I hurt. A lot

[quakerboy]

I did something bad to my back earlier today. Was helping my parents move, again. Was done with most of the heavy stuff, no prob. My cousins bailed on me, punks that they are. Then I bent to slide a medium small box out of the way, and wham, I could no longer stand on my own two feet. I wasn't going to say anything, but apparently I posted in the wrong place, so I had to do a quick cover up.


Anyway, Medically, I know that this will pass with time. Or at least I certaintly hope it will, and if not, I will seek professional advice.

But on a comfort level, this is a brand new experience for me. After some stretching and moving and rest, it no longer causes burning pain to move my legs while sitting. And I can kinda walk, slowly. Is there anything I can do to make this not so painful? I dont know. If this is seeking medical advice, admins are free to lock. But I don't think I am. Then again, I hurt and my judgment may be clouded.

[alphafemale]

1. If it doesn't self mend in 24 seek professional help.

A muscle spasm will generally subside in that time period.

If you've done physical damage it won't.

[quakerboy]

11. Its already subsided a lot

At first, I literally couldn't stand. With some help I got to my car. In the car, it caused firey pain to adjust my legs. Now I can walk with only occasional twinges.

[Lars39]

2. Ice and a lot of Ibuprofen.

:hug:

[quakerboy]

10. Thanks.

With that seconded and thirded, I decided to try it. I was just trying to stretch it a bit as I could.

[Kali]

3. don't sit, lie down

sleep on the floor unless you have a firm mattress

ice at first, in a few days try heat

[REP]

4. Seek medical advice sooner rather than later

It's affected your walking for a few hours. Call triage at least.

[quakerboy]

12. First thing they ask is for a medical record number

and I ain't got one. Thems fer rich folk and gubmint employees.

[vanlassie]

5. We're serious about the ice. Ten minutes every hour. Ice.

[quakerboy]

6. Everyone keeps offering me heating pads

so far, Ive taken aspirin and something provided by my wife's Chiropractor. Ive had pain like this before. However it was all when I was a hundred pounds heavier and sleeping on a rock hard matress. And it was something that I had woken up with. This is the first time Ive ever had it happen in my waking hours. Once I got a new mattress, everything was so much better. Then I lost a hundred pounds and everything was really so much better. I guess, sometimes, being more active and able has an unexpected cost.

Ive always heard ice is only good right away, and then comes heat. Can you explain why everyone here is saying ice for a while?

[XemaSab]

7. Take LOADS of meds

If it feels like the bones are kinked wrong, try to walk around as much as you can.

If it feels like it's the muscles, lie FLAT. (Not sitting up.)

I've been there, and it sucks. :(

[quakerboy]

9. Heh.

Not really stocked. I have some vicoden, but all that does is make me in pain plus less able to move or function. So aspirin and whatever this OTC muscle relaxant my wife has will have to do for that side of things.

I have no idea, guessing muscles. I rolled on a foam thingie i have that helps me crack my back. Cracked, but no change in pain levels.

[marzipanni]

8. A plastic bag of ice (a bag of frozen peas works well!) with a dish towel wrapped around it

Ice will keep the internal swelling down- swelling irritates nerves.

As already mentioned, Ibuprofen is good because it's an anti-inflammatory, so is better than other pain medications like Tylenol.

When you move around, go slow and try to keep yourself aligned straight forward (even bending slightly to one side to get something out of the fridge made my back go into spasm once)

Take the pressure off of your spine by lying down, not standing or sitting (as Kali said)


Hopefully, after resting/sleeping, you'll feel better tomorrow morning!


On edit- I just saw your mention of heating pads- Heat is good after 48-72 hours, but not so soon after injury.
You may have heard of icing a sprained ankle, for instance?