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I hurt my lower back lifting a wet twenty-pound-bag of fertilizer on Satuday.
I knew I’d hurt myself when I felt the snapping “ping” of an internal cello string, but the injury took five minutes to blossom. Then, aaaarugh, I crawled to my Victorian hat box of homeopathic remedies, drawing out the vials of Arnica and Hypernicum, which I alternated every thirty minutes. Then, just as I was thinking, “Hey, crawling is an undervalued mode of human transportation!” I realized that I couldn’t rise from a kneeling position without holding on to the wall or pushing my right hand hard against my lower back for support. So I had to resign myself to napping flat on the floor for two hours.
Now I know what every other back pain sufferer has been talking about. Did you realize that Americans spend about $50 billion annually seeking relief for their lower back pain, and that injuries of this nature are the leading contributors to missed work? Here’s an article that says if we all did just three minutes of spinal warm-ups every morning, these injuries would not occur as much as they do.
My Mother’s Day was super enlightening because I couldn’t do any of the tasks I am accustomed to doing, and I realized that–surprise, surprise–about one quarter of my life is spent picking things up. I had to repeatedly ask the kids to run down to get the laundry, move the lawn-’n-leaf bags of garden clippings, take the dishes into the kitchen, etc. They took excellent care of me, for the most part, and today, I’m feeling somewhat better. But I’ve made an appointment with my osteopath in hopes that he can take the healing home.
Injuries of the lower back are often related to a weakness in the muscles in the front of your body, yep, I’m talking about those infernal ABS! Here’s a web page that explains this most common lifting injury and recommends a simple exercise that will keep your lower back in shape. And here’s an interview with rehabilitation specialist Loren Fishman, MD,
who believes that yoga exercises and abdominal toning are key to healthy back maintenance.
posted May 14, 2007 at 6:28 pm
I’m sorry to hear about your back that is so miserable. When my back hurts I lay back in a warm bath with my favorite salts and soak until my muscles are all warmed up. I do gentle stretches in the tub such as reach for my toes, (dont go past the point of pain) I also sit up, hug myself and turn to the left and hold then to the right and hold. Frequent position changes help too. I know that yoga and pelvic girdle exercise help prevent back injuries too but you really cant start that until your back calms down.I am sending warm healing thoughts to you.
posted May 14, 2007 at 11:48 pm
CM, sorry about your back. Next time, use your knees!! (or your husband)
posted May 15, 2007 at 7:14 am
If you have a bulging/slipped disc, I highly recommend the McKenzie Method. My PT told me about the book outlining the method: “Treat Your Own Back” by Robin McKenzie, and worked with me on the exercises. It took 3 months, but I could tell it was working slowly but surely. My family doc sent me to this particular PT because he knew I did yoga & so was used to using movement to help myself. He was so right! I did have to take Naproxen for awhile to get rid of the worst of the pain, but later the exercises & PT were enough. I feel sorry for people who go through unnecessary surgeries & such for their back pain & still get no relief…there are other alternatives. Good luck to you.
posted May 15, 2007 at 5:12 pm
Here’s the link to that McKensie book. Sounds good!http://www.amazon.com/Treat-Your-Back-Robin-McKenzie/dp/0958269238/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-4397699-7304635?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1179241736&sr=8-1
posted May 16, 2007 at 6:45 am
When my back went out (cervical spine, not lower back, but the lesson is the same) I had to be more focused on treating my body right and more disciplined about doing the things I needed to do. I feel your pain; I hope it gets better soon; and I hope you can draw more inner strength from overcoming the current pain and learning how to avoid it in the future. It took 15 months for me to come back from my back injury, but the recovery made me work on healing more of myself than just my back. Good luck and Godspeed
posted December 1, 2011 at 4:49 pm
This is by far the best Manual Diagnostic Therapy there is for spinal treatment. They have a kappa value of 1 and an 80% chance to classify anyone who walks in through the door. Check to see if there is one in your area.