back pain

[alanrob]

I suffer from severe back pain,(mainly in middle right side and lower left side),i believe it is down to my poor posture because of the PD,my muscles feel so weak i cant hold myself straight anyone found any way of overcoming this?

[Jupeter]

I have a similar condition, mine due to scoliosis which was not picked up when I was young. The result is a gradual collapse on one side of my body. Apart from painkillers, I use wedge shaped cushions to help balance, both when sitting in a chair and also in the car. I am reluctant to rely on painkillers, paracetamol has only limited effectiveness and codeine causes constipation and can also be addictive.

[mj2dg in reply to Jupeter]

Jupeter I also have the collapsing problem with scoliosis even though mine was treated when I was young. I found a yoga routine for backs that helped me tremendously. Now I dance and do Qigong for it. I also use muscle rubs and/or heat when it's really hurting and I've been applying magnesium chloride spray to my back at night so I don't wake up as stiff in the morning.

[etterus]

My abnormal gait when I'm "off" aggravates my chronic disc problems. A good physical therapy program helps the most.

[justinejean in reply to etterus]

Mike uses a back brace when he is "off". It forces him to straighten up.

He takes it off when the pills kick in, or as he puts it, the "juice is back in town...." He tells our granddaughter (4) he can't go to the yard to watch her turn cartwheels because he is "out of juice". She brings him a little boxed apple juice and says "drink this and let's go". So much for old football jingles. No one even admits the remember OJ Simpson....let alone sing his ditty.

[mikael]

My Movement Spec has recommended a program called LSVT BIG..it is therapy and I haven't gone yet but am told it is a program for people with PD...I have the same problem and am hoping to get some muscles built up so I can stand straighter...I also have back problems so we'll see. Google LSVT BIG and you can find one that might be located near you....Good luck.....

[Felix007]

Yoga and Pilates in some shape or form ...even on a chair helps xxx

[soup]

When did you last have a medication review? If recently and you are well controlled, a physiotherapist should be able to give you a series of exercises to help strengthen your posture and gait.

After that, or before even the LSVT big programme or any exercise you can access is a good idea.

If your meds review was a long time ago, it might be that the pain would decrease if you were better medicated for the PD.

[alanrob]

Thanks for all your advice i,ll certainly be looking into it as i,m having trouble being on my feet for more than 15/20 minutes before the severe pain kicks in,i,v seen a physio last year but they were just a general physio they dont understand the problems PD causes.

[mj2dg in reply to alanrob]

alanrob, I find that the shoes I'm wearing make a tremendous difference in how long I can stand. I haven't figured out what it is about certain shoes but some pairs cause my back to hurt after 15 minutes of standing and some let me stand up for hours at a time.

[alanrob]

Thanks for that mj2dg.