Low back pain when standing/walking

[pwalia]

Hi,

I am 32 years old and I started having low back pain when standing or walking for more than an hour or so in the last 3 years. I just kept doing yoga which helped to give me some flexibility but the pain never went away.

By chance the doctor found I had scoliosis with 25degree thoracic and 30degree lumbar. But he also said that most likely ur pain is not even due to scoliosis but just weak abs or so.

He recommended physical therapy which helped in making me take it a little longer but didnt relieve me of my pain completely.

Anybody faced anything similar and any suggestions?

[Jimbo]

I am in a similar situation to you with 38 lumbar and 25 thoracic. I get pain when I walk, stand or sit for long periods of time and nothing really ever seams to stop the pain altogether. I must say, strengthening my abs and swimming for about an hour a day has helped somewhat. Physical therapy really only showed me how to build inner core strength and chiropractic improved my posture somewhat. I really don't think it is possible to completely remove the pain and discomfort, only minimises it, hopefully to an acceptable level. I reckon you try swimming in a heated pool and going to see an orthapaedic surgeon who specialises in scoliosis, at least then youhave a chance at being told the best advice and having the scoliosis monitored ofr any progression. Also some pain medication may help. I found COX-2 inhibitors pretty good, but they hurt my stomach.
I think I might opt for surgery, but only after I give the exercises a real chance. Good luck!

[debbei]

I think that standing still is much harder on my lower back than walking. I really over-did it a few weeks ago on a weekend away and I paid for it for over a week. When I really noticed it the most that weekend was after our tour of a mansion where there was lots of standing around listening to the guide. The whole thing lasted about 45 minutes, and afterwards I was really sore.

I've noticed that this got worse over the years. I always knew I didn't like to stand still in one spot, but never really linked it to my scoliosis. I now think it is.

I agree with Jimbo, that you should probably start being monitored the the right kind of orthopedic doctor.

Good luck,

[Qikdraw]

Hello Pwalia!

I am concerned that your doctor isn't concerned about the scoliosis, as Jombo said, go see a specialist and get monitored.

Ab exercises can help, but are not the end all be all. Its something to do with monitoring of the scoliosis with a proper doctor.

[Writer]

I used to have terrible back pain when standing for long periods. And every morning I woke up with a backache. Occasionally I could not lift my left leg to get into the car.

A physiotherapist noticed that I had very tight hamstring muscles, so the cure was easy, instant, and permanent: hamstring-stretch exercises for a few minutes 2x a day, and no pain since. Hamstring stretches are my miracle drug.

The hamstrings are attached to the pelvis, pulling it out of alignment (always a problem in scoliosis), which is how they would affect the back.

Many pain resolutions are not so quick and easy, but even something as simple as this was overlooked by a bunch of chiropractors though they helped in short-term pain resolution. And it would probably never occur to an orthopedist that hamstrings could be the problem though they are well trained in anatomy. Do try doing some hamstring stretches (check runners' sites for how-to, or ask your PT) -- they can't hurt you and might help the problem.

Try consulting more than one physiotherapist if yours doesn't solve the problems. Not all of them are equally insightful or adept (as in any other profession).

[rainbow2010]

Your curves will cause pain as some of the nerves get pinched. I suggest finding a doctor that specializes in adult scoliosis. They will be able to help you better and understand what you are going through.

[Writer]

"do you ever get pains trying to stand up in the morning after sleeping? "


Yes -- if I don't do my hamstring stretches for a few days.

[tiredchar]

I am a 50yo female with severe lumbar and thoracic scoliosis. I agree with the others that have said that stretching hamstrings helps with the pain. I've also had to limit my activities. No more mowing lawn, vacuuming, shoveling snow, raking leaves, lifting, etc. I use a hand cart to move garbage, recyclables and groceries. I've also found that laying down for 1/2 hour every afternoon helps. I also practice yoga, especially moves that lengthen the back and rock the pelvis. I'm doing my best to avoid surgery, but in the last year I've begun to have numbness in my left leg and groin. Good luck to you all. It's great to have an outlet...
Charlotte

[aktech23]

I'm 36, my Dr thinks the scoli causes my pain.

3 months into PT for me, and my results sound about the same as yours.

while I have had a decrease in some pain, my low/mid back is still fatigued and achy.

the only difference is I get most of my pain while sitting in a chair at work all day.

[Jackie]

Hi my daughter who is 16 was just diagnosed with scoliosis and she complains of severe pain in the lower back constantly ecspecially after sitting for a long period or standing she just left her job as she could not handle standing for so long. We are still waiting to be referred to a specialist from our family Dr. I called today to find out what was taking so long and they said they heard back from the one specialist and there is a three year waiting list. I do not believe she can wait that long as she is saying it is hard to breath sometimes and there are days where she just cry's as it hurts her to even take her pants off. Not sure what else we should do???? I did tell the clinic that she could not wait that long and for them to call me back. Am I correct that she should not wait that long?:

[aktech23]

A physiotherapist noticed that I had very tight hamstring muscles, so the cure was easy, instant, and permanent: hamstring-stretch exercises for a few minutes 2x a day, and no pain since. Hamstring stretches are my miracle drug.

how long before these helped? I'm doing 5 per leg hold for 20 seconds as directed by my PT.


I will add your posture is very important when doing these stretches. if your form is bad the stretch will not get the proper muscles. my posture is awful because of my back problems, this seems to be the thing PT helps with the most. you just can't tell if you are doing your stretches properly if you do not know how.