brokenbackbuddies-blog

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UCLA Spine Update Again

I disputed the previous bill ($800) and now only need to pay $400 ($30 from my own pocket.).

What the hell, man.

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Pain Areas, Trigger Points for Iliopsoas Issues

Iliopsoas = Iliacus + Psoas Major Muscles

-  Both lower ends attach to the back of the femur- the Lesser Trochanter. -  Both are responsible for flexing and laterally rotating the thigh at the hip.

To loosen these muscles, I’ve been using a Worth Training softball I found at Walmart.  It’s softer than a regular softball yet larger than my lacrosse ball, so it works well to reach my deeper muscles.

For the Psoas, I lie on my stomach with the ball positioned at the topmost X in the diagram.  I breathe slowly and allow the ball to sink into my body.  Same thing for the Iliacus.

“How do I know if I’m triggering the Psoas?” “It will hurt.”  (Nao Shimada)

There are some arteries around this area.  Lying down on the softball for too long may interrupt normal blood flow.  

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Smile.

Because I don’t want to let my back :

limit me define me depress me suppress me defeat me numb me

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If your mind is stressed, your muscles will tense, and you will hurt.  Relax your mind by taking ten deep breaths.

Nao Shimada, Physical Therapist at Torrance Memorial Hospital

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Diet Advice from Nao Shimada

Salt is good (not too much).  It helps your body retain water.  Water is good for your muscles.

Drink lots of water, especially after physical therapy or a workout.  Your muscles need the lubrication.

Eat fruits.  The sugar is good for your muscle recovery.  But no bad sugars (no candy, soda, etc.)

Make sure to eat 3 solid meals a day.  You don’t want your blood sugar dropping.  

Calcium.  But not from milk.  I need calcium.

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UCLA Spine Center Update

They want $885 ($450 out of pocket).

For telling me they can’t help me.

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I visited Nao Shimada, a physical therapist at Torrance Memorial Hospital.

This was his diagnosis for my back condition:

The Hip Flexor muscle group.   (Responsible for pulling the leg towards the abdomen.)

“ Tightness of the psoas can result in spasms or lower back pain by compressing the lumbar discs. “  (wikipedia) 

More on this as I continue to see him.

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(I was not paid for this, nor am I endorsed or sponsored by Bhang in any way.  I wouldn’t mind, though.)

Bhang Corporation CBD Caramel Dark Chocolate Bar 60mg CBD & 60mg THC.

CBD helps people (and pets!) with a lot of ailments.  For me, it’s inflammation and anxiety. 

There are lots of CBD products out there, but I choose Bhang Bars because the quality is the same every time: excellent.  

It’s really a cut above the average THC/CBD edible product.  

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Piriformis syndrome, or Sciatica.  Pain and discomfort deep in the buttock and down the thigh caused by compression of the Sciatic nerve by the Piriformis muscle. 

The Piriformis stretch (shown above).  Slow and controlled breathing is necessary.  I do this every day.  45-60 seconds per side.  As many times as needed.

Sometimes, the pain is very deep and conventional stretches can’t reach the target area.  Laying down on a lacrosse ball really allows me to massage deep.  

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Post Laminectomy Syndrome

Visited Dr. Jae Jung at UCLA Spine Center.  

I was hoping he could shed some light on my situation.

Unfortunately, my MRI from October 2015 doesn’t seem to reveal any structural causes for my pain.  

“Failed Back Surgery Syndrome” is what it’s called, apparently.  Lovely.  

“We don’t know why this happens.  We can’t explain this phenomena.”

They don’t care.  They just want their money.

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Exercise.

The water is freezing and I haven’t had the balls to swim in it.

My excuse is that it’s bad for my back.  Seems to be holding up so far. (cold water = stiff muscles = cramps?)

I tried walking the neighborhood instead of swimming and it left my sacrum really tight.  

Still have to figure this out...

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Tardy.

I used to always be early to things.

Now I’m late.  A lot.

Sometimes it’s just me.  Other times, it’s my back.  And I forget that my back can do that to me.

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Built My Bed

Manual labor.  Lots of it.  

My back is dead.  I’m dead.

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You have the back of a 60 or 70-year old man.

My acupuncturist.

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“They’re probably glad you’re leaving.”

- my Mom, after I told her I’m quitting my job because of my back.

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Yup.

My back in chronological order, haha.

These are all examples of disc problems that may occur within our lives. Each condition stems from different issues and you may even feel the changes and differences in the back when this does happen. Its always good to have an idea of your condition, make sure to get checked.

www.learninghumananatomy.com

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MRI taken October 2015.

Ten years.

9/21/2016 Hanging Crunch Pushup: 3 x 10 Yoga Ball Ab Crunch (Crossed Arms): 4 x 7 Yoga Ball “Hump”: 2 x 10 Side Leg Lift: 2 x 10 Piriformis Stretch (throughout the day): 1 Minute / side Piriformis w/ Lacrosse Ball (throughout the day): 3 Minutes Left, 1 Minute Right Rubber Band Hip Twirl (throughout the day): 2 Minutes per side