Back ache.. What is it please

[PepsiTwirl]

Hi..

So I have been having back ache for about 6 months or so now.

On and off, if I sit down for longer than 10 minutes, then I get stiff and I am sometimes doubled over for a little while, and then gradually straighten back up.

I can't lift things for to long as the pain in my back in horrendous..

Anyone got any ideas what this could be....

Random, i know

TIA

what happened 6 months ago? did you lift something or pull something? have something done? had a fall or maybe slept funny?

Could be a disc herniating, you need to go to the GP to ask them. If they can't find anything in particular (like a disc) then you can try seeing an osteopath/chiropractor instead; but you need to rule out obvious physical damage first.

I think you should get checked out as it could be sign of a herniated (slipped) disc. The getting stuck in doubled over position after sitting used to happen to me when my disc went.

Can you avoid lifting for the time being?

Start with your GP, although most don't know much about back health. Try a private osteopath if you can afford it (£50 or so) or try the local osteopathy school who may treat you for free.

Definitely don't ignore it! If it is a degenerating disc it could get a lot worse.

Wouldn't a slipped disc cause pain all the time?

Not intended to be patronising, but are you drinking enough water?

No, a slipped (or slipping) disc pain can come and go, and can be exacerbated by sitting or by standing. Drinking lots of water during the day to rehydrate the discs does help (they start the day full of fluid as they refill overnight when you are lying down, but then the fluid gets squished out of them during the day as your spine compacts from the effects of gravity, making any pain worse. Drinking lots of water keeps the disc fluid levels topped up)

Probably not drinking enough......