Chronic Back Pain/ Shorter Leg

[Francesca]

Hi, All

Some of you probably already know about this, but for those of you that don't...

My husband has had pain in his lower back for many years and has always attributed it to an injury he sustained as a young (er) man.
I won't go into all the treatments/exercise regimens he's been through- you'll know what those are if you're reading this!
Recently, however, he's discovered something so simple that he wishes he'd considered it sooner...
But it's so easy to take a wife's advice as just more of the usual..."advice"

He's added a lift to his left shoe to compensate for the fact that his left leg is shorter than his right!
Mind you- the difference isn't perceptible to the eye- he doesn't "lean" like the Tower of Pisa. But it's measurable by a chiropractor/doctor. And it matters to the spine!

He only tried a lift to Shut Me Up.
Neither his orthopedist nor his chiropractor suggested this simple mechanical aid, but at his request the chiropractor finally gave him a lift to "try"- and the lower back pain relief was noticeable immediately.
Not to mention the blissful sound of silence at home...

Anyway, the change is so dramatic for him that I thought others might be interested to hear about it.

Hope this helps somebody!

Francesca

[Shellback1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Francesca Hi, All Some of you probably already know about this, but for those of you that don't... My husband has had pain in his lower back for many years and has always attributed it to an injury he sustained as a young (er) man. I won't go into all the treatments/exercise regimens he's been through- you'll know what those are if you're reading this! Recently, however, he's discovered something so simple that he wishes he'd considered it sooner... But it's so easy to take a wife's advice as just more of the usual..."advice" He's added a lift to his left shoe to compensate for the fact that his left leg is shorter than his right! He only tried it to Shut Me Up. Neither his orthopedist nor his chiropractor suggested this simple mechanical aid, but at his request the chiropractor finally gave him a lift to "try"- and the lower back pain relief was noticeable immediately. Not to mention the blissful sound of silence at home... Anyway, the change is so dramatic for him that I thought others might be interested to hear about it. Hope this helps somebody! Francesca

Francesca, I have my left leg that is 1" shorter than my right. I now after 48 years I have lower back pain. I think it is time for a lift for me too. This is caused from Vietnam and had to have my ankle fused. The VA use to put inserts in regular shoes or sneaker. Now they have a contract with a company that makes shoes that look like the old polio shoes and I refuse to wear them. But now at 65 my lower back is bothering me every day. Time to do something I guess.

Thanks for the info!

[Francesca]

Hi, Shellback

Boy-
Sounds rough!
My husband's isn't an inch, but it's measurable all right.
It came a little more into focus when he had hip surgery this year- the orthopedist did verify the length difference the chiropractor had measured.
I know what you mean about the "polio shoe"- that's what I was thinking about when I first suggested "lifting" that side...

Good luck!

[mustang652]

Glad to hear that he is getting the needed relief from something so simple. I ended up years ago with somthing that simple that helped me with cronic back pain and that was moving my wallet from back pocket to front pocket.

[okmunky]

You might start with 1 of the $20 a pair inserts you can get at Walmart on the short side. It would give you about 1/2" -- maybe enough to see it will make a difference before spending big bucks on custom ones.

[Shellback1]

Thanks okmunky. Yea I have to do something. When you are younger you cope with it but now being 65 in 6 days you feel evey pain. It's tough getting old, but I don't like the alternative.

[Steve N Sal]

I also found this problem out from my Chiropractor years ago. He gave me an excersixe to do that can correct it. I don't know which leg they found shorter but for me it was my left. To do this I have to lay on my back on the floor. I take my left leg and cross it over the right just above the knee. Now that's just at the ankle that is crossing over the knee. Let the pressure of that leg slowly lower itself towards the floor. Don't force it just let gravity do it's thing. Try not to raise the pelvic area on the right side when doing this as it can be a tendicy of it happening. You'll feel tightness in the back and probably in the thigh area of that leg but it will subside as you stretch the area. You can also assist if the problem of the pelvic area on the other side tries to raise by putting pressure to that area to keep it down and help the leg stretching by applying lite pressure in the area of the crossed leg (around the knee cap) but I do stress lite pressure. Once I stretch these areas my back feels great and with a little assist from the wife she can now see both legs are the same length again. You can give it a try I can't see how it would hurt.

[MSHappyCampers]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve N Sal I also found this problem out from my Chiropractor years ago. He gave me an excersixe to do that can correct it. I don't know which leg they found shorter but for me it was my left. To do this I have to lay on my back on the floor. I take my left leg and cross it over the right just above the knee. Now that's just at the ankle that is crossing over the knee. Let the pressure of that leg slowly lower itself towards the floor. Don't force it just let gravity do it's thing. Try not to raise the pelvic area on the right side when doing this as it can be a tendicy of it happening. You'll feel tightness in the back and probably in the thigh area of that leg but it will subside as you stretch the area. You can also assist if the problem of the pelvic area on the other side tries to raise by putting pressure to that area to keep it down and help the leg stretching by applying lite pressure in the area of the crossed leg (around the knee cap) but I do stress lite pressure. Once I stretch these areas my back feels great and with a little assist from the wife she can now see both legs are the same length again. You can give it a try I can't see how it would hurt.

Wow Steve, that's amazing! I broke up my left leg really bad skydiving back in '68 and the doctor did a bum job of fixing it. That leg ended up about 3/4" short. I guess my body adjusted to the difference because nobody can see a limp as I walk. I have been having some lower back pain in the last few years and went through a series of treatments from a chiropractor about a year ago, but she never mentioned wearing a built-up shoe or any exercise to correct it. I will certainly try your cure! You're right, it can't hurt to try! Thanks!

And thanks Francesca for your suggestion!

[Francesca]

Wow-

Steve gives a really good description of an exercise my husband does every day, too

He's expecting to continue that maneuver- I don't mean to say that the lift is a replacement or "cure"- just another tool in the toolbox!

Francesca

[bsirby]

I have a pair of orthatics that I wear in my tennis shoes. It does help. The only thing I would say, because whoever you get them from might not tell you. BREAK THEM IN!!! The first week wear them only 1-2 hours a day. Second week, wear them 3-4 hours, 5-6, etc. Otherwise the pain is unbearable from wearing them too long. Hope your husband gets the relief he is looking for.

[TAZ]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Francesca He only tried a lift to Shut Me Up. Francesca

I learned a long time ago to listen to my wife. I think spouses sometimes know you berthed than you know yourself.

Obviously he is lucky to have someone who cares enough to be persistent.

[rmmpe]

Shellback,

Thank you for your service.

[SRT]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shellback1 Thanks okmunky. Yea I have to do something. When you are younger you cope with it but now being 65 in 6 days you feel evey pain. It's tough getting old, but I don't like the alternative.

Getting older is not for sissy's.......

[Shellback1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmmpe Shellback, Thank you for your service.

Thank you too, Bob