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QUESTION:
I've had chronic, constant low back pain for almost three years. I've
had every treatment under the sun, both standard and of-the-wall:
pills, exercise, PT, acupuncture, epidural steroid injection, facet
block, Reiki, Botox, TENS machine. I see a chiropractor twice a week.
He's helped me somewhat - the pain level is less and the spasms are
less frequent.
The problem has been diagnosed as "soft tissue injury" - a.k.a. they
have no clue. I am in pain every minute that I'm awake. The only
relief is when I lie in bed.
Lately I've also started having pains in my shoulders and elbows.
Probably partly from swimming and partly from being a 60 year old
female.
Is there anyone else out there with this kind of back pain? What do
you do about the depression?
ANSWER:
First & foremost the disclaimer; I am not now, nor at any time have I
ever been a practicing degreed Medical Doctor. However, I do believe
that on experience alone I am a fully qualified Medical Patient.
To me it really doesn't sound like a "soft tissue injury" if it has
been going on for almost three years. Based on my own personal
experiences in this area a "soft tissue injury" heals in time. Have
you had any type of imaging done such as MRI, CAT, or plain old
regular X-Ray?
If you are like most people @ 60 years of age you should be showing
some signs of degenerative disk issues (Arthritis). Simply a fact of
life from walking upright. How it impacts each of us is different
though.
Have you ever considered or gone to any type of Pain Management Clinic
where they specialize in mitigating through various means, to include
drug therapy, your pain levels?
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