California - Bay Area: where can I try out crazy good office chairs? All the advice posts/asks say to test a chair out before buying and I want to try the Think, Leap, Freedom, Aeron, or your other suggestions before my office buys a new chair for me ... but where (from SF to Oakland to Sonoma to Napa) can I go to get test these chairs out? [more inside]
posted by unclezeb on Oct 28, 2009 - 6 answers

How do I wear a sling? [more inside]
posted by pdb on Sep 23, 2009 - 10 answers

What's a good dance for a beginning couple to learn that won't make her backache worse? [more inside]
posted by laumry on Sep 23, 2009 - 2 answers

So I went into the ER for lower back pain, and the doctor checked my ears and throat....what was the point of that? [more inside]
posted by Caravantea on Jul 27, 2009 - 13 answers

I've got a herniated (ruptured) L5 disc that is causing sciatica, due to the fluids from the disc sitting on my sciatic nerve. I'm in an enormous amount of constant pain, and am trying to decide whether or not to have surgery. [more inside]
posted by Framer on Apr 13, 2009 - 13 answers

I've had sharp, upper back pain for about a week. I just woke up one morning and there it was. Do I need a chiropractor, massage, doctor or should I just man up? [more inside]
posted by scaryblackdeath on Apr 6, 2009 - 16 answers

Back pain: Am I just sore or have I hurt myself? And if I've hurt myself, what do I do? [more inside]
posted by juliplease on Mar 11, 2009 - 6 answers

Help me with my back pain, maybe it's the coughing? [more inside]
posted by Salvatorparadise on Jan 29, 2009 - 17 answers

I need advice on how to talk to a loved on about her chronic, but unaddressed, health problem. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jan 22, 2009 - 18 answers

I used to get sciatica as a result of a lower back problem. It mostly went away, perversely as I put on some weight. Now, I am losing the weight to deal with the lower back pain itself, and the sciatica is coming back as the weight comes off. Coincidence, or to be expected? It seems kind of backwards to me.
posted by blue_wardrobe on Dec 26, 2008 - 7 answers

What kind of back pain is this? [more inside]
posted by sepsis on Nov 8, 2008 - 21 answers

Sharp back (coccyx) pain when doing yoga or working out but no other time. [more inside]
posted by Manhasset on Oct 22, 2008 - 8 answers

Futonfilter: Does a futon exist with good support? My current one needs to be flipped at least weekly and beaten (no joke) to keep the Grand Canyon from yawning into existance at night. [more inside]
posted by arnicae on Sep 21, 2008 - 10 answers

What alternatives are there to chiropractic manipulation? (Yes: I know, you are not a medical professional!) [more inside]
posted by robotot on Sep 19, 2008 - 26 answers

Started with a god-awful headache early Thursday morning, developed back pain/spasms later in the day, and a fever (102.9F) that night. Everything else has subsided, but the back pain persists. So I've got a few questions... [more inside]
posted by lisawin on Aug 31, 2008 - 18 answers

Sometimes when I stretch my back, it kind of pops and hurts sharply, what's up with that? [more inside]
posted by T.D. Strange on May 22, 2008 - 3 answers

Back trouble and pregnancy: Which is worse for a person with a herniated disc, a C-section (which I imagine will compromise the all-important core muscles) or vaginal delivery (which might cause the disk to rupture)? Also, I am prone to sciatica and assume that pregnancy will involve a lot of sciatic nerve pain--can this lead to a permanent worsening of my condition or would it be relieved once I gave birth? [more inside]
posted by HotToddy on May 14, 2008 - 8 answers

Are there alternatives to the lotus position for classic meditation that don't leave the back unsupported? I've found that sitting in an unsupported position, or in a chair that doesn't have a seat back, ends up making my back ache rather strongly. I've thought about investigating meditation (and looking into the more classical, early practices), but have wondered if there's a "kosher" (accepted in the discipline) way of doing the more classical meditations while having your back completely supported (by lying on the ground, or doing it in a chair, or what have you).
posted by WCityMike on Apr 24, 2008 - 17 answers

Is intense back pain when I sneeze an indicator of a serious spinal problem? [more inside]
posted by high0nfire on Mar 4, 2008 - 9 answers

Mid-back pain when seated-----help! [more inside]
posted by otherwordlyglow on Feb 20, 2008 - 5 answers

Does anyone have any experience using inversion tables to treat back pain? Do they work? Bonus: any credible studies you know about or can find discussing the use/pros/cons of inversion tables? [more inside]
posted by leahwrenn on Dec 19, 2007 - 8 answers

I just started a minimum wage job at a department store sushiya. What can I do to prevent the back pain I get from standing in one place all day? I also have access to a gym two times a week, so let me if any workouts have helped you in your standing job.
posted by Citizen Premier on Oct 7, 2007 - 19 answers

I need to be able to travel without waddling/limping or taking mega-doses of ibuprofen... [more inside]
posted by sarahkeebs on Jul 1, 2007 - 6 answers

Strained lower back muscle on Sunday. Leave for fishing trip on Friday. Please give me your quick fixes! [more inside]
posted by Totally Zanzibarin' Ya on Jun 27, 2007 - 17 answers

I woke up yesterday morning with a pinched nerve (?) on one side. I woke up this morning with a strange lump on the other side. What's wrong with me? [more inside]
posted by changeling on May 24, 2007 - 5 answers

I have a pain in the butt. Help me fix it. [more inside]
posted by sweet mister on Feb 17, 2007 - 11 answers

Comfortfilter: Help me sleep better- My futon is old, lumpy and I am currently too broke to replace it. [more inside]
posted by sunshinesky on Dec 17, 2006 - 21 answers

I have inexplicable, excruciating back pain. Help me figure out what to do/who to see about it. [more inside]
posted by curie on Aug 24, 2006 - 21 answers

If I already crack my own back and neck, will chiropractor cracking do anything more for me? [more inside]
posted by kookoobirdz on Apr 4, 2006 - 14 answers

So, I went sledding new years eve, and went off the big kid's jump at the bottom of the hill... and did a real number on my back. I've already been to the doctor, who said that "it's just muscles" but I've had "just muscles" back pain and this is a pain like I've never felt before (very specific, almost a point source of spinal pain). So, no, I don't want medical advice, I just want recommendations for a good chiropractor/spine doctor in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area. Preferably one who can see me tomorrow, ugh.
posted by the_W on Jan 9, 2006 - 20 answers

For the past four and a half years I have had pain in my upper back, between and just below my shoulder blades. It feels to me like its lung pain. It is worse when its cold, and at night (I think because it's cold at night). My doctor doesn't know what it is. Any ideas? [more inside]
posted by duck on Nov 12, 2005 - 16 answers

How can I alleviate (or prevent) back pain caused by standing too long at shows? [more inside]
posted by jetskiaccidents on Oct 2, 2005 - 18 answers

We've all heard that chiropractors are quacks. What is mainstream medicine's answer to recurring back problems? Has anyone here had success with these methods? [more inside]
posted by agropyron on Aug 30, 2005 - 33 answers

I think I want to try Yoga or Tai Chi but I can't decide which. [more inside]
posted by mendel on Jun 6, 2005 - 16 answers

Yes, another physical fitness question. I, like some others in the green of late, need to find my fitter self. I am going to turn 35 on Sunday, have two beautiful and energetic young daughters, and so…my lack of fitness is bumming me out, man. [more inside]
posted by Richat on Apr 29, 2005 - 15 answers

I need some advice on a good bag for a bad back. I'm trying to find a high-volume weatherproof bag that I can use on my bike and on foot. What's the ergonomic word on backpacks vs. messenger bags? [more inside] [more inside]
posted by foxy_hedgehog on Jan 8, 2005 - 22 answers

So, I have a drug screening to go to on Monday for a new job. My back started spasming Friday afternoon and not thinking as far ahead as Monday, I've taken 3 Tramadol for the pain over the course of the last 24 hours.
Am I screwed?
posted by kamylyon on Dec 5, 2004 - 14 answers

I just started Seasonale about six weeks ago, and everything is going great, with one exception, the back pain. About ten years ago I ripped a disk in my lower back, which produced the inevitable sciatica. After working through it with physical therapy it pretty much went away, until recently it came back, about a week after I started the new pills. I have looked up the side effects, but back pain isn't mentioned. Has anyone else noticed a similar side effect with their b.c. pills?
posted by lilboo on Nov 30, 2004 - 3 answers

Back Pain. How do I get rid of it? I've tried changing my chair, the level of my keyboard, what side of the bed I sleep on. I've been stretching. Nothing works. I am in agony. I've never had back pain like this before. I've always had back discomfort, aches -- that sort of thing -- but never debilitating pain. I'm only 22. What should I do?
posted by Grod on Jun 16, 2004 - 33 answers

I have bad back problems and want to exercise in such a way that my back will not get stressed. Situps can lead to steroid shots in the back so you can see I'm rather limited. Also, I have no ACL in one knee so high impact is out. While we are at it, solo activities (like swimming) are mind numbingly boring so they are out too. What are some things I can do to hold off the gut?
posted by Dagobert on Jan 6, 2004 - 16 answers