I bent over to pick up something from the floor and my back went #$%&%*^@! Sitting is okay and standing is okay, but getting from one position to the other is AGONY!

So, any advice out there? Some people say heat. Some say ice. What is the collective wisdom of the forum? Right now I'm sitting on a heating pad and taking 800 of Motrin every 4 hours. It works, but I can sure tell when the Motrin wears off.

Thanks for your help.

OUCH!

Back pain is the pits. I get it occasionaly. Usually a trip to the chiropractor and I am good as new for a while. Massage therapy is supposed to be helpful as well...

I like a hot bath and heating pad. Also i know its not good for you, but I like to sleep with one on my back on med heat. After a few days of constant treatment with a heating pad for me it works well, but i have never been able to not move.

GIG'EM,

Avoid heat for 72 hrs. First 72hrs,cold packs only. After 72hrs alternate cold and heat. Also,you will heal faster if you move around,rather than just total rest. If you find moving around impossible due to pain,see your doc. X

Soak in hot tub.
I gotta a bad back also

I'm so sorry! I feel your pain!

You need to gently stretch...think YOGA...

This is what helps me:

1] A lot of time our back aches are due to tight hamstrings in our legs...try to stretch those gently.

2] Then, lay on on your back on a hard surface with your knees bent to relieve the pressure on your lower back. Sometimes, this will help get your back into the correct alignment.

3] Then slowly drop your knees to one side while gently turning your head and upper body to the other (arms outstretched). Then repeat that on the other side.

Do this all GENTLY and SLOWLY!!! If it HURTS...STOP!

You should feel a good strecth, and then a release.

Take a deep breath in slowly through your nose and perform the strecthes above while exhaling deeply through your mouth. Relax and repeat several times.


4] To lay down, try to sit down comfortably (yeah, right huh?), then roll to one side and slowly turn onto your back if you wish. Keep your knees bent. Try propping them up with a pillow or place the pillow between your knees if you are on your side.

5] To get up, if you are on your right side, support yourself with your right elbow and press up with your left hand. And vice versa.

I hope you feel better soon! I am still fighting this type of pain...

6] The Advil is good. My doc told me 3 (600 mg) every 6 hours or 4 (800 mg) every 8 hours...but it never seems to do much. I usually have to take a Vicodin with it to get any relief temporarily.

7] A nice massage or visit to the Chiropractor is in order.

But, all of this being said, it usually is better in 3 days. The longer you stay still, the stiffer you'll be...try to keep moving.

I've got your back...................Marla

As X said, first 72 hrs you need to ice it down. This reduces the swelling. If it's bad enough you might want to see a doctor about some anti-inflammatory medicine. After that period, heat to loosen the muscle and ice to reduce swelling. And be very careful for a while doing anything. Back muscles are a real problem because you use them for anything. Walking. Getting up. Turning. Don't mess around with it. I have found Ibuprofen works well for the pain, but each person is different. I was prescribed a large amount, but again I would get the advice of a doctor if it is possible.

00camper

you need a chiropractor trained in the use of an activator. he must be listed as "Advanced Proficiency " that means he is trained and knows his stuff. similar to board certified.

you can find one in your state. notice how many chiropractors in your town and how few are "advanced proficiency" rated.

http://www.activator.com/qualified_doctors.asp 

lotz of ULTRAM does it for me

O.K., I agree with x, to a degree and E's advice is great, but for down the road a piece. Stretching is a little more of a preventative thing.

What you probably have is a pinched nerve from inflamation in your spine causing muscle spasm. It's a cycle. The pinched nerve causes the muscles to thighten and they, in turn tend to squeeze the nerve more and so on and so on. This has, again probably been building up for awhile and that little incident was the straw.

You need to break the pain cycle first. Keep the ibuprofen coming but don't take more than 1000 mg. at a time. Overdosing ibuprofen may lead to tinitis, which is another story. Ice your spine roughly in the area lateral from your pain/20 min. on and 1 hr. off from morning 'til bedtime if possible. Do this for as many days as it takes. Heat works for muscles, but keep it away from your spine!!!

When you've cleared the heavy part, I would recomend a chiropractor. He may also use microcurrent as an option which, I belive has worked wonders for me. You can also get your own machines online for under a hundred bucks. Try to stay away from alcohol while you heal

All I have time for now. This should get you started.

Best wishes,
Kendall

sketcha's right on in the advice. marla's stretch recommendation is what i'd recommend as well -- that's a physical therapy exercise that can help relieve lower back/SI joint pain and get the area back to where it should be.

for the ice vs. heat part -- it kind of depends upon where you're hurting. intuition tells me that it's the lower back, and it might not even be the back per se but the SI (sacro-illium) joint. IF it is, then ice is going to be your friend, as the ibu is -- both help get the inflammation down. do ask sketcha recommended in the frequency of icing it.

you don't want to increase the inflammation, but you don't want it to stiffen or freeze up either. slow, gentle motion is good -- sitting or laying in one position isn't.

anyway, questions:

1. where exactly is the pain located?
2. do you feel pain radiating down into one leg -- and if so, which one?
3. does it feel like if you could JUST stretch a certain way that it would "pop" back into place?

hope your back feels better soon, my prayers are with you.

00camper,

Brother, I feel your pain.

I have a bad back, arthritic disks. There is some good advice in this thread, however, see a medical doctor first. I say this to get a medical evaluation of your problem. There are many causes of back pain, muscles, tendons, bones, disks, even stress, and combinations. After that, find what works for you, and avoid doing the things that hurt your back.

I can add, get at the pain right away. The longer it goes, the more muscles tighten up and the more miserable you will be. Too much heat got me stuck in bed, causing more than one ambulance ride to the emergency room.

The very best advice I can give you is, NEVER pick up anything heavier than a six-pack again.

---

hope you get better brother. Chiro helps me as well as heat. rest, heat a few good cigars always helps me 🙂

Marty, a wet heating pad, a hand-held massager, and a cold one always works for me.

If not, I'll get you the number for Trixie the masseuse.

blood

Hell, give me the number for Trixie, I hurt my back once. I need to 'strengthen my core' too ya know.

00...I've had a disk operation and have lower back pain as a result after heavy lifting , yard work, etc.

Ice will help reduce the swelling and motrin as an anit-inflamatory. The advice mentioned in this thread is good, but you should see a doctor/chiropracter for an evaluation.

A hot shower in the morning to loosen up the muscles, followed by an ice pack every few hours will help alot.

Rest above all is what you need. Avoid bending , twisting and standing for long periods of time.

Hope you're feeling better soon.

I AGREE WITH RICK FIND A GOOD CHRIO.

CHIRO WOOPS

Chiro's are witch doctors. Heat feels better, but ice does more good. Just don't OD on OtC pain killers. The body tends to repair itself. How old are you?