OT: General Off Topic Thread [NO Politics, Race, Religion, etc.]

[stellation]

I've been fortunate to never really have lower back pain, but a recent medical whoopsie had lead to me having to go from being fairly active to not that active for the past little while and over the past couple of weeks I've developed what seems to be some pretty classic "you sit on your arse too much" back pain. I can't do the obvious go back to being more active for a bit, and am going to just start working with my physio on it.

I gotta say- for any of you that suffer from chronic back pain, I see you. It is absolutely debilitating in a way I never truly appreciated, if you sometimes feel like you're happy and it's an achievement to just make it through the day without a complete breakdown then that's perfectly understandable.

[MikeIsGood]

I throw out my back on an every-other-year basis it seems (which is plenty), and it's absolutely debilitating. Usually 2-4 weeks at a time in an 'I'm miserable in literally any position but moving is somehow even worse' kind of way. My dad and one of my sister's both have this too so I guess there's some genetic component to it. I specifically target my core/back/glutes with exercises and stretches, been to PT, am in good shape, and I'm not sure anything has ever helped to prevent it. It tends to happen, like, stepping into the shower wrong. It sucks. I wish back pain on no one.

Sorry you're hurting and hope you find relief soon.

[BUCKnation]

I had to cut out deadlifts after a bad back strain a few years ago. I just refocused initially on more core work and front squats instead of back squats for a bit and thankfully ive been fine since.

[ReasonablySober]

On Monday I went in for a massage to focus on some shoulder and back pain and not gonna lie I was kinda disturbed by how hard she went at very, very specific spots on my back that she could tell weren't right. At the end of the session without me really saying anything she was just like, "Well, I hope I actually helped you".

Anyway still sore.

[jschligs]

On Monday I went in for a massage to focus on some shoulder and back pain and not gonna lie I was kinda disturbed by how hard she went at very, very specific spots on my back that she could tell weren't right. At the end of the session without me really saying anything she was just like, "Well, I hope I actually helped you".

Anyway still sore.

I got a massage in Palm Springs and the person was so aggressive with my back in almost soured my desire to get a massage again. There is a fine line between massaging bad spots and forcibly trying to remove knots in a bad way.

[KidA24]

On Monday I went in for a massage to focus on some shoulder and back pain and not gonna lie I was kinda disturbed by how hard she went at very, very specific spots on my back that she could tell weren't right. At the end of the session without me really saying anything she was just like, "Well, I hope I actually helped you".

Anyway still sore.

I got a massage in Palm Springs and the person was so aggressive with my back in almost soured my desire to get a massage again. There is a fine line between massaging bad spots and forcibly trying to remove knots in a bad way.

Do y'all not communicate with the masseuess before and during?

Every massage I've had has been very open with expectations and "ow too much" during.

[Finn]

I've had 1 back surgery (a pretty simple laminectomy) & could use a 2nd surgery. This 2nd would be a major surgery with incisions on the front & the back of my abdomen so that hardware can be inserted to stabilize my spine. Recovery is like 4 months. I've done PT (dry & wet) & spinal decompression (no help at all). I lost over 40 pounds (could stand to lose another 20 but I've hit a wall). I'm limited to how long I can walk or stand without sitting. I get up every morning stiff & movement is pretty painful for the first 30-60 minutes. Below is my back x-ray from 2022 (should be much straighter in my lower back).

Unfortunately for me, I was born with 1 defect (spondylolisthesis) & a slip on the ice caused the injury that resulted in my 1st surgery.

My recommendation is to do whatever you can to not screw up your back!

[stellation]

I throw out my back on an every-other-year basis it seems (which is plenty), and it's absolutely debilitating. Usually 2-4 weeks at a time in an 'I'm miserable in literally any position but moving is somehow even worse' kind of way. My dad and one of my sister's both have this too so I guess there's some genetic component to it. I specifically target my core/back/glutes with exercises and stretches, been to PT, am in good shape, and I'm not sure anything has ever helped to prevent it. It tends to happen, like, stepping into the shower wrong. It sucks. I wish back pain on no one.

Sorry you're hurting and hope you find relief soon.

I feel for you! I’m fairly confident this is just triggered by a specific event that I’m working through recovery from (it was a lot, and I sure hope it was a one off!)- I can’t imagine the back of my mind anxiety I would carry if I was prone to it.

I’m currently just permanently working from home, it would be so much worse if I couldn’t do that.

[stellation]

I've had 1 back surgery (a pretty simple laminectomy) & could use a 2nd surgery. This 2nd would be a major surgery with incisions on the front & the back of my abdomen so that hardware can be inserted to stabilize my spine. Recovery is like 4 months. I've done PT (dry & wet) & spinal decompression (no help at all). I lost over 40 pounds (could stand to lose another 20 but I've hit a wall). I'm limited to how long I can walk or stand without sitting. I get up every morning stiff & movement is pretty painful for the first 30-60 minutes. Below is my back x-ray from 2022 (should be much straighter in my lower back).

Unfortunately for me, I was born with 1 defect (spondylolisthesis) & a slip on the ice caused the injury that resulted in my 1st surgery.

My recommendation is to do whatever you can to not screw up your back!

Man! That sounds terrible. I really don’t know how you’re able to cope with it for such a long time, props to you my friend.

I’m currently having to sit for at least half an hour with some heat on it when I first get up in the morning, then stretch regularly through the day for about 15 minutes at a time to keep it bearable. I’m so impressed with the mental fortitude of people who deal with this as a chronic issue.

[AussieBuck]

I used to be a tradie and did some damage to my back, it goes out any time I put on too much weight. In theory I think I could put on more weight if I got back into exercising my core, but **** that, **** is hard.

[MickeyDavis]

I think you guys know better than to buy supplements on Amazon but just in case

Read on Twitter

[ReasonablySober]

Honestly I respect the hustle.

[MikeIsGood]

This reminds me of that 'most men over 40...' commercial that's been all over FDWI broadcasts. It's a facial cream that they're selling for like $60 a pop, and it's just a private label you can get on Alibaba for $2.

[BUCKnation]

Creatine gummies are so outrageously more expensive than just powdered creatine per serving

[MrHoneycutt]

For those of you dealing with back issues, I cannot recommend this enough. Saved my life:

https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/three-moves-for-better-spine-health

Dr. Stuart McGill, a researcher from Canada, wrote a book called Back Mechanic that detail the above and helped me overcome a crushed L5/S1 without surgery. Everyone's mileage varies, of course -- but Dr. McGill's outlook (and network of clinicians) were well worth the trip into Canada.

[MickeyDavis]

Creatine gummies are so outrageously more expensive than just powdered creatine per serving

Especially the one's that don't have any creatine.

[Mags FTW]

Anyone have a good beef taco meat recipe? I thought I had one bookmarked that combined ground beef with sausage, but I can't find it.

We are hosting a game night this weekend and I want to have it sit on the stove or in a croc pot for people to dish up for tacos or nachos at their leisure.

[chonestown]

For those of you dealing with back issues, I cannot recommend this enough. Saved my life:

https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/three-moves-for-better-spine-health

Dr. Stuart McGill, a researcher from Canada, wrote a book called Back Mechanic that detail the above and helped me overcome a crushed L5/S1 without surgery. Everyone's mileage varies, of course -- but Dr. McGill's outlook (and network of clinicians) were well worth the trip into Canada.

Yep, can second this. This forms part of my daily routine.

When I've referenced yoga in the past, it's really more a cobbled together program of poses, stretches and pilates combined with controlled breathing. This, along with walking, has kept my back trouble at bay. Chiro was of minimal help.

The "saved my life" tag is not an overstatement. IYKYK.

[KidA24]

Anyone have a good beef taco meat recipe? I thought I had one bookmarked that combined ground beef with sausage, but I can't find it.

We are hosting a game night this weekend and I want to have it sit on the stove or in a croc pot for people to dish up for tacos or nachos at their leisure.

I go 50% ground beef, 50% chorizo - real Mexican from a tube, not Johnsonville.

I use off the shelf taco seasoning, low sodium, for the beef. 80/20 beef usually.

Just cook the beef as directed, add the chorizo and cook through.

Croc pot for as long as needed.

[ReasonablySober]

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