My Back is Killing me!

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Exterous

Super Moderator
Jun 20, 2006
20,612
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It started about a week ago as a small ache in my lower back. It would be sore after sleeping then go away. It has slowly been getting worse day by day. I have tried sleeping with one pillow (I normally sleep with 2), a pillow under my back, sleeping on the floor but nothing helps.

I sit in a chair all day long and, lately, if I don't get up at least once in an hour, when I do its agony. I literally can't stand up straight for at least 45 seconds after standing up.
Walking doesn't bother me, neither does laying down.
I haven't lifted anything heavy in...well...its been a really long time
This doesn't feel like a pulled muscle and I can't attribute the pain to any one incident (its just been slowly getting worse)
I called my doctor but they can't get me in for a few more days

Any recommendations for right now?
 
J

Journer

Banned
Jun 30, 2005
4,355
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put a pillow between you legs when you sleep...

if you carry a wallet...take your wallet out of your back pocket whenever you sit down...this made a HUGE difference (believe it or not) on my back pains...i'm talking, WHENEVER you sit down, car, office, home, etc...just take ur wallet out (might not work for those who are too forgetfull)
 
M

MrBaseball

Senior member
Oct 30, 2001
247
0
76
Try putting the pillow under your legs when sleeping. It takes some of the pressure off the lower back. It helps when my back is hurting.
 
SonnyDaze

SonnyDaze

Diamond Member
Jul 31, 2004
6,867
3
76
Could be old/worn out shoes with bad soles....(try new insoles)

Could be old/worn out mattress. Try rotating/flipping it.
 
meltdown75

meltdown75

Lifer
Nov 17, 2004
37,548
7
81
It might not feel muscular in nature, but it very well may be.

I just went to the clinic last night to have the doc give me some advice about some sudden back pain I got while playing hockey Tuesday night. I was almost positive it was skeletal in nature - something to do with my spine or what have you (lower back pain on one side, was fine when I was sitting but if I got up after sitting for a while it was killing me).

Turns out it is a lower back sprain, pretty common for ages 30+. He recommended I stay off it for a while and if it persists to try some physio.

Today it is better - he suggested some Motrin or ibuprofen and while I haven't had any today, I can say that stretching it out helps. Bend over and touch your toes and hold it for a while, see how that feels or if you can even do it.

When mine gets back to 100%, I'm going to start some core-strengthening exercises again, like crunches on a physio ball and some other lower-back muscle workouts. I have the option to have a light skate tonight and I might do that. I think as long as we can get our core strong, our spine and lower back muscles will get the additional support we need to move forward without any further lower back ailments. Good luck! :)
 
IronWing

IronWing

No Lifer
Jul 20, 2001
73,652
35,464
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Originally posted by: SonnyDaze
Could be old/worn out shoes with bad soles....(try new insoles)

Could be old/worn out mattress. Try rotating/flipping it.
Click to expand...

Good suggestions, particularly concerning the shoes. Good shoes are essential for back health. Also, use the shoes. Walk some distance every day.
 
theknight571

theknight571

Platinum Member
Mar 23, 2001
2,896
2
81
Does the pain shoot down your leg(s) at all?

If so, your Sciatic nerve could be being pinched.

I had this problem a while back... I ended up at the doctors office and they gave me an anti-inflamatory and a muscle relaxer, which helped.
 
D

DAGTA

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
8,172
1
0
Don't sit unless you MUST for the next few weeks.
Go see a good chiropractor (ask around for referrals).
Drink a bunch of water to help flush the fluid in your disks.
Don't sit unless you MUST!
 
E

Exterous

Super Moderator
Jun 20, 2006
20,612
3,834
126
Originally posted by: DAGTA
Don't sit unless you MUST for the next few weeks.
Go see a good chiropractor (ask around for referrals).
Drink a bunch of water to help flush the fluid in your disks.
Don't sit unless you MUST!
Click to expand...

Thats probably what has really made the whole thing take off - my job is pretty much desk only (ie sitting) all day - although today is my last day.

I went to the doctor's today and he said its most likely muscular in nature, aggrevated by my constant sitting. He gave me some muscle relaxers so we will see what happens (esp now that I won't be sitting 9 hours a day)

EDIT: My shoes are pretty good quality and we are planning on flipping the mattress tonight (and by we, i mean her since I can't lift a damn thing)
 
D

DAGTA

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
8,172
1
0
Originally posted by: Exterous
Originally posted by: DAGTA
Don't sit unless you MUST for the next few weeks.
Go see a good chiropractor (ask around for referrals).
Drink a bunch of water to help flush the fluid in your disks.
Don't sit unless you MUST!
Click to expand...

Thats probably what has really made the whole thing take off - my job is pretty much desk only (ie sitting) all day - although today is my last day.

I went to the doctor's today and he said its most likely muscular in nature, aggrevated by my constant sitting. He gave me some muscle relaxers so we will see what happens (esp now that I won't be sitting 9 hours a day)

EDIT: My shoes are pretty good quality and we are planning on flipping the mattress tonight (and by we, i mean her since I can't lift a damn thing)
Click to expand...

I had back problems for a long time. I went to a doctor and he did the same thing... gave me muscle relaxers. I kept on sitting and ignoring the pain and the problems I had with walking when I first stood up. A few weeks later I was literally unable to get out of bed. The woman I was dating freaked out and called an ambulance. It was rather embarrassing being carried out of my apt on a stretcher at age 25. CT showed three bulging disks. I was given more muscle relaxers and Vicodin. I spent two weeks in a haze with a crooked spine. I went back to my MD... he was useless. I tried physical therapy... helped a bit, but didn't solve the problem. Finally, after months of pain, I gave in and tried a chiropractor. Best thing I ever did; I wish I wouldn't have waited so long.

My disks are healthy now, despite my MD telling me they would never regenerate and I would need surgery.

I hope your situation doesn't get that bad... but you have the warning signs now. You need to stop ignoring your back. If you're in pain while sitting, there is a good chance some of your bones are out of alignment and putting extra stress on your disks. A good chiropractor can fix that easily. Just try hard to find a good one.. .there are a lot of bad ones out there.
 
ockky

ockky

Senior member
Jul 29, 2004
735
0
71
look up some yoga stretchs on the net....my back hurt for months, ever since i started my stretches...3 different stretchs, i've had no pain...

btw, my back was so screwed up, my right arm was numb most of the day because of it
 
E

EtOH

Senior member
Oct 13, 1999
845
0
0
Ugh. I am in the same boat

2 years ago I had some BAD muscle spasms in my lower back. Couldn't walk, couldn't do anything buy lay there in pain (even with Vicodin and muscle relaxers).

Ever since it has been off and on. Nothing as bad as that one time, but sill not 100%.

About 2 weeks ago it started getting slowly worse. Not like the muscle spasms, I can point to it, the exact spot.

Last week I finally gave up and decided to go see an orthopedist, appointment set for Monday.

This morning I sneezed and literally had a back spasm on the spot. Had to come home from work.

I think I basically have a ruptured disc or something.

Due to how I have to bear my weight etc it is now starting to cause me pain in my hips, just due to how I have to hold my body, walk, etc.

Totally sucks.

I am going to keep an eye on this thread in case some good ideas pop up.
 
G

Gigantopithecus

Diamond Member
Dec 14, 2004
7,664
0
71
How physically active are you? Are you overweight at all?

I started developing back problems about a year ago; I started swimming often (strengthens back & abdominal muscles & helps you lose weight) & reduced my BMI from 29 to 26 - the pain has completely disappeared.
 
S

SlowSpyder

Lifer
Jan 12, 2005
17,305
1,002
126
I have a bad disc in my back. Ibuprofen/Naproxen is good over the counter stuff to take as it reduces inflamation if you have it, as well as helps with pain. I also was taking oxycodone for the pain... that stuff was great for pain. Watch your posture, and be sure to get up and stretch a bit every hour or so. Sitting is very hard on the lower spine. If your doctor finds out that you do have a buldging disc, do not see a chiropractor! They can be helpful for somethings, but the manipulations they do are actually very bad for disc problems and usually cause more problems then good. If your problem is indeed muscular, a chiro probably could help. With my problem, I lost a lot of strength in my right leg and was usually numb below my right knee. Steroid injections into the spine hurt like hell, but give you so much relief. Good luck with it.
 
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EtOH

Senior member
Oct 13, 1999
845
0
0
Oh yeah, highly recommend this book I found.

Healing Back Pain Naturally
Dr Art Brownstein
 
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