Ouch what have I done to my back? Is this muscular? What can I do?

[NorbertDentressangle]

Earlier today I bent down to move something and felt a twinge/something 'go' in my back. As the day has gone on its got worse - stiffer, more painful at times.

It doesn't hurt all the time ie. when sitting still/ standing still its OK, some walking is OK. I can even stand on one leg and lift my other leg up, bending my knee and holding it to me IYSWIM.

When it does hurt is lowering myself to sit down, trying to stand up from sitting and when I bend down forwards eg. can't bend to open the oven door or pick something up off the floor.

I've taken Ibuprofen and Paracetamol and been holding a hot water bottle on it.

Have I just pulled a muscle? Will I be able to get out of bed tomorrow?

It does sound muscular rather than tendon/disk/nerve style. Only certain movements are affected by the sound of it. So, don't do 'em and take the opportunity for a really long soak in a luxuriously scented bath before bed?

BUT i'm not a medic soooo if still bad in the morning maybe phone the surgery and see what they say?

For back pain it's best to book an appointment with your GP

Tipsytrifle - I was too scared to have a bath as DP was out for the evening and I had visions of not being able to get out of the bath!

Wasn't as bad as I expected this morn. Seems to have eased a bit with pain killers and hot water bottle but I am taking things easy and not rushing around or bending.

Thinking about it I'm wondering if the cause is to do with a change of job that involves me spending time at a desk/pc more than before??

I think I'll see how it goes over the weekend.

Thanks both

Can you sit cross legged on the floor? Or turn over in bed? If not, that would indicate you've done something to your sacroiliac joint. I did this earlier this year and it was really painful - had to see an osteopath to have it popped back in.

parched - no its not a sacroiliac problem as I can do those things (also had SPD in last pregnancy so would recognise problems in the area I think).

The times its hurting are if I've been sitting down (whether its on a sofa or dining chair so height/hardness of seat doesn't make a difference) . Its not the sitting thats painful its when I move afterwards - my lower back just feels painful, as if its seized /really stiff.

Also still can't bend forward very easily, even small movements like bending over the sink when brushing my teeth. However if I use my arm for support it helps -presumably as some of my weight is going through my arms?