OUCH!!

When I was a senior in college, we went on a class trip out of state. The ride was long, but it was so much fun! One of our ventures was across a very high bridge. You couldn't see the down side when you were going up, so it was pretty nerve wracking. Well...we didn't quite make it to the top. About 3/4 of the way up, the cars in front of us began slamming on their brakes. Apparently the cars on the down side had been stopped for whatever reason, but the cars going up didn't see them. So...the van we were in smashed into the car in front of us which caused them to smash into the car in front of them. To make matters worse, the van behind us (another of our college vans) smashed into us 2 times, once on their own and once because they were hit from behind. To make it easier to understand...we were in a 5 car pile-up and we were smack dab in the middle! I also was in the first bench of the 15 passenger van in the center, so I flew out of the seat and into the dashboard - no seat belts back then!

As a result from that accident, I ended up with a dislocated hip, horrible back pain and a neck that was severely whiplashed! I went to a chiropractor for over a year, and they told me that when I was older I'd probably feel the pain a bit more. Well...surprise...I'm older and guess what...the pain is back!!

I not only have horrible sciatica problems, but I may have a slipped disc somewhere and my shoulders, not wanting to feel left out, are now in pain. Oh joy! I feel like an old lady that can't walk each morning, and by the time evening comes, I'm worn out. Poor Edward has been constantly giving me massages which help, but only for a short while. I've done the back pain meds, and thought about going back to a chiropractor, but honestly, I don't want to deal with that every day/week/whatever! So, I looked online and found this:



It's a high density foam roller that are used to help with back pain and body conditioning. So, I ordered it and it arrived today. Already I'm loving it!!! I've used it a couple times today and wow does it feel good on my back! As I lay on it and roll, I can hear everything adjusting and can feel a deep tissue massage...seriously. I'm not sure how it will work over time, but for now I'm going to use it faithfully to see if it helps. (Watch me wake up in the morning and not be able to move at all now that I've said that! ha ha) Anyhow...here are a couple positions to use it in so you get the idea....

This is how I am using it right now. It hurts at first, but it does help!


No, I do not look like this, nor can I hold myself in this position, but maybe someday! For now I need to work on my back, then I'll deal with the rest of my body. = )


If anyone has been through back pain and can give me ideas, I'd love to hear them. It's just so debilitating! The worst part is that it's no better whether I sit or stand. I can do either for only about 10 min. at a time before the pain starts. I'll keep you posted...gotta roll! (pun intended!)