Muscle spasm in back...what do I do?

[lolaflores]

In the last 4 weeks, Ive had what I think is a muscle spasm in my lower back and Im on here for advice, assurance and personal experience of it.
ITs made walking painful, getting up akward, up and downstairs really really painful. I can't walk far and Im begining to adopt this knees bent waddle. Pain is keeping me awake. I can't get comfortable.
Each time its sorted itself out, with ice packs etc. but comes back and I don't know whats setting it off.
This time the pain is making me cry.
The thought of sitting at a&e is too much to bear but is it the right place for this? Is it something the GP can deal with.
I don't know waht to do and I

OP I really sympathise. I had this on holiday a couple of weeks ago. The pain was awful and made me cry several times! It's not fixed yet but I saw a physio for mine. She recommended heat (those self heating ones you stick on your skin), painkillers and GENTLE stretching.
She also showed me a YouTube video on a stretch called sciatic nerve flossing - nothing to do with the dance! - which helped me.
Good luck!

Diazepam, naproxen, osteopath, acupuncture, and heat (occasionally alternating with ice for 10 min intervals). Acupuncture has to start half way up back and go low down on to the buttocks to work ime. Also sit only on hard high backed chairs. And stretches - cat pose, child pose, and one lying on back hugging your knees to your chest and curling your bum up high. Can't believe you haven't been to an osteopath yet though!

DC3 - that’s an interesting tip, what’s the idea, that it relaxes the muscle?

I can get the physiontheough our healthcare and self refer and I'll do that tomorrow.
And acupuncture.

I was sitting here thinking I would actually rather be in labour as at least I knew it would finish. Add to which, my deliveries were uncomplicated but fast. It is that similar deep, ache that just takes over.
The thoughtsof anyone touching it is something I am mentally avoiding.
Out of curiosity and desperation I am going to look at Honeylove. It's all worth a shot at this point. And it may be useful in other departments.

Sympathies and hugs to all those who have been through this.

Lovehoney wand massagers.

Search on Magic wand vibrators.

Apply as DC3 describes but use the wand rather a hand - I know that is a double entendre.

Don't let embarrassment stop you from finding this really effective treatment.

Also, it comes in a very discrete brown box and just says LH trading on your statement. Know one will know!

Magic wand is in the post.
what a world of possibilites there are on that site.
Good Lord.
Laughing hurts but I am in awe of the imagination some of those products take not only to create but use.

Well now you have an account you may as well use it...after your back is sorted out.

Let us know how you get on with it.

Will do.

@Fightthebear

I think you are compressing the muscle beyond the tightness of the spasm, then the very slow release tricks it into completely relaxing instead of returning to spasm. Works best if you can find one focal point (even within a large area). It can be miraculous -from being stuck on the floor/in a chair to suddenly moving freely. I think it works best the sooner done though, so worth knowing.

Keep your ea4s peeled, cos I reckon you'll hear me roaring wherever you are whenbi try this.
Ok.
Here goes nothing

Oh. Sweet. Saviour.
That has actually worked!
Not all the pain has gone but it feels like the base of my back and unlocked.
Just sat down and stood up again and it's more or less better...
What sorcery is this?
No word of a lie.
All the muscles down my leg are Kind of back to normal

@DC3 thanks for that, will definitely give it a try next time I feel a spasm starting, I can imagine it working to release the tension.

Op was that the “DC3 technique” as it can forever more be known, or the Magic Wand?

DC3 technique...The Magic Wand is winging its way. I can't wait to have a crack at it though. So is DH!.

I can honestly testify that the Dc3 is effective and immediate. Still feel like I've been kicked by a horse bit bound to be bit delicate Fter the mangling I've had.
All the muscles down my leg have been twitching and fluttering but it's all calmed down. I've straightened up cos I was hunched over...which doesn't help.
Just wow!

That’s a ringing endorsement op.

Will give it a go next time. Glad you’re feeling better.

Fantastic! I’m not at all surprised as it’s been quite miraculous for me too. In fact I no longer have to brief DH -just “can you get this spot here?” and I’m sorted.

One word of warning, OP, you’ve been in pain for a while and more spasm can follow pain, so keep taking the painkillers to keep it at bay and repeat if you need to. In future, if you do it early enough, once is often enough.

I'm off for physio. Will get it sorted out this week as this has the potential to ruin trips where I have to sit in the car...we have a trip in Easter that is 4 hours and it would create misery for all.
I thought the first attack was a 1 off but it seems the bugger has a plan for domination
Thanks everyone and I'm so happy all of you can take something away from it.
Thanks for understanding and taking the time to listen.
DC3..my eternal gratitude

Get yourself to the dr. The naproxen needs to be taken with omeprazole and food to avoid feeling sick. I really sympathise with you op cos I’ve got it atm. I’ve been for an mri and I need surgery as the disc is pressing on the sciatic nerve.

It’s utterly debilitating but with the right painkillers you can manage the pain. I’m taking naproxen, cocodamol and gaberpentin and this combination is fantastic - feel a bit spaced out sometimes but I’ll trade that for pain!

Private physio!

She massaged the muscle in spasm which made an instant improvement. She also showed me some gentle exercises to do to free it up if it happens again - largely hip swivels and pelvic rocks (like Rocky Horror!) She also recommended Pilates as she thought mine was due to posture.

@lolaflores you are very welcome!

Dollytwat...Oh no! I had discs fused and it did relieve some of the pain but I don't think it's the miracle I wanted. And Yes, I rather being a bit spaced out than this pain. It grinds you down mentally and shrinks the scope of life. Everything has to be planned. So frustrating