Cure for back pain

[xodia]

Ambulances and A&E departments are for As and Es, not people with back pain, no matter how painful it is.

Not true when I felt something going wrong with my back I went to A & E and got treated

I felt there was something bad about to happen with my back having suffered before.

I however did not call an ambulance, I wanted to drive there myself, but alas I only managed to get as far as down the stairs and to my car before I got stuck and could not move. Instead I called my mum to give me a lift to A&E who gave me an injection after finding I could not move my right leg.

There is a big difference however in being a bit stiff and literally not being able to move because of pain, however Lucifer Box is right ambulances are for emergencies and hospitals aren’t out of hours doctors surgery’s.

[threaded]

Take up cycling and go for very long rides.

[Joe Black]

Well this must be one of the most help-minded threads I've seen here for a while. So to continue the theme I'll throw in my 2 (rapidly depreciating) euro cents.

Besides the other generally good suggestions of physio, exercise etc, you might also consider one of these:

http://www.backstretcher.com/

Yep, I know it's a Dutch site, but sure you can Google a UK source (I hope so since it was originally designed by this guy)

[xoggoth]

That TENS is utter crap! Got a Boots TENS machine for my little finger which has been giving me gyp since some bastard who did not appreciate my total uselessness as a goalie about 15 years ago blasted a football straight at it and crunched it into about 50% of its natural length. Did sweet FA!

VODKA cures all ills I find. Especially if cheap!

[hattra]

You have my sympathies - I've got two prolapsed disks down at the base of the spine (did them in about twenty years ago). I manage to put it out about once a year

Lots of good advice above.

For the first week or so, until you can move around relatively easily -

Ibuprofen and/ or paracetamol (I was told by a doctor in the States that you can take both of them at the same time if needed) - you might want to check that with your own doctor, though. Last time the doctor gave me some prescription opiates - very effective but bits of me (some rather important) stayed numb for weeks afterwards)

Ibuprofen or diclofenac gel

Heat packs/ ice packs (whichever works best for you)

Lying on the floor (make sure the back is as flat as possible, so that its supported by the floor) can help reduce muscle spasms, but keep your back warm.

Gentle massage

Whatever helps you sleep (hot toddy, herbal, melatonin etc)

After it gets a bit better- do the exercise, physio & chiropracter stuff, but keep it gentle to begin with.

Also - learn proper lifting technique, and if necessary, buy a back brace - I have one like a weight-lifters belt - it doesn't provide that much support, but it stops you bending in the middle when you lift.

[Phoenix]

It's no wonder that back pain causes most Sick days in this country.........Pain killers can hide a real problem with your back..like a prolapsed disk, and can cause more damage....get specialist help at a Chiropractors or an osteopaths...Doctors today make me sick!!

[Alf W]

You can take paracetomol (analgeasic) and ibruprofen (anti-inflammatory) at the same time. Just make sure you aren't using one of those 'Ultra' or 'Plus' variants as one of them as they usually have both in anyway.

Prescription Codeine pills are the best. You can take those and throw yourself down the stairs and you won't feel a thing.

[spongebob]

In the majority of cases, what happens is that all the little muscles around your original tweak go into spasm and twist your spine about a bit. That's what hurts. Fundamentally there's little wrong with your back. It just needs rest.

After a day or two them muscles start relaxing, and might feel a bit sore for a few days after that.

Unless it's something serious of course.

[angelina]

Nothing wrong with your back, you just need to **** more.

[Mordac]

I think it's way too long since you were last banned, sonny boy.