Iam 50 years old and have had back and neck pain for the last 7 month, horrible, diagnostic by all docs as chronic. there is not surgery for me, (bulging disk) and arthritis in all facets joint, neck and back. Can't take too much drug because my disgestive system can't cope. Iam doing the following and getting results (less pain )for the past weeks and moving way too much for my condition. After trying everything else. I think Iam slowly improving. will see !!!
ok here is what I do:
"treat your own back " robin my kensies ( bulging disk) great I got rid of the permanent horrible sciatica. comes and go but way less in 6 weeks. this is for bulging/ herniated disk.
"pain free " pete egoscue Back, ( best is to see a alignement specialist) this is to realign my body in the book , go to backs.
yoga for scoliosis by miller, I have a bit of non congenital scoliosis.quite a few good stretch in there.
and for the last 3 days started to do isometrics exercises : everytime I tried the traditional back strenghtening abs, it kills my back. this is no pain exercises for my back. But I am super weak...

there is a interesting test for testing your core, doing the plank. Good core is about 3 minutes plus,doing all sort of position. it is quite long, but basically if you cannot do the plank more then 40 second, ( just like me) ( it means that you have poor core strenght and you are supporting your spine with the spinal segments ????)
Iam doing the plank/ superman/ swimming on floor supine/ side bridge/ bird dog
Iam trying to attain one minute, in each exercises very hard, feel like jelly could only do 30 second at first... but I feel already better, less the feeling that my back is about to fold and yes little less pain. But I am sore all over for this new exercises.
Anyway, I will keep my progress posted. if you have any miracle cure outhere, let me know!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
virginie

I admire your strength and determination in this battle you face!
This is very inspiring to read!

Just wanted to mention (since I noticed you can't take much medication)....have you had any success with pain patches? If you are able to stay above the pain with what you've shared, then oh how great that is!
BUT, if your pain becomes intolerable, you could check in to getting Duragesic patches (Fentanyl) - the med is distributed thru your bloodstream and not your digestive track.
They aren't for everyone and there has been negative stigma about them, but I for one have to say that they have saved me from going out of my mind.
Just thought I'd throw this out there, in case you hadn't considered this route.

Also, Epsom Salts has been very beneficial.....

Please keep us updated!
Caring
Rae

HI Rae, thank you for you thoughts. it is a hard battle and sometimes I wonder if I am going to ever win. today feeling pretty sciatica like, with a bad night sleep. I will look at the patch. I understand about going out of your mind. I was really bad since I changed my diet for no sugar and no white flour. But Today feel pretty whippy. and the worse I guess, is the lack of faith...But I just started the isometrics and I am (beside the sciaitica) pretty sore all over, so that does not help. But I got to give it a go to see if he does anything. what is your condition ?? kind regards virginie