Fighting Back -
Standing up to Back Pain...

By Maggie Hayward

'FIGHTING BACK' this unique, warm, informative and uplifting video has been produced Maggie Hayward who has suffered back pain for 40 years.

The exercise video 'Fighting Back' breaks new ground in that all those taking part including Judi Spiers (Presenter) and Maggie Hayward are all genuine back pain suffers.

Judi Spiers introduces Carol Sweet (Senior Chartered Physiotherapist) and talks to all those taking part, and hears their stories, from a 13 year old girl upwards through the whole age range.

'Fighting Back' features an exercise routine, used in Pain Management, which has been designed to help back pain sufferers cope with every day life and show that they are alone in their stress and pain.

IF EVER YOU'VE NEEDED A BACK PAIN FRIEND, THIS IS IT.

The Fighting Back video costs £16.99 plus P&P - click here to obtain your copy from Maggie Hayward

You can pay by Credit Card.

Maggie's Story

My back troubles started when I was 18 and I never dreamt that 40 years on I'd still have it. It seems strange now but back then exercise was almost a sin and I personally never went into a gym until I was 53 years.

Life isn't doom and gloom and I'm not unhappy, boring or full of self pity I've got a really bad back and I've learnt to live my life, as full as possible,around it. My condition is commonly known as wear and tear. Over the years I'd been to Physiotherapy, which was basically heat treatment, seen the orthopaedic consultant, had Epidural injections, hospital bed rest and privately tried every alternative therapy I could find. However nothing worked long term.

In 1976 when I could no longer dress myself properly, sit at a table and when every step I walked shuddered through my whole body the surgeon said 'I think you've suffered long enough'. I had a laminectomy, where they remove the disc. The pre op assessments are something that will haunt me forever although I must quickly add that in my latter operations the tests increased no more pain than I already had.

The laminectomy gave me considerable relief for about 10 years, which I understand is the average time (this may be different today). In the ten years I had managed to keep a brilliant job.

As life seemed great everything started to return but with more ferocity. I think it hurt more mentally than physically because I was really enjoying my life and tried desperately to overcome the pain. I used to creep into work bent in pain and found it impossible to concentrate.

I have been blessed with an inner strength and never give up hope and in 1986 went in hospital for a Spinal Fusion full of optimism for a pain free future. They said it was technically a success, whatever that means, but I had a bad recovery and never really benefited from that operation. Perhaps I had expected too much. After several months I returned to work.

Being a glutton for punishment I soon returned to working full-time and of course the back problems increased. Looking back I think I was lucky that I managed to work as long as I did and I have lot of wonderful memories of very good times - when I'm trying to relax I can easily recall very special days when life was full.

In 1992 I was again fighting desperately to accept the inevitable. Then I thought we had found the miracle I'd been looking for. We heard about a surgeon in the private sector who did a posterior/anterior fusion. I couldn't wait to see him; I limped into his surgery armed with my entire x-rays etc. He did further tests and said his operation would give me 88% relief, how could I refuse. We did loads of research and had by now accepted that the £25,000.00 for the operation was justified. My husband re-mortgaged the house. It didn't seem that much of a gamble, I had a good job and we could easily repay after all I'd be back at work in 3 months and 88% better.

I was ecstatic after the operation, I honestly thought it had worked and 'phoned my husband at 6.30 in the morning to say I was out of pain, we both cried, of course I was drugged up - it didn't last. I was fitted for a back corset which you had to wear all the time (except in bed). For the six months I wore the corset I felt quite good and yes you've guessed it first the legs and then back, our gamble hadn't paid off.

Sadly I lost my job and probably for the first time in my life I became depressed and was near to a nervous breakdown - but I bounced back when I read an article in 'TALKBACK', a back magazine. There was a story about a man who had been on a Pain Management Programme and how it changed his life, I didn't know then it would change mine.

The Pain Management Programme that I'd read about was in Manchester at the Ladywell Hospital and I live in Surrey. I was turned down at first over the funding but I wasn't deterred and wrote to my local MP (he didn't actually do anything) but I eventually got a place.

Pain Management is a multidisciplinary approach to pain. I had to go as an in patient for three weeks. Being at the hospital with 10 other back pain sufferers and the feeling of freedom to express your feelings was better than any drug. There are talks with doctors, pacing, Psychology,relaxation and Physiotherapy, which teaches you a structured exercise routine. You are well screened before being accepted so they know you are fit enough to participate. You leave with the knowledge of learning to live with your pain by different rules. It isn't easy, takes at least three months before you feel any benefit, but worth all the effort.

When I was leaving Manchester I asked if there was a video - it seemed the natural thing to leave with. There wasn't one and full of hope and inspiration, not to mention the big gap in my life, decided to produce my own. Of course it wasn't as easy as it sounds and took loads of research and for me increased suffering.

Once I'd arranged a bank loan there was no going back.

It took a year from conception to actually getting the video in its little box and I am very sincere when I say I love it - there is so much warmth, and empathy. One could never doubt that it wasn't genuine. I have a thousand happy memories from producing 'Fighting Back' and if I do nothing else I know that I have realised a dream. And most of all can offer hope to others.

Always remember it is not selfish to put yourself first, a happy you is a happy person for others and it is you who suffers. Try and do things you enjoy and if possible find a back pain friend.

And one last thing, if you ask what I got most from Pain Management it was acceptance - I can't get better and with that knowledge I get on with life.

I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM ANYONE WHO NEEDS SUPPORT AND WOULD WELCOME ANY COMMENTS REGARDING 'FIGHTING BACK'.

The Fighting Back video costs £16.99 plus P&P - click here to obtain your copy from Maggie Hayward

You can pay by Credit Card.

If you would like to leave me a message for Maggie click here Maggie Hayward