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Back pain

Postal workers discussion forum. Discuss the day to day life in a Blue Shirt.
Jpro747
Posts: 1342
Joined: 23 Dec 2012, 10:22
Gender: Male

Back pain

Post by Jpro747 »

I’ve suffered with back pain for a few years now. The pain is located on the right side of my spine in the thoracic region and is persistent while I’m working. Even small tasks can cause a lot of pain, like prepping d2d or posting mail through a low level letterbox. I never carry a bag on my back, I’m a reserve on rurals which means a lot of getting in and out of vans. I’ve been to an osteopath a couple of times but the pain soon comes back. Anyone else suffer from back pain and how do you cope?
Andymanch
MAIL CENTRES/PROCESSING
Posts: 1
Joined: 11 Jul 2019, 03:02
Gender: Male

Back pain

Post by Andymanch »

I have a long history of pain next to the spine half was down my back, I used to take prescription codine everyday and the full dosage to mainly try stop the pain coming on as it was like torture once it does and feels like a trapped nerve but after a year and half I was getting concerned about being dependent on them and them eventually becoming less effective so invested in a double pull back support belt from eBay with magnets and a natural heat pad that warms up with water (or sweat) and it's been a great help for me,

I find it gets too hot if it's against my skin so wear a t-shirt and the belt over it but not had to take pain killers for years since and only usually get it now if I'm really tired and when I'm on leave and not wearing the belt

Obviously everyone's pain is different but in my case it was the best £4-£5 I ever spent and can now function normally and get on with my job without feeling like a contorshanist as the pain gets worse and worse as the shift goes on.
wallop
EX ROYAL MAIL
Posts: 251
Joined: 02 Feb 2011, 07:34
Gender: Male

Back pain

Post by wallop »

I had a slipped disc in about 2001 and i kept suffering for years with pain coming and going hobbling about like i had a wooden leg at times.
It has completely gone away since i bought myself a bike, i cycled to work for a couple of years 2 or 3 times a week and i've been pretty damn useless at cycling this year only been out 2 or 3 times around the local forest but the pain has never returned.
scoobydo79
Posts: 2057
Joined: 15 May 2011, 19:04
Gender: Male

Back pain

Post by scoobydo79 »

Ibuprofen,stretches and chiropractor sorted Me out.Still dodgy but not as bad as it was.Stretch Your ham strings too because that also affects back posture
midegarelu
EX ROYAL MAIL
Posts: 414
Joined: 12 Sep 2009, 07:09
Gender: Male
Location: somewhere over the rainbow

Back pain

Post by midegarelu »

Jpro747 wrote:I’ve suffered with back pain for a few years now. The pain is located on the right side of my spine in the thoracic region and is persistent while I’m working. Even small tasks can cause a lot of pain, like prepping d2d or posting mail through a low level letterbox. I never carry a bag on my back, I’m a reserve on rurals which means a lot of getting in and out of vans. I’ve been to an osteopath a couple of times but the pain soon comes back. Anyone else suffer from back pain and how do you cope?

GO TO YOUR DOCTOR.
BACK PAIN IN THE THORACIC AREA MAY NOT BE BACK PAIN BUT SOMETHING MORE SERIOUS!

Apologies for shouting, but sometimes it's necessary.

A quick scan will often find the correct answer.
"We employ you so we can sack you"
max49
EX ROYAL MAIL
Posts: 122
Joined: 31 Dec 2010, 20:58
Gender: Female

Back pain

Post by max49 »

Which type of van do you usually drive? I find the peugeot vans better than the vauxhall cv vans which I feel I have to climb out of.
robbertwhitton
Posts: 1132
Joined: 30 Aug 2010, 19:06
Gender: Male

Back pain

Post by robbertwhitton »

Get your boss to refer you to optima health through Royal Mail see what help they can give,am currently having my knee looked at through them, physio etc,
rambo1
EX ROYAL MAIL
Posts: 3266
Joined: 12 Jun 2013, 20:00
Gender: Male

Back pain

Post by rambo1 »

max49 wrote:Which type of van do you usually drive? I find the peugeot vans better than the vauxhall cv vans which I feel I have to climb out of.
I refuse to use the combos it's like getting in and out of a sports car, on a rural with 60 odd stops like that, it does me in. Peugeot are far better. I always use a lwt but find I'm a bit twisted now from it.
Jpro747
Posts: 1342
Joined: 23 Dec 2012, 10:22
Gender: Male

Back pain

Post by Jpro747 »

Thanks for the suggestions guys. Back wasn’t too bad today after doing some stretches before going on delivery (much to the amusement of my colleagues) . Yes I use those wretched combo vans and all 6’2 of me has to get in and out of there multiple times a day, not pretty!
rambo1
EX ROYAL MAIL
Posts: 3266
Joined: 12 Jun 2013, 20:00
Gender: Male

Back pain

Post by rambo1 »

Jpro747 wrote:Thanks for the suggestions guys. Back wasn’t too bad today after doing some stretches before going on delivery (much to the amusement of my colleagues) . Yes I use those wretched combo vans and all 6’2 of me has to get in and out of there multiple times a day, not pretty!
If you have pug partners ask to change your van for one, 6ft+ people don't fit in combos.
k979aaa
Posts: 12578
Joined: 03 Sep 2007, 19:14
Gender: Male
Location: THE NORTH

Back pain

Post by k979aaa »

rambo1 wrote:
Jpro747 wrote:Thanks for the suggestions guys. Back wasn’t too bad today after doing some stretches before going on delivery (much to the amusement of my colleagues) . Yes I use those wretched combo vans and all 6’2 of me has to get in and out of there multiple times a day, not pretty!
If you have pug partners ask to change your van for one, 6ft+ people don't fit in combos.
People who are under 5'10" don't fit in them as well cheep crap vans for kid's to drive about in seriously if I chopped my leg's off at the knee and moved the seat forward could still touch the pedals!