h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

My back is really bad. Sometimes I can hardly walk. I've been to an osteopath a few times, but she says I need something more radical.

So I went to a doctor yesterday. Don't know what he calls himself, but anyway he yanked me back into shape, telling me my pelvis was dislocated. That was probably it. He did take an X-ray.

Which I'll have to pay for myself, because he only treats private patients. The osteopath I had to pay for,too. These things are not accepted by the German health system. But I'm so desperate I'll pay if something helps.

I was warned that I might experience some pain, which I did this morning, but it's gone now.

Then I was given general advice about how to treat my back. None of which was new, except - why am I not allowed to ride a bike for 3-4 weeks? I'll have to walk to work now.

The guy who yanked you around was probably a chiropractor. The standard dialogue goes:

You: I've a pain in my head and my brething isn't too good.
Them: You've a dislocated pelvis. (Yank)

They are not generally recognised in the medical world. But if you do have a bad pelvis, they're your only man.

I had a really good chiropractor who helped when I was having difficulties and she pointed at a car crash I was involved in some years previously. The pain I was getting between my shoulder-blades was where my pelvis was out of balance, and it had twisted my spine. Funny things, backs.

Good luck. I'd be interested to know why you can't ride your bike too. Have you asked why you can't?

Its the rotating of your pelvis as your legs go through the pedalling motion, because he's just turned your muscles to jelly its quite easy for it to pop out of place.

My Mum asked why she couldn't ride a bike and got an answer along those lines.

ouch! for the back, the yanking and the cost of it all.

Sounds like you need to do Rückenbildung übungen. You can usually find classes for this, and as far as I know they are covered by the Krankenkasse (or should be) And/or Yoga

One of my guys at work had me translate a whole thing about back stuff for his wife. If I can get it off him, I can send it to you if you like?

A chiropractor (or he may have been an osteopath*) gave me a great exercise for lower back:

Lie on your back, bring your knees up; holding one with each hand, bring each knee to the floor at its own side, alternately, several times, while keeping the other knee up in the air. A gentle stretch.

* http://www.acupunctureworks.co.uk/Osteo&Chiro.html says "Chiropractors use short-lever techniques (focusing manipulation on one vertebrae [sic] at a time) with some long-lever techniques, whilst osteopaths more commonly use long-lever techniques (affecting the spine through rotation at the shoulders and hips) with some short-lever techniques."

For backache I can recommend a new mattress. (the memory foam type)

I've been free of back pain since I got mine, it's like a new lease of life.

We spent a lot of money on a new bed not long ago. We did quite a bit of research at the time, but I don't know if there would have been any better kind. Everyone (who has one) says a water bed is the only answer, but I didn't like that at all, we tried one out.

I'm really worried about moving at all, as he X-rayed me and found that, as well as the dislocated pelvis, I also have absolutely no padding between the last few lumbar vertebrae. There was about a quarter of an inch between the third and the fourth (counting from the bottom) but the first and second and second and third are sitting right on top of each other. His cheerful comment was, "One false move and you're in a wheelchari for the rest of your life".

No, I didn't get a chance to ask why I couldn't ride a bike, because his assistant just reeled off a whole list of instructions to me - including the cycling ban - while I was getting dressed. The doctor had long vanished by then.

It is the hardest to keep to. In fact, I completely forgot it on Friday, and was at the other end of the village on my bike before I remembered it. I hope I didn't do any damage. The alternative would have been lugging a heavy basket around with me, which can't be good for me either.

What's also really going to be hard is standing for the rehearsals and concerts which are coming up in the next few weeks. Thank God we're not doing the B minor Mass.