Threw out my back, what to do?

[Anonymous]

I somehow threw out my lower back while lifting my 3 m/o out of her crib this morning. The pain is just agonizing. It is extremely difficult to walk, and when I do walk, I'm all hunched. I never knew back pain could hurt so badly. I took a Vicodin earlier which helped a little and now that it has worn off I literally can't move. Really reluctant to continue that so I just took 3 Advil. What else can Ido? How long will this go on?

[Anonymous]

Ice for the first 24 hours and then switch to heat.

Lie on your side with a pillow between your knees and keep ice on. If you are able to sit up, sit in a rocking chair so you can use your back muscles.

Have someone wait on you and don't lift the baby out of her crib!

[Anonymous]

Thank you! Going to try that now!

[Anonymous]

Therma patch heat patch, Advil every 4-6 hours. Walking, slowly.A massage in a week.

[Anonymous]

If the pain is so bad that you can't stand up straight you need to see a doctor. They will probably prescribe muscle relaxants and pain killers which will make it easier to do some simple stretches and maneuvers to lessen the pain.
I have (unfortunately) injured my back numerous times and can usually do stuff at home to get myself back on track unless it gets to the point you're describing. They may also be able to provide you with some exercises to do. Whatever you do, DON'T just lie around and hope it will get better on its own. Walking definitely helps. Also, you can lie down on the floor, and put your legs on a chair to help take the pressure off your lower back (quads are perpendicular to the floor, knees bent 90 degrees, calves parallel to floor and fully supported by chair/couch). Bridges are also a huge help for me. Here's a good video on how to do them. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHyh4ehyVY0&feature=youtube_gdata_player

[Anonymous]

This happened to me twice as my toddler got older. I needed a step down pack of steroids to get better.

[Anonymous]

You just have Vicodin laying around in your house?

[Anonymous]

Ice. And then start Bikram to prevent this from happening in the future.

[Anonymous]

I don't know where you are but Dr Lee in Vienna totally changed my life. I hobbled into his practice 5 months pregnant unable to take pain killers on a walking stick and I walked out upright an hour and half later. I had a herniated disc and he kept it at bay until I gave birth four months later - NO PAIN KILLERS. The man is brilliant and I cannot recommend you seeking his help enough. They also do not mind you bringing babies into the clinic while he works on you, your 3 month old could probably nap in the car seat. Go see him. 115 Beulah Road, #100D Vienna, VA 22180
[phone]

[Anonymous]

Good advice so far, key is avoid extended bed rest at all costs. Move slowly but move!

[Anonymous]

Go see your doctor.

[Anonymous]

i hurt my lower back lifting weights a few months ago. It was more or less a muscle strain and it took about 8 weeks to fully heal. I used heat pads and stretched like i never stretched before. One exercise i think helped me out is the "Mckenzie press" (google it) which is fantastic for recovery.

[Anonymous]

Definitely ice. 15 minutes out of every hour, for the next couple of days. You can get huge ice backs at the pharmacy to cover the whole area.

You use ice, rather than heat, to reduce inflammation and swelling in the area of injury. Also use Advil or Aleve round the clock for the first few days.

[Anonymous]

There's one thing that helps me most for every ache and pain that I have and that is infared light heating pad. Have you tried it? You can learn more about it here:

http://www.natural-alternative-therapies.com/far-infrared-heating-pads/

[Anonymous]

Chiropractic can at least take a few days off of the disabled period. Muscle relaxants are the key for me. I can usually get by with few or no painkillers as long as things are unclenched and I'm well positioned. If it's really acute, I will just relax for a day and then see if I can move a little. It is NOT a good idea to push movement if you are in serious pain, but you do want to get moving as soon as it just aches, KWIM?