OT- just me complaining about my back again

 have you tried groupon? sometimes you can get them for like $30, even here, which i mean nothing is that cheap here lol

Are you doing any sort of physical therapy? A lot of times a physical therapist can add massage into your treatment plan.  I'm sorry this continues to hurt so badly for you.

I am not currently doing any physical therapy, but the new specialist may want me to.  I did try some PT in the past and it didn't really help.  They didn't do any massage, though.  Just exercises for me to do.  At this point, my back is so bad that it would be hard to do much in the way of exercise.  Massage would be really nice, though.

Kelly....sorry for your back pain.  I too have back problems stemming from a car accident in 1997.  I just started PT once again....only this time it is for the Graston technique.   Had my first session yesterday and my back is black and blue and all the blood vessels are broken on the surface......but I think it feels better.  It is a painful therapy to go through, but I'm willing to try anything at this point.  I have soft tissue damage.....I tore my rhomboids in my accident.  Back pain is the pits.......every aspect of your life is impacted by your immobility....I wish you all the luck in the world, and I hope they find something that helps with your pain.
--Trish

I'm not familiar with the Graston technique.  Can you tell me what it is?

It is  is an advanced form of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization which enables clinicians to effectively break down scar tissue and and fascial restrictions. The technique utilizes specially designed stainless steel instruments to specifically detect and effectively treat areas exhibiting soft tissue fibrosis or chronic inflammation.  It is quite painful, but I'm willing to find out if it works......I had my first session yesterday....my back is black and blue......but I do believe it feels better......I have to go twice a week for at least 10 weeks........for me, he is breaking up all the scar tissue and adhesions.  The sessions last from 2-5 minutes, because of the  pain.  It causes inflammation, which is good in this case.  Inflammation helps to heal quickly, and because my muscles healed years ago in a tangled fashion....he is stripping the adhesions and scar tissue to help the tissue lay more flat......it's pretty interesting. 

Sorry to hear of your suffering.I was given relief of back pain through physical therapy.My back and core was strengthened with the Total Gym,and my P. Therapist advised for me to buy one as soon as I could afford one.I found an older model one on Craigs List,and plan to start using it again as soon as I get my strength back up from my surgery.My back issue was from a strained muscle,but the therapist said my core and back were weak to begin with.Hoping you get solutions and relief soon. Jill

hav eyou tried a TENS unit? you can walk around with that thing on and its like a massage in that certain area.... my insurance paid for most of it..it works great....and i would recommend a genie rub..my chiro has one and its great, i got one for christmas this year...its a great massage thingy....i got mine from ebay for like 150.00 free shipping..make sure you get the vairable speed...as the single speed is too fast and too hard....my chiro gave me a script for mine...will try and write it off on the taxed next year.....i would also suggest getting the cover to go with it..it makes it glide easier over your back and such...your partner will have to do your back as i have not found a way to do that yet....but is great....everyone comes over and wants one when they come over....my family, kids and grandkids...i just need to get my hubby to use it more often on me..i just keep it plugged in by the bed...
it looks like a car buffer, takes 2 hands to use it....not that heavy..but a great massage non the less....worth the 150.00 compared to a massage..
no one can tell you what is wrong with your back? mine is due to large herniated disc L5,S-1 but the nerve block injections helped majorly...i had 2 of them...
if you were closer to me you could come over for a genie rub massage..
debby

I'm sorry your back has progressed to such a troublesome point and that you still don't have any answers.  I know how frustrated I was durign the 18+ months of mysterious belly pain.  I do hope the folks in Cleveland can give you some answers.

Lora

 i'm sorry it keeps getting worse. my dad finally broke down and got the shots again, even though they'e only worked for a few weeks before. this time she put them in a few different spots rather than just one, so hopefully that helps him. although he doesn't take it easy like he should, when i was home last weekend he was pulling the cover off the pool, powerwashing and fixing spots on the deck, and doing a bunch of stuff in the backyard by himself, 2 days after his shot (and probably would have done it even if he hadn't) and then wonders why it hurts worse.