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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    What can I do to relieve my Osteoarthritis / Spondylosis Lumbar spine pain?

    Related Topics
    Geriatrics & Ageing Well Osteoarthritis Osteoporosis & Bone Health
    I was diagnosed 12mths ago by my GP with Lumbar Spondylosis and mild hip Osteoarthritis. I am 53 years of age. I have to get up every hour of the night due to the pain in my back and hips. Yes I have a great mattress. During the day if I keeps sitting for more than an hours despite have one of the best office chairs (Ergohuman) I find myself in pain and moving is painful but the best way to help. I have had several types of spinal & hip steriod injections the latest being Depo nisolene. These have given me relief for approx 8 weeks each time. I take 200mg Celebrex each morning and 5 mg diazepam at night along with 500mg magnesium 3 times a day, 3x glucosamine and a 3x natural anti inflammatory (400mg Bromelain, 400mg Boswellia, 400mg curcumin, 400mg Ginger root, 150mg quercitin, 150mg Rutin) at night. I do 4 Pilates class each week and 1 personal training class with a rehabilitation trainer. I need someone besides my GP to help me….this is so depressing.
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  • 5

    Thanks

    Dr Yohanes Ariathianto

    Geriatrician (Aged Care Specialist)

    My main area of interests include cognitive assessment, management of BPSD (behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia), osteoporosis, fall prevention in the elderly, management of … View Profile

    I think you'll benefit from a referrals to a Specialist Physician with interest in pain management and rehabilitation. I'd recommend further work up which may include imaging of your lower spine and hip to exclude other sinister causes such as nerve impingement and occult fracture. From pain point of view, there are options of neuropathic agents which can be explored further. All the best

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    Dr Greg Sher

    Chiropractor

    I am the Clinic Director of the Sydney Spine and Sports Clinic.At our clinic, we see an equal mix of city office workers and elite … View Profile

    Hi

    Sorry to hear you are having such pain and discomfort. Further to Dr Ariathianto's answer above, I would suggest manual therapy of some kind (Chiropractic and/or physio).

    What we often find with back and hip pain is that the structures that don't function efficiently (Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition that stiffens up the joints) then overload the structures that are able to take the stress, meaning you have under-load in some parts, and overload in others. 

    Manual therapy like Chiropractic would help to balance out the movement issues, and help you to be more functional. This would hopefully help you decrease the pain, and in combination with structural rehab from a specialist rehab physiotherapist, would be the best way forward to try help you cut down on the Celebrex and Diazepam (which in themselves have significant side effects.
    Good luck.

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  • Josephine Perry

    Bowen Therapist

    Josephine is a fully qualified Bowen Therapist, with full insurance cover and Association membership. Rebates provided by most health funds, according to levels of cover.Practice … View Profile

    Sitting for more than an hour at a time is not recommended, whether you have pain or not.  Moving around every 30 - 60 minutes increases circulation and relieves possible nerve impingement caused by a seated position.  Bowen Therapy is very effective at restoring muscle alignment and allowing the body to resume normal posture.  Bowen Therapy is a series of specific moves over groups of muscles, ligaments and/or tendons.  The moves stimulate impulses in the connective tissue or fascia, which message the brain to assume a correct/normal alignment of the muscles.  This in turn can relieve nerve impingement and its accompanying pain. I agree with Dr Greg that the sooner you can cut down on the celebrex and diazepam the better.  I hope your condition improves.

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  • Fumi Somehara

    Dietitian, Nutritionist

    Fumi is a dietitian (APD) specialising in Dancer's Health and Eating Disorders Treatment. Her work is grounded in Health At Every Size (R) and Non-Diet … View Profile

    Hi there,

    I'm so sorry to hear you're in so much pain.
    The suggestions provided are great and I do think you will benefit from seeing a good chiro, physio or an osteopath even?

    I'd also question… what are you eating?
    There are foods that (directly or indirectly) lead to inflammation (e.g. too much saturated fat, animal protein, and refined grains) and foods that reduce inflammation and pain (e.g. omega-3 fats and antioxidants).
    If you haven't already, try eating oily fish (e.g. salmon) twice a week; beans or lentils instead of meat; and a variety of colourful vegetables - try and get a rainbow throughout the day.

    Kind regards,

    Fumi

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