Is moderately severe back pain really normal at 30?
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I know it's a joke " oh haha you're 30, everything hurts now cuz you're so old!" But really, is something wrong with me or are backs just this stupid? Not overweight. Decently active although I don't exersize every single day. No genetic issues, doctor always says im in perfect health. But my lower back will randomly act up, sometimes it gets so bad that I about black out from the pain. Thats pretty rare though, usually it's just an ache all day when I move or try to put my socks on. Its not sciatica, as I never feel numbness or pain in my legs. Mild weakness maybe if it hurts really bad.
I feel like any doctor is just going to say welp, you're old it happens, or tell me I need 3.5 million dollar spinal surgery.
Call your insurance company and ask for a list of physical therapist providers in your area. Make an appointment at the same time you’re asking your general practitioner for a referral to speed up the process if they’ll let you book the appointment without the referral. Follow all the instructions of the physical therapist to a T no matter how stupid it may seem.
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Sounds like your sacroiliac joint is gone. I did mine in by moving house and having bad posture, specifically the deep curve in my lower spine. I went to a physio they taught me some exercises that strengthen specific muscles that support the joint, to take the weight of the joint, off the joint. Sacroiliac is the joint of the spine and hip bones. Does it kinda shoot through the centre of one butt cheek, and lower back and seems to hurt no matter what position you lay or sit or stand?
I have exactly what you described, went to a doctor, they suggested physical therapy which I couldn’t afford.
Do you mind sharing some of the stretches that helped you? I’ve found a few online but they don’t ever seem to actually help it much.
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I know right, are we really at the point where we're gatekeeping personal trainer advice? Being a personal trainer isn't a job you can always just walk into, a certification or two is sometimes required, but it's not like we're talking about a job that requires a licensed medical practitioner here.
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I have exactly what you described, went to a doctor, they suggested physical therapy which I couldn’t afford.
Do you mind sharing some of the stretches that helped you? I’ve found a few online but they don’t ever seem to actually help it much.
Of course! They're super simple but they actually worked.
Standing at the sink, (or wherever) leg straight, lift leg backwards (keep straight). (Do a billion times, (I forget the number, 30 odd? I can look for the exact sheet I was given) but work up to a billion times slowly)
On floor, on all fours keep leg in bent position, but lift upwards (keeping knee at 90° angle) bend only at hip, till back and thigh are a straight line. Both legs. I forget how often, I'll look for the sheet, but it was a solid block of time, 10 minutes, go easy though, work within your comfort levels and work up to more.
Both those above 3x a day for a good month to 6 weeks.
This one I found super hard, walking backwards for at least 10 minutes a day. And it has to be vigorous, I was told walking around my coffee table wasn't enough. Be very careful. Do whatever you can that's safe.
I also just worked on strengthening my lower back and core, too, after I got to a place where the pain stopped and I had good muscle tone to support it.
The physio person also focused on my walking pattern, you might also be able to find some info on that online. I know tiktok isn't loved much but it is great for people sharing medical information similar to this, also. You could see what the algorithm there spits out.
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I'm going to wager you don't work out your core. Strengthen your core and you will likely experience a lot less back pain.
Core n glutes. These are the answers
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I know it's a joke " oh haha you're 30, everything hurts now cuz you're so old!" But really, is something wrong with me or are backs just this stupid? Not overweight. Decently active although I don't exersize every single day. No genetic issues, doctor always says im in perfect health. But my lower back will randomly act up, sometimes it gets so bad that I about black out from the pain. Thats pretty rare though, usually it's just an ache all day when I move or try to put my socks on. Its not sciatica, as I never feel numbness or pain in my legs. Mild weakness maybe if it hurts really bad.
I feel like any doctor is just going to say welp, you're old it happens, or tell me I need 3.5 million dollar spinal surgery.
wrote on last edited by [email protected]no its not normal, suddenly developing pain that occurs in frequency. you should see a doctor, it could be a spinal issue, like disk disease. weakness implies, pinched muscle maybe? or spinal issue. see a doc.
for example, i did developed back, spine pain, but that was from lying on my stomach and propping myself up with my elbows. it goes away after i stopped doing it. also if it doesnt go away from nsaids meds, its a sign.
sounds like a spinal issue: could spinal cord compression which can be come serious. you most likely need a MRI to see the spine.
another one would be type 1 diabetes: but that is usually very serious and life threatening it comes on suddenly.
(due to ketoacidosis), this is unlikely if you dint have other signs already.
there was only 1 time where back pain(lower and neck pain) was caused by an infection, shingles. it was so bad it got stiff, luckily in only lasted a week at the most.if it is spinal issue, you might have to see an orthopedic specialist, sometimes a neurologist if they suspect nerve damage.
also cervical issues(neck), can lead to issues in the extremeties as well.
if i lie on my left side, i do get PN sensations, plus RLS, im fine if lying on my right side instead. definitely get it checked out.
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Sorry. I laughed from your comment. Doctors tell women blacking out from menstrual pain is perfectly normal.
Didn't mean to distract from your message, you're absolutely right.
wrote on last edited by [email protected]I remember as a teenager I had such terrible menstrual pain I'd take pain killers and just curl up on the bed suffering and waiting for them to start working. I remember sitting in class at school not being able to focus because the pain in my stomach was barely tolerable. Everyone around me told me it was normal. My mother just told me to take pain killers. It only got better when I started taking hormonal birth control pills. I've always wondered if I have endometriosis but never got diagnosed (never asked about it to be honest because on bc it's manageable). I'd really like to tell my past self that I wasn't just being weak and that it really wasn't normal to feel that level of pain. It's good that slowly there's more awareness about this, but apparently there are still people like OP who believe they just need to live with pain like that.
OP, this is not normal and not how it should be, please see a doctor.
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I know it's a joke " oh haha you're 30, everything hurts now cuz you're so old!" But really, is something wrong with me or are backs just this stupid? Not overweight. Decently active although I don't exersize every single day. No genetic issues, doctor always says im in perfect health. But my lower back will randomly act up, sometimes it gets so bad that I about black out from the pain. Thats pretty rare though, usually it's just an ache all day when I move or try to put my socks on. Its not sciatica, as I never feel numbness or pain in my legs. Mild weakness maybe if it hurts really bad.
I feel like any doctor is just going to say welp, you're old it happens, or tell me I need 3.5 million dollar spinal surgery.
I’m 54 and my backs hurts when I’ve been doing lots of physical activities I don’t normally do, like digging or anything not upright for several hours. But this pain is more inconvenient than anything. Like it’s uncomfortable to sleep, a sudden sharp thing like my body is saying “don’t do that dumbass!”, or more like sciatica and taking a shit hurts.
What your describing is definitely not normal and should be looked at for sure.
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Not GP but thanks for this great resource!
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I know it's a joke " oh haha you're 30, everything hurts now cuz you're so old!" But really, is something wrong with me or are backs just this stupid? Not overweight. Decently active although I don't exersize every single day. No genetic issues, doctor always says im in perfect health. But my lower back will randomly act up, sometimes it gets so bad that I about black out from the pain. Thats pretty rare though, usually it's just an ache all day when I move or try to put my socks on. Its not sciatica, as I never feel numbness or pain in my legs. Mild weakness maybe if it hurts really bad.
I feel like any doctor is just going to say welp, you're old it happens, or tell me I need 3.5 million dollar spinal surgery.
The human body is kind of a hot mess, and the back is one of the trouble areas. That said, you might want to see a doctor. If you have insurance. Otherwise just do what I do and pop that ibuprofen.
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no its not normal, suddenly developing pain that occurs in frequency. you should see a doctor, it could be a spinal issue, like disk disease. weakness implies, pinched muscle maybe? or spinal issue. see a doc.
for example, i did developed back, spine pain, but that was from lying on my stomach and propping myself up with my elbows. it goes away after i stopped doing it. also if it doesnt go away from nsaids meds, its a sign.
sounds like a spinal issue: could spinal cord compression which can be come serious. you most likely need a MRI to see the spine.
another one would be type 1 diabetes: but that is usually very serious and life threatening it comes on suddenly.
(due to ketoacidosis), this is unlikely if you dint have other signs already.
there was only 1 time where back pain(lower and neck pain) was caused by an infection, shingles. it was so bad it got stiff, luckily in only lasted a week at the most.if it is spinal issue, you might have to see an orthopedic specialist, sometimes a neurologist if they suspect nerve damage.
also cervical issues(neck), can lead to issues in the extremeties as well.
if i lie on my left side, i do get PN sensations, plus RLS, im fine if lying on my right side instead. definitely get it checked out.
This is good advice. I put up with back issues and sciatica for years, before some time ago I had an MRI - confirmed disc issues in my lower spine.
It's not the best and I am waiting for another MRI to see how it is now, yet without the diagnosis, follow up physiotherapy, etc. it would be considerably worse right now.Mid-30s here.
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I know it's a joke " oh haha you're 30, everything hurts now cuz you're so old!" But really, is something wrong with me or are backs just this stupid? Not overweight. Decently active although I don't exersize every single day. No genetic issues, doctor always says im in perfect health. But my lower back will randomly act up, sometimes it gets so bad that I about black out from the pain. Thats pretty rare though, usually it's just an ache all day when I move or try to put my socks on. Its not sciatica, as I never feel numbness or pain in my legs. Mild weakness maybe if it hurts really bad.
I feel like any doctor is just going to say welp, you're old it happens, or tell me I need 3.5 million dollar spinal surgery.
No. With moderate exercise and checking for correct sitting postures, you shouldn't ever have back pain. I'm in my 40s and only feel a bit tight when I overdid my exercise routine.
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I know it's a joke " oh haha you're 30, everything hurts now cuz you're so old!" But really, is something wrong with me or are backs just this stupid? Not overweight. Decently active although I don't exersize every single day. No genetic issues, doctor always says im in perfect health. But my lower back will randomly act up, sometimes it gets so bad that I about black out from the pain. Thats pretty rare though, usually it's just an ache all day when I move or try to put my socks on. Its not sciatica, as I never feel numbness or pain in my legs. Mild weakness maybe if it hurts really bad.
I feel like any doctor is just going to say welp, you're old it happens, or tell me I need 3.5 million dollar spinal surgery.
wrote on last edited by [email protected]Nope. 30 is young and that kind of back pain is abnormal for a 60 year old.
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I know it's a joke " oh haha you're 30, everything hurts now cuz you're so old!" But really, is something wrong with me or are backs just this stupid? Not overweight. Decently active although I don't exersize every single day. No genetic issues, doctor always says im in perfect health. But my lower back will randomly act up, sometimes it gets so bad that I about black out from the pain. Thats pretty rare though, usually it's just an ache all day when I move or try to put my socks on. Its not sciatica, as I never feel numbness or pain in my legs. Mild weakness maybe if it hurts really bad.
I feel like any doctor is just going to say welp, you're old it happens, or tell me I need 3.5 million dollar spinal surgery.
Have you been x-rayed? You could have a disc problem or something. My father had diskectomy at a young age.
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I'm going to wager you don't work out your core. Strengthen your core and you will likely experience a lot less back pain.
I recently realized I cannot even do 1 proper sit up, not even close at all, without my feet being held (I thought thats how it was always done). So yeah this is likely the problem! No idea how to fix it but I guess ill figure it out
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I had really bad back pain when I switched to an office job, which kept going for like 4 years. I finally went to the physio and after a few trial and errors she discovered the issue was in my core strength. I was exercising and generally active, but because I wasn't engaging my core properly that was just leading to more back pain.
She taught me how to engage my core properly and a few really simple exercises for strengthening, and my low back pain is almost entirely gone now.
Go to the doctor or a physiotherapist. If it's not a medical condition then it's most likely just related to your lifestyle and can be improved with some changes.
Editing to add I'm also in my 30s.
Separate note: On my 30th birthday actually I did have a separate issue with my side where the pain came on suddenly. I did go to the doctor for that one and was told essentially "you're just old", but he wasn't totally wrong on that one because it was literally that I had gotten drunk and fallen asleep on a very broken uncomfortable couch that had fucked my side right up. What you're describing doesn't sound like one of these dumb 'old people' injuries though.
Haha! I've probably had something similar.
I am guessing it's core strength. I walk and bike and lift shit thats too heavy around the shop when working on cars (I don't overdo it too much) but I don't even know how to workout my core. Time to learn!
