Hey Doug, I've had back pains in the past which lasted for days, and know firsthand how this impacts a person - can't walk, sit, or even laying down. Never mind working or doing anything productive. In short, can't function normally, can't enjoy life. I also have chronic problem with knees - just something doesn't click right inside.
I am not a big fan of traditional medicine, haven't taken any medication for 20+ years except for some supplements my wife insisted on, and only go to the doctor for a checkup. I am a strong believer in my body's natural ability to heal itself. I don't mean doing nothing and waiting. I mean a very proactive approach.
It's all in the software... Take seeds of different plants for example. They all seem alike, with slightly different shapes, and look nothing more than a spec of dirt. But every spec is a huge flash drive loaded with software and bio-chemical capabilities. Put them in the ground, and the software inside executes a program which controls bio-chemical manipulation, thus producing a piece of grass, a beautiful flower, or a fruit - all of it from the surrounding soil. Human technology is not even close to the level of sophistication observed in primitive plants.
When it comes to animals and especially to humans, such software is even more sophisticated. Not only it follows the program governing our growth, development, and the gazillion of processes in our bodies, but the program itself may change over time as well as under the influence of external factors such as stress, negative emotions, positive emotions, etc. While plants and animals cannot consciously alter such programming, humans can. Obviously, there is no known way to alter the software code directly. However, such reprogramming could be done indirectly - through self hypnosis, self motivation, persistence, and physical actions - all working together.
Think of extreme situations. Consider a situation causing you to spring into action - for example, an intruder in the house, a threat to a family member, a kid in the middle of the road while about to be run over by a truck... Now, capture that moment of raw emotional impulse and direct it against your pain. Keep visualizing it, and accompany it with whatever physical movements seem natural - kicking, moving, stretching, etc. There should be no thoughts in your mind, but almost animalistic focus on just one thing - fighting the pain. Keep doing it as often as you can while maintaining your focus, resolve, stubbornness. Make whatever sounds you want to make - do not hold yourself back. Visualize a Samurai slashing the enemy - that's the kind of emotional state you have to be in.
It works for me. I don't baby my body, I don't baby my back, and don't baby my knees. I load them daily. Our bodies live by simple principles - you don't use it, you lose it. If I were to go easy on my back and on my knees it would get worse. With regular loads, I hardly notice the problems. It was only at those times when I was too much preoccupied with other things while neglecting the aforementioned routing, my back and knee problems re-surfaced.
I learned to combat the slightest discomfort in my back, and to get rid of it in seconds. And when my knees remind me of the problems, I do the same. While there are good days and worse days, the overall level is in very positive territory.
This is my experience, and maybe you'll find it useful and inspiring to try this direction. If you want to talk about it, PM me.
Regardless, wishing you all the best in winning this battle.
lease:
