Back problems in tree care

Gorman

Branched out member
Location
Rhode Island
A couple weeks ago I thought I pulled a back muscle so I took it easy and let the workers step up. After about 10 days my recovery plateaued and I scheduled a visit to the back doctor. If I have a herniated disc or something serious I have to look at both short and long term alterations to my work.

I'm putting this out here to see if any other tree guys in the moderate production racket have had this happen to them and how did they recoverer from it.
 
I am out of work right now for lower back problems : ( I though I healed up about a month ago and it came back with a fury. Going to chiropractor Friday. I feel your pain.
 
I'm still unsure what the issue is because I tend to avoid doctors, but this time around I can't. Best luck to you. Just figured I'd share since we may be in the same boat
 
True, they both will heal given the right support. The body heals.

I use to be able to "pull a muscle in my back" just lacing up my boots for work or stretching in an attempt to get my back in better shape.

That was when I was in my 20's and I took pride in statements as one author put it, that my muscles were "as hard as wood." Now I have a better understanding of how muscles are supposed to function and I can work as hard as I want each day as long as I do a 15 min routine to remind my muscles how to return to their proper resting state.

To understand this I like the explanation and perspective given in the first 43 pages of the book Somatics, by Thomas Hanna. It could also be had in the videos done by Martha Peterson, put up on Youtube, and shared through here site "essentialsomatics.com".
 
Sure Cory. I buy the book, Somatics, 10 copies at a time from Amazon and give it to people who seem to want answers because the information has done so much for me in life. I have even had a few people actually read some of the book and do some of the movements that give miraculous results. Those people gush and rave about it.

Most of us, me included, want a different kind of answer. We want to go to someone who for x amount of dollars can fix it for us. I spent probably at least $75,000 on chiropractors through the years and trying other modalities that all had one thing in common. (I got to lay there and someone did it for me.)

The one thing I never did try was the knife version of that. My Mom did and she has complained of pain ever since. My brother in law tried it - four separate times - and along the way was rewarded with "disability" status so he doesn't have to work anymore.

Somatics is cursed with being something that a person would actually need to learn about themselves and do themselves. On the plus side I walk around knowing I can keep my body functioning fine till the day I die. Also if I chose to not do what it takes to keep my back muscles in good shape and felt I had a muscle pull and pinched nerve etc, I can go from the worst crawling around on the floor pain to pain free in at most a couple of days. And back to full on intense work schedule in a handful more days.

That sounds like bragging or something but, I am actually trying to give enough perspective to show why it is worth persuing the Somatics information.
 
Thank you for that info Merle. I have chronic back issues and I know what you mean about lacing your boots. Mine can happen reaching up to shampoo my hair in the AM. Usually connected to something I did the day or 2 before. I am going to look up that book. It sounds like you really believe in it. BTW I am working on your MB harness.... that should help your back with the support that it has.
 
Merle, book is ordered. Casey, MB is ready for productions work. On another note how does one go about purchasing the addition al leg pads?
 
I have had back issues throughout my working life as well. Spent 6 weeks in a back brace. various steroid/pain management interventions etc. Most successful has been with a chiropractor, but a good one. In one instance, I had awoke from a Sunday nap with my back hurting and by that evening I was in excruciating pain. Went th E-room, x-rays showed nothing. Later that week an MRI showed nothing. I spent 2 weeks flat on my back and crawling on hands and knees to bathroom. Took about 8 weeks to resolve. Since then I have worked to slowly strengthen lower back muscles and I am very careful on how I lift heavy objects. One thing I have noticed through the years is that issues seem to cluster around the equinox times, particularly the autumnal equinox. I will take a look at the book Merle, sounds interesting.
 
1saddleguy - ha, I like it that were having a favorable conversation while you're building my saddle. :) :)

For those with chronic issues or crawling around on the floor in pain one way of thinking of Somatics is it's what cats do. It is called pandiculation and looks like stretching to the casual observer. But, what it actually is is taking a muscle or muscles through its full present range of motion (even those on the floor in pain can do this) and then consciously releasing it.

This reminds the muscle how to release. It is the difference between having muscle in a relaxed state and pain free ready to do your next bidding or being some percentage engaged all the time - even while sleeping - and thus causing tension, pain, injury etc.
 
I went to the doctor earlier today and the X-rays showed a lower compressed disc. I scheduled PT and look forward to checking out that book
 
I have an inward herniation of my l5-s1 disc. Sciatic pain was the absolute worst of it. With PT and being aware that the injury is there had helped tremendously. It's not gone.. but for all intents and purposes it's rather menial. I also am currently dealing with a pilonidal cyst.. that is basically unbearable.

Edit:
I don't know which state you're in.. but there is a great natural medicinal alternative to help tossing and turning in your sleep with a sore lower back. ;)
 
All great recommendations. Not sure if it will help your situation Gorman. I like to hang upside down from my pull up bar with these boots I ordered from Amazon. It makes me feel good.
 
Seems my back is in bad shape each year by the end of the summer around September. theirs always something I can point to that caused it to start bothering me...
 
The somatics is new to me, looking forward to checking it out.
I have the privilege of dating a flexibility coach, which has really helped to further my body knoledge. A lot of problems can be avoided or helped by mobility work and muscular maitenance. Foam rollers, stretch routines, spinal traction, cross training, manual therapies...
So many options out there.

We should all be aware of the wear and stress put on our bodies. Its the single most important piece of equipment we use....how do you all keep yours running well?
Show and tell!
 

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