Back Pain

headn00b

On Monday I started getting a pain in my lower back during the day. I was fine sitting still at my desk, but anytime I got up and walked around it was a little bit of a struggle. By the time I went to bed it had pretty much subsided. On Tuesday night it came back and I began to find it painful while sitting still, it was sort of like a throbbing pain. I woke up today and it's still there.

About three weeks ago I was in a car crash (came out unscathed) and I was wondering if this could be some kind of delayed reaction? If I'm still in pain at the weekend I'll see my doctor, but in the meantime I was wondering if anyone had some suggestions on the cause.

Thanatos

Where in your lower back? What does it feel like?

If it just feels like muscle pain, you probably don't even need to go to the doctor.

Have you had any problems urinating?

headn00b

Thanatos wrote:

Where in your lower back? What does it feel like?

If it just feels like muscle pain, you probably don't even need to go to the doctor.

Have you had any problems urinating?

It's my very lower back, slightly off centre. I don't think it's muscle pain, it's just a sort of throbbing that comes and goes when I'm sitting down.

I haven't had any trouble urinating.

Basar

Car crash is very likely to be the reason.

Most nonlife-threathning injuries from car crashes do not appear immediately. I'd go see a doctor.

Good luck.

World as Myth

How much do you sit at your desk? I've got the same thing happening to me right now, and I went to see a doctor, and it turns out it's from playing too much WoW with just slightly bad posture. (I'm so hardcore)

headn00b

Well I sit at a desk for 7 hours a day during work. At night I'm either at my desk on my PC, or lying on bed with my Mac so generally I am sitting down.

World as Myth

That could be it.

Does it feel muscular? For me, there's a giant knot just to the right of my spine in my lower back that I can feel. This is my second round with this pain, and I got it to clear up the first time by sleeping on a heating pad and taking muscle relaxants for a couple of days. (I fucked it up again by doing yoga too vigorously too soon.) There are also some stretches you can do to help alleviate the pain; my doctor gave me a sheet or two of them which I can scan and send to you if you like.

If you're thinking it's not muscular, it's probably not a bad idea to go in for a checkup anyway.

headn00b

It doesn't feel muscular, but I could be wrong. I'll give it until the weekend (it's actually more or less gone for now) and then see a Doctor if it's still occuring, unless anyone would consider this serious?

Nitsuj82

I would recommend seeing a doctor and calling the other person's insurance company saying you want to file a BI claim. I can damn near guarantee that this is tied to the accident.

headn00b

Nitsuj82 wrote:

I would recommend seeing a doctor and calling the other person's insurance company saying you want to file a BI claim. I can damn near guarantee that this is tied to the accident.

Wait a minute, are you saying I could make some money from this?

Perhaps I should see the doctor sooner.

Nitsuj82

Yes...pain and suffering. They don't actually call it that anymore, but that's what it is. They'll also pay for your doctor's treatments.

Granted, this is all only applicable if you were NOT at fault.

headn00b

Nitsuj82 wrote:

Yes...pain and suffering. They don't actually call it that anymore, but that's what it is. They'll also pay for your doctor's treatments.

Granted, this is all only applicable if you were NOT at fault.

Which I wasn't. The other driver was charged with reckless driving.

DynamiteKid

What position are you in when sitting down?

If you're in certain positions, your body might be comfortable because you're unconsciously moving away from the pain, which is a bad thing.

ViolentChemistry

I'm more likely to blame sitting all day and potentially the quality of your bed. Unless you were hit from a wierd angle and don't wear the shoulder-belt. Walk around whenever you get a chance. When I worked at a call-center I eventually got good enough that I didn't need the screen to handle calls, so I'd kind of walk around in a circle (second shift, wasn't in anyone's space) while I told the headset that the reason someone's DSL isn't working is because they don't have the computer connected to their router in any way shape or form.

headn00b

Yeah, I figured three weeks after the accident was a bit unlikely.

When I sit I'm usually leaning forward. I tried to consciously sit up straight and found that the pain was a bit more frequent.

Looks like we found the problem :?

HiredGun

You can get rid of a lot of back pain by regular stretching and strengthening your back.

Try doing regular back bridges. My posture improved a great deal after I started incorporating those, and they should help mitigate back pain.

This is assuming, of course, that you haven't been injured. If there's any risk of that, then see a doctor first.

World as Myth

headn00b wrote:

When I sit I'm usually leaning forward.

This is exactly what caused my problem. I bet we're pain-twins. Again, I'd be happy to scan those sheets with the stretches and exercises if you'd like to try them.

Glaeal

Are you in overweight? That can contribute.

Treeloot

To help relieve back pain:

Lie down on your back, bend your knees and bring your feet closer to your body while still keeping them on the ground, and cross your arms mummy style. Stay like this for a few minutes.

It's not going to totally fix things, but it will relieve some pain.

The Cat

HiredGun wrote:

You can get rid of a lot of back pain by regular stretching and strengthening your back.

Try doing regular back bridges. My posture improved a great deal after I started incorporating those, and they should help mitigate back pain.

This is assuming, of course, that you haven't been injured. If there's any risk of that, then see a doctor first.

going straight to bridges without any other strengthening exercises can be dangerous, though. A lot of people don't know how to maintain proper posture in that position and fuck up their lower back. It requires moderately strong abs and shoulders to do right, so it should be part of a sequence of exercises focusing on the abs and shoulders as well. And don't forget proper warm-up!

stixs4321

World As Myth wrote:

That could be it.

Does it feel muscular? For me, there's a giant knot just to the right of my spine in my lower back that I can feel. This is my second round with this pain, and I got it to clear up the first time by sleeping on a heating pad and taking muscle relaxants for a couple of days. (I fucked it up again by doing yoga too vigorously too soon.) There are also some stretches you can do to help alleviate the pain; my doctor gave me a sheet or two of them which I can scan and send to you if you like.

If you're thinking it's not muscular, it's probably not a bad idea to go in for a checkup anyway.

Try ART(active release technique) as its good for breaking up knots and scar tissue which can keep a muscle from properly stretching. I've gotten it done on my shoulders which I used to think the right one was fucked forever but its never been better. I also got it done for a knot on the right side of my lower back. Also try hitting up physio or going on your own to strengthen your weak muscles like glutes(bridges work these), abdominal(side bridges and planks aka "prone bridges") and even your upper back with some band work if thats particullary weak. My pain on the lower right side comes from an inhibited right oblique and my chiropractor suggested a wobble board to help activate it.

To the OP, it sounds like bad posture and sitting all day caused lets say 5 points of damage to the spine and the car wreck caused 4 then another 1 was added over the last few weeks from your regular habits along with the trauma of the car crash. Most back injuries are usually cumulative. The straw that broke the camels back if you will.

Black Ice

The hamstring and back are connected. Lay down with your legs flat and try and touch your feet - make sure your knees don't leave the ground and are flat. Do this for 15-20 minutes.

I broke my back (cracked my lowest vertebrae in 2 places) in 2002 and went through 8 months of P.T. I'm probably one of the most flexible males I know - I can touch the floor with my fingers flattened out on it. Doing exercises such as this for 20 minutes a day got me to this level of flexibility.

I'm sure you know other hamstring exercises (you feel it and will know if it stretches it or not), so I won't add some others - if you don't, go ahead and do a Google search.

Definitely see a doctor - not a chiropractor. Chiropractors can be great for loosening your back up, but can potentially damage your back more if there's a problem if he/she attempts to fix it.

Good luck!

headn00b

Thanks everyone for the advice. So far today my back is ok but I'll give some of the exercises a try tonight.

World As Myth, I'd greatly appreciate those scans. I'll PM you my email address.