Imagine being in pain for almost 24 hours a day. Not being able to walk, drive or sit comfortably. That's what some people with back pain experience every day.

If you've never had your back "go out" on you, it's hard to describe.

It happened to me once, and I couldn't get off the floor of my apartment for about six hours. Luckily, with rest, ice and some anti-inflammatory medicine, I was back (no pun intended) on my feet in a short time.

For others, it's not so easy.

There are a number of non-invasive treatments, but sometimes surgery is the only answer. Back problems are unique to the individual, and you often don't have to live with the pain.

"I tried everything. Physical therapy, decompression treatments, massage, electric stimulation, injections," said George Steiner, of New Preston.

"I had constant pain in my hip, going down my left leg. The only time it didn't hurt was the first hour when I woke up because I hadn't moved all night," he said. "Besides that, it kept me up all night."

Steiner is an active runner, swimmer and volunteer fireman, who is used to being on the move.

"Enduring the pain over a year wears you down," he said. Steiner got injured falling on ice in February 2009, and after almost a year of pain he had his first back surgery in December.

"They trimmed the disc but that just didn't work," he said. "When your disc blows out, it hardens up like cartilage and there was a lot of pressure on the nerve."

After no relief from the first surgery, Steiner got a second opinion, then decided it was back to surgery.

"In my case, having an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) was critical," he added. During the second surgery in April, the disc was removed, the bone was fused and a titanium clip was put in.

"To wake up and not feel pain is a beautiful thing," he said. "It was a life-changing event and now I feel fantastic with a new lease on life."

In his case, the second time was the charm.

Danbury resident Chuck Penn had a three-peat on back surgery.

"It was just overuse -- sports, being active and working hard," Penn said.

His surgeries were in 2005, then three months later and then in 2008.

"I had to keep working to pay the bills, but the pain was just debilitating and just plain suicidal," he said. "During the last surgery, they cut the disc out and the doctor told me it was the worst he had ever seen. He said the chunks of bone almost cut my spinal cord."

Penn foresees another possible surgery in the future, but, for right now it's livable.

"If it's that bad, you have to have it fixed," he added.

With those stories told, have faith there is hope for back pain relief.

A great back strengthening and stretching exercise goes like this: Lie on your stomach on the floor, with your palms flat on the floor (directly under your shoulders). Gently push up, keeping your hips on the floor. Keep breathing through the exercise.

And one more tip -- baby that back. Be sure to lift heavy objects by bending your knees, or get some help. Take care of your back and it will take care of you.

Regular exercise and core strength also keeps your back healthy. Sneakers on!

Did you know? It's time for summer sweet corn. Corn contains health-promoting carotenoids including beta carotene and lutein. Cook it, husk on with tin foil, on the grill for great flavor.
