Lower back in spasm, can’t move!

[Tarchie]

I bent down to pick something up this morning and felt something “shift” in my back which then gradually became painful. Warily kept moving around but then the pain came on with a vengeance. I’ve managed to sit down but even moving my legs is causing painful spasm in my lower back. My DC managed to get some diazepam which I’m prescribed for these incidents and I’ve taken some but no relief so far. I’ve got so much to do today. How can I help relieve the painful spasm when I can’t even walk to the toilet without it hurting so much?

Sounds like nerve pain. I would not even attempt to get up until at least your pain is manageable. Have you took any pain killers ? I would ring your GP and ask for an Emergency Home Visit if your struggling to even get up.

Hot water bottle or wheat bag helps me. Or, strangely, a cold bag of peas, apparently it reduces the inflammation.

I had a bout of sciatica three weeks ago and my neighbour suggested the peas, they really helped.

You will have to write off today I'm afraid.

If you back has gone into spasm, its purpose is to protect itself. Unless you can get to a GP for muscle relaxants, you are just going to have to wait until it eases off.

Lying flat on the floor (hard surface ) with a towel rolled under your knees or a pillow (to stop strain on your lower back) may help but don't do this if the pain is so bad that you think you are unlikely to be able to get up again. If so, lie flat on your bed in the same position.

As others have said, hot water bottle/heat will help as will anti-inflammatory pain killers. Nurofen plus works very well apparently.

The main thing is not to panic - it will settle on its own but may take a few days.