The reason for the query is its tendency in the spine treatment realm to be an oft used initial therapy for deep tissue spine patients in an effort to assist with their usually well schooled combination of analysis/observation, massage, exercise, and stretching. The use of a therapy service provider whose place of business also includes access to a therapy pool [typically a heated water bromine solution in an indoor pool where both exercise and traction can be achieved. I have spent countless hours in a therapy pool both pre and post surgery as a means to try to build strength and relax everything. After a good workout in pool, a deep end traction with either a cervical collar or those pool noodles strung under the arms allow the back to hang and you can attain a traction effect. Once you have tried this and seem to have good results if any, you could graduate the traction effect under the watchful eye of the therapist by adding weights to your ankles [and they come in graduated sizes- I worked up to 5 pounds on each leg] and then let your self hang or do bicycling in the deep end of the pool.

That's it for now,
Hope you can get some relief Rae,
Mark56z

Your responses are packed full of good stuff......so much so that I'm gonna print out this thread and stuff it in my purse as I must deal with how I'm going to handle an unexpected situation.......cripes when a death in the family happens, our worlds must come to an abrupt STOP and most of my distant family member have NO idea how 'disabling' I am becoming....
Only my immediate family are the ones who see me curled up in bed wishing I could just fall off of the face of the earth ......

I am in NO condition to travel that's for #@#$%*& sure!
I can't 'boo hoooo' to my relatives about "MY" issues...for crying out loud my COUSIN DIED..!!
I'm practically having a mental meltdown because I can't be there for people who need support.....I can't even feed my horses anymore....I can't BE ANYBODY!!

Can someone just stuff me in a BOX and Fed Ex me to the funeral?
Could it just BE THAT SIMPLE!!!!!!

Anyway, I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate all your input.
It really means alot to me

Doc.... thank you for that funny 'visual'....I feed off of humor. If it weren't for humor, I'd be a gonner by now, that's for sure.

Hugs to all
Rae

Rae;

Is it possible it is your SCS in your back that is getting your atttention? The mere fact that a 'foreign' object..it is positional..I only say this without any medical findings,because I KNOW my SCS is in my back..lower left hip with leads up inside my spine into shoulder blade area, as I can feel it..not exactly pain all of the time but sometimes.. just an ugh, restricting, sore feeling.. and I know that it is in there! The rest of your "I've had it feelings!!" seem like your fustration of your constant pain..and I am really sorry for that fustration.. we relate, I hope this helps you!! Just a thought..

Hugz, Kathy

Thank you Kathy
You definitely 'get it'.....
I've had the SCS for a year now and I love that it covers over the maddening burning pain in both legs.
But ever since the one lead had migrated down, that's when the lower back pain presented itself. Since that lead has been removed, I was hoping that would end the 'dagger in the back' issue.....
But it seems to be getting worse and I really wish I could hook up with a doctor who is willing and able to help me identify WHAT this pain is.....sometimes it's a 'burning'....sometimes it's just a deep 'dull' ache....and sometimes it turns into a fullblown flare which becomes acute (as in a 9 on the pain scale)......the 'daggar'
Jo*Mar says it well - it becomes a circle of insanity!!
Questions are bouncing around in my head such as 'is this an RSD-type of spreading thing?? or the nerves being aggravated by the muscle 'spasms'....

When I get back from my 'road trip' I hope to connect with a specialized PT rehab for starters.

Each reply to this plea I've sent out is like a piece of a PIE of 'logic'....and if I put them all together, I think there's an answer in there to be had.

The most frustrating part of it all is that when I seem to get ONE thing 'fixed'...something else goes haywire.

Thanks for your input....it's good to hear from you.....
I hope things are going ok for you
You've always been such an inspiration to me and you were there for me back when I was first getting my SCS.

Forever Grateful
Rae

According to Dr. Tennant in his Intractable Pain Patient’s Handbook for Survival, the first step is to get the pain under control, then identify and tackle the source(s).
http://pain-topics.org/pdf/IntractablePainSurvival.pdf

Likewise, Dr. Tennant's approach is analogized as a patchwork quilt. (I'm extrapolating a bit here). Lots of good advice/strategy in that book. I find myself reviewing it often when things get bad or change. YMMV.

Doc

Rae...

It's always my pleasure to help you..I hope I can shed some light on your dismay.. I have to wonder also that your pain is in combination of your unit and spread of your RSD as I think the implanation of the unit can promote spread, mine I believe did!!

Nice to visit with you and I am sorry I have been quiet lately..Iam getting there.. thanks for your wonderfully kind words!! They help... and remember, anything I help with please, say..I gotz your back..

Hugz, Kathy

Thank you Doc, for the links!
I tell ya, I get so sick of sifting thru nonsense online.....so I really appreciate when someone lands on a link that targets a specific helpful issue.

I will check it out now! And, I'll probably order the book! I actually DO enjoy researching the 'old fashioned' way.......BOOKS.....aka 'Paper Blogs'

Kathy,
yeahhhhhhh as much as I DON'T want to admit, I think I might have to get out of denial mode and realize that we are indeed talking RSD spread.
I looked at my journal and flipped it to the page on New year's Day and I wrote "Happy @#$ New Year!.....it feels like the burning is trying to inch it's way up my torso!".......

Guess I'll be seein ya over on RSD Forum Kathy.....you have been like the backbone of that forum.....always there for everyone.
I know you've had a rough year and the sadness you've endured.

Man, I just can't believe this!