Help! Do you know anything about backs?

[BadBackToday]

I had my toddler on my lap this morning and stood up holding him. As I did so I felt my lower back just "go". I'm now unable to stand up straight. I'm stooping over and having to lean on counter tops to stop my back doing all the work. Sitting down it feels fine but trying to straighten my back is impossible, either standing or lying. I can't lift my boy - thank goodness DH is working from home and not too busy today so he can put him down for his nap!

Do I need heat on it? And how shall I help it get better? Just muddle through until bedtime and hope it gets better with sleep?

It could be muscle spasm which is very painful.
The best immediate action is hot and cold.
3 minutes with an ice pack (wrapped in a thin tea towel) alternated with the 3 minutes of warm wheat bag for 20 minutes altogether finishing with cold.
Take ibuprofen and paracetamol if suitable for you.
If still bad in a week ring an osteopath.

Is it a sharp pain? Can you move or is it painful to stay in one position? Do the above and try to move a little (staying still is the worst you can do).

Of you aren’t breastfeeding there are painkilling gels than can help a little.

It's painful when I try to stand up straight. Walking around is uncomfortable because I'm stooping so I have to scuttle to the nearest surface to put my hands on to take some of the load off. I can't lie flat but lying with my legs up in the air is comfortable.

I can't get to a pharmacy so I've taken paracetamol

It might be a herniated disc (used to be referred to as a slipped disc). They are extremely painful and cause me to stoop.

I'd book an urgent appointment with a private osteopath for some relief. You'll wait ages for an NHS appointment

Could be a disc. That’s a super sharp pain ;like someone has stabbed you - so sitting on the loo (so knees apart) or at an angle sloping backwards could be the most comfortable.

It hurts like hell - I go to an osteopath (maybe book now, you can cancel if you get better). Bending and lifting/twisting is the worst thing you can do you your back.

Piroxicam gel is good but only on prescription. I used to use medicated plasters when I did martial arts - I’ll need to look up what they were (the sensei used to give them to me).