What do you do for a back ache?!

[rabid_child]

I moved last Saturday and hurt my back something awful. The main problem was that my dad is a foot taller than me and basically had me lifting things up REALLY HIGH so that I had no choice but to support the weight with my back otherwise he'd yell about stuff. So since then I've had this horrible pain in the middle left side of my back. I don't have doctors or anything up here yet, not that I'm too sure what a doctor can do for a muscle ache in one's back. I haven't worked out at all in the past week as not to make it worse, but is there anything I can do to make it better? I'm really owie!! :cry:

[bstutzma]

I'm NOT a doctor. But I find that with back pain, especially muscle related, that I actually have to MOVE around more to fix it, rather than rest my back a lot. Can you ease into your workouts? Do just 10% of what you normally would do? If the pain is very severe, I would look into getting that new doctor ASAP. And oh, the next time you move with your dad, make sure you tell HIM to carry things lower.

[nixona]

Yes, don't commit yourself to bedrest, but I'd take some ibuprofen and ice for the next day or two. If you aren't feeling significantly better in 2-3 days then it's time to see a doc. That's kind of an odd place to get pain, can you explain it a little? Is it painful to breathe, or a constant ache like overdoing a new exercise, or ???

[VeggieFaery]

I was going to mention ibuprofen as well.It's an anti-enflamatory.(sp?)Also try a heating pad on low.

[rabid_child]

Yes, don't commit yourself to bedrest, but I'd take some ibuprofen and ice for the next day or two. If you aren't feeling significantly better in 2-3 days then it's time to see a doc. That's kind of an odd place to get pain, can you explain it a little? Is it painful to breathe, or a constant ache like overdoing a new exercise, or ???

The pain is like.. right at the bottom of my ribcage on my back, on the left side, just to the left of my spine. It doesn't hurt when I breathe, it seems to hurt most when I sit/lay in any one position for a long time, or if I'm walking around a bunch. Its a pretty constant ache, but really moreso if I'm moving around in certain directions or have been sitting for a long time.

[zoebird]

here's a serious of yoga poses that will help: Vyaghrasana (http://yogadancer.com/Pages/Chakravakasana.shtml#Vyaghra). it's commonly called the 'tiger series' because of it's relationship to 'cat stretches' and the term 'vyaghra' means 'tiger.' it's a common practice in 'viniyoga' circles. :) i taught it in class yesterday and everyone *loved* it. i love it too. :) it works with opposite sides, so i think it will work out this area rightly. do the whole thing gently, btw.

[tearhsong2]

Keep moving (but don't overtax yourself) and try a heating pad. Hot baths and hot showers help, too.

[rabid_child]

here's a serious of yoga poses that will help: Vyaghrasana (http://yogadancer.com/Pages/Chakravakasana.shtml#Vyaghra). it's commonly called the 'tiger series' because of it's relationship to 'cat stretches' and the term 'vyaghra' means 'tiger.' it's a common practice in 'viniyoga' circles. :) i taught it in class yesterday and everyone *loved* it. i love it too. :) it works with opposite sides, so i think it will work out this area rightly. do the whole thing gently, btw.

Thanks! I did do a little *gentle* yoga stretching this morning, including some "cats" and "cows." Just.. argh.. nothing seems to help. I guess I'll take some advil, though I was avoiding it.

A hot shower would be GREAT! If I had hot water :furious: . In my new apartment, I have sort of... warm water. But not hot. I do have a "microwave cat" heating pad thats nice for a bit. I must have slept funny last night cause now my neck hurts like the devil :devil: too. I think it may be time to trade in for a new body!

[zoebird]

go for a massage?

[rabid_child]

I ended up going to health services today, where they made sure I didn't have a kidney infection, and offered me narcotic pain killers and/or muscle relaxers, both of which I declined, so she gave me Rx aleve and told me to use icy hot and rest. I guess I can deal with it as long as I know its nothing too serious.

I just can't afford things like massages right now. :\

[nixona]

Am I the only one with some kind of allergic reaction to Icy Hot? I can use it on like my arms and legs, but if I put it on my chest or back it's like my skin is on fire. If I leave it on I will actually get a burn. Is this just the downside to having blonde hair and "fair" skin?

[rabid_child]

thats weird. then again, i recently used Hawaiian Tropic's Baby Sunblock on my face and I thought I was going to die I was in so much pain. :\ (I wrote them an email, and they sent me an envelope to return it)