The pain and problems are just an unfortunate result. Had a buddy who shrunk almost an inch over the course of a few thousand viper hours and now sees a chiropractor twice a week.

As a retiring viper guy, I have the exact same symptoms as the rest. The Sheppard AFB flight docs are starting a study (via a US Govt grant) on Viper and Eagle guys specific to this area. Of interest is the JHMCs and accelerated degenerative disk disease amongst other things. We have a chiropractic center in Wichita Falls, that deals with spinal decompression procedure(s). Apparently they have handled Troy Aikman and other professional athletes. It may be something worth looking into (Champions Clinic, Dr Benard). Good luck to all.

I've managed to go DNIF once or twice a year since I started flying Vipers for neck or back issues. Couple of things that have helped me (at least a little) are working abs to help support the back and keep from re-injuring it as well as stretching the hammies to help keep the back in line. The last time I ended up on muscle relaxers for a few days so I went and bought an inversion table to stretch my back. I used it every morning and night and it seemed to relieve the pain faster and heal faster. You can get a decent one for less that $200, so it might be worth a try.

I've suffered for 15 years with lower back pain. I've tried everything under the sun with no relief. My only remaining option is a multiple level spinal fusion. I'm trying my best to avoid that.

A couple of years ago, someone recommended a mind over body book to me. I thought they were crazy to even insinuate that my pain was more mental than structural. I've got several MRIs to prove my degeneration. Out of sure curiosity and after hearing that Howard Stern, the radio guy, claimed Dr Sarno had changed his life, I read Sarno's book, Healing Back Pain.

He makes some interesting points and he has given me pause before I have any surgery. It's only a few bucks. You may want to read his book.

Anyway, I know exactly the pain you're experiencing and unless you have this problem, there is no way for others to sympathize. I wish you all the best.

And, oh by the way, make sure you apply for VA disability. It's your right as a vet and the American people owe you for the damage you sustained to your body complements of your high G environment.

Back issues seem to be far more common among military pilots than many think. A-10, T-37, T-38 and all the fast jet communities have many people dealing with neck and back issues.

If you do the VA route for disability remember to put a check in the box on your FAA physical which asks if you are receiving disability payments. You must then explain for what and what you are doing about it. For most it would be the diagnosis (i.e. traumatic arthritis) and "treated with diet and exercise" or whatever applies.

I appreciate all of the suggestions. It sounds like I'm not alone, and there are a group of us with similar backgrounds. I doubt few of us would trade the fighter experience away, but the price paid can be pretty heavy.

One of the problems with this sort of thing is that immobility can make it worse, and as we know, moving about, resuming normal daily activities, is about the last thing one wants to do.

Over the years, I've tried a number of muscle relaxants, and the only one that seems to work is carisoprodol. The doc also provided vicodens which don't do a thing, and I don't touch anyhow, but the relaxants had me stumbling about, which I hate. I really, really need to look into different treatment methodologies.

Again, thanks for the suggestions... I've had a couple of PM's as well which are very helpful. I'm about 75% of the way back from this "session", but it's only a matter of time before another one strikes.

One thing I've found over the years... if you feel that "twinge" that implies a full-blown spasm is coming, ice, lots of it, seems to help reduce the severity and length.

I know three people, including my mom and an employee, who had back problems cured by an inversion table. My mom even had a fellow co-worker, who had serious back problems that were deemed to need surgery, corrected from an inversion table.

It's a worth a shot IMO as they are inexpensive to acquire.

http://www.energycenter.com/ec_graphics/ep-550_cvb.jpg

TAP class
 

You MUST get in the system BEFORE you retire or separate. Do not blow off TAP class, a lot of it can be a pain, but the VA part will help set you up to get your proper medical exams an into the system. This has NOTHING to do with you local Medical Hobby Shop other than getting a copy of your med records. You are looking to get your ailments documented and examed by the VA medical system, they will assign a level of disability from zero up to 100%. Even if it is zero, it is a least acknowledged so later in life if the problem gets worse, the VA will treat it. Can I be more clear on this? DO NOT separate or retire without going through this process. To answer your first question, acknowledged Fighter Pilot ailments are; neck, back, roids, hearing, big watches and talking louder and louder with each beer (that part according to my bride).

From the original post: Have you tried/considered massage therapy? (It may also be a bit "flaky, with candles & incense...") :p ... but I'll pass this info along, from my wife who is a Licensed Massage Therapist.

A chiropractor's primary scope of practice is bone and joint alignment. He may realign your spinal column, but your muscles will tend to return to where they were before. The muscles will be tense, and that tension will pull your bones/joints back out of alignment.

My wife recommends a therapeutic massage within a day after a skeletal adjustment. She has a client now who does just that... comes to see her the day after his spinal adjustments (he has 5 fused vertebrae), and he seems to be making good progress - he's regained feeling in his legs.

It was your mention of "supporting muscle around the spine" that reminded me of all the times I've heard her explain the difference between chiropractors & massage therapists. Chiropractors work on bones and joints, massage therapists work on soft tissue. They are complimentary treatments that work well in combination. Give it some thought and research.

Good topic, one that affects me. I've been flying T-45's & F/A-18's since 2001, with only a year and a half off from flying when I got tagged for a non-flying staff gig. I started having chronic lower back pain in 2009 but so far I haven’t talked with the flight doc about it due to the fear of being “med down”.

I will retire in three years and I fully understand that I need to get it documented, along with a few other minor issues, in order to get it in my medical record for the VA post-retirement.

My (probably stupid & fear-based) question to ya’ll is how do you go about getting it documented without having some knuckleheaded flight doc try to “med down” you? Sad to say but I haven't had much trust in my flight docs over my career. I have generally stayed away from them except for my annual flight physical. Any advice?