Terminal_Gravity Posted April 24, 2003 Share Posted April 24, 2003 I have been living with pretty severe upper back pain for the past 6 weeks. My right arm is weak and painful, night & day. It is really starting to get to me and fuck my attitude about climbing and life in general. I am beyond the tough guy, gut it out and don't be a puss phase. I went to see a quacktopractor, no help, just hurt my lower back. I saw a very talented new age massage therapist three times, helped for about 12 hours each time, then back to the agony. So, last Monday I saw a MD. He is pretty sure I have a herniated disk and wants to get an MRI done to be sure after 2 weeks of high doses of anti-inflamitory and cervical traction...I didn't even know I had a cervix. I don't have insurance, so the cost of the MRI has to come out of my climbing budget...know where I can get a cheap one??? Any other suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sobo Posted April 24, 2003 Share Posted April 24, 2003 I don't know how it would apply in Enterprise, TG, but here in Yakima, they have Farm Workers Clinics, where the cost of stuff is considerably less. I don't know if you've got those near you, or if they would even have an MRI machine. You don't have to be a farm worker to go there. I got all my Hep vaccinations there for WAY less than what the hospital ER wanted. Just a thought, and hope you feel better soon... ...sobo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terminal_Gravity Posted April 24, 2003 Author Share Posted April 24, 2003 Thanks, sobo. A drive to Yakima could be well worth it. Could you PM me the phone #, if you get a chance? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norman_Clyde Posted April 24, 2003 Share Posted April 24, 2003 Check your PM's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crusty_climber Posted April 24, 2003 Share Posted April 24, 2003 Even though I'm not sure they can do them I'll throw in a wild idea anyway. Try a vet hospital. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sobo Posted April 24, 2003 Share Posted April 24, 2003 TG, I posted a coupla of phone numbers to your PM. ...sobo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terminal_Gravity Posted April 24, 2003 Author Share Posted April 24, 2003 sobo said: TG, I posted a coupla of phone numbers to your PM. ...sobo Got'em...thanks very much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtn_mouse Posted April 25, 2003 Share Posted April 25, 2003 I had heard that yoga was a good way to help back pain. So, one day I screwed up my back, and had shooting pains down my leg for several weeks. I saw a doctor and he recommended an MRI. Looking at the mini torpedo tube, I crawled out quickly after being inserted half way in. So much for machismo. So now it was time for yoga. I did an hour a day for a few days, and the pain was gone. I continued for a while, and my back is fine. I carried heavy packs all summer last year with no problems. I dont know how bad your back is, but don't knock yoga stretches for a good option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sobo Posted April 25, 2003 Share Posted April 25, 2003 I injured my back OTJ several years ago (don't ask me how a desk-bound engineer hurts his back OTJ; I'm still mad at my old boss for that!) My PT had me doing all kinds of exercises and stretches, not the least of which were yoga-style stretches. I still do them to this day, and have never had another back problem. So mtn mouse is right; don't knock it 'till you've tried it. ...sobo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobBob Posted April 25, 2003 Share Posted April 25, 2003 TG, Are you sure that you don't have any health ins cov'g that helps with this cost? If you find that you do NOT have a herniated disc or other specific injury, then I recommend a book called Back Sense that I believe came out of Harvard Med School staff about 2 years ago. Back pain is often a complicated subject. I have lived with off-and-on lower back pain for 20 years. My bro the MD put me on to this book awhile back. Stretches, massage, the right training...it's all good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courtenay Posted April 28, 2003 Share Posted April 28, 2003 Massage, hot tubbing/heating pads, stretching, the right training -- and yoga can also help, though beware! There are some caveats -- take a look at this article on yoga for climbers, the pro's and con's and what to look out for: http://www.bodyresults.com/E2YogaForClimbers.asp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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