I haven't done anything except try and take it easy, no gym, no running etc..... I had a friend recommend sleeping with a pillow under my knees that did help at night to keep me more comfortable. I did a couple of stretches last night as you mentioned, I can say that it actually improved. I laid on my back and did leg raises, I then grabbed my right leg, back of the thigh and pulled towards me slowly just stretching it out. I still feel it there but man it's not as bad for sure. Did again his AM before work just after my walk....... Problem is my dam job has me on my fat arse all day, I try and get up and move around as much as possible.
Just looked that up and boy that seems to nail what I am experiencing. Ice to reduce inflammation initially and light activities like walking and stretching to heal. That's exactly what am doing.....The stretching makes it feel good and better. I'll keep doing this for sure. Like I said I've had before but this one is lasting much much longer. I also recall using the big backpack blower allot that day when I injured it, twisting and turning trying to blow the dam leaves.
Thanks everyone, amazing info and advice!!!! All the info I read for this and so many other health related issues, the above is always the answer. Keep moving, keep active and stretch....! Getting off my butt going to walk around the building.
I deal with lower back issues, usually the right side...for me leaning against the counter at a 45* angle, allowing my back to flex/stretch forward/down as far as possible. for 10-15 seconds at a time seems to help...also, it sounds strange, but recommended by PT, and it works...walking backwards on the treadmill...they said it uses different muscles than walking and can help loosen up the tight ones...works for me usually! That and/or a lil ibuprofen and/or muscle relaxer at bedtime (flexeril) as last resort.
Good stuff thank you! I have a table I can use at my work and I have done just that a few times today.
Get a small pillow or cushion for lumbar support. Place it between lower back and chair/couch cushion. It helped me.
Im glad to hear you are feeling better. I highly recommend an inversion table if you haven't had any fusion surgery or artificial disc installed. They wouldn’t let me use mine anymore after surgery. They figure it prolonged me needing surgery by a few years. They are reasonably priced and really help a lot. Just work your way into it if you get one.
My sister's deceased husband had back pain that came and went. He treated it with alcohol. After 10-15 years of his "cure" and he pretty much had an alcohol problem along with the back pain he went to the doctor's. He had cancer. After radiation and over a year of chemo he died.
I have had bulging discs in my neck and lower back. Chiropractor alleviated my neck but insurance ran out before my lower back got better. I couldn’t operate normally because of the back and radiating pain so I went to a spine specialist and got 3 shots before I was fully relieved of pain. You haven’t lived until you have had a needle stuck into your spine. Next best thing to a vasectomy with no anesthesia.
I've not gotten a spinal injection, but when I almost got paralyzed they dug a needle around in my neck and back and shocked me from the inside. To test what worked in there
I will add to my first comment that I have a herniated disc confirmed by an MRI. Every morning I do some McKenzie stretches. Lay flat on your stomach and do similar to a pushup but leave your body from waist down on the floor so just basically lift your body from waist up with your arms. After a set of those I stay flat on my stomach and reach back to pull my foot toward my back bending my leg at my knee, several on each leg.
I have been moving a bit more and stretching it a few times a day and WOW I cannot say enough about the improvement I have. Just generally sitting was uncomfortable and I felt a ting down my hip and leg, I no longer feel that. Sitting on the toilet was the worst pain for some reason, no where near the pain level if at all. I actually hit the gym a little this morning and took it easy and didn't over do it. It's weird I can lift heavy things its just certain movements. Can't thank you all enough for the advice and input. This forum is well beyond just a firewood forum
I see a chiropractor from time to time and its for muscle spasms in my back and neck. He digs in there to calm them down. Things I can do at home that help are: stretching, icing (when bad), building your core (long term fix), and I will lay down on a lacrosse ball or baseball and control where it digs and with how much pressure. It can really relieve a small spasm which is just a knot.
Being a tradesperson who lifts heavy stuff and uses his body on a daily basis I've had my share of back issues. Winter 2019 I hurt it and after a few days it wasn't like the prior ones. The pain I had was similar to what you are describing. Heating pad, ibuprofen, even a tens unit didn't help. Dealt with it for a while, until I paid my doctor a visit. Sent me to a specialist. MRI showed disc issues. No surprise. Sent to PT and after a few visits it was getting better. This was a few months after the initial injury. I stopped PT. A generic back brace which I wore daily for over a year helped. My PT also said there was conflicting opinions as whether rest helped vs. keep using it on a lighter scale. Im the type come hell or high water I keep going for the most part. Being self employed I kinda have to. I am mind full (unless I'm rushing) to use proper lifting technique. The back brace wore out so I don't use one anymore, although I should. I guess a lifetime of using my body had helped but long days working are almost a thing of the past. The thing that gets me mad is when I hurt it doing a dum dum thing. Picking up her 2 YO grand daughter a couple Summers ago did it! I have a scrip for 800mg ibuprofen which I'll take as needed which isn't often. Dr. wanted me to take 3x a day which I later stopped. Some back pain is kinda my normal and for a rainy day its feeling pretty good. My advice is to use a brace and do needed stretching exercises. If it persists get the MRI and try PT. Will Mrs. ReelFaster give you a back massage?
I am the same way I tend to push through things, I truly believe in keep moving of course within scope. I understand that sometimes you just have to rest something. That's the thing I've pulled it before doing much less and something something very similar to what you did. I picked up my daughter few years back, was probably 3 or 4yrs old and I dropped to my knees in pain. It lasted all day, but within 24-36hrs it was gone. A brace is a great idea when using the big back pack blower and chucking wood. I really need to flip the splitter vertical sometimes vs. being a hard head and trying to haul up large rounds. The Mrs. will def dish out a back massage for sure..............I'll tell you gives the best ones is my son, gets the talent from mom. He walks on my back, he's the perfect weight to get a good crack.
How good are you with an ax or maul. Half the bigger rounds first. As I've aged I'm not ashamed to do that. Sure does make things easier. Take it slow and feel better soon.
Can relate as well. Have had steroid injections for years. Most were pre “fluoroscopy” where the doctor had to be extremely experienced and even then would hit a nerve or something else. Now, with the doctor being able to see where the needle is going the procedure is much more accurate (getting the steroid in the right place) and less painful. Have also had the ablation where there is a long probe inserted and they are able to use electrical to cauterize the affected nerves. Last time I had this done was in 6 locations. Long way to say that I have tried everything known to avoid surgery. Would need two surgeries several months apart to put two cages in. This is absolutely a last resort as it would seriously hamper mobility and be a long recovery process. Do all that you can to minimize any further damage to your back as well as strengthening the muscles supporting it. I’m wishing you success
Yes sir I’m a regular in the gym and forgot to mention core strengthening, better lifting technique, avoiding heavy lifting and getting smarter as a means to avoid further injury and spine treatments. It still flares occasionally but nothing debilitating. Knock on
