Back Pain Community

hi and welcome to the support group -

since you are still in high school you should be covered under your parents medical policy - even more since it was an accident at school there should have been some type of additional medical policy that was taken out - check into that -

but most important is you need to be seen by either an Orthopedic Spine Specialist or a Neurosurgeon Spine Specialist - THIS DOES NOT MEAN YOU NEED SURGERY - but they will examine you - may order x-rays or MRI tests to see what's going on with your back - once that is done they can let you know what the best treatment options are - some of those may include pain management where they can administered shots, if needed, and if they do sometimes they will authorize the proper types of physical therapy treatments - injections in the back and physical therapy normally goes hand-n-hand as the shots will help reduce any inflammation in the back and the physical therapy will help relax the muscles while giving you the proper types of physical therapy you can do at home.

it is vital that you check into these items - you are very young to start having back problems - the sooner you get started on this the sooner you will know what needs to be done.

in the meantime - try using ice packs on your back - you can also try heating pad - alternating these - 15 minutes ice - 15 minutes nothing - 15 minutes heat pad - also take ibuprofen or alieve to help with any inflammation and pains - it won't take away all the pains but may help a little -

while sleeping at night - DO NOT SLEEP ON YOUR STOMACH - this is a big NO-NO for anyone - especially those of us with back problems - sleep on your side with a pillow between your knees and on your back with pillows under your knees - this will help keep your spine straight while sleeping -

please keep us posted as to what happens - I hope this helps a little - take care - Joy (you can click on my name or picture and read my story)

I will keep you posted and I have been putting heat and ice packs on my back but I had no idea about the sleep thing, I will try it tonight. How much would going to a spine specialist normally cost, because my parents cannot afford insurance as of late, and in march I will turn 18 and won't be elligiable for the medicare or medicaid insurance. we did have it but my mom got a new job and they said she made too much to have it, but with rent, electrticity, gas (to go to work) and food costs we just can't afford it.

Hi again -

Since insurance is the main factor what you should do is find out if there is a teaching college at a hospital - sometimes depending on financial status they will make arrangements based on what you and/or your parents make - also you can call the state and/or county that you live in and see if there are any free clinics -

you will have to call a lot of places - just keep at it until you can find ones that will help -

thanks for the note - don't feel sorry - it's just a part of life that I have learned to deal with and if I had to the chance to do over I would still have the surgery - my disc had ruptured (splintered) so it needed to be removed -

Please keep us posted as to what happens - take care - Joy

Hello,
I agree with the above statement regarding the insurance issue. I use to work for a teaching hospital and they did have programs if there was a financial need - probably best to just contact a teaching hospital close by.

I would recommend f/u with a spine specialist MD or DO for examination and their recommendations. I would also consider trying physical therapy again with a physical therapist who specializes in the spine. It sounds like you should respond to conservative treatment so do not give up. You can go to www.moveforwardpt.com for more information regarding physical therapy and how to find a physical therapist.

Regards,
Tony

ItIt sounds like you probably hurt some vertebrea in your lower sspine. I have lived with back pain for ten years and I know what you are doing through. No insurance? Does your family qqualify for Medicaid? About all I can suggest is to try a moist hheating pad - no longer than 20 minutes at a time. Or some ppeople do better with ice. Taking an antiinflammatory you are ddoing right. Try exercises that strengthen your abdominal core muscles. While sitting, suck in your gut as hard as you can to the count of ten and release. Try do ten in a row at first. Don't overdo it at first. Also, do squats. Your upper thighs and your core muscle strength helps take the burden off of your back muscles. Only other thing I can suggest without medical intervention is to purchase one of those flexible back braces you can fine in drug stores or Walmart - however, you ccan't use them continuously because your back will become weaker. You really need to be seen by the medical profession because I use Lidoderm patches daily on the sore areas of my back and they provide much relief. Also, there is a Volteran Gel that works good - use it up to four times a day and the effect is cumulative. However, both of these items you need a script for and they are very expensive without insurance. Good luck, my friend! Jennifer D.

Is your parents elligable for a medical card through the state assistance office.where you get welfare.I'm not sure how much your parents make but it's for low income familys.I know you have your pride but getting help through a hospital is more important,because it sounds like you have herniated disc.It's very important that you get an xray and see a neurologist,or a orthapedic doctor.You could have your parents take you to the emergency room and they may help you with the state assistance there.I think that would be your best option.

You should be covered under your parents insurance still since you are still in high school. If they don't have any insurance go to your local hospital as they can't turn you away. The hospital where I go when I have more pain & my breakthrough medicine doesn't help treat me. They also have a financial assistnce program where the may need some financial info from your parents tax return but you may right category and they will help by adjusting your bill, if they can. Hope this helps.

From what you said happened in cheerleading, I'm guessing you are suffering from what is called a subluxation, which was caused from trauma. These can happen commonly in car accidents or sports injuries. A subluxation is when one or more of the vertebrae of your spine is ever so slightly turned on its axis. This causes the nerves that are exiting the holes of the vertebrae to become pinched and can cause immense pain. You can get this diagnosed through x-rays done by chiropractors, who are trained to look for the slightest imperfections of the spinal column and pelvis. Without insurance, I would look into local schools that are training students to become chiropractors. They often charge way less and are just as beneficial. This would be fairly inexpensive and a lot more affordable than going to see a spinal specialist.

From what you said happened in cheerleading, I'm guessing you are suffering from what is called a subluxation, which was caused from trauma. These can happen commonly in car accidents or sports injuries. A subluxation is when one or more of the vertebrae of your spine is ever so slightly turned on its axis. This causes the nerves that are exiting the holes of the vertebrae to become pinched and can cause immense pain. You can get this diagnosed through x-rays done by chiropractors, who are trained to look for the slightest imperfections of the spinal column and pelvis. Without insurance, I would look into local schools that are training students to become chiropractors. They often charge way less and are just as beneficial. This would be fairly inexpensive and a lot more affordable than going to see a spinal specialist.

From what you said happened in cheerleading, I'm guessing you are suffering from what is called a subluxation, which was caused from trauma. These can happen commonly in car accidents or sports injuries. A subluxation is when one or more of the vertebrae of your spine is ever so slightly turned on its axis. This causes the nerves that are exiting the holes of the vertebrae to become pinched and can cause immense pain. You can get this diagnosed through x-rays done by chiropractors, who are trained to look for the slightest imperfections of the spinal column and pelvis. Without insurance, I would look into local schools that are training students to become chiropractors. They often charge way less and are just as beneficial. This would be fairly inexpensive and a lot more affordable than going to see a spinal specialist.

From what you said happened in cheerleading, I'm guessing you are suffering from what is called a subluxation, which was caused from trauma. These can happen commonly in car accidents or sports injuries. A subluxation is when one or more of the vertebrae of your spine is ever so slightly turned on its axis. This causes the nerves that are exiting the holes of the vertebrae to become pinched and can cause immense pain. You can get this diagnosed through x-rays done by chiropractors, who are trained to look for the slightest imperfections of the spinal column and pelvis. Without insurance, I would look into local schools that are training students to become chiropractors. They often charge way less and are just as beneficial. This would be fairly inexpensive and a lot more affordable than going to see a spinal specialist.

Hello, Koncerned_KitKat.

You have already gotten some very good advice and support here.

I just wanted to add that you should not seek any type of treatment until you have seen a spinal specialist and gotten an accurate diagnosis. As others have mentions, there must be some way to get assistance for your health care needs.

Chiropractic adjustments, physical therapy, or any treatment can make things worse if you do not see a spine specialist first. If you read my story you will see that chiropractic adjustments are a regular part of my pain management methods. I first went to several spine specialists and had many MRI's done before seeing my chiropractor. Be very cautious with your treatments and do not rush into anything. Do what it takes get an accurate diagnosis.

Praying you can get a diagnosis, treatment and relief soon.

HI,
I KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOU ARE GOING THROUGH BECAUSE I AM GOING THRU THE EXACT SAME THING.
THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS THAT I HAVE HAD AN EPIDURAL AND PHYS. THERAPY PRESCRIBED FOR M I HAD MY FIRST PHYS.THER. TUES AND I AM HAVING MY SECOND ONE TODAY THE 1ST OF JULY. I AM STILL IN THE SAME CONDITION I WAS IN TO BEGIN WITH. I GUESS I NEED TO FINISH MY 1ST SET OF PHYS. THER.APPTS.
HANG IN THERE,AND HOPE WE CAN COMPARE NOTES IN THE FUTURE..(I CANT BELIEVE THAT ALL YOUR SYPTOMS ARE "EXACTLY" LIKE MINE.