Back Pain

I have had (suffered) back pain for the past 12-13 years. It came on suddenly while I was practicing Taekwondo. I figured it was something I had aggravated during stretching. I stopped going to practice for 6 months then tried to go out again...once.
I realized then and there that I would never be able to practice it while I had this pain. Which really was a shame as I had been going faithfully for a year, 2-3 times a week. One night after hockey sitting around in the dressing room two of the guys mentioned that my physique had changed and I was looking quite good. Seriously. Outside of my immediate homophobia kicking in thinking I was going to get jumped in the parking lot or "Hey, lets all go have a shower!". They were just being kind and giving me an honest evaluation. Which I think about cuz this old fatty wishes he had that physique again. Damn!
So this year started out well, not. Have had flare ups more than usual so far. Has gotten to the point where one or two days of being in agony was enough for me to mention to the darling wife about an inversion table I saw a Costco.
Have thought about these things for years wondering if they are any good for my problem. Seems to me it would help as it would relieve the pressure on my lower back. June said if it was that bad and I was so serious why didn't I check to see if there was a place that had them already that you could go to. I immediately thought of a group therapy session where everyone is hanging upside down in a circle discussing their problems. "My name is Alex and I'm an alcoholic". or "My mother didn't love me enough" and so on.
So I googled back clinics and low and behold there are plenty of them around. Chiropractors galore! Well, have done that route numerous times and while I admire them and have gone to see them, they just don't fully "cure" the problem. It does seem to help- getting adjustments, but doesn't totally get rid of the pain, always have it. Just learned to live with it so far. So found this one site which was reasonably local where they offer "non-surgical treatment" of something called Spinal Decompression Therapy. Called (actually sent an email from work at 0400- bad times my friend, was hurtin).
Made an appointment to see Herr Doktor, as not everyone is accepted for this therapy you know. Or so he claims.
See! My distrust is kicking in. Anyways he pokes and prods, does some tests, sends me to get xrays of my back done. And tells me to bring my wife to the consult appointment. Hmmmm, sez I, that sounds suspicious to me.
So, the good wife says..."I can't afford three hours to go see this quack, er doctor. It's your back, I semi don't care, just want you healthy". Or words pretty close to that effect. At least the first party was damn close.
I end up going alone, which is what I thought from the beginning, and now it sounds like I'm whining about it, which I'm not, I was nervous going back thinking he's going to tell me unless I get treatment I could end up in a wheelchair or I'll go blind. Just something outrageous.
This guy seemed so serious about having my wife come with me that it strikes as a bit of psychology at play here. He asked probing questions about me, my wife, my life and kids. Wanted to know what everyone was up to. So if I tell you something matter of factly, seriously, and leave no room for discussion. You will most likely do it. Well not jump off a bridge, but things you wouldn't normally do. Well maybe not you, but I might as I am a bit wishy washy. Maybe that's what he discovered! Horrors!
Well, I went back...alone and found out he wants 5 grand to fix my back. He has an extremely high success ratio (according to him-92%), but no money back guarantee. I'm gonna get a second opinion. Went back to my gp, explained what was going on and he wants the x-rays sent to the radiologist to interpret them and then he will book me for a ct scan/mri if the radiologist says yes, there's some kinda crazy mojo happening in this guys back. So if anything all this exercise has done is get me off my ass to do something about my back.
Ok long winded, think it's time for some pictures. At least one.