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Pain in the ...

DocTee Feb 15 2009 08:31 PM

So, I missed three days of work this week with the most agonizing pain I have ever experienced: back spasms. It felt like I was in full rigor mortis: took ten minutes to get out of bed, couldn't walk without a cane. I'm 37, never had them before. Worse pain than broken bones, torn ligaments and any other injury I have ever suffered. Has anybody had an experience like this? What do you do to avoid them? My doc prescribed muscle-relaxants, vicodin and anti-inflammatory meds, but I still ain't right (much better though). I'll do anything, no matter how hokey it might seem, to avoid that pain: accupuncture, chiropractic, yoga, pilates...I don't care I just can't face this as a recurring malady. Any help or suggestions?

themetfairy Feb 15 2009 09:07 PM

I've had back pain before. Not as debilitating as what you describe, but it's still inconvenient. I've had luck with a chiropractor. I used to go more often, but now that I do yoga I only need to see the chiropractor a few times a year. [url=http://www.thermacare.com/home.aspx:2bobtr3d]Thermacare Heat Pads[/url:2bobtr3d] are helpful when you have pain - it's like walking around (or sleeping) with a portable heating pad. Good luck!

Frayed Knot Feb 16 2009 06:37 AM

I decided to avoid the middle-age rush and by starting to have back problems at about age 14 (right in the middle of final exam week IIIRC). There's actually a diagnosed problem (a small gap where bones didn't fuse during growth where they were supposed to - just above the waistline, slightly right of the spine) which mostly shows up as an occasional lack of flexibility and some pain, often brought on by fatigue. But then I also get what you're describing once every couple of years. Same general starting area only much worse to where I can not only neither straighten up nor bend over but really can't move an inch without shooting pain. So what do I do for them? ... nothing much really except heat pads and such. As you found out, there's nothing really the docs can do except tell you your back is strained and to avoid using it. The pills can help but the problem with that route is that they merely mask the pain and you tend to start moving around when lying down would be better. My general rule of thumb is that I know it's going to knock me totally out of commission for about 3 days. After that I'm still kind of walking around like the 2nd guy from the left on those evolution charts but I can at least function and each day gets just a little bit better than the one before until things are relatively back to normal in about 3 weeks. As for a preventative measure, any kind of strengthening exercise for not only the back but the abs and your entire core helps.

Fman99 Feb 16 2009 06:42 AM

I recommend laying prone in an easy chair and consuming clear alcoholic cocktails until you feel nothing but, as Don Henley might say, a "peaceful easy feeling." Note that I prescribe this for any and every ailment known to the human condition and that it works in all cases.

Kong76 Feb 16 2009 06:55 AM

Pain killers, muscle relaxers, twelve pack. Rinse and repeat. Once you've recovered, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Stretching-20th-Anniversary-Revised-Anderson/dp/0936070226/ref=sr_1_1/185-9669632-3716241?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1234792271&sr=1-1">get this book</a> and use it daily. Edgy has seen me crippled with back spasms ... humbling.

metirish Feb 16 2009 06:55 AM

Personally I wouldn't go near a chiropractor, about 9 years ago I suffered from terrible back pain , I went to a Physiatrist who diagnosed me with bulged lower discs and hyper-extended upper discs. I was sent for months of extensive physical therapy and have not had a problem since. http://www.aapmr.org/condtreat/what.htm

RealityChuck Feb 16 2009 07:33 AM The best thing for a sore back

The Chinese Position: 1. Stand, feet slightly outward and about a foot apart (you will discover the right distance and angle through practice). 2. Crouch down so your calves and thighs touch. 3. Hold your hands out in front of you, fingers interlocked. 4. Let your head relax completely. 5. Hold the position for 30-60 seconds. 6. Stand up. You will feel immediate relief from any back pain. Only drawback is that it's rough on the knees. If you have knee problems, try the second method: 1. Kneel on the floor. 2. Lean forward, head down, arms in front of you, until your calves and thighs touch. 3. Hold the position for 60-90 seconds. 4. Roll onto your side and then get up. This doesn't work quite as well as the first method, but is easier.

Fman99 Feb 16 2009 07:40 AM Re: The best thing for a sore back

="RealityChuck":rkwo0h02]The Chinese Position: 1. Stand, feet slightly outward and about a foot apart (you will discover the right distance and angle through practice). 2. Crouch down so your calves and thighs touch. 3. Hold your hands out in front of you, fingers interlocked. 4. Let your head relax completely. 5. Hold the position for 30-60 seconds. 6. Stand up. You will feel immediate relief from any back pain. Only drawback is that it's rough on the knees. If you have knee problems, try the second method: 1. Kneel on the floor. 2. Lean forward, head down, arms in front of you, until your calves and thighs touch. 3. Hold the position for 60-90 seconds. 4. Roll onto your side and then get up. This doesn't work quite as well as the first method, but is easier.[/quote:rkwo0h02] Har har haw haw... them's humpin poses!