Lower back pain/spasms -- care to share? (Can use some advice.)

[VOX]

Sorry to whine, but I've been laid up for four days with incapacitating lower back spasms. I'm certain that's what this is -- on Thursday night, I had a small "stitch" in my lower back, but went to the gym anyway, and had a one-hour cardio workout and did some *very* mild lifting (seriously). I was a little tight that night, but by Friday morning I was writhing.

I can barely get up out of bed, or perch on the john, etc., without my left lower-back clenching up in a huge knot, which makes me just double over and gasp -- it's that intense. I've used ice, heat, Valium, anti-inflammatory meds, etc. It seems a little bit better now, but I am still hurting and walking around gingerly and very tentatively. My wife, bless her, has been helping me fix food and get dressed; in spite of that luxury ;), I am more than motivated to heal up -- I've got to get back into the office.

My medical plan is such that I can see a doc in urgent care, but I really don't know what she/he could do that I'm not doing already.

I know that you're not M.D.s, and I totally understand that you can't say emphatically, "do this..." But from those who might have walked this path, any suggestions/recommendations are welcomed and appreciated!

Thanks, gang -- :toast:

[rasputin1952]

1. A heating pad put ogainst a relatively soft chair...

should help. Use slow streching motions while seated, by sitting forward after the heat becomes pretty darn good in the lower back.

Valium is good, 10mg's every 4-6 hours will help, but you've really got to stretch the knots out.

With that said, it is best to see a doc because of the possibility of a serious underlying cause. If you have a 'slipped disk' or a pinched nerve, you could actually do yourself more harm than good.

Hope you fell better soon, and get that back checked out stat!

O8)

[Bronco69]

2. I've had back spasms too

Fortunately for me they are rare. The only thing I can do is ride it out. Do whatever you have to do to make yourself comfortable, but you're just going to have to wait it out. I hope you feel better soon. :-(

[H2O Man]

3. do's and don't's

do see a doctor. You need a Rx for a muscle relaxant, probably soma. Do stretching, take hot showers, and have your wife give you frequent light massages.
Don't try to decide what medicine to take yourself. Valium? For what? You'd be better off smoking pot, if you need to alter your mood. Do not use ice! Do not stay in bed.
Last word of advice: you muscle spasms are nature's way of telling you that there is a problem with your back, and to protect it. You did the exact opposite. Hence, you make your problems worse. You need to talk to a doctor about your habit of making very poor choices.

[Nlighten1]

8. Spot on.

Seeing a doctor is a must...

[gulfcoastliberal]

14. Valium is Often Precribed

For lower back spasms. My dad is a doctor. It's strictly a short-term thing, since valium metabolites build up in your liver over time. I'm with you 110% on the herbal remedy, though. :D

[H2O Man]

15. My father is dead...

...but he never Rx'ed valium for back pain. It's one of the most over-prescribed and mis-used drugs in our society. I stick by my earlier post saying that if a person needs to alter their mood due to back pain, pot is 1,000 times better.

[graywarrior]

4. Same thing happened to me

Started about 5 years ago right after a 5 mile run, which I'd been doing for years. Ended up in bed for 3 days, but it lasted about a week with pain standing and sitting, walking around, bending, breathing. It gradually went away, but I've always been weak in that area. Pain keeps returning.
Then I had a car accident and hurt my neck real bad. Lower back pain has been with me ever since. Chiropractor relieves the pain as long as you go once a week. Acupuncture works well also.
It will not go away on its own. You need to get someone to check it out. See a chiropractor.
Good luck, my heart goes out to ya.

[Kamika]

5. It's an infection

You can get treated with anti-inflammatory pills.. but in my case it was gone after a week or so, eating nothing..


But seriously why the hell go to the gym after you feel something in your back. tsk tsk


Don't do anything else then lay in yur bed or sit comfortably etc.. no stretching etc

[H2O Man]

6. The chances of it being an infection

vs it being the normal wear & tear on the back are very, very small. And if it is that normal wear & tear, the worse thing a person can do is remain stationary (in bed or in a chair). Stretching in moderation is the second best thing .... right after seeing a doctor. Still, you are on target with the idea that going to the gym shows a combination of ignorance and stupidity. Based on that alone, you need someone else to instruct you on what you need to do to take care of yourself. I'm being harsh, because I know all about backs. I don't want you to learn the hard way.

[Kamika]

9. uhmm ok sorry

I never had any wear & tear , just based it on my own experience

[ihaveaquestion]

7. I've had trouble for years...

Always had different advice from different doctors that didn't seem to prevent or cure anything. Finally I insisted that I be referred to a physical therapist and my problems are solved! Well, almost.

Here's the advice:

1. Ice for the first 3 days, 15 min on / 30 min off.
2. Heat after that - whatever feels comfortable.
3. Stretching and exercise for life! Have the therapist tell you which ones to do. I like yoga.

For me, these other things are contributers:

1. Crossing legs - over the years the muscles and ligaments of one side became shorter. Streching helps.
2. One leg shorter than the other - everyone's is, but if it's more than 5 centimeters difference, it can cause problems. I use a small lift in my shoes and it's made an enormous difference.

Good Luck!

[Odallas]

10. Mine failed 3 months ago

See your doctor to make certain there is no serious problem. Muscle relaxer would probably help. When you regain your strength and full range of motion develope a training program that includes focus on the lower back and abdominal muscles. Also, maintain proper posture while standing, sitting(especially while driving), and lifting. Try hanging from something that would allow your lower back to extend, this helps me. Good luck!

[supernova]

11. Make sure you don't have a kidney infection

KI's have lower/middle back pain as a prime symptom. It might be worth a visit to the doc to rule it out.

[H2O Man]

12. Everyone who lives past the age of 23

has wear and tear on the spine. The human anatomy is designed in a curious way. We are not intended to walk up-right at all times. There are numerous fascinating articles in medical journals about this. Thus, the discs in your back begin a slow (hopefully) but steady pattern of degeneration. They begin to loose fluid, shrink, and often become hardened. You wake up a little sore after jogging, doing yard-work, or other enjoyable work-outs, including our very favorite, sex. Often, men in particular are prone to thinking that a brisk workout is needed. However, chopping firewood, weight-lifting, or even something like "stair-stepping" exercise accelerates the damage. Better to stretch, hire a kid to split the wood, and engage in hours of foreplay/massage. Now, as for ice: yes, it will give temporary relief. But think, folks -- ice: water molecules moving very slowly; water: molecules moving faster; steam: molecules moving really fast. Does it make sense that you want to put something on your back that will make the tight, knotted muscles recovery go slower? As for physical therapists, go to the very best one you can. There is a HUGE difference between good and best. Good luck, and when you need surgery, ask me anything!

[nuxvomica]

13. One dose of arnica montana 30X kept me out of the ER

I had a similar condition a year ago January. I was ready to go to the ER when I thought I'd try the arnica cuz I had some around but I didn't expect it to do much. The excruciating pain was gone in 10 minutes. I still had a feeling of weakness in my lower back and got rid of that with a 200C dose, to "complete the cure."