I first injured my back in 1987 at the age of 29. The next day, I was unable to stand to get out of bed. Made it to a medical doctor, who gave me pain pills and scheduled me for therapy. The physical therapy felt good and eased the pain, but a half hour later, the pain returned. A couple of months later we relocated from Orlando to Cincinnati, Ohio for a new job (engineering). Had to step every few hours to ease the pain – horrible trip. Showed up to work hunched over like an old main. Visited my family the following weekend and my mom convince me to see a chiropractor. Never trusted them before. During my first visit a week later I took my first deep breath in a few months and without pain. I also stood straight for the first time.
Over the years, I occasionally saw a chiropractor to ease my pain. Never had pain down my leg until nearly 10 years ago, it got so bad I started to drag my right leg a bit. During a late-night infomercial, I saw information about non-surgical spinal decompression. I did a web search and found a doctor near who performed the procedure. It was not cheap and not supported by insurance, but it was a very helpful process. A Velcro strap was placed around my hips and chained to a digital motor. The machine gradually pulled with increasing then decreasing pressure. I never felt the pressure at all but I could feel in needle-like pin easing during the session. Over the course of 5-6 weeks, I had 22 sessions. Each was about a half hour. After the first session, the pain in my leg was gone. As told to expect, it returned a few hours later, but over the course of the few weeks, the relief lasted longer and longer until finally, it did not return.
When the treatments were complete, I was pain-free, could stand straight, and was fully active. My pain would at times, come back with slight intensity, but nowhere near as I had before. The out of pocket expense was $4000 and worth every penny. Have not been back to a chiropractor or medical doctor for my back since.
This 3-minute shows a machine that performs the process, though not the same model used on me 10 years ago, Same concept.
Decompression
To keep aligned and to take away the occasional pain I have I got a Teeter inversion table and it helps quite a bit. I use it about once a week for 10 minutes and whatever discomfort I have, I just feel it wash away. This 3.5-minute video shows it. Again, highly recommended.
Teeter inversion table.
I will never have back surgery as I’ve had so many people I know that have had horrible expenses. And the options I mentioned are not recommended to those who have had surgery.
I don’t understand the insurance not covering the decompressions procedure as it is significantly cheaper and has a higher rate of success.
Sounds like you were suffering from a classic lumbar derangement that responds to extension. This is the most common cause of low back pain in adults. The majority of these respond to lying on your stomach, and doing press ups, ie lifting your upper body. Some people call these “girl push ups,” and I apologize to the ladies for saying that. The same exercise can be done standing also, by simply extending backwards from the waist up. Doing this 4 to 5 times per hour for 24 hours usually does the trick, along with maintaining good posture.