Very bad back

      Ouch. And truly there's not much else to say about it. Back injuries are a lot like broken hearts in that it just takes time for them to get better. I'm using pain pills, back exercises, heating pad and deep heating rub. Do you have a back remedy that works for you? Share!
      And the odds are good that you've experienced back problems before. According to the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research in their pamphlet "Clinical Practice Guideline, Acute Low Back Problems in Adults": "Eight out of ten adults will have a "low back problem at some time in their life. And most will have more than one episode of acute low back problems."
      Let's see what else the pamphlet has to say: "The human spine (or backbone) is made up of small bones called vertebrae. The vertebrae are stacked on top of each other to form a column. Between each vertebra is a cushion known as a disc. The vertebrae are held together by ligaments, and muscles are attached to the vertebrae by bands of tissue called tendons.
Openings in each vertebra line up to form a long hollow canal. The spinal cord runs through this canal from the base of the brain. Nerves from the spinal cord branch out and leave the spine through the spaces between the vertebrae.
      "The lower part of the back holds most of the body's weight. Even a minor problem with the bones, muscles, ligaments, or tendons in this area can cause pain when a person stand, bends, or moves around. Less often, a problem with a disc can pinch or irritate a nerve from the spinal cord, causing pain that runs down the leg, below the knee called sciatica.
      "Even with today's technology, the exact reason or cause of low back problems can be found in very few people. Most times, the symptoms are blamed on poor muscle tone in the back, muscle tension or spasm, back sprains, ligament or muscle tears, joint problems. Sometimes nerves from the spinal cord can be irritated by 'slipped' discs causing buttock or leg pain. This may also cause numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs.
      "People who are in poor physical condition or do work that includes heavy labor or long periods of sitting or standing are at greater risk for low back problems. These people also get better more slowly. Emotional stress or long periods of inactivity may make back symptoms seem worse.
      "Low back problems are often painful. But the good news is that very few people turn out to have a major problem with the bones or joints or the back or a dangerous medical conditions."
      The pamphlet goes on to recommend rest, light activity, heat packs, OTC meds and time. Not much different than what I'm already doing.
      Anyway, I go back to work this morning so I've got to start getting ready to go. I dread the paperwork waiting for me, but hey, it beats digging a ditch. I think.