Back pain- Halp!

kikibaby · November 2009

So, my back has been KILLING me for over a week now- almost 2 weeks, actually. It's the center of my lower back. I have tried everything I can think of. What are your suggestions for helping back pain? My doctor can't see me until next week

Night_Sprite · November 2009

Advil, yoga (like downward dog and cobra), heat pad, and chiropractor.

bbyckes · November 2009

Is the pain eminating from the area near your kidneys? Is it a dull ache or sharp shooting pains? It may not be back pain at all.

Kati0105 · November 2009

Do you have a heating pad? If not you can buy one of those stick-on ones from Walgreens or CVS, they work great!

laurenclaire1386 · November 2009

I don't know what kind of shoes you wear on a day to day basis, but just wearing some comfy flats might help. A lot of lower back pain has to do with hip alignment and walking and stuff like that. And if you have to stand for work, try to get out of that. I had crazy bad lower middle back pain when I was a bartender and it was from standing for 8+ hours at a time.

kikibaby · November 2009

It's right in the center of my lower back. I'm pretty sure it's the muscle, and not my kidneys or anything. That usually hurts further to the sides.

betrothed123 · November 2009

It depends on the type of pain (stabbing, shooting, gripping, throbbing, etc).

kikibaby · November 2009

I love my heating pad but it only helps while it's on. As soon as I take it off, it starts hurting again.It's like an ache, not a stabbing/sharp pain.

danieliza1127 · November 2009

Advil, yoga (like downward dog and cobra),Those were my suggestions too. I have bad lower back pain when I stand for a while, even doing dishes sometimes. Ibuprofen helps and lots of stretching. I try to stretch every morning if I can. Just slowly bend all the way over and touch your toes a few times, gently.

ac_in_dc · November 2009

I've been having the exact same pain for the last 3 weeks, but that's because I'm knocked up

Heating pad is an awesome suggestion. Get FI to give you really light back massages down there too--I find the friction is what really has impact, not anything deep. I've also been doing pilates videos. The best stretch is when you get on all fours and arch your back like a cat, then flex it in the other direction. Ibuprofen is awesome too, as long as you're not PG.

kikibaby · November 2009

Thanks guys. I'll try some stretches (although it hurts if I bend all the way down). I've taken so much ibuprofen that I'm trying to give it a break so I don't wreck my stomach.

jamm2019 · November 2009

Some type of Ibuprofen. Is the pain going down your butt cheek into your leg, or just in the center of your back.You could also try ice for 20 min, and then back to heat for 20 min and alternate between those. Those icy/hot patches also help with these things. I have a bad disc in my L4/L5 lumbar spine, and I know the feeling of back pain. It is not pretty. I hope you find something to comfort yourself.

betrothed123 · November 2009

I'm not sure what type of heating pad you have, but you'd get a deeper heat with a moist heat than with a dry heat. If it's muscle related, the pain will come back sooner with a dry heat because it doesn't penetrate so deeply.Try a hot shower/bath, and see if that loosens it a bit.I also ditto the ibuprofen.Along with a PP, if you sit all day do not keep your wallet in your back pocket (this tends to be more of a problem for men, but some women do as well). It can screw up your alignment and lead to back pain/sciatic nerve pain.If you are on your feet all day, look into getting some shoes with thick rubber soles. The added padding should help with the pain.

egeiger · November 2009

Go see a massage therapist. They can usually fix it. I have issues where a nerve gets stuck in the muscle, so they loosen everything up. The pain almost makes me nauseous, and sounds similar to your issues. good luck!

tidetravel · November 2009

Yeah - I have that pain too, but for the same reason as AC. A lot of mine stems from sitting in one place for too long. They make orthopedic chair cushions for back pain that have an area cut out of them to relieve pressure on the base of the spine. I haven't tried it, but it may be an option.

betrothed123 · November 2009

I'd have you come see me for a massage therapy appointment if you lived closer. I have to second that rec.

playtntsbpg30 · November 2009

stay away from the chiropracter (sp) and take advil, try hot if it hurts more then try ice (cold).. I have 3 hernaited discs n other stuff wrong with my back and I live in pain every day. It's horrible. But when the pain wants to be eased away it takes 20 minutes of hot and 20 minutes of cold.. when (if) you try this, do it 20 minutes out of this hour one way, then wait an hour or so and try it the other. I hope this helps and i hope it's just a back spasum (sp) or something and nothing major.. it's good you're going to see the doc. don't want to wiat any longer then you have to..

kikibaby · November 2009

I have a feeling my desk chair is the culprit. They got us nice new ones, but I don't think it has much lumbar support. I think I'll ask our safety people (who also do ergonomic stuff) if they can order one of those lumbar support pillow thingies for me.

britne28 · November 2009

I have jack and ginger when my back is killing me. Jack for the pain and ginger for the inflammation.

kikibaby · November 2009

Well I'm drinking ginger ale, so if that helps... but unfortunately no Jack

Maybe later!

TurtlesAllTheWayDown · November 2009

Definitely a support pillow for your chair. If it's bad int he morning, try to get one of those memory foam mattress pads with support. I LOVE mine.

tidetravel · November 2009

Beware of the memory foam toppers! They will suck you in and you won't ever want to wake up. I *heart* mine.

TiDa2009 · November 2009

I third the massage rec. If you came to me, I would suggest massage on the buttocks and legs as that's where a lot of people's low back comes from.

kikibaby · November 2009

I'll look into getting a massage after I get paid, too

I could use a whole spa day really...

laboheme68 · November 2009

I thought I was having serious back pain.Turns out I had a really bad kidney infection. I would get to a doctor that can see you asap.

missy68 · November 2009

Sorry; started typing this, oh, an hour ago, then left for a meeting.I went to the doctor for mine, and went to a physical therapist for several sessions to work on my back issues last year (I have an SI joint torqued/out of whack along with minor typical back pain with out of shape back strap muscles). That really helped, and he gave me some exercises to do, along with some work on proper postures to use while lifting/exercising/sitting, etc. He also loaned me a TENS unit, and I ended up renting it from the company - I now own it. It helps a lot (and yes, I have some muscle relaxants and pain medication I take occasionally for flare ups).In my opinion, the doc is a good plan. I'll give you one tip from the PT: roll up a small towel (like the smaller bath towels - the ones bigger than a hand towel, but not bath sheet size). Make it into a C, then sit on it so your back is arched slightly (towel should be under your butt and go under your thighs slightly). That should put you into the proper sitting position.

Back pain- Halp!

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