Pain in the backache - your remedy?

[lhfarm]

A couple of weeks ago did 45 miles of hiking in far eastern TN. A couple of days after I got home was catching up on weeding in the garden and pulled a muscle (or something) in my lower back. I have had back problems before, but this one doesn't seem to want to go away. In the past, a week of taking it easy seems to have done the trick. Not this time. I need to get back to chores.

Have gone to the doc in the past and have a supply of muscle relaxers. Along with taking it easy, have tried heating pad and ice pack. Used different types of OTC pain relievers and the prescribed muscle relaxers. Don't seem to have found the right combination. How do you treat a sore back?

Thanks,

 

[wedge40]

Barry, just my two cents. As we get older EVERYTHING takes longer to heal, and most things are easier to hurt. My last back issue took about 6 months of babying. I believe it was just a pulled muscle. And sometime, the more you baby it the longer it takes to heal.

Wedge

 

[newbury]

I'm convinced the only way to cure an aging back is to get younger.
For immediate non-drug relief I alternate cold and heat.

I have had 3 back surgeries where the doc "nibbled" bone away so it wouldn't press on my sciatic nerve.

Almost every morning after I sleep in a bed the back is in pain and I have to "stagger" around for a few minutes to an hour while trying to stretch it out. If I sleep in a recliner - little problem.

For long term relief weight loss helps. Also stretching EVERY morning.

 

[MossRoad]

Having suffered from back problems most of my life I've found the best remedy is to prevent it in the first place. A lot of good that does you now that you are suffering, eh? :laughing: Anyhow, there are many kinds of back injuries. My most frequent is muscle spasm that pulls my vertabrae together, pinching a nerve, putting me on the floor pretty quick. Doctor gives me Cyclobenzaprine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, a muscle relaxer and I hit the floor on a thin pad for 24 hours. Then its tender for a few days, but I can at least move.

Back surgeon said there are two alternatives. Excersice or surgery. Surgery is last resort. Excersice is free and best prevention.
They have me lay on the floor on my back with my arms down by my legs, palms down. I suck my gut against my back and push down with my palms for 5-10 seconds. Then relax for 10 seconds. Repeat. I do that for about 5 minutes every day. They said strengthening your core muscles (your gut) and your spinal erector muscles will really help, as your core muscles will hold up your spine instead of your spine holding up your muscles. Its worked for me. I had a recent spasm that put me down (I was drying off after a shower for goodnes sake), but that is the first time in several years.

Good luck to you. Hope you work it out. :cool2:

 

[jinman]

I used to love Doan's Pills and their active ingredient, magnesium salicylate. They really took the edge off my back pain. Now I just use ibuprofen, but Doan's Pills seemed to always work before ibuprofen became common.

 

[Turbys_1700]

I concur with everything said here...
When I work on the 8050 climbing in and out of the cab 10 to 20 times in a day and my back is tender...
Iv'e got some shovel and mattock work to do in the back yard but I have learned to take it easy and not over do it...
I got an elliptical several months ago for cardio and weight loss exercise and it does help keep my back limber and strengthens my legs and upper body...
Do I like it...
No...
But I like the results...

 

[gwdixon]

A lot depends on if you are feeling any pain down your leg. If so, it could be a herniated disk in your lower spine. The only way for it to heal is to take it VERY easy for a long, long time.

In the meantime and as already stated, prevention is the key. I use this back brace and it gives tremendous support. It even makes a herniated disk feel better. My wife has scoliosis and her brace relieves her back pain fairly well.

Professional's Choice Back Brace Search the web for the best price. Polo players use it.

Professionals Choice Back Support - Orthopedic Braces - For the Polo Player

 

[burnieman]

Norco.

 

[Pa Pa Jack]

I've had two back surgeries back in the mid 70's due to an auto accident. Believe me when I say I feel your pain. Recently I had a chance to use one of those Teeter inversion things and it was amazing. I went out and bought one. I lay on it 15 minutes a day at about 45 degrees tilt and cannot believe the difference it has made in only a month. I'm still not up to going for the full hanging upside down thing but I am sleeping better than I have in twenty years. I have more energy and a whole lot less daily aches and pains.

 

[QueBota]

I'll second (or third) the stretching, helps quite a bit, even with underlying physical issues.

Also, if you can keep the weight off your belly (Dunlap Syndrome ) you will be much better off.

Vicoprofen + additional 400mg Ibuprofen, long hot soak(s) and stretching works for me when I tweak my back really bad but you have to watch the meds, can become an issue for some.

Dave