Bees, sorry to hear about your bad back. Yes backs can be a real problem and make hair care a painful chore. Of course if you choose (or have to) wash your hair bending over the sink or tub it can be extremely painful but even if you wash in the shower bending either forward or tilting your head back can be equally painful. I have a bad back now and again and really dont know the answer. Even going to the hairdresser isnt the answer because the angle of your neck at the sink is not comfortable.
I wonder if any of you experts can offer us back sufferers any pearls of wisdom

I have had back problems since 1982. I've had a micro surgery to repair 3 disks, and 5 years later another surgery to fuse the lower 1/3 of my spine with rods and screws. I cannot lean forward to wash my hair (or do much or anything for that manner). I have found that washing my hair in the shower, leaning back not forward is the only way I can manage. Learning to do things slowly and not over extending the back is important. I also make sure that my hair is completely detangled before starting my shower and trying to minimize the amount of "scrubbing" and tangling the hair while washing and conditioning. I use a hair pick to detangle while still in the shower so that the water assists in the detangling process.

On another note, I have found that ibruprophen or naproxen (but don't mix them) are the best over the counter pain killers to take for back pain. (And taking something BEFORE you do any physical activity that you know aggravates your back helps alot).

Back pain is a real downer, but sometimes you just have to ignore it and get on with your life. Enjoying your hair is a great distraction!

Good luck to you and Bees with your backs. I'd be happy to discuss the issues more if you would like. Just let me know.

Wow, I guess I know now who has been reading my hair journal *LOL*

I suffer with spasm in my lower lumbar area, and it has been a bit twingy recently. I am trying to 1) Up my yoga quota, 2) eat better 3) lose weight 4) learn to listen to it.

As for hair washing, it just depended on where the pain was that day while it was bad over Christmas. I tried to have my husband around as much as was possible....and he helped to prop me up and help me get in and out of the shower and that sort of thing. I have a friend here with chronic health and pain issues, and to be honest he was my best source of information!! He told me a lot of things about managing a constant pain.

Bodies tell you things, and over the last two years I've been on a mission to listen more to mine when it complains about things, because what it's telling me is probably important. Bikerbraid, I'll take any wisdom there is, I agree with what you say so far.

Bees

Not an expert by any means, but I have a bad back from a car wreck I was in a few years ago. I used to go to a chiropractor (which I loved), but finances won't allow a permanent 3x per week regimine! I've found that Pilates has helped my back immensely. I took a class out of curiousity about a year ago and absolutely loved it. I got out of the habit for a while for a couple of reasons, and my back started hurting again. I purchased the Winsor Pilates tapes somewhat recently and try to do them at least 3x a week, but really shoot for every day if possible. That's the only thing I've ever found that helps my back - yoga just didn't seem to help me out that much. I hope this helps a little...

Bad back?! Did someone mention bad backs!?! YEP, that's me!

As far as hair care, I don't think I could live without my handheld shower head! It REALLY helped when my back was at its wortst! That bending just about killed me! I can now lean back a little, so I do the added cold blast on my hair, without getting my body cold! :)

As far as tablet kind of help, I have a suggestion which has worked WONDERS for me! It is called Remedief. The bottle says: Cox-2 inhibitor, Triple Action Pain Management with Nexrutine, Dietary Supplement. One Capsule contains 75 mg Boswellia serrata Extract, 160 mg White Willow Bark
75 mg Nexrutine, 100 mg Kava kava Root Extract. It also contains silica, magnesium stearate, gelatin. It is manufactured by Natrol, Inc. They have a "nutrition club" you can join at www.natrol.com. I haven't become a member, but I DO use the capsules periodically.

I found it one day in Walgreens. I had recently come off of the prescription Cox2 Inhibitor when I realized it was causing hair loss. I was looking at the various herbal joint supplements when I came across this one. I bought it and liked it IMMEDIATELY!

I don't know exactly what it does, but this is how "things happen." I'll over exert myself (cleaning catboxes, tubs, toilets, bathing cats - all in one day). I'll wake up the next day almost unable to move. I take one or two of these. Get up, move around (slough around . . . cuz you can't really call it "moving"! hahaha) Then, within an hour or so, I'll twist a certain way, my back will pop, and I'll feel MUCH better. It happens almost everytime!!!!

Even if I don't get the pop, my back always feels better than it does even if I were to take Ibuprofen. I HIGHLY recommend you try it, if you have not found something else that works for you.

I've also seen this at HEB (local grocery story chain in Central Texas).

I just checked the website, and these are the chain stores that might carry this product: http://natrol.com/home3.html

I hope that helps!