Back pain and headaches are the two most common reasons people have chronic pain. And like a headache, it can be hard to link back pain to any particular malady like lupus, in my opinion...just because back pain is so common.

I've had chronic back pain since my twenties, and I've had a surgical procedure done on it. I've read tons of books on the subject, and tried all kinds of things for it.

Based on my own reading and experience, I wouldn't go to a chiropractor or an osteopath for back pain. The things that helped me were exercises to strengthen the trunk muscles which keep the spine properly aligned, and rest for the really bad incidents.

But I've never found anything that cured the fundamental problem, and I doubt if I ever will. I remember reading that back pain affects at least half the population during their lifetimes.

yes all the way from base of neck to tail one ...and the headaches too ..ya richied chronic pain..its all ugly .
I had a friend tell me i was a hot mess ..i wanted to cry my eyes out ...like i want all this crap ?????
Nedico .. you know those bean baggy looking things that you can heat up in the micro ..have you tried that yet ? .
If i wrap it at the top of my neck it seems to reliever some of the pain all the way down , just dont make it to hot casue you dont want to casue a rash or flare
Tami

Thanks will try that, also gonna try yoga, hard to know what is lupus and what is unrelated!

Yoga is super relaxing and great for stretching ...goodluck
Tami

Tamianqus, Yes I have the same symptoms as you, I've slept in my recliner many nights, used ice bags, heating pads. I also take Tramidol for pain. Helps some, eventually. Am considering a good recliner with massage and heat so I can sleep. Anyone tried this?

i bought a bean bag chair beleive it or not ..and it helps a tone its like floating and relieves some back pain evern though its not super firm ..and then i use the bean bag thing in the micro ..good luckjanemitch ...i hope you feel better with the new chair ...i heard a gentle massage is good idea .
Tami

yay for recliners with heat. Sometimes the massage part of it goes defunct after a bit... but our gym has a good one and it's great. So if you get one make sure it's a good one, and then,, enjoy!!

I have an hereditary condition known as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, which is faulty connective tissue, collagen. You guys might want to check it out.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ehlers%E2%80%93Danlos_syndrome

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ehlers-danlos-syndrome/DS00706

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ehlersdanlossyndrome.html

xa1nbowxR ...yes i just heard about that from a young lady in our town ..she goes to Chicago for treatment ...jeese ..what else can we people possibly get next ???
Wishing you a good day

Just want to throw my 2 cents in.
I have disk degeneration and find that when I do my yoga I feel so much better. It helps with the alignment. There is a CD that Rodney Yee puts out and one segment is specifically on the back.

A lot of us see chiropractors, I choose not to. It just makes sense to me that the pain comes from inflammation and pressure on the nerves, as my Rheumy told me. When you do yoga it exercises and kinda massages the joints.

I do get a lot of nasty ass headaches, like RichieD says, it is very common, especially for Lupies. I try to keep a nice, calm environment because stress definitely exacerbates them.

Hope you feel better soon. Take good care.