Help!!! My Husband Has a Back Problem

This is a really common problem that most people will face at some point in their lives. He's by no means alone here!

I would recommend keeping his primary care doctor in the loop, and be very methodical as you go forward. If possible, get an MRI to see what the problem may be. It would be helpful information whether you choose physical therapist, chiropractor, or if more severe problems arise in the future (ie it will be a baseline for comparison)

I've had some minor problems and have had good physical therapy experience at St. Francis in Evanston. It is amazing how they manipulate your spine to give you some temporary relief! I am feeling stronger and more equiped. I've also heard great things about Rehabilitation Insitute of Chicago. My mother had severe back problems and many people recommended Dr. Liu at Northwestern downtown if surgery is ever necessary.

Good luck!

Please go to Dr. Gore in Riverwoods ###-###-####
He is amazing and will definitely heal him completely.

FOr people with chronic back pain, it is often recommended for them to get physical therapy. The physical therapist can find out which muscles are weak and causing the recurrent pain, and help him with excercises to strengthen the muscles.

All in all, it is physical fitness that will help prevent or lessen the likelihood of recurrent back pain. Is he overweight? Does he smoke? Does he live an active life and excercise regularly and consistently, or is he mostly sedendetary? THese factors can aggravate and cause back pain to occur over and over. In most back pain patients I have seen, physical therapy has really made a difference in these people's lives. A chiropractor, though qualified to treat back pain, is not trained in the medical, physical aspect like a physical therapist is.
Lastly, anti-inflammatories are the best medicine to take for pain, not Vicodin/Percocet/Norco. These are narcotics and do not decrease the inflammation going on in the muscles affected. Motrin, Advil, Aleve are all the same drug, generically known as Ibuprofen, that are known to help with any muscle pain. Good luck.

Hi. I recommend a physiatrist at UIC - his name is Dr. Niccola. I had some back issues a couple of years ago and he was incredibly bright and helpful - I haven't had any problems that I couldn't address with the exercises he prescribed. I am not one for medicating and anything more invasive has proven to be relatively unsuccessful in treating back pain. Unfortunately, as bi-pedal creatures backpain is something we all deal with to some degree. : ( Best wishes for a speedy recovery now!

S., I wouldn't rule out chiropractors. Mine is unbelievably knowledgeable and since he is a climber and outdoorsman himself, he has a lot of experience dealing with sports injuries. He has been my doctor for 13 years and has gone the extra mile to help eliminate my chronic headaches and lower back pain without surgery or medication. His name is Kevin Moore and he's in Park Ridge - ###-###-####. His massage therapist, Vicky, is also wonderful. Good luck!

It sounds like the cause of the pain has not been solved. I would recommend one of these doctors. www.icpa4kids.org

Hi,

My husband is a chiropractor, if you would like to have your husband give him a call, let me know and I can give you his number. If it is his sciatic nerve, it is often pinched near the buttock area where it exits the body and can cause significant pain. The pain can radiate down to past the knee even to the foot. If that is what he is describing then likely it is sciatic pain.

N.

My husband has had recurring back issues for years and finally just got help that made sense. He went to the River Forest office of the Rehabilitation Institute. They do a lot of sports medicine and see a lot of back problems. He got a good exam and helpful information about where his problem comes from, and has started some physical therapy to deal with it. It's been great for him. Their main center is downtown (next to NMH's Prentice women's hospital on Superior) but there are other outposts I think. Check it out online: http://www.ric.org/

My brother in law is a massage therapist and treats chronic pain. He has done wonders for our family and friends.
You can reach him at ###-###-#### in Oak Park