My back, oh god my back

OK, so my back is now wrecked. I can't even do a forward bend due to the pain I experience. I know, I know, go to the doctor. The trouble is, I've been to the quack and he says it's soft tissue damage and it'll go away on its own. Now, does anybody have any good advice?

 

Wait for it to heal. Best advice you're going to get. Sorry.

 

Damn. So no digging today then?

 

Yep, you need to wait but then you probably need to do some core work. I have a bad back myself and it's frustrating when it goes. Work on your core as if you are doing weights etc it's essential you have good strength there to support your lifting. I didn't realise how important it was until I started getting it stronger and noticed the difference.
For pain relief get some ibuprofen or voltarol gel to rub into it and take pain killers (ibuprofen) if the pain is bad all the time.
I know it sucks but you will need to rest it.

Gps in general suck when it comes to back pain, they normally sign you off work and that's about it. If it continues go back and try and get a referral to a specialist.

 

Tried Trigger Point Therapy stuff?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Trigger-Point-Therapy-Workbook-Self-Treatment/dp/1572243759

 

Knight, I had similar issues with my back years ago - basically I didn't balance my muscles when training for MT competitions and completely screwed it up. I over-worked the abs, and didn't touch the back (bad self-training, but it was waht I then understood to be 'core strength':bang
Anywho, my back kept seizing up on me, even though I tried to balance things out, and for years it was my biggest enemy. Then one day in uni I got the chance to try some acupuncture for free, and it solved all my problems. I went for three more sessions after the first one, and my back has been fine ever since!
I still get the odd twinge, but it's more because I do something dumb than any long-standing issue.

Short version: Try acupuncture.

 

I think you may be able to get it on the NHS these days...

 

Thats like the treatment I have which is tui na http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tui_na

It works a treat,bit like acupuncture without the needles. Basically it works deep down into the muscles and deep tissue with trigger points. Man do you know when he hits a trigger point! It's horrific pain for a few seconds then you can feel it release. There aren't many people that do it around though.

 

Lots of beer and rest. Seriously the only help right now is time and patients. When your back is feeling better and you can get some movement you could try some light tia chi and yoga.

 

And take omega 3s too, helped me loads, but I already told you that

 

Yeah, I've never come across any practitioners which provide such a service. However, this book is really easy to use and has many techniques and methods for self massage, whether it be using your hands or a tennis ball against a wall, etc, etc. Plus, its much easier for yourself to feel a trigger point as the pain really points to finding the right spot, whereas if someone else is doing it they either have to be very sensitive to feel the knotted tissue or just prod and ask.

 

At the moment time and rest are your best friends.
I damaged the soft tissue in my knee a couple of years ago, and it took quite a while to get sorted. But it did and after a couple of months it was fine.

I have even started Martial arts again and it is absolutely fine. So just be patient.

 

I have a confession to make: I went ahead and dug the holes anyway. Not small holes either- they're a yard deep. Funnily enough, my back feels a lot better now. It'll probably come back to haunt me tomorrow, though. Incidentally, my mate Ian taught me some physiotherapy exercises that are quite cool: you lie on your stomach and raise slowly towards a cobra pose, stopping if you feel any pain, and then turn over, hug your knees and round your spine slowly up, again stopping if you feel any pain. Any good?

 

Not a bad routine if you're switching between poses. You could also add in the Bow and Downward Dog if you're feeling up it it.

 

OK, cool...

 

Think you've got it down...rest and exercises suggested by a physio. All good!

 

BAD BAD BOY!!!Seriously, I know from experience carrying on and doing things while backs are bad isn't good! (I did exactly the same this last week though!). Just stretch gently if the pain is really bad and try and keep you general posture proper as that could cause more problems!


I may get that book Inthespirit - I use trigger points myself to help my jaw problems.

 

Yeh be real careful when it comes to your back mate, my old mans had real trouble with his back because of the crazy stuff he did when he was younger, hes just had a big operation this year, basically he had an x plate welded onto his spine to stop it compressing! take it real easy and dont mess about with it.

 

YES!!

 

What did you do to your back? How did you injure it??