Hi all,

I am an computer engineer and hence doing sitting job most of the time.
From last 1 year I am facing lower back pain problem which comes and goes away.
Should I try to do some physio. classes or go for a GP which would then advise me ?
The problem is I have moved to Zurich recently and I do not have a GP as of now.
What should I do ?

Thanks,
SJ

Drink lots of water.
Stretch and walk a bit every hour, be systematic about this.
Go to the physio and learn how to excercise properly.
Do low impact aerobic excercise at least 3 times a week.

GP will give you pain killers which is a stupid thing to do.

If I may be so bold, I would advise you to get a recommendation from a doctor first. If you don't have a doctor yet, check which one in your area is covered by your insurance and go there.

If you go on your own to Physio, you might have to pay all from your own pocket, no matter if you reached the insurance franchise or not. If it is advised by your doctor, it will - usually - be covered.

Been doing Physio on my back due to an unknown injury/deflation in the muscles and tendons connecting to my vetrebea. I could recommend my own, which gave me extreme relief in 2 sessions after 9 months of excrutiating pain, but it's a bit far from the city centre.

Back pain can have a lot of different origins, and I'd make sure a good doctor checks your improvement/worsening to know what is the real underlying cause.

I have the same problem due to hunching when i sit. I would advise going to the GP first as the physio should then be covered by your health insurance. The chances are though is that you just need to exercise more, as long as i force myself to get up and walk about a bit mine doesnt give me any problems

Alternatively, go to your GP and get a referral to a chiropracter. I had recurrent neck and lower back problems, but ever since I had a course of treatments with a chiropracter, the problems have virtually disappeared.

Myoreflextherapy in Konstanz is great.

It's only a 45 minute drive from downtown ZH too.

Also, consider getting one of those desks that you can extend and stand at. Your spinal position is far healthier if you're vertical other than all crunched up. I work that way.

Forget the GP, you need to just move and give your spine a chance.

You need to get a prescription for physio, so will need to go to a GP first of all. Unless you want to pay for it yourself, of course.

Cardio and weights, I kid you not.
I've kicked the immense pain caused by lumbago, with 30 min a day.
If you can't everyday, get one of those ab crunchers, they tighten the muscles around your waist and lower back.
It helps allievate the pain.

no idea of your age (indicative of certain risks) your weight (indicative of certain risks), or physical activities outside of work (indicative of certain risks), or your workstation ergonomics (also indicative of certain risks) I would advise you to seek a medical opinion for a diagnosis of your back pain.

The cause could be quite minor... or quite severe. It could be muscular, or skeletal, or neurological... or maybe related to an organ. Or it could be gas.

Please see a doctor if it bothers you that much.

This is very important to keep in mind.

People jump into assumptions that back pain is caused by a sedentary life, and demand you to do more exercise.

Don't go down that road. Consult a specialist if the pain is strong. I was given extra exercise, even though I was doing enough per week. Only when I screamed in the doctor's face that the exercise was making it worse and I needed drugs - RIGHT NOW - did he actually thought about searching for a difference source of trouble. Turns out exercise had ruined the already in a poor state back.

My wife sometimes has lower back pain and we find one of these very useful. I also use to de-stress every now and again!

http://www.chemistdirect.co.uk/homed...b_1_50305.html

I had similar issues with my back (and a bit more) and I would suggest you to see an osteopath, you will really, really see huge difference!

What you need to have in mind is that, as you are sitting most part of the day, you need to have some activity. Best is to do at least 6-7 km per day walking, normal rhythm, which will take you around 1 hour. If you see an osteopath, he will help you with the current condition but after that you will have to move everyday to keep your back strong and healthy.

I started with 4 km walks 4 months ago now I do sometimes even 20 per day, but usually 60-80km per week. You will feel like a new man, I promise you.

Had also problems with back and discovered that jogging helps. Then again first advice would still be - just in case visit a doctor.

Just sent you a PM.

Rückengymnastic class, (i.e. gymnastics for the back). If done on a regular basis this helps to srengthen the muscles in the torso which keeps the spine in place. Also pilates and feldenkreis are known to be beneficial for back problems.

I had back problems. Went on holiday and noticed the pains had gone after two weeks. Changed my PC chair and never had pains again.

I second the recommendation of the osteopath - I had very severe back pain for 6 months, and tried everything. I now go to the osteo every 6 weeks or so and really feel it if I miss a session. I don't know why it works, but it does. Do go to your GP first though, to make sure there's nothing else going on. Also osteopathy is reimbursed with some insurances as long as you have a doctor's prescription.

My 2 cents ...

If pain is severe or it's restricting range of motion (limping, bending, etc.), of course I'd see a doctor.

Otherwise if it's just annoying - I'd try massage therapy. Maybe once a week for several weeks and see if it helps. If not - I'd probably try chiro, and then osteo in this order. Don't know about physio - probably not as there is no trauma to recover from...

If the problem is caused by your occupation, and you find something that helps, you may need to repeat the session every week or two.

You can try other things as well - acupressure, gym, change your pillow, don't take laptop in bed, take 10 min break every 2 h, etc. etc. You never know what will help, so just go ahead and try whatever you can think may break the pattern causing the pain.

For me, Gi Gong and Tai-chi are the best with Shiatsu 'massage'.
Too far for you, that I have a great shiatsu specialist near me in nearby France and only 35E per hour (110 in CH) - if anybody is interested in the Neuchatel/Yverdon area (she is in Pontarlier).

I was suffering from shoulder pain for the best part of 2 years, also caused by sitting in a hunched position at work. I struggled kept it at bay until I went to see a Chinese acupuncture specialist. It helped immensely but the pain always came back if I did not have regular treatment.

She recommended an exercise which I should do at hourly intervals. Simple rolling of the shoulders very slowly, backwards and forwards. It helped immensely. When I have to stand for long periods, I also do this exercise and it relieves the shoulder pains.