If it's broke, it'll cost you to fix it

    Y'all may be familiar with my previous posts about my back problems and spending money to fix them. I've seen a doctor, a chiropractor and an acupuncturist.

    For a while, my back was fine. I had my little aches, a little tightness here and there, but, hey, I sit hunched over a computer most of my days.

    Well, for the last few months it's not been something I could just ignore. I wasn't laid out or immobile, but it was bothering me enough that I had to do something -- again.

    But then I realized something -- this is my own fault. When my back stopped hurting before, I just got lazy and stopped doing all the things I was supposed to be doing to keep it that way. I stopped my stretching exercises. I stopped going to the gym. I spent more and more time sitting on the bed watching TV or hunched over my laptop, on the bed, watching TV.

    And then, a knot of muscle clamped itself together beneath my neck, behind my right shoulder blade. And my lower back hurt all the time, whether or not I stretched.

    So, what has this laziness and subsequent aches and pains cost me?

    Thank goodness for my health coverage! I can say that. I've had X-rays and bloods tests done and didn't have to pay for them. I saw my primary care doctor who sent me to an orthopedist. He gave me two steroid injections (for the inflammation). My co-pay was $15, but I saw that bill. The total being submitted to the insurance company was over $700.

    Then he told me to see a physical therapist. I went to see her yesterday. She told me to come in 3x a week for 6 weeks! That's $270 that I did not have in the budget. It's not outrageous, but...
    I really don't have a choice. I could have been diligently strengthening my core and working out at the gym I already pay $65 a month. But no.
    I could have continued to use my at-home exercise DVDs combining core workouts, Pilates and yoga, which I had been doing before I moved. But no.
    Now I've got to shell out all that money to fix something that probably shouldn't have gotten this broke in the first place.

    Now, if you'll excuse me, I am going to do the stretches I was assigned by the therapist.

    DH

Comments

[Dawn]

Here's my back problem story - it might help you a bit:

When I was 16 I had back surgery for a herniated disk. Then 5 years ago, I got another slipped disk - this time due to complications with the surgery. I didn't want to go back under the knife, so I went to chiropractors, therapists, and acupuncture. It all helped some - but didn't "fix" me. Then I read an article about a team that did MRIs on a large group of senior citizens. Something like 70% had slipped disks! ...but only 30% ever experienced pain.

So, that got me to thinking. I realized that I carry all my stress right there in my lower back. I stopped the chiropractors and set up an appointment for an MRI - it took 6 weeks to get in. During that 6 weeks I really took care of myself and tried to relax the muscles... and magically after 4 years of spending untold money - the pain finally went away.

It has been over a year. I certainly still have the slipped disk - the MRI confirmed it, but I never got surgery. By the time the test was done, I felt great! It has been over a year, and though I still have twinges now and again, I use those as a sign to take it easy.

I'm not saying that a hot bath will cure your problems - but what you described with the muscles cramping and knotting up - that is a lot of what I had. Stress makes those problems worse. Along with your exercises and PT, you might try looking at your stress and how you carry it - it could help you heal faster and stop the problem next time. (and hey lots of rest, healthy eating, warm baths, relaxation - can't hurt!!)

[michael wong]

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[DoctorS]

Thats the damn truth! Everything in this world cost something! Great post and great content!

[Jerry]

Yeah, health insurance helps, but it doesn't do the maintenance work on your body for you. All in all, it comes down to taking care of yourself, which leads to feeling better, which leads to fewer trips to the doctor/PT/chiro.
Jerry