As anyone who has followed this blog for a while knows, I have had serious back problems and serious medical care/interest problems. I spent 9 months in physical therapy after leaving my prior provider. The therapist was helpful, I was given exercises that could help, but stopped short of what the underlying problem is. I was too far along, as I have now found, at this point for exercises alone to help. The NP I'm seeing has shown interest but either does not know or didn't care to get into it. I think she doesn't know.
Last week while once again looking for exercises that may help, as the numerous others have not, and I stumbled upon my problem. It is a real thing with a name. The common name is Flat Back Syndrome. Who knew? Not me and apparently not the three different medical professionals or the two PTs.
This is what Flat Back Syndrome generally looks like.
This is my poor attempt at showing my back. My lower lumbar is not flat. It is curving outward. The cervical spine follows the lumbar, so the more it flattens, or curves outward, the more the shoulders bend forward and the head juts forward. I am thrust forward from shoulder to head. To give an idea what that looks like from the side, standing with my back against the wall my head is 6 inches away from the wall. I cannot bring it back.
*Video is a bit over 5 minutes. There are many more going into more detail.
38 comments:
It’s great that there’s finally a name for what’s been happening. Just knowing that has to feel like progress. Hopefully, the decompression therapy gives you some much‑needed relief. After living with this for so long, here’s hoping the next step brings a bit of real improvement.
5 years trying to get things figured out is a long time. I'm glad you finally found out and I really hope that the decompression therapy helps you. US Healthcare is no longer very good in my opinion.
Thank you for explaining this Sandra and I am so sorry you are having to deal with such an awful condition. I am wishing you only the very best to find a solution instead of surgery.
I hope you're finding a better way to handle/fix this. I'm angry that you have to do your own research. Let's hope this new person has answers. And is invested in helping.
Jane, I don't see your blog lately. I've decided to schedule an appointment with a spine dr. I need a referral though so I had to schedule with my primary. I have a little simmering anger, which will do me no good.
It shows the lack of interest, at least IMO, toward women. Especially older women.I've lived with misery and hope bound life for 5 years. I thought after the months with PT that there was nothing to be done. I just stumbled upon this information, Lori.
Especially since I very likely would not have needed to live with this for so long if someone bothered.
I have to manage the burning anger I am feeling, Boud. I want action and so I must play nice. I have decided to start by seeing a spine specialist but need a referral. I have an appointment with the primary on the 29th. Serenity now.
I have a friend who is experiencing much the same ailment. I just texted him about Flatback Syndrome. Thanks for posting about this. I do hope all will improve once you find the correct doctor and medical staff to help alleviate this matter.
My friend has developed a protrusion on his lower spine, but I don't think he is otherwise the same. He is in pain though and exercising daily to try to control his condition. Bodies, eh? Can't live with and sure can't live without them. Good luck with the chiropractor.
I'm glad you're smart enough to keep looking and thinking about what's going on. And to find your own information. It's goddamn frustrating to be dismissed by doctors. I feel like most, if not all, women have similar stories about not being listened to.
I really hope someone can help you with what's happening and that you feel better!
It's awful that the medical folks have let it go so far. I'm surprised that PT didn't really catch the issue while working with you. Generally they can spot things that doctors can't as they see you move.
Sorry you are going through this and I know how difficult this is.
I've never heard of flat back syndrome and I'm so glad you have found a name for what you have. I hope that you can get some help because chronic pain sucks the life out of people.
I'd be mad as hell too. I've had pelvic pain for years that nobody can figure out, it's not severe thankfully, but I'd like to know what causes it, even if it can't be fixed.
I hope your friend gets some answers and help, Tommy.
No, we sure can't live without them, AC.
I have felt the need to be persistent, Ami. First, I'm always in pain and second, I'm looking toward the future and I don't like what I see.
The PT did scythe muscle had tightened around my spine in protective mode but that was all. By the time I started seeing her the lower lumbar was protruding. I would think she would know but???
I heard of it last week, Pixie. I have an appointment with my primary which will be uncomfortable. I decided, upon further research, to go to a specialist but I need a referral. From what I have learned I may have progressed too far for treatment. I'd like to know. Undiagnosed pain leaves a big question mark, something I don't handle well. I the pelvic pain stays manageable.
My young neighbor has double vision, blind spots in her vision, lesions in her brain, but it's not MS. Her gait is impaired. The neurologist says lets wait and see. Women need to work twice as hard to get what they need from doctors it seems. WTF!
I also suffer from agonising back pain after too much walking or standing. The doctor ordered a whole lot of blood tests to see if anything irregular came up. I haven't had the results yet. I hope you can find some treatment that lessens or even ends your back pain. Like you, I also don't want to spend the rest of my life warding off back pain.
Dear Sandra, thank you for sharing about this condition. It's a shame you are dealing with this! Finding what it is, is definitely a step in the right direction. I hope that you are able to find ways to alleviate the stress and pain, dear friend.
It's so important to advocate for your self these days. We put too much faith in our doctors. Hope something can be done to give you some relief. It also needs to cool off out there so it cools off here!
That must be so painful and uncomfortable. And frustrating that you had to discover the trouble for yourself. You have a right to be furious. As you said, women are often ignored by doctors. Maddening.
I hope you can find something that helps. I know your pain and it ain't fun. I am having the test for a medial branch block in a couple of weeks. We shall see.
I'm so sorry you have to go through this, but my husband may have the same problem. He can’t stand up straight. I will talk to him about this.
"Let's wait and see" Why am I not surprised, Pixie?
It would seem the back is rather important to our well-being, nick. I hope for you sake you get some answers.
Thank you, Linda. I am hopeful.
I would be so happy to be able to sit on the porch, Lori! When the drs are given a whopping 20 minutes per patient is it any wonder they go about like automatons.
I have an appointment at a spine and pain clinic at the end of the month, Sue. I'm hoping this is the beginning of something better.
You have been in pain for a long time, FS. I hope the procedures is successful.
There is also spinal stenosis, Cheerful. He needs some imaging done.
The medical folks seem to hear what they want, and ignore the rest. I've told various doctors, chiropractors and therapists that my butt wants to tuck in, and I can't stand up straight. Hmmmm....sounds like what you are mentioning. I'm hoping that you get some relief without surgery. I have an MRI next week....I am really curious as to what it is going to show. Good luck and good medicine for you!
Shaking my head for you.
Oh, I understand you, I also have problems with my neck spine. In January this year, I fell on the ice, on my back. I was lucky that I was wearing a thick coat with a hood... that’s how I saved my head, but I feel the spine impact with every change in the weather. Take care... kiss, ANDREJA!
Hopefully you will get some answers, Dreaming. I am impatiently waiting for my appointment.
I am sorry this happened to you, Andreja. The spine is so important, something we don't think about until something goes wrong.
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