Back problems from high G
 

How many ex-fighter guys out there have had chronic back problems after leaving the military? I've torn and spasmed the muscles around my spine and neck so many times during active duty, that it's now probably 50% scar tissue by weight.

I'm really tired of it. I'll be OK for a few months, then end up fetal from the pain, unable to move. I've talked to other guys and many of them have long-term problems as well. How common is it? Any suggestions on how to get fully healed?

It's not bone or disk, just the supporting muscle around the spine. I don't think our bodies were designed for the punishment. And the more modern aircraft can sustain the high G loadings for a much longer period of time.

This sucks. Tired of being in pain.

Find a Good Chiropractor. It might take a while to find a good one (many work with Ambulance Chasing Slip/fall lawyers). There are Good honest ones out there, when you find one, you won't be sorry.

Also try Acupuncture. Many of them seem a little flaky, Candles and incense, Mood music aroma therapy etc . Again, finding a Good straight forward Acupuncturist isn't easy, but once I did, I have had good luck and have total Back pain relief.

I'm assuming you have been through the medical wickets already (Xrays/MRIs etc)? Hopefully you did that while on AD so it's documented in terms of VA benefits. My experience has been the diagnosis in pinpointing the problem was the key for me to get on the right activity level to preclude further aggravation or injury, while still being able to fly comfortably. Every case is different so there really isn't a one stop answer per se. I would say if your is diagnosed to be muscular in nature you're in good shape. Having had some of the same symptoms as you, and having been diagnosed with DDD (Degenerative Disc Disease aka arthritis) I'd bet you have something other than muscular issues going on, but I'm not a doc. If you haven't, get an MRI, it will tell you what's wrong with your back.

Did you catch this week's coverage of the study claiming 40% success rate for treating low back pain with antibiotics?

Antibiotics May Relieve Chronic Lower Back Pain Cases - Bloomberg

Back problems from high G
 

ForeverFO:

I'm sorry I can't answer your question. However when I was active duty, we had four fighter bubbas come into my tanker squadron due to back and neck problems. This was over a period of 8 years. One guy then bailed because he had problems carrying the bags/pubs up the stairs. I believe it's more widespread than the USAF would want you to believe. They called it "viper neck."

My F-15 buddy has 70% VA disability for back/neck problems plus a few other small ones--he spent the last few years on AD getting cortizone shots.

2200 + F-15 hours, 2 back surgeries here. First was not related as far as I know to Gs...it was a tumor in the spinal column. Second was the class bulging/herniated disc in L4/L5, and yeah, I'll give about 95% of that one to McAir.

PM if you'd like. Big picture is I found dropping 25-30 pounds and running and biking have kept me feeling better. Worst thing I do is this--sit on computer and type. Next worse is flying MD-11. Movement=relief for me....YMMV. I think we wear the same ugly tie so feel free to look me up in VIPS...

I appreciate all of the suggestions... It's all middle and upper back, and was one of the main reasons I pulled the plug on my USAF career. Life just wasn't fun anymore. And I've run into many others with similar circumstances.

It's very true that airline lifestyle doesn't help at all.

When I outprocessed, and was wandering around delivering paperwork everywhere, I made copies of my medical record pertaining to the back issue so I'd have a history if I needed it. I didn't trust the black hole that was the DOD system. Probably most frustrating was the quackiness of the USAF medical system. All they cared about was how quickly can you get off DNIF, and it was hard to heal. They also underprescribed, sometimes severely.

Got to keep away from the computer as well. ;)

Now with the JHMCS it's pretty easy to tweak your neck doing HABFM or ACM,

From my experience the worst ones come from craning your neck while watching the bandit behind you immediately post high-aspect merge. I've found that using the neck machine at the gym helps quite a bit.

Maybe it's time to get the mirror BFM brief?

Good luck.

Make sure you get all plugged into the Military Disability Programs BEFORE you separate, if possible. I've heard of bad stories trying to deal with the VA.