Back Pain

[pa_tileman]

Hello everyone. I have been bad. I have not been active in the forum in almost a year. I have been caught in the going along to get along rut for a while now. I think I'm buring out. I have been self employeed for about six years now and setting tile for a little over twenty.

The economy has been no doubt been rough, but I have not been as active as I should hunting work.

I have had two herniated discs in my back for a couple of years now, putting me flat on my back at least 3 times a year. Doc says it's from all the years of being a tile grunt. I'm a small guy about 5' 8" weighing about 145,
being a smaller guy has ment a lot more grunting for humping tile I guess.
To make things worse, my right knee is all puffed up with fluid and the doc found arthritis causing the pain. Iv'e been wearing Pro Knees for about a year, but it's the up and down thats a killer.

Have any of you more experienced guys been through the burn cycle, or am I just being a sissy:cry: I'm only 37, seems a little young to be feeling like this. I love the trade when I'm up and running and I don't think the economy will allow me to work for someone as an estimator or Kerdi installer. I sure hate the thought of flushing all these years in the trade down the drain.

Should I suck it up or bail. Just wondering how some of you all feel. I don't usually complain, but man I get to hurtin sometimes.

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[LadyGodiva]

Are you bald? It is indeed trendy to be bald, and if you're not an old, bald, fart we ladies tend to think "bald" is really sexy :D

So sorry to hear of your bad back and knees. I tore the ligaments in both knees some years back and had to have surgery. Not fun at all. I am not even a tilesetter! I was trying to be young and energetic and take up rock climbing:cry::cry::cry:

Anyway, have you thought of working out in a pool? I still do from time to time. Like yesterday for example, I was doing some gardening and my back was aching so badly I couldn't stand it. Went to the gym and spent over an hour in the pool. That also helped my knees after surgery.

Best of luck to you in whatever you decide to do.

[The Kid]

I deal with back and knee pain everyday, it sucks. I belive it all stemed from working for the family buisness at a very young age, mixing concrete and swinging a hammer isnt good for a kid:bonk: and not taking care of my body, If I could do it all again, I wouldnt have abused it so much. Now, Im trying to push my buisness to the next level so I dont have to labor the rest of my life.

[LadyGodiva]

Very smart move Jeremy. Maybe you'll become the next "John Bridge?" :D

[Webhound]

Most folks don't believe it, but the best things to alleviate back pain are strengthening exercises, and thorough stretching. Keeping the hamstrings loose and stretched is a real plus. Strengthen the core muscles so that they do the work, and not the spine. Abdominal crunches, and back extensions. I speak from experience. See an orthopaedist who specializes in spine care. Try to get a prescription for Physical Therapy. They will use (in this order) moist heat, stretching, strengthening, possilbly electro-stim, and icing afterwards. Follow their care plan religiously after you complete the series of visits. It really helps.

[gwataloo]

I know what your going threw PA. My back hurts pretty much everyday. After work I get on this http://www.trueback.com/ for a few minutes . It helps relieve the pain ,then I'll lay on a ice pack for alittle then maybe get the heating pad out. I no when I did'nt have work this winter my back did'nt hurt. I just got bed sores from laying around so much :yeah:

[ob1kanobee]

I know doing shower remodels and backsplashes are easier on the body than floors.

I would lean more toward going after business in that area, specializing maybe in kerdi showers and even steam showers. This way you won't be on your knees as much. Try and find a niche and hold yourself out there to it.

That is about as best as I can come up with.

[sicklittlemoocow]

+1 for the Ortho/PT route. I worked as an exercise physiologist in a rehab clinic for a while. The pain tends to affect your overall posture & gait, often creating more problems and not helping the root cause of the pain. There may be small biomechanical changes you can make that will allow you to work and not anger your back. The way you bend or lift, even how you sleep. Ideally, you get a good PT and accept that it will take some time to see lasting results. I would also suggest a book called "Treat Your Own Back" by Robin McKenzie. It's pretty much the basis for the majority of back rehab protocol. You can get it used on Amazon for $1.

You might need to focus on showers and backsplashes for a while. If you can do glass tile well - I'll just say it was a struggle when I had my backsplash done. Might be a new niche...

[Paulie Walnuts]

http://www.total-trainer.com/Inversion-Table.htm

This is by far the best thing you can do for your neck/back. I will be on your x-mas list if you end up picking up one of these.

Paulie

[Marge]

Paul's suggestion is great. An inversion table is amazing in that it gently stretches and eases pain. Wiley has had two spine surgeries and use of the inversion table has made a huge difference. Helps keep my back from being too tight as well. If you go that route, start slow.

Craigslist usually has a few. :)

[pa_tileman]

Thanks for all the feedback, looks like I have some homework to do. I figured this would be a great place to whine about some aches and pains. I was starting to think I was just feeling a little older :D

[Marge]

Not to burst your bubble, but you ARE feeling older. :D

[tilelayer]

where in pa are you?


exercise helps alot, tommorow is back for me i tear it up it actually burns alot of calories too when you exercise your back and legs especially. Try it you'll feel sore at fist but then you'll start to feel better. I have a bad back I know I am screwed but my knee's feel fine I was blessed with good knees acording to some strange doctor.

[Mountain Tile]

I was 19 and foreman of a logging crew, screwed my back up pretty good. Some days I could barely walk, had no insurance, but a friend taught me many stretching excersises for back and legs. I tried to learn all I could about this, I rehabed myself, and at 45 my back feels pretty good. I learned to take better care of and not abuse my body.

[Tiletim]

It's all in a name right???
with a name like payne tile installation what did you expect ? :clap2: just kidding

I am 41 with 7 blown or herniated disc in my back - Never had surgery hopefully never will. I know I have said it B4 on the forum about my back but I am here to tell you that you can keep going if your heart is into it.

All have suggested great things - I strongly suggest you find a GOOD sports medicine Chiro. that specializes in deep tissue massage & Muscle manipulation therapy.

I was very lucky to find my chiro. - he was only working on professional athletes at the time I found him but he took me in. The first visit I had with him I almost passed out 4 times from the pain he was throwing at me. But when he was done I could stand up straight with no pain and walked out - I literally crawled into his office the first time I saw him. ( I could not walk from the pain).

Even if you have to pay out of pocket - DO IT!you wont regret it.

Everyone responds different to certain therapy's - learn to listen to your body.

For me it was all leg therapy for almost 2 weeks - he did not touch my back at all.

If you don't have the funds for a doc - the internet is your best friend - buy a thera-cane, learn the technics and treat your self.

Core strength is also very important.

As far as burn out - might I suggest you go buy a wicked fast motorcycle and wring the crap out of the throttle for a while on some very straight roads- works for me!

good luck

[Ostland]

At times even I too had the same stiffness with my back, and I had used stretch exercises to over come it. You can also seek a physio advice or approach this site irehab.com , which might be a good solution as well.