Intro

[Jumamab]

I have chronic pain in my back caused by mild spina bifida and nerve pain in my legs. I am dyspraxic and regularly fall over. I am hypermobile so regularly sprain or dislocate knees and ankles. I'm fed up with hurting and feeling frustrated by yet again being stuck in bed with bashed knee.

[deejames]

Hi jumamab . Welcome to this site. You may not find anyone with exactly the same problems as you but we all suffer from pain, chronic or acute and there is a wealth of experience. You certainly will get support. I did when I joined and I have been helped immeasurably.

My grandson is mildly dyspraxic and whilst he doesn't hurt himself too much he leaves a trail of spills in his wake. At 14 he still can't pour a glass of milk successfully most times. So I understand that aspect of your problems.

Chronic back pain and nerve pain is also familiar to me. I don't know how old you are but I am guessing quite young. Maybe you can fill in some more details about yourself. Medication , treatments etc.

Try to have a positive day.

Dee

[johnsmith]

"Dyspraxic" is a diagnosis for a list of symptoms. It is not a cause. So you have movement difficulties. You can do nothing about it or you can explore ways to reduce the movement difficulties. It is time to start investigating how does my problem manifest itself. You have to do this investigation yourself as the medical profession is not going to do it.

You need to take up yoga under an experienced teacher. This will help you understand the muscle spasms. You need to take up t'ai chi. The Sun style will more appropriate than the Yang type styles. The purpose is to learn how you balance and then compensate for the weaknesses you have. This will take some time.

The Alexander Technique under an Alexander Teacher will help make you more aware of the head neck posture issues and help you improve you skills with the head neck balance mechanisms.

Eyes are involved in balance. This needs some investigation on your part to discover how it works in you. Or course there is the famous ear balance centre.

Hope this is useful.

[ginger31]

Hello Jumamab

I also have chronic back pain and sciatica, probably due to what one surgeon described as mild spina bifida, I have a tethered spinal cord and other congenital abnormalities. But I don't have your other problems.

I'd be very happy to say more about what I have found helpful, if this would help. Sadly, as I know only too well, being fed up and frustrated only makes things worse.

Best wishes

[earthwitch]

You might want to join a forum that has more people with spinal cord problems - apparalyzed.com is a good one that has a forum board for people with incomplete and non-traumatic injury.

The other thing that I wonder is whether you have had a proper mobility assessment by a physio or mobility specialist. They may be able to advise on the use of a walking aid of some kind to stop you falling so much, or alternatively to give you a proper exercise programme that takes into account your medical problems but will help strengthen up your core muscles and make it less likely you will fall, or fall badly.