I had a spinal fusion in november 2004 because i was in a car accident and broke my back. there are metal rods in my back, they go about half way up my back so only the top part of my back bends. I have constant pain, but its more of an annoyance it's not excrutiating pain. more of an ache, really. i mostly ignore it bc i'm used to it. i take no medications whatsoever.

i am just wondering what everyone does to control pain without medication and to keep your back in good shape. i am 21 years old had the fusion when i was 17. the fusion doesn't affect me too much that anyone would notice there was something wrong with me. it hurts to sit or stand too long. when i go into new york city and walk for a long time my back hurts really bad but usually i dont walk that long. sometimes my back will get kind of stuck if im bending and hurt after for a minute or two.

one thing that seems to help me with pain is rooibos tea (aka red tea).

hello and welcome

I noticed your post mentioned rooibos tea and am so pleased you posted that.
In South Africa (land of my birth ) red bush tea is considered a "cure all" by many! I had forgotten about it after 20 years of being here, but just called my local supermarket and they do stock it!

my husband is going thru a lot of spinal pain and sciatica at present. He uses Lidoderm patches but not meds as his system cannot handle strong pain meds at present. The Lidoderm really does seem to take the edge off the pain for him, as does putting warm cloths soaked in epsom salts solution.

but I am delighted to hear of rooibos helping your pain and will be heading out to get some soon!

Hi...glad you found this site! I am a spinal issues gal after a rear end collision in Aug 2004. Handled poorly by doctors I now believe...has left me in a chronic pain condition..only able to remedy with pain management proceedures. SI joints that are not going to function normally no matter what I do. Two bulging disks in my cervical area are "fragile" and may eventually herniate (oh, God..please no!)

I am always achey too...

Music is my drug of choice....it will get me thru the severe pain along with the dreaded but needed pills/injections....etc etc etc

rooibos tea is delicious. at my job i sit at a desk all day so my back is achey all day and i move around in my chair a lot to change positions. usually i'll have some red tea after lunch or something and notice my pain go away. it's great. it must be the anti-inflammatory chemical in it or something! i buy it loose leaf at wegmans.. but i think wegmans is only in the northeast i see you're in florida.