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Back on the Mend: Needles in My Back

Posted by Clever Dude | March 26, 2009 .

Just a quick update that my back is feeling better, plus this morning I got some “Medial Branch Block” shots in my lower back. You can see the 4 needles in my back from the x-ray below. The doc had to use an xray to position the shots as close to the nerves (based on vertebrae location). The shot is meant to calm down my back nerves to get them to release my muscles so I’m not spasming and cramping.

While he used 4 needles, he punctured 8 times, as evidenced by the bandage I removed. The skin is sensitive where he stuck me, but I’m able to walk upright like the homosapien I am, rather than hunched over like a neanderthal. I still have sciatic pain in my left left when I walk (more than before), but with proper stretching, exercise and posture, I’ll be back to normal soon (hopefully).


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13 Comments so far

  1. Corporate Barbarian March 26, 2009 12:27 pm

    Sciatica is terrible. I suffer from it several times a year. I can’t even blame it on aging, as I’ve had this problem since my mid-20′s. Hope you’re feeling better soon!

  2. Nate @ Debt-free Scholar March 26, 2009 1:00 pm

    I hope you heal quickly!

    - Nate

  3. susan March 26, 2009 2:25 pm

    Wishing you a quick and complete recovery!

  4. Do You Dave Ramsey? March 26, 2009 4:12 pm

    Ouch, that hurts just hearing about it…. but I’m glad things are trending the right way.

    Get some rest and come back stronger than ever!

    Dave

  5. Jeff@StretchyDollar March 26, 2009 8:16 pm

    Wow! At least you’ve got a cool picture to remember this ‘lovely’ experience by. Good to have you ‘back.’ ;) Best of luck on your recovery.

  6. Danielle March 26, 2009 11:08 pm

    Glad to hear you are on the mend!

    How are you doing on your 2009 goals you blogged about on Jan 7th. A quarterly update maybe?

  7. Clever Dude March 27, 2009 5:51 am

    @Danielle, the goal of 30 minutes of exercise twice a week took a hit this last week because of my back, but prior to that I was doing pretty good with walking, cycling and running.

  8. Cathy @ Chief Family Officer March 27, 2009 10:29 pm

    Ouch! I’m sorry you had to go through that but hope it totally pays off (kind of like an epidural – big needle in back that’s well worth it for the pain relief).

    Speaking of needles, have you considered seeing an acupuncturist? (Sorry if you’ve mentioned it already, I skim rapidly sometimes.) I’m a believer after all of the research I did on it with regard to fertility before my son was born.

  9. Clever Dude March 28, 2009 7:52 am

    @All, thanks for the support!

    @Cathy, I’ve done accupuncture before for my lower back, but it was a bad experience. He didn’t speak much English and just stuck me with the pins then hooked up the electrodes and left the room. Two of them were placed poorly and really hurt, so I had to adjust them myself while avoiding the shock. I didn’t go back.

  10. Kate March 30, 2009 6:09 pm

    Bless your heart! Hope you feel better soon.

  11. creative-type dad March 31, 2009 11:35 am

    Ouch! My wife recently had gone and the woman left huge bruises on her back.

    Happy healing

  12. Cathy @ Chief Family Officer March 31, 2009 10:14 pm

    That would definitely turn me off too – the experience (and efficacy) certainly depends on the expertise of the acupuncturist! I hope you’re feeling better!

  13. Jerry April 3, 2009 3:10 pm

    Yikes! That looks pretty brutal. I’m sorry, man. I hope your insurance covered you. Back pain sucks more than anything. I was in a car accident and screwed up my back for over a year. I was able to walk but had a real hard time sleeping. I hope your treatment helps lead you to a speedy recovery!
    Jerry

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