Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Two weeks ago I carried some heavy suitcases and twisted my back. Two days after that as I was reaching down in a cabinet I felt a sudden pain and after that I had severe lower back pain. First few days I could barely stand so I went to Urgent Care. Doctor made sure I did not have numbness (signs of a pinched nerve) and prescribed me a muscle relaxant and pain med. Over the next few days my back got better to where during the day it was just a low ache. But during the night my back felt like it would freeze up and I'd wake up with the same pain. This past week I went for a massage and the gal worked on my legs which honestly made my hips start to hurt. Things got better but then I think I overdid it with some back stretches and am back to having the same bad pain.
I do not have a primary care physician (recently switched insurance) and the soonest appointment to establish myself is in two months. I can see other doctors on my insurance without a referral but I am wondering, who do I see? Do I go to a physical therapist? Orthopedist? I'd like to have some sort of scan to make sure I do not have something worse than a muscle pull/tear. I want to avoid a chiropractor (am leery) except as a last resort after everything else is ruled out. Any advice when you don't have a primary care doctor?
In the old days, before prescribing meds, the first "prescription" was two weeks of bed rest. Do nothing for two weeks but rest, and the vast majority of back problems heal themselves. After all, the body wants to try to get better; you just have to give it a chance.
Even if you have a disc that is compressed and/or bulged, doing nothing but rest will generally help you out.
Just stop doing anything physical. No lifting. Calm. no prolonged sitting, standing, driving/riding or walking. Mix it up with laying down. Switch position every couple of hours at the most, especially if lying down
You are messing with some of the most delicate and important parts of your body. What would you rather do? Push it and then have to go through surgery, or rest it up and have it heal itself?
In the old days, before prescribing meds, the first "prescription" was two weeks of bed rest. Do nothing for two weeks but rest, and the vast majority of back problems heal themselves. After all, the body wants to try to get better; you just have to give it a chance.
Even if you have a disc that is compressed and/or bulged, doing nothing but rest will generally help you out.
Just stop doing anything physical. No lifting. Calm. no prolonged sitting, standing, driving/riding or walking. Mix it up with laying down. Switch position every couple of hours at the most, especially if lying down
You are messing with some of the most delicate and important parts of your body. What would you rather do? Push it and then have to go through surgery, or rest it up and have it heal itself?
Been there.
Totally agree, rest and if you can ice/heat. Everyone at one time or another comes up with pain pain/issues...some worse with wear and tear and aging.
Go to your PCP first and then ask for a referral to a neurologist. You may have herniated one of your discs...xrays won't see it, you need an MRI if the pain continues. Pain meds don't really touch the pain...but discs do heal...with time and rest.
Thanks for the advice. I am going to a doctor at a spine specialist first and they will do a scan. I fortunately have been resting well since this happened so the pain is getting better. However, I still have extreme stiffness and when I stand there is some tingling in my feet. I will wait it out before doing anything else but I figure seeing a doctor wouldn't hurt. I am the most anti-medicine person to begin with which is why I did not know who to see. Just didn't want to not do anything and have permanent damage.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
