Back pain

[BrianinMD]

Wondering if anyone had this same issue, if so what did they do to help alleviate it.

When I am on a boat fishing for a full day I get a lot of pain in the middle of my back. Most of it is between the lower part of my shoulder blades. Try to stretch it out during the day and take a couple pain killers but it does not help much.

Any thoughts on how to help keep this from happening?

[Uncle Leo]

I have herniated disc T1 and T3 and experience this all the time. Unfortunately the only relief you can get is constant stretching. I stretch before I get on the water on a Swiss Ball when available. Lay across the Ball and let your body curl across the ball. I have found a Swiss Ball allows for stretching in the full range of motion and provides the best relief.

[clayton86]

try better shoes it actually helps or get some inserts

[MMan16]

Stretching and better shoes will help you could also try some core exercises. If you strenghten your core it should help your back with long days on the water. But I would say to check with your DR because if you have a serious problem he may not want you doing exercises.

[Fishing Rhino]

Whenever anyone tells me they have chronic pain, my standard reply is, "Have you seen a doctor?"

Back pain is not always related to the spine.  Most of our innards do not have nerves which feel pain, so they "refer" the pain message to nerves which can transmit pain.  Neck pain, or pain shooting down an arm can be a symptom of a heart attack.  It's not always chest pain.

So many things can cause back pain.  Poor posture, poor foot support, poor body mechanics, arthritis, disc problems, weak muscles that hold the spine in alignment, etc., etc.

If your pain is chronic, and you have not discussed it with a doctor, it's time to get an exam, and find out for sure what is going on.

[boneil]

you should see a chiropractor and have an examination.

[NorcalBassin]

Whenever anyone tells me they have chronic pain, my standard reply is, "Have you seen a doctor?"

Back pain is not always related to the spine. Most of our innards do not have nerves which feel pain, so they "refer" the pain message to nerves which can transmit pain. Neck pain, or pain shooting down an arm can be a symptom of a heart attack. It's not always chest pain.

So many things can cause back pain. Poor posture, poor foot support, poor body mechanics, arthritis, disc problems, weak muscles that hold the spine in alignment, etc., etc.

If your pain is chronic, and you have not discussed it with a doctor, it's time to get an exam, and find out for sure what is going on.

This

[NorcalBassin]

you should see a chiropractor and have an examination.

Not this (they're much better at treating acute problems v chronic).

Definitely do some stretching and strengthen your back and core muscles (rows, pull ups, planks, etc).

[Hooligan]

Unfortunately, I know it all too well.  I was injured during college, while getting my BSN.  I was soon after diagnosed with some ruptures and stuff.  I've had several facetectomies, foraminotomy, and IDET.  It's not fun fishing tournaments some days.

That said, if you're having a chronic pain, see your doc.  Most often a round of corrective physical therapy is enough to correct it.  As well, continuing the methods and exercises your therapist gives you will help immensely, so long as you do them correctly. 

Short answer:  Go to your doc, get it out of the way and your time on the water will be more enjoyable.

[central.PA.bass]

you should see a chiropractor and have an examination.

or a physical therapist

I think a little strengthening would help..

[Grey Wolf]

Some sort of professional help might eliminate your problem , the people here can give advice that might help or hinder but nothing beats the real thing (Doctor ).

[Fishing Rhino]

you should see a chiropractor and have an examination.

or a physical therapist

I think a little strengthening would help..

Physical therapists do not diagnose, they treat diagnosed problems.  And for the chiropractor, I know someone who was being treated, manipulated, stretched, and adjusted by a chiropractor.  When that did no good, they went to a regular physician, who refered them to a specialist.  After some tests, it turned out to be a kidney problem.

See a regular physician.  Let them rule out the serious possibilities first.  Chiropractors may help, but they should never be the first option when dealing with undiagnosed back pain.

[shootermcbob]

What fishing Rhino said...twice. See a physician, find out what the problem really is...then go about working on the issues to help keep the problem at bay.

[tomustang]

I can't stress this anymore than this...

Do not go to physical theropy/chiropractor/physiatrist before seeing your doctor first. Hopefully he can help you take the next step to help/fix your problem.

[grampa1114]

So if you're too stubborn to do it the right way(pretty much all of the above)...sit down for 15 minutes and see if the pain goes away....then get up and get in the car and go to the d**n doctor.

[BrianinMD]

grampa1114...love the answer

Thanks for all the input. Hopefully get into the doctor soon. Other then being hardheaded have not gone yet because the pain only happens while in a boat. Tried different shoes but has not helped. Think its an affect on posture or being out of shape so core strength is crappy.

[boneil]

I dont know what shape you are in, but, I went through similar pains and when I started working out and losing weight they went away.

[linehand]

Doc should refer you to a specialist. He'll give you exercises or therapy. if nothing else a good script. I use an inversion table every morning before work. Seems to help but you definately need to strengthen your core.

[BassThumb]

Are you talking about stiffness and a little soreness, or a sharp pain?  If you have sharp pain, go to the doctor.

Fishing makes my back stiffen up a little.  It's about the only activity that does.  I stretch every few hours right on my casting deck, even though it might look silly.  Sometimes I even lay down for a few minutes.