Tex., relies on the TENS machine to alleviate pain. Anderson said, “It will be the best $30 you ever spend. I have crawled out of my van some days and then put thing on and the pain just goes away.” Drew Finch of A&D Tile in Columbiana, Ohio also used a TENS machine in conjunction with three weeks of physical therapy and massage to heal from a back issue. Stretching, exercise In addition to chiropractic, Chris Wittenbrink of Keystone Kitchens, Inc., in Woodinville, Wash., prac- tices specialized exercises and sometimes takes time off work. Ric Satterlee of Dynamic Interiors, LLC in Anchorage, Alaska, recom- mended strengthening core mus- cles and taking vitamins for joints. “A lot of back pain can be caused from weak core muscles and over time do damage,” he said. “When my back hurts I wear a brace until pain is completely gone.” Neal Holden of Riverside Construction, LLC in Yakima, Wash., has issues with his L3 and L4 vertebrae, but fights it with water for hydration, going to the gym three times a week with a focus on the core muscles, and chiropractor visits until they dwin- dle to only a weekly tune up. Kenny David Gonzalez of Phoenix International Consulting, INC, Long Beach, Calif., recom- mends buying the book, The Gift of Injury. “It shows you good exer- cises to help dramatically,” he said. A back brace helps Elizabeth Yaldua of Elite Flooring and More in Bentonville, Ark., deal with bulging discs at L3, L4 and L5. She advises keeping shoulders in line with one’s hips, sleeping on a pal- let on the floor, and “when you’re not hurting, do squats.” Medication Steroid/epidural injections seem to work wonders for some suffer- ers. Brad Bressler said, “I got a steroid injection a couple of years ago that was a lifesaver. I also visit a chiropractor every four weeks for a ride on the decompression table and a tune up. I don’t see myself doing tile much longer if I want to avoid surgery.” Prednisone worked for Gordon Webber of Webber Masonry and Tile in Antrim, N.H., and John Page V, owner of Timeless Tile & Surface Restoration, Newland, N.C., said he gets steroid shots every other year to address sciatic pain. Al DeNorcia of Holmdel, N.J., has three herniated discs and gets epidural injections every two years. “It’s been working for years now, and in my opinion, it’s safer than HOT TOPICS ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– D C O M PA N Y & A DTI L E D E S I G N S . C O M A D T I L E A 84 TileLetter | February 2019