Back Pain: How I Found Relief After Early Retirement | Advance7
Alan massages Advance7 into the base of his back every day.
The back pain that forced me to retire at 55: how Alan finally found relief at the base of his spine
Alan Pearce
Alan Pearce spent more than thirty years on his feet in busy warehouses, lifting and loading day in, day out. By his mid-fifties his lower back pain had become so bad that he had to take early retirement. Five years on, he tells us what finally gave him relief from his back pain.
Alan, tell us a little about yourself.
I'm sixty now, and I took early retirement five years ago at fifty-five, not by choice, but because of my back. I spent more than thirty years working in warehousing and distribution: on my feet all day, lifting and loading, up and down off the forklift, shifting stock about. I'm the sort who just gets stuck in. I never wanted to be the one standing about while everyone else did the work. But all those years of heavy lifting caught up with me in the end.
When did the back pain start?
It came on gradually. For years it was just an ache at the end of a shift, and I'd put it down to a hard day and think nothing of it. Then it got worse, and worse again. The lower back pain settled right at the base of my back, and some days it dragged down into my left side. Bending to lift became a real problem, and getting going in the morning was the worst. I'd be bent over like a much older man until I'd loosened up.
Did you try anything for it at work?
I did. They gave me a support belt at work and I wore it religiously, and it took a bit of the strain off when I was lifting. But it was only ever holding the line, not fixing anything. I tried the usual too: hot baths, the odd painkiller, a heat pad on the small of my back. It would ease off for a day or two, then come straight back. I'm not one to make a fuss, so I carried on far longer than I probably should have.
What made you stop working?
In the end my back just wouldn't let me do the job. The pain was horrible. There were mornings I could barely straighten up, and lifting was becoming dangerous, not just painful. I sat down with the family and we agreed I had to finish. Retiring at fifty-five wasn't the plan, and it was a hard thing to accept after being such a grafter all my life.
What did the doctors say?
They told me it was years of wear and tear on the lower back, no single injury, just decades of lifting adding up. There wasn't a magic fix on offer. It was rest, keep moving gently, painkillers and manage it as best I could. That's a difficult thing to hear when you're only in your fifties and you've always been active.
How did you come across Advance7?
My wife had seen it advertised, and a neighbour swore by it for his knees. I was sceptical. I'd tried enough things by then, but I thought I'd nothing to lose. I massage it in right at the base of my back, where the pain sits worst, morning and again at night. It's the one thing that's actually given me proper relief.
What difference has it made?
A real difference. It's the massage that does it for me. Working the gel in at the base of the back gets the blood moving and takes the edge off, and the relief lasts. I take the capsules alongside it. I won't pretend my back is like new, because thirty years of lifting doesn't undo itself, but I can get through the day now. I can potter in the garden, take the dog out, and I'm not dreading getting out of bed. After what it cost me, that means everything.
What would you say to someone in the same boat?
Don't be like me and push through it for years hoping it sorts itself out, because mine never did. If you've got back pain that isn't shifting, get it looked at and don't leave it as long as I did. Advance7 is what's worked for me. I massage it in at the base of my back every day, and I wouldn't be without it now. You don't have to just grin and bear it.
The lower, middle (thoracic) and upper back are common areas of back pain.
Common questions about back pain
Back pain is one of the most common complaints there is, so here are some of the questions we're asked most often, with straightforward answers. They're for general information only and aren't a substitute for seeing your own doctor.
What causes lower back pain?
Lower back pain is the most common form of back pain by far. Most of the time it's mechanical, involving the muscles, ligaments and discs in the lower back reacting to strain, poor posture, or years of heavy lifting, as in Alan's case. It usually eases with gentle movement and time, but if it's severe, spreads down a leg, or comes with numbness, it's worth getting checked.
What's the difference between upper back pain and lower back pain?
Lower back pain sits in the small of the back, above the hips, and is the most common of all. Upper back pain is felt higher up, between the shoulder blades, and is more often linked to posture, desk work or carrying loads. Both are usually muscular, but persistent upper back pain that comes with other symptoms should be looked at.
What is thoracic back pain?
Thoracic back pain is the medical name for pain in the middle and upper part of the back, the stretch of spine between the neck and the lower back. It's less common than lower back pain and is often related to posture or muscle strain. As with any back pain, ongoing or severe thoracic back pain is worth having assessed.
What causes middle back pain?
Middle back pain, or mid back pain, is usually muscular, whether from strain, posture, or the way you've been sitting or lifting. Pain in the middle of the back can occasionally be referred from elsewhere, so if it is persistent, severe or comes with other symptoms it should be checked. For most people, though, mid back pain settles with gentle activity and time.
Why do I get back pain on one side, such as the lower left?
It's very common for back pain to be worse on one side, and many people describe back pain in the lower left, or lower back pain in the bottom left. Often it's because one side takes more of the strain, especially with repetitive lifting or twisting. One-sided back pain is usually muscular, but if it's severe or won't settle, have it looked at.
What about back side pain on the right?
Back side pain on the right, including middle of back on right side pain, is again most often muscular or postural. Just occasionally, back pain on one side can be referred from an internal organ rather than the back itself, so if the pain is severe, comes with a temperature, or doesn't behave like an ordinary muscular ache, see your doctor.
What causes pain on the left upper back side?
Pain on the left upper back side, or middle to upper back pain, is commonly down to muscle tension around the shoulder blade and spine, the sort of thing that builds up from posture, desk work or carrying. Gentle movement, stretching and massage often help. Persistent or unusual upper back pain should always be checked.
Can heavy lifting at work cause back pain?
Very much so. Years of heavy lifting, bending and twisting are among the most common causes of long-term lower back pain, as Alan found. A support belt and good lifting technique help share the load, but they don't undo years of wear. If your job involves heavy lifting and your back is suffering, it's worth acting early rather than pushing through.
When should I see a doctor about back pain?
Most back pain settles on its own, but see a doctor if the pain is severe, follows a fall or injury, spreads down a leg, or comes with numbness, weakness, or problems controlling your bladder or bowels. Those can be signs of something that needs prompt attention. When in doubt, get it checked.
Can Advance7 help with back pain?
The back, especially the lower back, is one of the most common things people tell us they use Advance7 for. As Alan describes, many people massage the gel in at the base of the back, where the pain sits, and use it daily alongside the capsules. It's well worth a try if you're dealing with ongoing back pain, alongside the advice of your own doctor.