Pulled something in my back

[slinkyonrampage]

So I pulled a muscle in my back last week, and it was slowly getting better until today. Some people were coming over to my house earlier and when they got here, 2 of my dogs were going nuts and I kinda bent over a little too fast to grab them and am pretty much back to square one. Luckily I didn't end up on the ground this time, but it's hurting like hell any time I even slightly bend forward and stuff.

I really need to get this over with as soon as possible, I have too much on my plate right now and I am tired of it slowing me down right now. You guys have any ideas on how to speed up this healing process?

 

[CEHollier]

Rest, Ice, Ibuprofen 600-800 mg 3X daily. Make sure to eat before taking Ibuprofen.

 

[Dave328]

Orrr Hydrocodone 10/650 a nice fluffy pillow and the tv remote!

 

[BenCarp27]

ditto on CEHollier, only I like to use Icy Hot cream in the morning and at night.

I do construction, and mine locks up every couple months. One too many times doing what I shouldn't. The only advice I would give you, and it might not be what the doctors say, but KEEP USING IT. I always find that the more I lay off of it and rest, the more stiff and locked up it gets.

 

[slinkyonrampage]

Yea, I have been taking ibuprofen, and put a little icy hot on it earlier. Definitely not the first time this has happened to me, and probably won't be the last. This is what I get for being 6'5"

Anyways, thanks for the advice guys.

 

[flamatrix99]

Welcome to getting older....

 

[slinkyonrampage]

Welcome to getting older....

Yea, I wish I could blame it on my age, but 20 is way too damn early to already have back problems. I am just way too damn tall.

 

[Snookie]

Heavy Guns

It's all of those heavy guns you have that's making your back hurt!

You should sell them all to me for $300.00 and use the monies to see a good Quackapractor!

Now am I a friend or what?

 

[flamatrix99]

Yea, I wish I could blame it on my age, but 20 is way too damn early to already have back problems. I am just way too damn tall.

Yeah you are right. I wish I could be 20 again!

 

[deafdave3]

DO NOT put ice on your back if the healing process has already begun. That's just gonna slow it down. In the immediate 48 - 72 hours after onset of injury, ice is recommended to minimize swelling. However, afterwards, heat is recommended to speed blood flow to injury site.

It hurts for a reason; your body is trying to fix the injury. Therefore, if you use a heavy pain relief drug like hydrocodone or marijuana (ahhhh), you risk agitating the injury. Ibuprofen is recommended, but its important to rest until the injury heals.

 

[Dave328]

It hurts for a reason; your body is trying to fix the injury. Therefore, if you use a heavy pain relief drug like hydrocodone or marijuana (ahhhh), you risk agitating the injury. Ibuprofen is recommended, but its important to rest until the injury heals.

Unless you have a disc rupture, and that disc material likes to work the nerve like a speedbag from time to time!

 

[blackboltss]

same thing happened 2 me a while back... started out as what i thought was a pulled muscle and slowly started getting worse.... turned out it was 3 herniated disk.. and im only 24... hope thats not your case... it sucks

 

[CEHollier]

DO NOT put ice on your back if the healing process has already begun. That's just gonna slow it down. In the immediate 48 - 72 hours after onset of injury, ice is recommended to minimize swelling. However, afterwards, heat is recommended to speed blood flow to injury site.

Not to diss your post but after a back strain the muscles will tighten up to immobilize (protect) the area. It's called "gaurding". They will stay tight and even spasm. This increased muscle tension (pressure) impedes bloodflow to the muscles. Starved of nutrients and oxygen, because the increased pressure impedes blood flow into the tissues, the muscles go to anaerobic metabolism. A byproduct of anaeroebic metabolism is lactic acid which further aggravates the area. The goal is to get the muscles to their normal resting tone and open the nutrient pathway. Ice helps to decrease muscle tone and reduce inflammation. Usually in the acute phase use ice. Then alternate to heat then ice as tension/spasms decrease. I use both heat and ice in my practice depending on the situation. This is why medicine is more of an art than science. Different people react differently to things.

 

[Leonidas]

Do a little research on inversion tables. Mine helps.

 

[slinkyonrampage]

Well, I am feeling much better today. Luckily I didn't really mess up my back again, just moved a little too quick I guess and brought back a little pain.

As far as inversion tables go, I actually have one at the house, but I can't use it. I sprained my ankle pretty seriously 2 months back and tore a bunch of tissue. Can't be hanging upside down by my ankles right now.

 

[Hitman]

I'd go get adjusted by a Chiro. That's what I do when I strain my back.

Get adjusted, keep stretching, go back in a few weeks get adjusted again.

that's just me.

 

[SeventhSon]

I first yanked by back out during a working party in the military back in '97. That was the start of it and it's never been the same since. The last serious time it went out was a few months back. Bent over to pick up a pencil and that's all she wrote. Was down for two days. I have found that heat/ice/heat/ice works for me. That, and lots of Motrin. Now, I just have a constant ache in my lower back about 90% of the time.

 

[charliepapa]

Not to diss your post but after a back strain the muscles will tighten up to immobilize (protect) the area. It's called "gaurding". They will stay tight and even spasm. This increased muscle tension (pressure) impedes bloodflow to the muscles. Starved of nutrients and oxygen, because the increased pressure impedes blood flow into the tissues, the muscles go to anaerobic metabolism. A byproduct of anaeroebic metabolism is lactic acid which further aggravates the area. The goal is to get the muscles to their normal resting tone and open the nutrient pathway. Ice helps to decrease muscle tone and reduce inflammation. Usually in the acute phase use ice. Then alternate to heat then ice as tension/spasms decrease. I use both heat and ice in my practice depending on the situation. This is why medicine is more of an art than science. Different people react differently to things.

what are you, a physical therapist or something?

 

[Jed]

If you're only 20 and six five already you are still growing, so some muscle developement work on your lower spine should help alleviate any future back injuries.

 

[CEHollier]

what are you, a physical therapist or something?

No, but I play one on TV.