Big back pain for 6 days now...

[yh125d]

So I'm 21 and in crappy shape. I sit at a desk for 10 hours a day then go home and sit at my computer a few more hours and thats about it.

A few weeks ago I started "light" exercise. Just pushups, situps, and body weight squats starting at about 10/day, and getting up to about 25/day the day before the pain started.

So the day I started hurting, I did a little bit of research and found out that traditional situps are apparently bad for your back (or at least the part of mine that's hurting). Anyway, I stopped doing all that thursday until I felt better, and while for a couple days it lessened in pain, Sunday it got a little worse and has continued to get worse since. I'm taking good care to sit up straight, support my back with pillows, and trying to lie on my back for at least a few minutes several times through the day, but even doing that has lost most of its comfort. I've tried sleeping on my side (normal) as well as my back with knees supported and neither seem to have an effect

I've never really had back pain to deal with before, so I can't be sure but it feels like it's muscular, not a pinched nerve or anything. Just a dull pain that's always there, slightly offset (both sides) of my lumbar spine, maybe 1-2" deep.

I started taking ibuprofen on Friday, and it helped a fair bit, but has slowly lost effect and yesterday had almost none, even combined with 2 acetaminophen. I'm picking up some Aleve on the way to work today to see how much that helps. I'd say it started out as a 2, but now is up to a 4 at best and 6-7 at worst throughout the day


Basically my question is, my uncle's Chiropractor would do my initial x-ray/assessment/whatever they do on the first visit for free on the referral, should I wait a few more days to see if it gets better on its own or go on in?


The worst part is, I keep a handful of percocet around for situations like this, but I'm probably getting drug tested in the next 1-2 weeks so I can't take it...


Any advice from more experienced folks would be well appreciated

 

[SandEagle]

could be tortocollis, like i had. similar situation. go to ER.
vico and valium cleared it up for me

 

[Dr. Zaus]

go to a physical therapist.

 

[highland145]

Try ice. No heat.

PM sociallychallenged if he doesn't chime in.

Just a dull pain that's always there, slightly offset (both sides) of my lumbar spine, maybe 1-2" deep.

Yeah, mine started like that. My L5 is messed up.

nb4 "asking an internet forum for medical advice."

 

[BabaBooey]

Acupuncture....chiropractor cured my sciatic in 10 min with it,does wonders on my shoulder also.

Good luck..

 

[IronWing]

Go to the ER. SandEagle is keeping the seat warm for you.

 

[sixone]

Basically my question is, my uncle's Chiropractor would do my initial x-ray/assessment/whatever they do on the first visit for free on the referral, should I wait a few more days to see if it gets better on its own or go on in?

Go on in. If it's free, why would you rather suffer for a few more days?

 

[rudder]

go to ER.

And get hit with an $800 bill?

 

[SP33Demon]

Physical Therapy or a Chiro that specializes in sports injuries. The good ones don't immediately make you get an xray, only if your back doesn't respond to treatment.

 

[Texashiker]

And get hit with an $800 bill?

That is just to walk in the front door.

If any test are ran, or if you talk to a doctor, your looking at more like $3k - $5k.

OP, forget the stuff that puts stress on your various body parts and just walk.

 

[CraKaJaX]

And get hit with an $800 bill?

well done. :thumbsup:

 

[stargazr]

go to a physical therapist.

This. Even if you got an MRI and it revealed a disc problem, usually the first step is physical therapy. Advanced symptoms of nerve impingement include sharp leg pains radiating down into the legs.

Of course OT is no substitute for a real doctor. I've had two spinal surgeries but admittedly am no doctor. There are so many possible sources of back pain. Usually in time your body will heal itself. If not you need to see a doctor.

I would use caution from now on even if it does appear to clear up. Learn some lower back stretching exercises and how to lift properly, avoiding heavy stuff if possible. Learn about body mechanics - good posture etc

 

[yh125d]

Ok, yesterday with the Aleve wasn't bad at all really, a 2-3 or so all day. Woke up this morning to just a 1-2, so it looks like it's finally starting to heal. If it regresses at all, I'll go straight to the chiro then.


And yeah, I'll definitely slowly ease back into it starting with just stretches at first, I don't want this happening again

 

[Doppel]

Chairs are fvcking havoc-wreaking on backs, this is just how it is. When you're at work you need to try sitting on the edge of your chair for a while, which will likely force your back into alignment as your muscles hold it up. You could also try making sure lumber support is substantial. The "slouch" that most people have while at chairs is bad. From time to time I've even been kneeling at my computer at work. Very hard on the knees but blessedly fantastic on the back because it mimics a standing position.

While at home try lying on the hard floor if you're watching TV.

Also do not no matter what sleep on your stomach until this is solved.

 

[yh125d]

Chairs are fvcking havoc-wreaking on backs, this is just how it is. When you're at work you need to try sitting on the edge of your chair for a while, which will likely force your back into alignment as your muscles hold it up. You could also try making sure lumber support is substantial. The "slouch" that most people have while at chairs is bad. From time to time I've even been kneeling at my computer at work. Very hard on the knees but blessedly fantastic on the back because it mimics a standing position.

While at home try lying on the hard floor if you're watching TV.

Also do not no matter what sleep on your stomach until this is solved.

Yeah I never sleep on my stomach, but I do sometimes lay down on it for 5 minutes for some relief

 

[SP33Demon]

Icing will help immensely, 20 minutes on, 20 off if you have a herniated disc. I went to a sports doc and after about 10-15 visits of massage, stim, roller table, and a couple weeks of icing my back (and advil), it properly healed. No x-ray or MRI necessary, and I initially could barely walk without extreme pain and had missed work. I'm almost ready to start running again and do core work to make sure it doesn't happen again.

 

[Nintendesert]

Don't go to a quack physical therapist, you need to stick to real science and medicine and seek some acupuncture and chiropractic help. You're probably just out of alignment.

 

[TechBoyJK]

Don't go to a quake physical therapist, you need to stick to real science and medicine and seek some acupuncture and chiropractic help. You're probably just out of alignment.

But he hasn't been playing quake. But I understand the reference, I had back problems after playing quake for hours!

 

[lxskllr]

My back started hurting about 13 years ago. It still hurts...

 

[LurkerPrime]

And get hit with an $800 bill?

You forgot the most important part. To then post here on ATOT and complain about it.

Anyway, go see a chiro and get the x-rays and go from there. If you go to a traditional doctor, they will just give you pain killers and muscle relaxers (they are nice, but dont solve your problem).

 

[purbeast0]

i got some screwed up discs in my lower lumbar area. i had never felt such relief, even after 5 years of it, until i got an inversion table. i swear by those things now. literally after 5 days of using it 2x a day at 5-10 mins a day, my back felt better than it had the past 5 years.

i fucked up my back doing squats totally wrong, and then i never really got it checked out for over a year when it totally went out before a 4 hour flight i had. was an awful awful experience and it lead to getting an MRI and seeing a nerve specialist.

back pain can be serious and never ending - i'd strongly recommend getting it checked out if it doesnt go away.

 

[jhansman]

Get some PT, and learn how to get and keep your back and abdominals strong. I borked my back so badly a couple years back (overlifted), I was bedridden for two straight days, and on a walker for another two weeks. Now I do a series of exercises every day before getting out of bed, never lift more than my arm strength can handle. Living on painkillers will do nothing to prevent your pain from returning. Strength and flexibility are the key.

 

[Exterous]

And yeah, I'll definitely slowly ease back into it starting with just stretches at first, I don't want this happening again

There are also some specific exercises geared towards strengthening your back muscles. Once it has had time to heal it might be worth looking into. They have helped me with my back problems

 

[AFurryReptile]

Are you still doing the sit-ups, or did that stop when the pain started? I mean, if it all started with the sit-ups, you probably pulled a muscle or something. Depending on how much you weigh and how out of shape you are, muscles in your back can take a long time to heal.

Rather than the traditional sit-up, try crunches. You really only need to get your shoulders off the ground to have the same results. Also, try laying on your back and lifting your legs; that'll work your stomach and back as well.

 

[Scotteq]

Most of the advice here is good, But I'd like to add one comment I didn't see when I glanced through the thread:

STRETCH

STRETCH

STRETCH

...especially your hamstrings. :thumbup:


Also - Ibuprofen (Advil) is the superior OTC painkiller for this, since it's also an anti-inflammatory.