any connections, also might help keep it in proportion a bit? Before I had hip replacement it felt like every night was agony, couldnt sleep etc, and used to lie awake fretting worrying when pain would kick in, so it did.  When I diaried activities against pain, it was clear lugging heavy shopping or being in the car a lot was not helping. just a thought. good luck

Hi nickdanstew,

Sorry to hear about your pain and health anxiety too. With your back, it could be a simple case of posture causing muscle spasms in your back or, as I experienced a case of coccydynia or inflammation of the tailbone which is quite common and as valerie94214 referred to it as 'office worker back' this is office bum Anti-inflammatories and pain relief at regular intevals should hopefully provide you with some relief and some relaxation too as tension and anxiety will only make the pain worse for you. Good luck and hope you get better soon.

Best wishes,

Kim

Hi there , I hope your back pain has got some improvements. I have a job that is also desk bounded and stressful. I got anxious and then a lot of back pain especially at mid spine and right shoulder blade. I took muscle relaxants at night and light exercises at regular time intervals during the daytime and norgesic. It has been 9 months already and still not recovered. I wonder if I will have this for the rest of my life.