Hi there
I started with lower lumbar back pain around 2009/2010 after a couple of years of travelling around Aus, I had some NHS (non-contact) physio back in the UK which just resulted in me doing some exercises that didn't help.
Then I went to Aus again in 2012 and had physio in early 2012, he told me it was a facet joint problem, but it didn't improve with his treatment, I only got pain relief, although I only had 1 months treatment before I moved again.
I'm now in NZ and have been having physio and regular treatment for a few months now and it seems to be working. This physio says its not a facet joint, its a disc problem causing the pain, as its only painful when I "sit" in any position.
I am doing clinical pilates and have physio contact treatment when needed.
I have done many jobs and travelled/moved quite a lot, especially since 2007. Most of the time, I have done desk bound jobs. I hate office job, office life and everything about it, but I have to continue this work for a certain amount of time to qualify for something. (I'm hoping I can finally stop this kind of work forever and study conservation/wildlife manangement like I want to). But this type of job clearly aggravates the pain, sometimes its unbearable just to sit or even to lean forward and for e.g. paint my toenails. It happens so quickly, I can just be sat on the ground or sat leaning forward for only 3-5 minutes and it starts to hurt, then it will hurt all night.
I would like some opinions on something.
I have heard some theories such as "your desk job is killing you", and I'm starting to see the sense in this theory.
Since I've been doing desk jobs, my eyesight is worse and my back pain is always there.
and when I'm on holiday or annual leave, my eyesight is improved and my back doesn't hurt, even though I may "sit" on the couch a lot or "sit" in other positions that I normally can't.
I have a few questions -
Is my desk job slowly killing me? Is my desk job the reason for my pain, as it's only worse when I'm at work?
Or is my pain physcologically attached to my job because I don't like it?
Thank you in advance
I agree with Sharon, you need an accurate diagnosis through an Xray and probably an MRI. An osteopath can help you obtain these and support your healing through a wide range of techniques, specific exercises and ergonomic advise will also be offered. Some of the other replies regarding visualisation ,taking breaks are all good to cope with the emotional aspects of your pain. I do not agree with "office work is killing me" as there is probably a physical reason for your pain which can be treated.Focusing on office work being the cause will make you more stressed and we all know stress manifests as all kinds of illhealth and disease.
Regards Roseanne
The short answer is YES. Back pain is associated with support on the emotional level. You are using the desk job to 'support' you while you go about changing your life, but as you hate the desk job, you emotionally feel that this support is not enough, hence your body is letting you know this and basically asking you to change it. You therefore have to 1)accept the support while it is needed, and 2) Take some action to start the transition to something else immediately. 3) keep utilising the modalities that are actually helping you at present but see it/them as temporary while you go about the process of changing your lifestyle. Regards, Mary
The important question is: What do YOU FEEL is causing your recurring back pain? e.g. When you start to get the sudden pain, what were you just thinking about? How did you lean forward -were you present with your body, or were your thoughts miles away from what you were doing? At work, is it possible you were giving your power away to co-works/your boss? Are you taking on their issues? HOW are you working?
Your body will know the answer -if you allow yourself to be still, and listen to it.
And, yes, definitely you could consider checking it out medically, with an X-ray arranged through your GP.
Anne, GloriousBody
Hi,
Lower Back pain is energetically associated with emotion especially emotion created by unwanted thoughts as it is refusing you to move forward. To assist in releasing this energy we use Reiki to assist with the root cause of this pain, but I also suggest for immediate relief one of our Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade Essential Oil Blends 'Deep Blue'. This is a blend of Wintergreen, Blue Tansy to reduce swelling and German Chamomile and Helichrysum to restore tissue. My number is 0800 749876 or text 0212753787 for more info. The release of energy is so important for your emotional wellbeing good luck in your pursuit x
Hi, I do sympathise with you getting recurring pain, as you describe,it can be very frustrating especially when you have had different diagnoses and tried a variety of treatments.
I do agree with Sharon, I would recommend seeing a doctor, (possibly chronic pain specialist or musco-skeletal) and getting an MRI (can give more information than an x-ray), so an accurate diagnosis can be made and then seeking a practioner, or combination of practioners that you can work with.
With regard to your question - "is my desk job killing me?". Possibly not killing you but it will certainly be contributing to your pain, and your attitude to your desk job will not help this. In some quarters sitting is being considered the 'new smoking' . Your body is designed to move and staying in one position for any length of time is going to cause your connective tissue to tighten up and restrict movement. Sitting is particularly bad as it puts compression on the spine and this can aggravate a disc problem. If you are not able to change your job I would recommend taking mini movement breaks, stand up, extend your back, breathe, move your legs - even do a few chair squats, (your pilates instructor should be able to advise you on one or two exercises). And having a few positive thoughts to focus on, your next holiday, what you are going to do at the weekend, think of one nice thing that has happened in the day, can help with your mood.
Good luck, I hope that you get some relief soon.
Jenny Bodywise Pilates
The answers below are all sound. I'd like to add a couple more ideas to the mix. EFT is extremely useful for pain reduction and psychological stuff. A good quality deep tissue massage will release the locked-up muscles that have gone into spasm after all the years of guarding your movements. If you're anywhere close to the Manawatu, make contact through www.youressentialwellbeing.co.nz.
Hi There. Have you heard of Bowtech Bowen Therapy? I recommend you look at their website!! www.bowtech.com and our NZ Website www.bowtech.org.nz - which has all the practitioners registered in NZ for you to choose from.
I am a Bowen therapist and Bowen has a wonderful record for helping to re balance the body enabling it to function normally. It is
gentle and non invasive, and effects healing on a physical, mental and emotional level. - A wonderful therapy.
Regarding your workstation. Have you had a good ergonomic workstation assessment. I also do these in my locality and often there are subtle changes to chair, heights of things etc that can make all the difference. You can also identify if work is causing and / or aggravating issues be finding that symptoms are worse at the end of a day and / or week. It is also known that if we are unhappy /unsettled in our work that pain symptoms tend to be more prominent. Computer work does not make eyesight deteriorate, but you will find that natural occuring abnormalities (short sightedness, etc - are exposed and need assessing sooner rather than later. However there is also a definite protocol of ensuring you look away from your screen to exercise your eyes etc and follow all the guidelines that go with preventing occupational overuse symptoms.
Lastly I have found that if you can get experienced Pilates practitioners to assess your posture this is an excellent way of identifying how you use your body and to benefit from their expertise and advice to use your body differently. My question is - have you had a personal assessment like this with specific guides for exercise/ stretches etc, or have you just done the classes. Bowen plus this sort of Pilates with this sort of assessment is a brillant combination.
I wish you health and the learning to be in control of all you do
HI there
I have worked successfully with people with similar stories such as yours. I work with a mixture of NLP coaching for the mental/emotional aspects, and Flinchlock Release Therapy and Feldenkrais for the more physical aspects. I would add here that some of my clients dont benefit from the "more core" approaches like Pilates, and actually move way better and comfortably with an individuallised, softer and more integrative exploration ie Feldenkrais. Everybody is different, but you would think that after 4 years you would have all the strength you need, so maybe its a more subtle "how" you are doing things, either movement-wise or mentally emotionally. I would also add that it may be sufficient to change your reactions to the job, you are in, perhaps as an interim measure, until you sort out your future. I also can help people like yourself with clarifying issues like your career path/life balance.
In general I would say that there is hope, especially as you can be pain free on holiday. And I think you are doing a good thing by looking for different modalities. The trick is finding the leverage point, which is why I work as I do.
cheers
Craig
Hi there.
First a question: have you actually had your spine checked by a doctor or had it xrayed? If not, I suggest you do this step. I find osteopaths generally more broad-thinking than physios - a pain in one area could be caused by dysfunction in a different area.
However, it is very obvious that your job is connected to your pain, but whether it is psychosomatic is physiological is not clear. It could be a combination of both.
Whatever is going on, it sounds very much like you need to prioritise starting on the career path that you want.
All the best,
Sharon
