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Back injury

Posted by ramona51 @ramona51, Mar 30 12:13pm

Help! I obviously did something horrible to my back (I’m guessing shoveling the “slush” this past week. I have been to an orthopedic urgent care as well as the emergency room. Pain like nothing I have ever experienced. Ibuprofen doesn’t help a bit. I was prescribed steroids and a muscle relaxer. Neither do much. Have taken epsom salt baths. Tried ice and hot packs. Does anyone have any other suggestions? The pain is horrific. Thank you.

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covidstinks2023 | @covidstinks2023 | Mar 30 2:14pm

Bless you! Boy can I relate! Four weeks ago, I was bending over from the waist down (I cannot squat due to arthritis in my knees) putting flowers on family graves at the cemetery and when I straightened up...my lower back went out. I prayed to make it to the car.

This is what helped me. I took Flexeril 5 mg (prescription) as needed for muscles spasms, 650 Tylenol, Epsom salt soaks, Bedbuddy (heat packs in the microwave ...you can get these on Amazon), Voltaren Gel (over the counter for arthritis pain) and I did not bend over to pick up anything, lift anything heavy and rested my back. It took me about 3 weeks. The first few days were the worst. Going from a sitting to a standing position was the most painful. Ouch! I hurts to even think about it.

I went online and found exercises. One that I did was lie flat, hold your knees wrapping your arms around them and pull your knees to your chest slowly. Repeat.

I so empathize. It seems it doesn't take much to "throw out" your back. I am praying for you. God Bless You!

REPLY
1 reply
celia16 | @celia16 | Mar 30 4:52pm

When I’ve had significant back pain, I’ve had the best relief with 2 things. The acupuncturist that I went to did therapeutic touch….hard to describe, but just touched my back in different places. Not hard and not popping anything. More on muscle. I went in in tears and walked out with no pain. I can’t explain it. He did the same on my plantar fasciitis.

Also, I’ve had excellent results with my physiotherapist doing dry needling on my back.

I’ve also heard that some people are prescribed an antidepressant and anti anxiety med that helps the pain. I’m not sure how that works, but…..

Good luck. Back pain is very disabling.

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Mentor
Chris Trout, Volunteer Mentor | @artscaping | Mar 30 6:57pm
In reply to @covidstinks2023 "Bless you! Boy can I relate! Four weeks ago, I was bending over from the waist..." + (show)
@covidstinks2023

Bless you! Boy can I relate! Four weeks ago, I was bending over from the waist down (I cannot squat due to arthritis in my knees) putting flowers on family graves at the cemetery and when I straightened up...my lower back went out. I prayed to make it to the car.

This is what helped me. I took Flexeril 5 mg (prescription) as needed for muscles spasms, 650 Tylenol, Epsom salt soaks, Bedbuddy (heat packs in the microwave ...you can get these on Amazon), Voltaren Gel (over the counter for arthritis pain) and I did not bend over to pick up anything, lift anything heavy and rested my back. It took me about 3 weeks. The first few days were the worst. Going from a sitting to a standing position was the most painful. Ouch! I hurts to even think about it.

I went online and found exercises. One that I did was lie flat, hold your knees wrapping your arms around them and pull your knees to your chest slowly. Repeat.

I so empathize. It seems it doesn't take much to "throw out" your back. I am praying for you. God Bless You!

Jump to this post

Hi there, @covidstinks2023; I just noticed another of your helpful posts. I participate in a yoga class and follow-ups every day. We call the exercise you have described "Giving your knees a hug." Our teacher ensures we give our knees quite a few hugs daily. Now, I know that this helps maintain a strong lower back. Thanks for sharing.

May you have happiness and the causes of happiness.
Chris

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1 reply
windyshores | @windyshores | Mar 30 9:47pm

I wonder if it would be good to have an x-ray. Spinal fractures don't show up on x-ray for the first 48 hours, I learned (the hard way).. It would be good to know if this is bone-related or soft tissue, perhaps- and PT can help with that too! Just my experience.

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covidstinks2023 | @covidstinks2023 | Mar 31 12:01am
In reply to @artscaping "Hi there, @covidstinks2023; I just noticed another of your helpful posts. I participate in a yoga..." + (show)
@artscaping

Hi there, @covidstinks2023; I just noticed another of your helpful posts. I participate in a yoga class and follow-ups every day. We call the exercise you have described "Giving your knees a hug." Our teacher ensures we give our knees quite a few hugs daily. Now, I know that this helps maintain a strong lower back. Thanks for sharing.

May you have happiness and the causes of happiness.
Chris

Jump to this post

Chris, Thank you for your kind words and for sharing. I will continue to do these! Blessings....

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lizziel1 | @lizziel1 | Mar 31 9:25am

You could have a spinal injury. This happened to me after gardening one day…excruciating pain. The ER doctor claimed I just pulled a muscle. I was back a few days later when my legs started going numb, and I had Pudendal nerve pain.
I had to have an emergency laminectomy! If you gat more symptoms I would insist on a MRI.

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gently | @gently | Apr 1 2:34am

You want imaging. It could be muscle, disc or vertebra. It's better to know before possibly making it worse. A chiropractor would give the most information, fastest. Most can give you an x-ray. And may provide you with relief.

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