One of the most commonly listed impairments on social security disability and ssi disability applications is lower back pain. Why is this condition so "common"? Well, it's simply due to the way humans are built. The lower back area (particularly L5-S1) is the point at which we bend to pick up things and we often use it as a fulcrum to lift heavy objects.

Unfortunately, because lower back problems are seen so often on disability applications, they tend to be viewed by disability examiners in a dismissive way. The typical examiner will look at a disability app that lists back pain as the only allegation and will think to themselves, "Back pain, is that all?". From day one, when the file lands on the examiner's desk, the examiner will have it in his or her mind that the case will ultimately be denied.

Having been an examiner, I am sad to say that this is how the evaulation process usually begins for such cases. And it sucks. Extreme lower back pain (I don't mean simply "pain". I mean pain of the kind that prevents you from even being able to get off the bed and onto your feet to go to the bathroom without breaking into a sweat and wanting to scream) is something that one cannot imagine…unless one has experienced it firsthand. And without having experienced it personally, it is difficult for others to really understand how back pain can be so severe that it impairs a person's ability to work.

Unfortunately, most DDS examiners–the individuals who slap decisions on ssd and ssi claims–are relatively young people who have NEVER experienced this kind of pain. Typically, probably due to relatively low pay, most examiners in a DDS unit will be in their early to late twenties. Yes, you do see people in their thirties, forties, even fifties at a DDS, but most DDS units will be composed of younger workers.

I have no doubt in my mind that this fact alone has a bearing on the decisions rendered for some claims. I mean, how can a person understand how debilitating or painful a situation can be if they've never experienced at least something similar? I'm sure they can't. And with so many examiners belonging to a relativly young age-set, this "builds" a certain insensitivity into the process.

I'll give you an example of what I mean. About eight years ago, I injured my back and was out for 3 straight days. How did this happen? I simply got out of the shower. I must have stepped the wrong way as I got out, because as I was closing my front door I could feel pain tingling down my right leg. Thirty minutes later at a christmas eve party I was on the floor and unable to move. I spent the next three days in bed, on flexeril and pain killers, unable to move much at all. Getting up to go to the bathroom felt like a spike was being hammered into my tailbone.

How does this personal bit of information relate? When I got back to the job (DDS), I tended to look at back cases a lot differently than before. Even though my condition had been relatively short-lived, the memory of the awful pain I felt in those three days made me more acutely aware of how debilitating back pain can be. And how restrictive and limiting a back condition can be for people who have chronic and ongoing back pain.

Now, why am I writing this particular post today? Well, once again I find myself in bed, on percocet and flexeril, after simply crouching (this was a crouch, not a stoop, which you would think would be safer) down to do something. As before, neither the muscle relaxant nor the pain pill seem to do the trick (though I wonder how bad it would feel without these meds) and I expect the situation to last for probably 2-3 days.

Am I disabled? No, of course, not. The likelihood is that sometime in the next 24-48 hours I will be able to walk again, with some residual pain. But…what if I had a condition that caused this level of pain, yet was chronic and ongoing? Frankly, I don't know what I would do. I certainly wouldn't be able to work. And feeling that kind of pain for so long would undoubtedly make me depressed and anxious (a lot of claimants with back problems also cite depression as an impairment). And, for me, knowing what I know about the disability system, the situation would seem even more depressing because "pain" is given very little consideration in the disability evaulation process.

What do you do if your major allegation on a claim is back-related? Here's a tip that really applies to all cases. Seek regular medical care and try to make sure your physician fully documents all the limitations you have as a result of your condition. Medical record documentation on a federal disability claim is essentially the gas that powers the engine.

If this is your first pregnancy you may think you know what to expect, but more than likely some signs and symptoms are cropping up that have surprised even the most well read and informed mom.Oh My Aching Back!Having back pain during early pregnancy is completely normal. Even if it is not severe, you may experience some type of back pain. This is nothing to worry about as many other women have had this symptom as well.Normally back pain during early pregnancy will ease up a bit after twenty weeks or four months. But get ready to experience more back pain as you become larger and the weight of the baby pulls you forward.Some women may have spasms or back pain during early pregnancy because the muscles are stretching. Other women experience a burning sensation in their back on their right side and this is a sign that supporting ligaments are beginning to soften. Your disks will soften too as a result of a raise in the hormone progesterone.It Could be a Urinary Tract InfectionSome women are prone to developing UTIs and pregnancy can irritate a sensitive urinary tract system. This in turn can cause back pain during early pregnancy. […]

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Back pain is the second most common neurological complaint that people have, falling right behind headaches in terms of frequency. And like headaches, back pain can have many cause; from straining a muscle through heavy lifting to a medical condition like osteoarthritis or sciatica. Another, less frequent cause of discomfort in this area of the body is a result of the link between constipation and back pain. While you may not see constipation and back pain as two pieces of the same puzzles, they can indeed be related. The good news is that if you are suffering from both constipation and back pain, there are some solutions that will bring you relief for both ailments.

Why does Constipation Occur?

Constipation is generally defined as the inability to have regular bowel movements. This means that the waste that should be getting eliminated from your body every day is not able to do so as efficiently as it should. If waste remains in your intestinal tract for too long, the water from the waste is reabsorbed into the body. This leaves you with stools that are hard and dry, and extremely difficult to pass. As the waste builds up, you can experience a host of symptoms, including bloating, cramps and an overall feeling of malaise. Another symptom of chronic constipation is back pain at times. If you think that your constipation and back pain are linked, there is something that you can do to relieve your symptoms.

Colon Cleanses for Good Health

The problem with constipation is that some of the waste products can get stuck to the walls of your colon, so that your intestinal tract never completely eliminates the waste inside. Like a clogged pipe in your bathroom, if there is waste stuck to the sides of the colon, it becomes more difficult for your stools to pass through. This can create a nasty cycle of constipation, which can lead to back pain as well. In order to treat the constipation and back pain, you can use a colon cleanse. Whether you make your own colon cleanse or buy a commercial product, these substances are used to effectively clean out your digestive tract and bring you to better health as a result.

By keeping your colon clean and clear, waste will be able to pass through your body more quickly and efficiently. And the less amount of time that waste is allowed to remain in your body, the better you will feel overall. If you think that your constipation and back pain are indeed linked, perhaps a colon cleanse is the right step for you to take to pain relief and better health.