[meteorite-list] OT: If not for bad luck...

[Darryl Pitt]

L4-5 /L5-S1.  discectomies---one the result of a several hundred pound gibeon slipping off a pedestal at phillips auction house in the late 90s.  it didn't hit the floor---but i later did, after a large disc fragment popped and migrated into my spinal canal. 

some tips for a non emergency situation...

AFTER AN EVENT

--cold first 24h following an event and then heat.  
--lower back?  lie down.  pillows under your calves to press the lower back down
--any part of your back or neck?  invest in a hydrocollator -- you will thank me -- and they're cheap. 

http://www.isokineticsinc.com/category/hydrocollator

http://www.scriphessco.com/itemdetail.asp?cat=&MENU=&item=231+0035

http://www.chirocity.com/hydrocollatorpacks.aspx

you'll see heating units being offered for sale  (you absolutely don't need one) as well as terry cloth covers (a few washcloths or folded towel will do the trick).  the hydrocollator itself can either be in immersed in boiling water on the stove or immersed in water and then microwaved.  i prefer the former.  BE CAREFUL!   the moist heat is surprisingly penetrating and you can burn yourself easily.  start with 3 layers of towels and then and or subtract as needed.


LATER (for lower back)
--lose weight
--strengthen your core
--stretch. stretch. stretch.  

IF IT'S DETERMINED THAT SURGERY IS REQUIRED

my fam is crawling with physicians, and the last thing you want is surgery.  if possible, exhaust all other options prior to a date with a surgeon. 

--remember, surgeons are trained (and like to) cut.  obtain several opinions;
--all disc issues are not the same--let alone seemingly similar lower back issues---and treatments vary. 
--both neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons can do most jobs;
--check your physician's training, specialization and ongoing education.  so very important.  easy to do online.  things are so specialized these days..if you have a lower back issue, it's usually best to go with someone whose practice focuses on the same. 
--have a lexis search done on the physician for lawsuits
--do not evaluate the surgeon based on whether you like him or her---this is not match.com.  do the aforementioned research and limit your decision to the resume. 


be well and all best / d 


On Dec 3, 2010, at 6:03 PM, bernd.pauli at paulinet.de wrote:

>> that's what I've been doing with my pain in  
>> the back the last few years (herniated disk). :-/
> 
>> I partially separated my C3 and C4 vertebrae several years ago
> 
> Welcome to the HD* club! ;-)
> 
> *herniated disk
> 
> L3-L4 here in Germany,
> 
> Bernd
> 
> P.S.:
> 
>> Try falling out of trees and see what that does to your neck and back.
> 
> I did try when I was thirteen... neck and back were ok but my left
> elbow burst into bits and pieces. Have a crooked arm ever since :-(
> 
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