Random Plea for Help - Back ache

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Witchy

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For some random reason, my lower back has decided to hurt. When I sit/go to stand up/move the muscles in my back spasm and locks and I end up swearing like a trooper. My back and hips are stiff and I can't do anything.

It's so difficult to do anything and I'm only comfortable when I'm laying down or standing up - I can't sit down as it sets the spasms off :(

I'm fed up and can't play with my horse, all I can do is shuffle around on my feet like an ole biddy :((

Any suggestions as to what I can do to help this get better quickly would be very very very very very very much appreciated. Am on painkillers that don't really do anything so any tricks, suggestions, physio exercises etc gratefully received.

From a cold, sore, stiff and grumpy horse friend in need!!
Kisses all round to respondeeeees!
 
get a hot water bottle on it, or have a hot bath, or if you have one of those wheat bag hotties things.... anything to get some heat into the muscle to help it relax.

some gentle stretching to relieve it and ease it all off, get some lovely OH to gently massage it for you when you're all warm from a hot bath.

ETA - go see a chiro/osteo to see if they suggest anything to help you
 
u need to see a really good physio. They will assess exactly why u are in pain and give u exercises for your specific needs. I had a terrible lower bck pain from bad posture, locking my back when riding, and weak core muscles. My physio and exercises have worked a treat.
 
When OH had this he went to see the chiro. Was told that heat was not the answer in his case, but cold therapy (ice pack for 20 mins, three times a day). Then he had to do all these exercises to help strengthen the muscles in his lower back. He was told to use an exercise ball too to help his "core".
Best advice that you can get though is get to a chiro yourself. He is the one who will know what is wrong, and more importantly what will help your poorly back.
 
Lea: that is exactly my problem, three years ago I ended up with a disc prolapse (disc actually popped and all the 'stuff' put pressure on the nerves and killed all feeling to the lower half of my body). It's just a weakness that I really really really need to sort out. What physio did you have to do?
 
i have had this numerous times, its very unpleasant, dont try any movements from the hips up, like leaning back or it will spasm. take some paracetamol and ibuprofen, get a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel and lie down flat on the bed with it under you, put a pillow under your knees to support the arch through you back. it will take a few days to pass, just take it steady and take the pain/anti inflamatories on the dot.
 
Thanks Joeanne, I can't afford a chiro at the moment so I will have to carry on with physio. It's just painful and is driving me insane. It was uncomfortable on Saturday, a bit painful of Sunday and then from Monday spasming. It's really making me cross :(
 
I have this too.
I had a fall on Sunday and my back has steadily felt worse everyday.
It hurts to lift my arm, and cramps when I lay on my side, and just aches all the time.
Tried a hot water bottle, painkillers, nothing seems to work.

Not really any help here, but I can offer sympathy
Hope you're feeling better soon xx
 
Definitely see a physio and don't wait - believe me, it's not worth it! In a more long term sense, it might be a good idea to take up pilates. Since I took it up I have barely any back pain and can canter again :D
 
I'm afraid I cheat and take muscle relaxants - works a treat.

I have over the years spent a small fortune on having physio, sports massages, acupuncture, exercise pilates classes etc to relieve my occasional back seizures brought on by years of abuse ie riding and mucking out. Now I just pop a tablet and before you can say tally ho! I am up and runnin again. Voltarol/diclofenac was my drug of choice until the doctors decided it was a bit too strong and changed it to naprosyn.

Just stagger into your GP clutching your back muttering that you can't even put your knickers on in the morning and get yourself a prescription :)
 
Bless you thanks China, sounds like really good advice. Have been putting the odd heat patch on it but probably should do it all the time so it's not going hot and cold. You are right, its the leaning back/forward, the movement in the hips that triggers the spasm, really awful and standing there tight with pain and screaming doesn't help, you have to try and relax yourself out of it asap, its difficult!
 
one exercise is I have to lie on my back and press my lower back against the floor and lift my bum. others involve rolling forward on this gym balls. With the injury you are carrying u really need to speak to a physio as these exercises may not be suitable for a slipped disk.
 
ahhhh I have Voltarol (diclofenac) in my meds draw left over from the nasty bout resulting in prolapse.

Will call the physio in the morning, go full on hot water bottle and pop the Voltarol! I must admit these other pills I've been given, Naproxen don't touch it, they're crap.
 
if you lie on your side put the pillow between you knees, it makes a huge amount of difference, i have a slight curve to my spine and lying flat on my back hurts but popping a pillow under does the trick! youl prob find it doesnt take alot to trigger the back spasms, the first time i did it i was sat the science stools in school and couldnt move my left leg to walk or my back would spasm. the last time i had it bad i was sat on a chair and bent over to stroke a cat and sat back up and it went! crazyness! hope it relieves soon! p.s, i went to my doctors and got my tests and physio on the nhs ;-)
 
China yes, I can bend backward really far and, if I lay on my back in bed I have to push my shoulder blades together to be comfortable because my curve in my back is quite arched up.

Wow this is quite a common problem isn't it! Does it stop any of you from riding? I ride sitting on my left seat bone...
 
Witchy said:
ahhhh I have Voltarol (diclofenac) in my meds draw left over from the nasty bout resulting in prolapse.
.
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if its not entrocoated make sure you eat something with it, it can cause stomach ulcars :-) i take it for my TMJD and mum constantly goes on about it :-)
 
Witchy said:
China yes, I can bend backward really far and, if I lay on my back in bed I have to push my shoulder blades together to be comfortable because my curve in my back is quite arched up.

Wow this is quite a common problem isn't it! Does it stop any of you from riding? I ride sitting on my left seat bone...
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oddly enough for some time when i rode my tb i got a really bad back, it ached like mad when i rode him, but it turned out he has kissing spines, they say rider bad back horse bad back. if he is walking like a sloth i ache but if he uses himself im fine. the ache gets sooo uncomfortable it makes me fidget. i use a magnetic back pad that i picked up for £25, incleases the blood supply keeping my back nice and warm.
 
yep I can confirm the bad back horse bad back too, just had to have Joe's back done as he had a rotated and dropped right hind and sore shoulder. Always always walks real slow making me push real hard to get him moving - I'd put money on that causing my problem actually!!
 
iv made a point now of when out hacking giving him a jivvy up so im not carrying him, has made a huge difference, and not working at a yard and feed merchant anymore, lifting lots and general wear and tear, now working in a college not doing alot helps haha!
 
Oh hun, I feel your pain. Very gentle hugs!

Broke my back at the end of July this year. Was doing okay all things considered, until the cold hit. Now "Ouch!!!!" and a lot of whinging and going on and on.

I find that heat is the answer, that and walking around every twenty minutes helps (I currently have a desk bound job). Also, be aware of your body and which/what makes it hurt more - you'll find new ways of doing things :)

I've just ordered a heated body warmer from Blazewear, so I'm hoping that it will keep the muscles in order. There's a draught where I sit in the office, I can't move, etc., so have been using a hot water bottle; it's not the most professional look though! I looked at getting the heat pads, but costed those against the body warmer and the body warmer won :)

It might be worth trying a sports massage. There's a lady at the chiropractor I used to go to, I'm thinking of going and seeing what she can do. I have Bowen treatment and am booked in for an Equipilates session next week, plus a physio every couple of weeks and have started using a ball to try and get the muscles working properly.

Good luck and I hope you find the right thing for you very soon!
 
joeanne said:
When OH had this he went to see the chiro. Was told that heat was not the answer in his case, but cold therapy (ice pack for 20 mins, three times a day). Then he had to do all these exercises to help strengthen the muscles in his lower back. He was told to use an exercise ball too to help his "core".
Best advice that you can get though is get to a chiro yourself. He is the one who will know what is wrong, and more importantly what will help your poorly back.
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Brilliant advice! I have the same problems, you really do need to get a good chiro, but in the mean time do not use heat. It will put you into spasm. Ice is what you need, obviously wrap well in a towel so it doesn't go on too cold. If you like baths, make sure they are luke warm or you might end up stuck!

Not sure whereabouts you are in Cambs but PM me if you want a number for a fab McTimoney (sp) chiro, he is the only person who has managed to help me.
 
I injured my back many years ago,by falling off and landing on my bum.From time to time it gives me problems.My physio said to make sure i was using my stomach muscles as if im not i will be over working my back muscles,and tensing them as it was sore.
 
Bless you guys thank you very much!!

China, just taken my first voltarol - unfortunately the label has faded so I can't remember how many I can take in a day, is it two??

Filled the hot water bottle up last night.... it weeeed all over the carpet, its perished and split :(
 
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