gf has extreme back pain- back strain or something more srs?

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Jul 10, 2007
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she tried lifting something too heavy, 50 lb item when she's only 5'5" 110 lbs.
instead of lifting with legs/arms, she lifted with her back and mid-way thru lifting, she felt a sharp pain and had to drop the item.
it's been almost a week and it's only gotten slightly better.

when she sits or stands, basically when upright, she's fine. when she lies down, it's actually slightly worse. but the absolute worst is when she bends over at the waist 20 degrees or more.

she was feeling much better after day 3, and foolishly tried to do too much and re-injured it when leaning over to pick something up.

her back isn't the strongest, and she has huge breasts for a skinny chick so i'm sure that's not helping.
she's seen a doctor for her minor back pain and xrays, even MRI come back normal.
but this time, the pain is a lot worse.

i can't relate because i've never experienced back pain, so does this sound like a strain that will get better with rest?
 

Azraele

Elite Member
Nov 5, 2000
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It sounds like she needs to see a doctor. Back injuries are nothing to mess around with.
 

crt1530

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Apr 15, 2001
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The best thing I have found for back tweaks is self myofascial release with a lacrosse ball. Place a lacrosse ball on the ground and lay on top of it. Find the spot where it is most painful and roll around on the ball for a few minutes until the pain lessens. Place as much of your bodyweight on that spot as possible. Do this a few times per day and it will speed along the healing process considerably.
 

TallBill

Lifer
Apr 29, 2001
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The best thing I have found for back tweaks is self myofascial release with a lacrosse ball. Place a lacrosse ball on the ground and lay on top of it. Find the spot where it is most painful and roll around on the ball for a few minutes until the pain lessens. Place as much of your bodyweight on that spot as possible. Do this a few times per day and it will speed along the healing process considerably.

Imma hafta tryit
 

eits

Lifer
Jun 4, 2005
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what kind of dr.?
specialist in... backs?

chiropractor

fyi, the op's gf, based on the mechanism of injury and presentation of when it hurts and when it doesn't, more than likely has a supraspinatus sprain. in order for it to not heal with limited elasticity, thereby causing segmental dysfunction, which would accelerate degeneration, she should probably think about getting adjusted as it healed.

since she's got big boobs, she probably wants to keep her spine as healthy as possible, since they create a lot of spinal degeneration due to abnormal motion patterns. women with big boobs have a higher rate of early disc degeneration. you can slow it down by seeing a chiropractor.
 
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Kipper

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Feb 18, 2000
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chiropractor

fyi, the op's gf, based on the mechanism of injury and presentation of when it hurts and when it doesn't, more than likely has a supraspinatus sprain. in order for it to not heal with limited elasticity, thereby causing segmental dysfunction, which would accelerate degeneration, she should probably think about getting adjusted as it healed.

since she's got big boobs, she probably wants to keep her spine as healthy as possible, since they create a lot of spinal degeneration due to abnormal motion patterns. women with big boobs have a higher rate of early disc degeneration. you can slow it down by seeing a chiropractor.

No conflict of interest, right?
 
Mar 22, 2002
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chiropractor

fyi, the op's gf, based on the mechanism of injury and presentation of when it hurts and when it doesn't, more than likely has a supraspinatus sprain. in order for it to not heal with limited elasticity, thereby causing segmental dysfunction, which would accelerate degeneration, she should probably think about getting adjusted as it healed.

since she's got big boobs, she probably wants to keep her spine as healthy as possible, since they create a lot of spinal degeneration due to abnormal motion patterns. women with big boobs have a higher rate of early disc degeneration. you can slow it down by seeing a chiropractor.

What? He hasn't described whether the pain has been spinal or muscular. And you suggest a RC muscle?

OP: orthopedist. Now. The orthopedist is so qualified that, if surgery is needed, he can do it himself. A degree in medicine is the degree I would trust on this one. I'm not against chiropractors at all, but I definitely wouldn't mess with a potentially damaged vertebra without consulting an orthopedic surgeon.
 

eits

Lifer
Jun 4, 2005
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What? He hasn't described whether the pain has been spinal or muscular. And you suggest a RC muscle?

OP: orthopedist. Now. The orthopedist is so qualified that, if surgery is needed, he can do it himself. A degree in medicine is the degree I would trust on this one. I'm not against chiropractors at all, but I definitely wouldn't mess with a potentially damaged vertebra without consulting an orthopedic surgeon.

he didn't need to. he gave the presentation.

you'd be a dumbass to go see an orthopedist for something like this. even if there's a vertebral fracture, there's not a lot that can be done other than bed rest and ice packs. unless your gf has cancer, there's virtually no way she fractured her back by lifting something 50 lbs.
 

SludgeFactory

Platinum Member
Sep 14, 2001
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Likely is a muscle strain.

If she's in agony and has been for days, either go to a GP and have them throw drugs at it (cortisone shot can work wonders, pain killers, and muscle relaxers) and possibly get a referral for some followup physical therapy, or go to a *good* chiropractor if you know of one.

Most orthopaedic docs are in it for the $$$$ (elective joint replacements and the like), and they aren't going to waste time with "routine" non-surgical back pain. My experience in calling 2 big orthopaedic clinics is being told they don't see back/neck pain patients and then being given the phone number for the neurologists down the street (most of whom won't see you without a referral anyway), when you know damn well that the problem is totally musculoskeletal.
 
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