Things That Have Helped My Back and Things That Haven't

I was talking to my  new primary care physician recently (I decided to find a new doctor closer to where I live now) about my back and all the things I've tried and what's helped and what hasn't, so I decided to make a list.

Things that made it worse:

• Chiropractic treatment

Things that barely helped or didn't help at all:

• Tylenol
• Oral steroids
• Physical therapy (two courses)

Things that helped some but not enough:

• Steroid injections
• Medial branch nerve block and radiofrequency neurotomy (procedures to block the nerves from transmitting pain)
• Oral pain medications, including Vicodin, Percocet and Tramadol
• Flexeril (muscle relaxant)

Things that help a lot (if done regularly):

•  Heating pad
• Hot bath with Epsom salts and eucalyptus essential oil
• Turmeric (herb with anti-inflammatory properties)
• Cymbalta (antidepressant that is also used to treat chronic pain)
• Energy work (like Reiki)
• Having a service dog (because he eliminates the need to do a lot of bending to pick things up, get clothes out of the dryer, etc.)

Notice how a lot of the things that help are actually cheap, easy-to-do-myself-at-home things?  With the exception of Isaac and the Cymbalta, that is.