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Oh, boy. I've been so proud of myself for not screwing up my back by age 58, but . . .
I got up from sitting at the computer two weeks ago and twisted funny, then was in the most excruciating pain in my lower back/groin area I've ever had in my life. I thought at first it was just a cramp, and tried to stretch it out, but no . . . and owww, and lots of cursing!
So, to cut the story short - it is a little over two weeks later. I've been self medicating with aspirin and Ben Gay and slight stretching. I could always sit, but can only walk upright for short periods of time, and still can't lay flat on my back - which means I can sleep on my side a few hours until it's too painful, then have to get up and go sit in the chair and try to sleep.
It has gotten better over the past 2 weeks, but I still have twinges of extreme pain, and it seems to be affecting my left hip, too. First thing in the morning I still can barely walk due to the pain.
Friends have been telling me to go see a chiropractor, but I thought all they did was spine/bones. I've made an appointment for tomorrow, but am doubting it. I don't want a chiropractor screwing my spine up.
I have a general medical clinic that I go to for exams and such, but who in America actually has a "family doctor" who really knows them anymore? I just doubt the GP or Nurse Practictioner who work at that clinic would do anything more than throw pain meds at me. And I don't like to take any kind of meds.
Should I continue my current course of action and just hope that it heals over time?
Or does anyone really think that a chiropractor might be at all useful??
I live in the extreme boonies so don't have a lot of options for medical care beyond the above, without an hour drive. And I don't want to sit in the car and drive for an hour right now.
You are getting better, whew! Very good sign...if staying the same or getting worse...not good.
Remember muscles are attached by tendons to bones...if you did super spasm a muscle the bone (vetabrae) can be
easily and usually pulled out of alignment ...so an adjustment could be a great thing to now get the muscle to
relax sooner.
Only see a chiro that is recommended, imo, by someone who has been to a few and knows the diff between a mediocre
one and a truly gifted health practitioner.
OR you could heat the muscles up for 10 minutes, think of warmed taffy, stretch slowly this way and that each day.
Then place an ice pack or bag of fr peas on the area for 10 15 min. Like elongated taffy, it keeps the muscle in that
stretched position when iced.
I'm not making this up, this is after years of sports injury research compiled by MDs...they knew this by the early 90s.
And why don't you like pain killers, LOL, send 'em to me!
Or you could have torn some ligament fibers , they connect bone to bone...they take forever to heal.
Or you could have hurt a disc...they take forever, also.
The doc may give you a lumbar brace so you won't hurt yourself more and can protect it so it can heal faster...
but you have to be shown how to put it on correctly...if you buy one yourself, there should be instructions online.
A few hours of the day, ahh, you will thank me for using a lumbar brace.
If you can't even lay flat on your back, I must say, that is an indication, you are really hurt!!
Place a pillow, telephone book under your tailbone to tilt ur pelvis up...that should relieve ALOT!
Experiment holding your knees to your chest...see if that gives you relief with a gentle stretching...BUT,
lift and lower ONE LEG at a time...not both together...don't believe me...try doing it each way, you'll see.
Sit down when putting your pants on...don't stand doing.
This is long enough...good luck.
Oh, do not sleep on your side unless you have a pillow between your knees...making sure ur pelvis is straight
up and down with the ceiling...like, picture a plum line ...keep it from tilting forward as you sleep.
The stress on that injured area can not take it...keeping it in pain, slowing any healing.
I would strongly recommend seeing a back specialist. I had a similar problem and when it got to the point where I couldn't walk much further than between bed/bathroom and recliner.. I finally saw a doctor. Took a long time to get a proper diagnosis, I had bulged two discs in my back. I was laid up for 7 months trying to get it taken care of, tried physical therapy... shots of cortisone/anesthetic and ended up needing surgery. 4 weeks after surgery I'm walking 2-3 miles a day and on my way to recovery.
I wouldn't see a chiropractor, look for an orthopedic clinic. I made the mistake of starting with a G.P. and got zero results from that. If you're lucky and catch back problems fast enough, you *may* get away with just physical therapy.. I wish I could have... oh and I'm only 45...
Thanks for your advice, you guys! I think I'll cancel the chiropractor, try to make an appointment with an orthopedist (1 hr away or not) and follow the self help suggestions you offered.
One thing I've learned from being laid up for 8 months (in varying states of pain/inability to do anything and constantly taking narcotic pain meds).. Back problems are not something you want to mess with. Many of the symptoms you are describing are very similar to the symptoms I was having. A specialist should be able to narrow it down quickly, and get you on track to a fix.
Ended up going to my regular clinic today because I needed to go there first for a referral. Got a referral for a physical therapist, and I see her in 2 days. Even though I still have back/groin pain, I'm feeling really good that things should improve soon!
The doc said something sensible re physical therapists v chiropractors: Physical therapists work with you to get you to the point where you don't have to see them anymore, while chiropractors count on you having to keep going back to them again - and again - and again. Seemed like a good point to me.
I know this is an old subject, but I am wondering if you found relief. Your pain sounds similar to what I experienced last summer and it seems to be returning. My PT says my pelvis turns inward and the muscles tighten on one side of the psoas muscle creating the pain. I am just wondering what ended up working for you.
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