Case Summary  |  Erin Maynard

I have a job that I am on my feet for at least 6-8 hours a day. I believe standing on a concrete floor all day long had a significant role in my back issues. I was not wearing the correct shoes all of the time either, since I am in a business where fashion is important, I would sacrifice my feet for looking good.

I had a major back pain flare up in August 2010,I could barely stand up or move. This prompted me to visit my primary care physician. He told me it must be muscle spasms and weak muscles.
He prescribed me a muscle relaxer and a pain med. He also told me to go to physical therapy.
I took the medication and I felt really lethargic. I also felt no pain relief. I stopped taking these drugs and just took anti-inflammatory medications.

The next thing i tried was physical therapy. I went for about 6 or 7 sessions. The therapist made me do exercises and told me to practice on my own at home. I was in severe pain after our sessions, The muscles were getting stronger. I didn't feel the need to go back after I got the general idea of what made me feel better.

Today I still notice my pain everyday. I do stretching at the beginning and end of my day. I try to
wear the correct shoes at work. I am walking at least 5 times a week, I do my core strengthening exercises every other day. I try to take pain medication only when i have to work.
These things have brought me more relief to my back pain, even though the pain will probably never leave totally. I feel I know what to do know to make my life more pain free now.

Losing a bit of weight took some strain off my back.