Thrown my back out

1. 79

   Uninvited Writerposted 13 years ago

   Can anyone suggest treatments? Is a heating pad good for it?
   
   I know I have to keep moving so I'm getting up every 15 minutes or so to walk around.
   
   And it was so simple, I bent down to get a box of oatmeal out of the cupboard...

   replyreport
   1. 56

      C.J. Wrightposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I find that alternating periods of sitting, laying and standing are helpfull. Heating pads help as do long soaks in a hot tub. It might be time to crack open a bottle of "Fat Bastard" as well

      replyreport
2. 78

   kirstenblogposted 13 years ago

   My husband did his back in a few years back. It was not pretty. He had arthritis of the spine anyway and his disc slipped, it has happened twice actually and he has nerve damage running down both legs now. He actually find those tummy fitness belts help disrupt the pain receptors and has given him real relief. I guess it is the electric zapping that is supposed to firm tummy muscles is interfering with the pain that results in feeling better. We actually also bought gravity boots for hanging upside down and they seem to help as well as they take the pressure off the spine. They are a real pain to use tho, we use our climbing harness and rope to help us get upside down in the first instance. I hope to do a how to hub on them actually, with pics of us upside down!

   replyreport
   1. 69

      waynetposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Lol! upside down like bats?!

      replyreport
      1. 78

         kirstenblogposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         H*ll yeah! It is going to be an embarrassing hub! We just look so funny both upside down and getting ourselves upside down

         replyreport
3. 78

   kirstenblogposted 13 years ago

   I just was telling hubby about this thread and he said I should mention that for him the belly zapper on his back is only giving him pain relief, where as the gravity boots feel like they are actually helping his back to heal. He says with them he is having far less problems with his back.

   replyreport
4. 68

   lrohnerposted 13 years ago

   Sorry to hear that, UW. I think you're on the right path with heat and exercise. Get on a regimen of anti-inflammatories (ibuprofen, acetomenophin) and don't skip any doses. Massage is also a wonderful way to get oxygen-rich blood into those muscles so they heal faster.
   
   Feel better soon!

   replyreport
5. 61

   katiem2posted 13 years ago

   Sorry to hear that.  I'd maintaint the heat and stretch touching your toes before you get out of bed and move around.  Assuming your resting which you should be.
   
   Get Well,

   replyreport
6. 79

   Uninvited Writerposted 13 years ago

   Yup, I'm on the couch with my heating pad, my kindle, my iPad, a blanket, and a cat occasionally.
   
   Took an Advil, lhoner

   replyreport
   1. 61

      katiem2posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Now that's a plan.  Thinking about you!    For me Advil works great!

      replyreport
   2. 59

      Ron Montgomeryposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Sounds like a good strategy to me.   Feel better.

      replyreport
   3. 63

      Wendy Krickposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Feel better soon.

      replyreport
7. 0

   Nelle Hoxieposted 13 years ago

   You might need a muscle relaxant. The tricky part is getting to the doctor to get them. Usually if my back spasm is really bad, I need them. Anti-inflamatories, reading and rest aren't enough. Speedy recovery.

   replyreport
8. 75

   Gypsy48posted 13 years ago

   Every time my back goes out, I have to go to the doctor for a shot of Toradol, pain disappears in minutes.

   replyreport
9. 61

   CASE1WORKERposted 13 years ago

   I used to take every anti inflammatory going- after a particularly bad spell three years ago, I went to an osteopath who used a regime of heat, cold and massage to reduce the inflammation which was causing the pain- i then started a regime of exercise to strengthen the back- i have been pain free for nearly twelve months whoopee!

   replyreport
10. 86

    IzzyMposted 13 years ago

    Sorry to hear about this UW! What might also help is some deep heat treatment - can't remember the names but they are creams you can buy over the counter. They seem to help too...that and anti-inflammatories, rest and occasional gentle exercise. Oh and that heat pad!

    replyreport
11. 0

    ahorsebackposted 13 years ago

    Uninvited writer, If its the lower back , place a small pillow on the floor and lie on it, just for a few minites though, keep the pillow in the lower back. Its a matter of hyperflexing the muscles you use alot. Bending them the opposit way.Its uncomfortable but it works.....

    replyreport
12. 60

    Matthew Rogersonposted 13 years ago

    Judging by the fact you bent down when you did it i assume it is the lower back which you have damaged. If it is today that you did it you need to apply a cold ice pack on and off every 20 minutes untill it all adds up to about 2 hours of cooling. This will keep any swelling down and prevent some of the pain. After around 2 days of doing this you should begin to apply heat as this will relax the muscles once again. Some stretching will also help for example touching your toes without bending your knees (you'll also feel that in your hamstrings)and lye flat on the floor, keeping your stomach down, put your palms flat in front of you and push up until your arms are fully extended and then hold it there. This will create an arch shape in your back and stretch the lower portion of the back.

    replyreport
13. 91

    Urbane Chaosposted 13 years ago

    When my back went out, the Dr. told me to alternate heating and cooling packs throughout the day.  That helped, but the meds he gave me helped a bit more..
    
    I also found that laying on the floor with my legs resting on the couch helped a lot.  I spent the first few nights sleeping like that and I was actually able to function the next day.
    
    If you're in a chair a lot, they make a special seat that'll help take the stress off your back.  I use mine religiously now, especially when I'm sitting for a long time.  Here's one that I just pulled up on google shopping: chair cushion
    
    If you hurt your back just by bending over, there could be something a little more serious going on.  I threw out my back by picking up a snare drum.  After I got it checked out, they said that I had some nerve damage.  If you haven't had it looked at, I would do so.. It's probably nothing and will go away soon, but it's better to be on the safe side.
    
    My friend, I hope you get feeling better soon..

    replyreport
14. 61

    Anesidoraposted 13 years ago

    I hope you feel better soon!

    replyreport
15. 79

    Uninvited Writerposted 13 years ago

    I have done this before and it went away in a day ot two. The pain is slowly lessening, I've been stretching a bit and doing the heat and cold. I definitely will see the doctor if it does not improve. I already have mobility issues with weak muscles, I'm sure it is connected.

    replyreport