Chronic lower back pain

[x SF med]

Originally Posted by Jack Moroney

Not in this life time. The only way that could ever happen for me would be to have someone coil 14 wraps of detcord around my waist, detonate it, and lay the two halves together.

Damn! 14 wraps of Detcord? Guess that means you are still hard as nails COL Jack... 3 would probably be over kill on me.

[The Reaper]

Originally Posted by x SF med

Damn! 14 wraps of Detcord? Guess that means you are still hard as nails COL Jack... 3 would probably be over kill on me.

For cutting trees, piles, posts, beams or other timber members using explosives as an untamped external charge, the following formula is used: P = D2/40 or P = .025 D2 where, P = pounds of TNT required, D = diameter of round timber, or least dimension of dressed timber, in inches, and 1/40 = .025 = constant. Adjustment for explosive other than TNT will be made by dividing by the relative effectiveness factor that pertains to the particular explosive being used. The amount of explosive required to cut a round timber 30 inches in diameter using an untamped external charge is determined as follows: P = D2/40 P = (30)ý/40 = 900/40 = 22.50 pounds of TNT.

22 pounds of TNT for a 30" waist, or 16.4 pounds of C4. Note that the numbers are for staning generic timber, including hardwoods, as I suspect that the Colonel is, probably oak or hickory. Pine will fall with half of that charge.

THAT is a lot of demo. I am sure that a troll shot is much smaller.

TR

[Razor]

TR, for COL M, I think we need to use steel cutting charge formulas.

[x SF med]

And probably a concrete cutting charge for my head.

TR - does the formula take into account the burn rate for Detcord and the accelerated cross energy as focused in the center of the wraps? IIRC, you could reduce the cutting formula when using detcord due to the simulated accelerated shaping of the wraps, esp for wood and other lightweight/porous/low density materials.

[The Reaper]

Originally Posted by x SF med

And probably a concrete cutting charge for my head.

TR - does the formula take into account the burn rate for Detcord and the accelerated cross energy as focused in the center of the wraps? IIRC, you could reduce the cutting formula when using detcord due to the simulated accelerated shaping of the wraps, esp for wood and other lightweight/porous/low density materials.

Det cord doesn't "burn", it detonates, hence the name, "detonating cord".

If you are referring to the propogation rate of the explosion of the det cord, since it is primarily RDX based, the rate should be in the 7,000 m/s range.

TR

[theditchdoctor]

Now I remember why I like this forum......you all can turn almost anything into a discussion about blowing stuff up. :

[theditchdoctor]

Originally Posted by The Reaper

Det cord doesn't "burn", it detonates, hence the name, "detonating cord".

If you are referring to the propogation rate of the explosion of the det cord, since it is primarily RDX based, the rate should be in the 7,000 m/s range.

TR

I know you have a LOT more experience with the stuff than I ever will, but I believe it's actually something on the order of 8,700 m/s. At least that's what I was taught in an advanced HAZMAT course I took. However, that was the propagation rate for RDX itself in a confined space.....like I said, you're the expert here, but I would like to know which is correct just out of my own curiosity.

[Hipshot]

Originally Posted by Ret10Echo

Those more knowing than I can further elaborate, but generally if you are over over-pronating a lot, the inside of your shoe will me worn down, sometimes almost crushed . You may also be a heel-toe runner and wear the heels out very quickly. Mild pronation will show less wear to the inside portion but it will still be evident that there is more wear there than the other side. There are quite a few good sites out there on how to evaluate your conformance and analyze shoe wear patterns.

I tend to walk on the outside edges of my feet. It was a real problem when learning how to ski as I kept hooking an edge when trying to do parallel turns. Had a ski shop in Leominster, MA that had a cant machine. Found that I needed a 10 degree wedge under my bindings to get my skis to fit flat on the snow. My shoes show heel wear on the outside edges (left at about 7:00 o'clock position and the right about 4:00 o'clock).

The first set of spinal injections were an experience. When he went to inject my lower back (around L5), I felt a jolt down my left leg all the way to my foot when the needle went in. When he injected the steroid, there was a lot of pressure and a solid jolt down the leg. My leg jumped and I had to grit my teeth. Afterwards, I could get my leg in a certain position and it would almost fold up under me. That wore off by the next day. I've had some relief, but not much - about what I expected. Next round is this Thursday and the last is on the 12th.

[Ret10Echo]

Originally Posted by Hipshot

I tend to walk on the outside edges of my feet. It was a real problem when learning how to ski as I kept hooking an edge when trying to do parallel turns. Had a ski shop in Leominster, MA that had a cant machine. Found that I needed a 10 degree wedge under my bindings to get my skis to fit flat on the snow. My shoes show heel wear on the outside edges (left at about 7:00 o'clock position and the right about 4:00 o'clock).

The first set of spinal injections were an experience. When he went to inject my lower back (around L5), I felt a jolt down my left leg all the way to my foot when the needle went in. When he injected the steroid, there was a lot of pressure and a solid jolt down the leg. My leg jumped and I had to grit my teeth. Afterwards, I could get my leg in a certain position and it would almost fold up under me. That wore off by the next day. I've had some relief, but not much - about what I expected. Next round is this Thursday and the last is on the 12th.

Ahh the joys of catching edges on Wachusetts Mountain....especially on "New England Packed Powder", which is ICE anywhere else in the skiing world.

Best to you on the injections. I'll be praying for relief for you.

I had read some things in the past on how over-pronation causes quite a bit of structural issues over time especially joints and spine. That is of course for the average Joe and not for someone who has driven their body like a rental car...

Based on your condition and others I know I realize I have been blessed with as little problems as I have. I started out with a combination of physical therapy and chiropractic adjustments now it is various herbal concoctions (thanks to my wife) an inversion table and a sleep number bed.

Still run and ruck but I have found that sit-ups are eeevil....

[Doczilla]

Originally Posted by Hipshot

I tend to walk on the outside edges of my feet. It was a real problem when learning how to ski as I kept hooking an edge when trying to do parallel turns. Had a ski shop in Leominster, MA that had a cant machine. Found that I needed a 10 degree wedge under my bindings to get my skis to fit flat on the snow. My shoes show heel wear on the outside edges (left at about 7:00 o'clock position and the right about 4:00 o'clock).

The first set of spinal injections were an experience. When he went to inject my lower back (around L5), I felt a jolt down my left leg all the way to my foot when the needle went in. When he injected the steroid, there was a lot of pressure and a solid jolt down the leg. My leg jumped and I had to grit my teeth. Afterwards, I could get my leg in a certain position and it would almost fold up under me. That wore off by the next day. I've had some relief, but not much - about what I expected. Next round is this Thursday and the last is on the 12th.

If you are walking on the outside edges of your feet, you are actually supinating them rather than pronating. Look for shoes that provide the appropriate support. This limits some of your choices since most shoes are for some degree of pronation rather than supination. Shoes for pronators will actually hurt rather than help, as you will frequently roll your ankle. New Balance and Nike have some models that will help you, and their website may be of help.

Expect that it will be several weeks before you get the full benefit of the injections. There has to be time for the inflammation and swelling to decrease.

'zilla

[Hipshot]

Originally Posted by Ret10Echo

Ahh the joys of catching edges on Wachusetts Mountain....especially on "New England Packed Powder", which is ICE anywhere else in the skiing world.
...
Based on your condition and others I know I realize I have been blessed with as little problems as I have. I started out with a combination of physical therapy and chiropractic adjustments now it is various herbal concoctions (thanks to my wife) an inversion table and a sleep number bed.

Still run and ruck but I have found that sit-ups are eeevil....

You're right about the ice! On a NASTAR slalomn run, I caught a gate pole and went down hard. The blue ski jacket I was wearing left a nice blue streak down the run until I finally stopped sliding.

Does the inversion table help? I've thought about getting one of those but you'd have to hang upside-down for quite a while to see any effects. Same question on the sleep number bed...the mattress I have now is like a rock, but it is also a pillow-top so it's not too bad. CinC House hates it though!

[x SF med]

Mount Wachussett - the biggest Ice Pile in New England! Huge crowds on Friday-Sun, mid-day PT on Wed was great there. I still have my thermometer from the Ski Hut in Leominster, the one you hang on the zipper of your jacket.

I've got a mild supination also - it's taken it's toll on my knees, and my lower back - especially if I stand on extremely hard surfaces for long periods of time while wearing uncushioned shoes (topsiders, dress shoes, etc.) I guess I'll try a back cracker to readjust my back and look for anti supination shoes/sneakers.

Thanks for the heads up.

[Ret10Echo]

Hipshot,
Sorry for the delay on response....

Originally Posted by Hipshot

Does the inversion table help? I've thought about getting one of those but you'd have to hang upside-down for quite a while to see any effects. !

I have had mixed results with the inversion table. At first I had a doorway hangar, which required a certain amount of acrobatics to get the gravity boots hooked up. The table is much better since you can control the degree of angle rather than going completely vertical. That being said, some days it feels pretty good, other days it causes some increased nerve pain so I take it in small doses. My wife swears by it.

Originally Posted by Hipshot

Same question on the sleep number bed...the mattress I have now is like a rock, but it is also a pillow-top so it's not too bad. CinC House hates it though!

LOVE the sleep-number bed. At the store I tried the test bed with the sensors. The rep adjusts the firmness to relieve "hotspots" on the computer readout. He had my number down to a very soft 40...but was still unable to get rid of all the red. I had been sleeping on a very firm pillow-top and would wake up every morning with pain and had a hard time standing upright when I first got up. With the number bed, I am much more rested, actually can get through a full night now. Hard to believe that softer was better, but it worked out that way. I think it is because the air system fills the gaps much better.
With a king-size the CinC and I have separate controls....mine at 40 hers at 100....It doesn't seem to be getting the groove in it like the old pillow tops...and I can adjust firmness depending on what I did that day.

Note: The dog adds about 5 to the number depending on which side she flops down on.....

[kgoerz]

Det cord doesn't "burn", it detonates, hence the name, "detonating cord".

If you are referring to the propogation rate of the explosion of the det cord, since it is primarily RDX based, the rate should be in the 7,000 m/s range.

You are correct. Det Cord burning is a myth. Once a burn reaches Supersonic it crosses the line from burn to bang.

Originally Posted by theditchdoctor

I know you have a LOT more experience with the stuff than I ever will, but I believe it's actually something on the order of 8,700 m/s. At least that's what I was taught in an advanced HAZMAT course I took. However, that was the propagation rate for RDX itself in a confined space.....like I said, you're the expert here, but I would like to know which is correct just out of my own curiosity.

A DC misconception is that it has the same explosive effect or RE factor as it's base explosive in solid block form. RDX/PTN are considerably weaker in their Granular form found in DC.

[soulsedition]

I work in a rehab hospital currently, that is until i unass the AO for sunnier and sandier parts of the world. Here's my .02$-

Conservative treatment beats any form of medical intervention. For instance:
1. Corticosteroid injections offer short term pain relief. However, there are some definite downsides. If done improperly, you run the risk of compressing a nerve, or stretching a joint capsule the latter applies mainly to the upper extremity. Anyone who's ever had a CS injection into their elbow or shoulder could probably attest to that. The reason being whenever they inject anything into that capsule, it stretches it, leading to instability.
2. Chiropractors/DO's can re-align/decompress your musculo-skeletal system. Without addressing the root causes IE poor posture, bad shoes, agonist/antagonist muscle instability.
3. NMES/TENS units are often provided to people to control pain, they do that very well, especially if you're concerned with taking drugs to alleviate pain.

My personal recommendation would be to get on board in a physical therapy clinic, they'll be able to advise you best on what you're doing wrong, if there are any above issues. As well as provide you with a good list of exercises to strengthen those muscles as well as stretch and condition your back.

If you wake up stiff, take a medium sized towel, saturate it with hot water, but not dripping. Place it in the microwave for 1-2 minutes depending upon your microwave. Wrap it in at LEAST 2 towels and place it on your back. It will take a little bit of time to find a therapeutic medium, because you don't want to overdue it. don't leave it on longer than 10-15 minutes, because even though it doesn't feel hot, you can get a nasty burn.

As far as the arthritis, if you're looking for a wholistic approach, try poke berries. Remember when you were a kid and your parents told you to stay away from those clusters of purple berries that always stained your hands purple because you'd get sick if you ate them? Yeah, those. Take 4 a day, dried. Before that, please PM me for more information concerning this if you decide to try that route. As with any medication herbal or otherwise- you gotta watch for drug interactions.

I grew up on a farm in WV, way out in the boondocks, my Grandmother has been a medicinal herbalist for over 30 years. When her arthritis would flare up, she wouldn't be able to hold a skillet without both hands. When she takes those poke berries, she's able to type and do any other functional activities with her hands. So i can attest to their efficacy. Has anyone had any experience with appalachian medicine?

Given the number of miles you gentlemen have under your feet, i look forward to hearing what has worked well for you.

-Steve