When I had an epidural steroid injection for my back pain, the relief was supposed to kick in within a week of receiving the injection, and last for several months. Unfortunately, it was not effective for me (it doesn't always work). Obviously it's not a cure, but what it does do is break the cycle of pain so that you can bear to do the phsyio and exercise to manipulate your herniated disc (or whatever) back to where it should be.

As keeps being stressed here (and is repeatedly ignored), every back problem is different. My prolapsed disc was eventually cured by the use of an inversion table, but that doesn't work for everybody and a recent scientific study pooh-poohed the notion that it could even work, but I know it worked for me. Although I can state with certainty that this is the case, I wouldn't necessarily recommend it to others, because (yes, you've guessed it) every back problem is different...

That is what worries me. How much more damage is she doing to her back while she can't feel the pain?
Pain is a warning sign of problems.

If they're anything like the steroid injections I have - usually take a few days to work and can last up to 2/3 months but everybody is different.

I dont know why people have to compare their own back issues with that of Natalie'sUnless of course its to further convince others that she is lying about having back problems.Which all seems rather strange because we know from the producers, Natalie herself and an elite team of medical consultants (Harley street no less) that she does have some serious issues.
People all have their own limitations and determinations of how to manage their back issues and everyone's back problems are different.

Of course she has not had miraculous surgery but she has had very strong painkillers, also epidural and steroids too.
As for Natalie's journey.....well she does seem to have had a far more painful and uphill struggle than any of the others who have coasted along, danced badly and yet recieved overpraise for their efforts.Not only has she battled with the injuries and the stress from her own determination to carry on and punish her body but she is also battling against the extreme dislike and prejudice against her inclusion on what is effectively an entertainment show.
It would surely have been very easy for her to just give in after last week, go home and take it easy....but she is not like that and wants to complete what she started and go as far as the votes will take her.Not being a quitter is a great thing imo and I just wish people would give her a break from the constant and relentless picking apart of her motive's and personality....just leave her be and let the voters decide.

Again, I can't speak for Natalie's back problem, only my own, but pain is not just a warning sign of problems, but the thing that gets in the way of sorting the problem! When you can't sit, can't stand and can't lie down without being in agony, you have to take strong pain-killers just to be able to function.

As I said above, an effective epidural steroid injection breaks the cycle of pain that prevents the sufferer being able to do the necessary physio/osteopathy/chiropractice to sort out the underlying problem without the need for surgery (which has only a 50% success rate so should always be the last resort).

Great post

Yes I know. I have a bad back.

I understand what you're saying about breaking the cycle & allowing us to function but Natalie is isn't just functioning she is stretching & pushing her body beyond what is normal & there is no pain to warn her of further problems if that makes sense?

Maybe some people compare their own back problem issue with Natalie's not because they think she is lying, but because they can understand why she doesn't curl up and go to bed. I am a big fan of Natalie's and really sympathise with her and good on her that she hasn't given up on SCD. Some people might have an agenda in their posts but some don't.

Well, according to the detractors on this forum, Natalie was not pushing her body enough this week! Also, she hardly needs pain to warn her of further problems if she is being monitored by doctors, which I would guess she is.

With apologies for referring to my own back problem (since it will be different to Natalie's and yours), once I'd got the MRI and a proper diagnosis, it was just a matter of working out how I could best get that pesky disc back where it should be (and keep it there). Exercise is the very best thing to do, albeit impossible if you can't cross the floor without being in pain.

I'm not sure what 'further problems' there could be, to be honest - either the exercise she is doing and the manipulation she is receiving will work to get that disc back into place, or it won't. I was warned to avoid twisting actions, since that could make the disc bulge again but, three years down the line, I can now do some of those twisting moves in my pilates class. But, judging by Natalie's dance moves, twisting doesn't seem to be a problem for her.

Yes of course, but its easy to spot those with an agenda.There are quite a few.

It doe nothing of the sort - without statistics to support your argument like your previous comments it is nothing more than conjecture.




She said nothing of the sort - maybe you should read her actual quote.
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013...ml?view=screen


You seem to do a lot of thinking without actually using facts to back up your thoughts.


Considering her health issues it was imo a stellar performance.


As I've posted on more than one thread that was not her best performance to date and I've certainly seen better Charlestons both in the past and in this series.

Clearly your view of her is such that you are unable to see past your own dislike and give an objective opinion rather than the subjective.

i was pleased when she said in her interview with tess that there would be no more drama, no more epidurals, no more exhaustion or fainting, and apologised for the furore, because it has been a bit like that, and i really think everyone (including her) has had enough of it now. i don't doubt she has had real problems, but she also needs to move on from it now, if she can, or i think she'd have to withdraw.

Exactly Some people are so transparent

Thanks to all those who replied - too many to quote. I was under the misunderstanding that Natalie was given an analgesic epidural due to the many comments of her drug high, I didn't realise she had had a cortisone injection.

Totally agree

She was clearly extremely nervous on the back flip and it was performed very carefully. I think she is aware of the weakness in her back and her performance could be placed on the careful side. She has to balance her love for dance against damaging herself (back pains two weeks ago) and exhausting herself (the faints last week). It is not clear what painkillers she is on, but I wouldn't be surprised to see some connection between them and her faints / over exhaustion of last week.

I think she has changed her mind set for this week - in the past I think she was aiming to win, but now she will aim to enjoy the dancing while not going beyond her own health limitations.

Ps it is ironic that Natalie's back problem has caused so many people to get their back up.

Thanks, have won several medals, but that one stood out as the decisions I had to make were dependent on what outcome(s) I wanted. Suspect Natalie feels similar about taking part on SCD. As do the other celebs like Mark and his knees.

Body parts take a long time to heal, still working on one spot from July. Rest and sleep are rejuvenating, as is eating properly and reducing stress. None of which seem to happen for SCD celebs......nor errant college professors like myself.

Does that include you primer?

Natalie does seem to have moved on, she's carrying on regardless, it seems as though it is her detractors that cannot move on.

She is doing her best every week as far as I can see,.

Nor us old fogies either

I agree, she was clumsy and looked wrong. If she was on pain medication I expect she floated through it all quite happily but she'll feel it afterwards. Well done to her for giving it a goi when she's in pain but she didn't deserve that high score.

you are barking at the wrong dog.

i've commented on threads about natalie, no more or less than most other contestants i'm interested in, but i've never said anything nasty about her, she is neither my favourite (patrick) nor my least favourite (currently fiona).

its really astonishing, not to mention alarming, how some posters here seem to want to exclude anything but mindless, drippy, drooling, cloying adoration of her and are willing to bitch and snipe at anyone who isn't considered on side.

You must understand, sir, that a person is either with this court or he must be counted against it, there be no road between.

Sounds like you need to be on my Buddy List. Masters lifters means we are (well) over 35.

Where did I say that you had said anything nasty about her.

I notice you did not comment on the many. many nasty comments made by posters on here about her, yet you chose to have a go and some of her fans for supporting her.
Now who's sniping?

Hypocrite! I've just seen you sniping at Susanna.