Discussion
This section is designed to help back sufferers, and those who wish to prevent back pain. The objective is to promote on-going discussion on back pain relief. Colm Campbell's expertise is the engineering approach to back pain, and having worked exclusively in this area for 25 years, he is well acquainted with the other two approaches, the medical and alternative. Questions asked will be either answered directly, or referred to one of the other two approaches. Send your questions or opinions to: info@back-shop.com
Question: Sir, I suffer from arthritis in the lower spine and also in my neck. I find that I cannot sit in any chair for more than 10 to 15 minutes without moving my position, otherwise the pain gradually gets worse. Would there be any benefit in using one of your chairs? Regards Alan. (April 20, 2001)
Question: I have recently been informed by my G.P. that there has been a lot of wear and tear on the third and fourth disc in my back. This causes considerable discomfort and pain and I have been informed to give up walking and driving long distances. (April 06, 2001).
Do you have any recommendations for pain-relief, remedies or suitable exercises. My mother, who is of the same build as myself suffers from severe arthritis and is very bent over due to curvature of the spine. Yours, Catríona Kennedy.
Question: Hi there! My name is Jon, and I am an 18 year old male. I was looking on yahoo.com to find info about how to get rid of a "hunched-back". I have had the problem my whole life. Basically, when I stand straight up and relax, my shoulders go forward much more than they should. I have tried stretches (standing inside a door frame and pushing forward while I hold on with my hands; or just sleeping in a position that pulls back my shoulders) etc. to try and make this go away, but have had no luck. Do you have any recommendations for stretches or anything that I could do to straighten out my back? Should I see my doctor about it first? (April 5, 2001).
Question: Colm, My wife suffers from cervical root syndrome - a nerve entrapment disorder in the cervical spine which is the result of many years of cervical hyperflexion, required to observe security monitors in her previous job. Now, as a medical billing consultant she spends most of her day in front of a computer like the rest of us and attends a chiropractor frequently to maintain her spinal integrity, which is proving to be less and less effective. Would one of your office chairs help in this situation? I am located in Tampa, FL. I am a PhD ergonomist. Very best regards, John Lloyd. (February 12, 2001).
Question: I am a medical doctor and, while I don't specialise, I know a bit about backs. I would criticise your philosophy. It is my opinion that when back pain first occurs the first thing to do is to get a medical opinion. Surely you cannot argue with this approach? Tony Schultz (November 15, 2000)
Question: My question is a bit embarrassing. I travel a lot for work. I suffer the normal pain on aeroplanes, taxis, trains etc. But by using a portable lumbar support I can overcome this. Sometimes when I'm away I get awful pain in my hip after I go to the toilet which is much worse than in the back. Maybe I'm being foolish but it always seems to happen then. Am I being foolish? Veronica Stacey (November 3, 2000)
Question: I've had a bit of back pain for some time but now I'm beginning to have some numbness down my leg. Is there a connection? Jake Douglas (October 28, 2000)
Question: I work at a computer and have a back and neck problem. I've been everywhere and am considering an operation. My company bought me the best office chair available. It cost nearly $2000. It made no difference. How can you claim yours can help? I never heard of you until I came across you on the net. Cliff Rowntree, (October 22, 2000).
Question: I had an operation for a collapsed disc ten years ago. For two/three years I was mainly free of pain. Then the pain started to get bad. Gradually over the years it got worse and worse. Now the pain is as bad as the original one. Around the same time as my operation a friend of mine had a similar pain. He wouldn't have an operation and yet his pain got better. He has an odd bout but nothing like I am now getting. Why is this? Is it unusual? John Armstrong (October 16, 2000)
Have you any questions for Colm Campbell or would you like to add anything to this discussion? E-mail us at info@back-shop.com.