Oh My Aching Back

[WillyBWright]

I have no idea what I did, but my back is really bothing me today. Not bad enough to see the doc, but bad enough to drop by the pharmacy. What over-the-counter meds work for you when you get a nasty backache? Should I apply heat or cold? Any exercises or stretches recommended?

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Oh My Aching Back

Ibuprophren....Lots and lots of Ibuprophren..I have a not-so-great back, and that seems to help. Stretching works as well, at least for me....

 

[KRS]

Re: Oh My Aching Back

800 mg ibuprophen, lie on your back with your legs bent 90 degrees with your calves resting on a chair.

 

[dolluper]

Re: Oh My Aching Back

Woodlock,.... Chinnie medicated oil then go dancing the night away

 

[aspeck]

Re: Oh My Aching Back

When in Ghana I stock up on dyclo-phynic (sp?) for just such occasions. I believe it may be prescription only in the US, however. Not sure though. It works wonders along with stretching exercises and lying on your back as KRS described.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Oh My Aching Back

600mg Ibuprofen and a VERY hot bath did wonders. Thanks to all.

 

[12Footer]

Re: Oh My Aching Back

Willy, I'm sorry to hear you're having back pain.
If the pain came-on by itself, skip everything, and get a doc to check it out.
Chiropractors can do wonders, and can tell when a back condition is beyond "manipulation", and will give the best advice.
I have had a herniated disc since 1998, and had to have surgery.Much better now and selodom a problem, but i can no longer water ski, windsurf, or other back-intensive activities.
What I learned is that most back pain can be minimised with the aplication of heat. It expands the blood vessels that supply the muscles and such.. Excersise and stretch exercises are routine after surgery forever. Your chiropractor or family physician can perscribe a regimine, and usually have little pamphlets that illustrate them. I was instructed to NEVER twist the back from a standing position.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Oh My Aching Back

I know a guy that can get you some mexican vicodin for cheap...8)

 

[JRJ]

Re: Oh My Aching Back

600mg Ibuprofen and a VERY hot bath did wonders. Thanks to all.

Glad you're better. I was going to recommend 4 to 6oz of JD and a warm to very hot woman, but whatever works8)

 

[Nova II 260]

Re: Oh My Aching Back

Sleeping in the fetal position with a pillow between your leg/knees, has always worked for me. Chiropracters when the absolute adjustments are needed. Sex helps. It doesn't cure the pain but gets your mind off of it.

 

[JB]

Re: Oh My Aching Back

Asked #2 daughter, the PT, and SIL, the CRNA.

Back pain can come from a wide variety of sources, some having nothing to do with the skeleton or lumbar musculature. Examples are kidneys, mesenteric lymph nodes.

Heat is a good therapy for sore muscles and certain types of muscle injury.

If the pain persists or comes back after OTC pain killers and heat therapy be sure to see a physician. Some back pains are warnings of serious conditions.

Do not exceed recommended dosages of OTC drugs except on recommendation (usually read as orders) from a MD.

 

[i386]

Re: Oh My Aching Back

If it's a pinched nerve (sciatic) thing like mine, you want a good anti-inflammatory. Ibuprophen or Aleve works for me. Sitting on my butt a lot seems to trigger my pain. So I take the meds and go tinker with something in the "shop" or walk.

 

[Manipulator]

Re: Oh My Aching Back

As the resident chiropractor I’ll give a few tips. Yes, OTC NSAIDs can be helpful but typically are just a band aid fix. Make sure you read the label and do not exceed the recommended doses. I can’t tell you how many times I get patients crawling into the clinic that are taking 3-4 times the recommended dosage. These types of medications are fine for short term use but be careful. At high doses they can cause GI bleeding and also liver and kidney damage. Never mix them with alcohol as the combination of the two can cause severe liver damage.

Always use ICE within the first 48 hours. Heat will feel better but will worsen the condition (increase the inflammation). When in doubt use ice as you can’t go wrong. After the 48 hours have passed, you can use heat. What even works better is to use ice 20min then heat 20 min then ice 20min. This is called “contrast therapy” and works well. Always start with ice and end with ice. When an area is injured many nasty chemicals are released at the site, which promote swelling or rather inflammation. Ice is a vasoconstrictor and also works as an analgesic (if you apply it long enough). It will help bring down the swelling drive the prostaglandins and histamine away from the area. Heat will then bring fresh blood to the area. It causes vasodilatation and will work with the ice to rid the noxious chemicals from the site of injury.

As mentioned, pain can be a sign of a more serious problem than a simple backache. Getting checked out by the Chiropractor is a good idea. Taking pain relievers can at times worsen the condition as many times they mask the pain allowing the person to do things that they shouldn’t be doing and thus leads to further injury. Many times the body will compensate for structural weaknesses in the vertebral column. Then the body gets to the point it can no longer compensate and “BAM!” you do something trivial, like bending over to pick up the morning paper and it your back “goes out”. Exercises and stretches are all good things but many times you need more than this. If there is joint dysfunction in the spine this needs to be corrected first. The spine has many bones that make up the column, when one or multiple vertebral segments become stuck or fixated problems begin to develop. Chiropractors perform “adjustments” which are highly controlled and precise manipulations to the spine that restore joint mobility and function. Once function is restored, specific exercises are prescribed to stabilize the affected area.

Chiropractic physicians are fully capable providers who are trained in medical diagnosis. In some states chiropractors function as primary care providers. Chiropractic care does not require a referral. Anyone can see a chiropractor if they choose to do so. Chiropractic education is eight academic years and requires the passing of four sets of national board examinations and a state licensing examination. Chiropractors utilize the gamut of laboratory and imaging diagnostics to diagnose your condition. If the condition falls outside the doctor’s scope of practice the chiropractor will refer you to the appropriate specialist just like your family doctor would. Not that anyone asked or questioned a chiropractor’s education or abilities, just a little trivia for those who don’t know and may consider seeing the chiropractor. Hope your back feels better. Advice provided is for informational purposes only, seek the advice of your own personal chiropractor or family doctor.

 

[Kenneth Brown]

Re: Oh My Aching Back

Well we know how ya got your name now Doc.


I will agree with NOT taking too much Ibuprofen or Tylenol. My liver is shot because in my early twenties I had cronic migraines from wisdom teeth. I took 3 800 mg ibu's everyday for about 2 months. Now all my labs come back bad. I drank as a teen just like every other teen. Since the teen years I drink very little so nothing else could have caused it.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Oh My Aching Back

Percocet, ahhhh.

 

[DJ]

Re: Oh My Aching Back

I suffered from chronic back pain for years.

The only thing that cured it, for me, was a Select Comfort air mattress bed. There are others.

Contrary to popular belief, a hard mattress did not work for my back.

I sleep with the setting very soft and have not had any issues for nine years now.

If I stay in a hotel for more than a couple nights (dang rock hard beds) the pain comes back. Many higher end hotel chains have realized this and have gone to softer mattresses or pillow top type mattresses. They work much better, for me.

 

[Ron G]

Re: Oh My Aching Back

Napercin helped me.