Okay losh, here’s the thing. Some twenty five years ago when I was about thirty seven years old, I hurt my back lifting a coffin with a very heavy bloke inside, and yes he was dead! I suffered a squashed a lower fifth disc in my spine, which gave me the shits for ages. I saw physiotherapists, chiropractors, and took all the painkillers that I was allowed, plus a lot more! I even took the advice of the chiropractor to wear a built up shoe because my right leg was nearly an inch shorter after a bad break when I was twenty two, which was probably adding to the strain on my squashed disc, and over the years my spine was shaped like a question mark! After eighteen months or so, I stopped going to the chiropractor and stopped wearing the built up shoe. I started taking things into my own hands by doing exercises for my stomach muscles. Just lightly at first, and then progressing. Crunches (not full sit ups), the plank etc. gradually strengthening all those muscles that protect your spine. I still do these exercises today, and I believe this has helped me so much, preventing me getting another spinal injury. And yes, I have continued doing manual work in all this time.
I hope your back injury is not too serious, and that you recover soon, because yes, you are not alone and there are plenty of people who have suffered from catastrophic back injuries.
So I guess what I’m getting at is, for all those people out there suffering a back problem, don’t just rely on the so called specialists (and I mean no disrespect to those reputable specialists), but have faith in the healing powers of the human body. You just need to give it a helping hand yourself. Exercise those back muscles, strengthen your core, protect your spine.
Trust me, it will help prevent you from suffering those niggly back injuries in the future.
Good luck mate!
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