Are there any back pain experts around please?

[newnamenellie]

I’m currently really struggling with lower back pain which has ramped up a notch today.

It started two weeks ago, I noticed a twinging/pulling on one side when I bent forward/down. It wasn’t bad at this stage and I thought it would pass.

The following day it seemed to develop into a more general stiffness/pain across the lower back. The day after that it felt somewhat better initially then started hurting again after I’d sat for a couple of hours at lunch with a friend. Over the following few days, it was still there but got less bothersome and I thought it was improving.

Last Thursday, I’d been doing some low level tidying at home and I bent down to put a shoe away and felt the area sort of tighten again. It’s been painful ever since when bending down, sitting in certain positions or standing too long. Lying down is fine, but can hurt to move position in bed.

I have a physio appointment in just under two weeks time (NHS self referral to MSK clinic) but I’m not sure if I can wait.

This morning, my partner and I were getting ready to go out for a walk and out of nowhere, my whole lower back seized up and became really uncomfortable. I managed to get in the car and sat for the journey sort of braced against the seat, was hard getting out of the car and walking want great (my legs are fine but my lower back was twinging the whole time). The journey home was awful, every time I moved (to stop getting stiff) it felt as though my lower back was sort of rearranging itself- only way I can describe it.

I can hardly move forward at all now, it’s agony. I lay on the sofa when I got home and then when I tried to get up, it was so difficult and painful.

So far I’ve tried ibuprofen and heat pads - the latter gives comfort but not much else. I’ve also tried yoga for lower back pain but thinking I may have made it worse!!!

I’d be so grateful if anyone has any advice. TIA.

I’m 50 btw.

I am not an expert but have been suffering with similar issues - mine is definitely my muscles and what has helped me is using a massage gun regularly on my back and legs. Also am doing stretching and yoga as regularly as I can. Do you think it is your muscles or does it feel like something else like nerves / joints?

@mochimoons sorry to hear of your issues 😔 I literally feel your pain.

I’m not sure what’s wrong with mine, thought muscular initially then started to wonder about a herniated disc or something like that.

It’s just so much worse today. I’ll look at a massage gun maybe. Don’t think I could even attempt yoga today.

Do you have any shooting pains down your legs or is it just locking up?

I wouldn't be using a massage gun until you've had it looked at. If you can get someone to rub across from your side towards your spine (but not on the spine) using their knuckles in an up and down movement, that can give relief. It sounds like your back has gone into spasm. Try and keep moving, sitting still makes it worse. If you have a Swiss ball, sitting on that rather than a chair can help.

Once it has settled, you need Pilates to strengthen your core. It's a lifesaver for back pain.

@unsync no pains in kegs, just the locking/tightness across the lower back.

I meant to say, the one thing that gives a little relief is if I put my fists behind me when I’m sitting on a hard backed chair and push them into the areas either side of the spine, the pressure seems to help. Does that indicate any particular issue??

Thanks for the advice re moving, I’m trying to do that. Until today, standing and walking were okay, but painful now. How long can spasm last?

Yes I agree to wait until you've been checked out before you use the massage gun - it will only be helpful if it's a muscles issue and wouldn't want to risk more damage! I hope you feel better soon!

There's a position (if you can get into it) lying on the floor with calves resting on the sofa, that I have found helpful in the past. Also a hot water bottle can be comforting!

A couple of stretches to try: lie on your back, pull your knees up to your chest and gently rock back and forth and circular. It just releases tight small back muscles. Lie on your back, feet flat on the floor at hip distance apart and let your knees fall to one side, and then to the other side. Try repeating a couple of times a day. We do these gentle stretches in pilates so release stiffness in small of back. Worth a try. Hope you get some relief.

@newnamenellie my spasms would last until I had a few physio sessions. Since I've been doing Pilates, I don't really get them anymore unless I do something daft. Last time I did something daft, I got them under control in five days through a combo of heat and Pilates moves/stretches.

Osteopath! Seriously.
Don't bother with physio.

@unsync thanks. That’s interesting. I’m not sure what the hell’s going on but could be spasm the more I think about it…

Bit of background, I had a very stressful few days in the week before this all started. I left a new job because it was awful and although I was relieved, inevitably it also led to anxiety and stress. I tend to have physical reactions to emotional stress so I feel that there is an element of this here.

Last night, I noticed my back twitching as I was dropping off to sleep - does that indicate spasm? As though the muscles were trying g to relax but couldn’t.

@newnamenellie It could be. Mine just gets very hard with sharp stabby pains. If you have a partner, get them to run their fingers with moderate pressure down the middle of each side of your back. They should be able to feel the difference when they hit the spasm. Is it easing a bit now?

I was just trying to think how to describe this position but you've already done it. I was shown this by the first osteopath I ever saw and it is a fantastic reset for your back.

I might be biased because I have personally found osteopathy a saviour over the last few decades but, nevertheless, I would recommend you try one. It has never taken more than a couple of appointments to sort out the various problems I've had over the years, although I do now go every few months for 'maintenance', and I always come out with good advice.

@wildthingsinthenight I was wondering why you advised to go to an osteopath and not a physio?

Just hijacking the thread to ask as I'm suffering with (mechanical) back pain here as well - saw a physio this week and its not helped at all! Wondering if I should try an osteopath instead?

Short term Epsom salt baths for relief - you need 500gms and to soak for at least 15mins.
Gentle exercise just to keep moving.
Get your GP to refer you for a bone density scan to check for osteopenia or osteoporosis

Totally agree. I'd always see an osteopath rather than a physio. Whilst there is an overlap in what they do, I've always found that my problem was sorted within a couple of appointments with an osteopath whereas it took much longer with a physio. Osteopaths are spine experts. A physio's experience is much broader.

I'd say give an osteo a go. They'll tell you at initial consultation if it isn't something they can deal with and advise you how to proceed.

No, it’s still really bad. It’s very stiff and tight and just feels totally ‘off’. I’ll ask my partner to try the massage though, anything is worth a go!

Thank you, I’ve been researching osteopaths and definitely considering getting an appointment. I’m starting g to feel a bit desperate!

When my back has gone into spasm, a muscle relaxant (diazepam) plus painkillers are the only things that help initially. I don't like taking either but just a few doses is enough to get me loosening up. Same thing happened to my adult daughter more recently and I managed to get her an out of hours weekend appointment through 111. They will want to see you to rule out Cauda Equina. In my daughter's case I was able to get a prescription via 111 ahead of the appointment otherwise I would never have got her in the car. Good luck!

Do try the position @renomeno described. The muscles in your back will go 'phew'. Getting down there and back up again with a sore back isn't pretty but it's worth it.

I will try it this evening 👍🏻

It sounds like you had a small back trauma which caused initial pain and now your back has seized up. It does this to try to protect the damaged bit.

i definitely recommend osteopathy where they will try to loosen your back so it’s not as stiff. In the mean time keep stretching. Go very very slowly and only do what feels good. Taking ibuprofen before can help.

You need to do it regularly through out the day. It’s not going to fix it but it will help loosen a little until you can see an osteopath.

Baths etc also good - again won’t fix but will ease the tension and help you relax as emotional stress will not be helping!

you have my sympathy, it’s so awful. Agree with others, Pilates core work has largely got rid of my back pain, so when you’re better do invest in that.

When I’ve had flares like this in the past it’s been due to my sacroiliac joints being a bit unstable. I found sitting on a harder chair with a cushion behind my back was less likely to trigger spasms than a standard arm chair or sofa. If you sleep on your side try a pillow between your knees.

@Inezz have you had just one session? I ended up in hospital with bulging discs plus I have a scoliosis. I could not walk properly and was deemed an emergency and GP sent me off to A&E Now on week 8 of physio and off all pain meds and down to exercises twice a day it was every 2 hours previously. Physio will not generally work in one session unless it’s a muscle issue only and they relieve pressure.

Voltarol in suppository form can be really helpful (recommended by my DD's spinal surgeon) as it enters the body near the pain site. May need a scrip for it though

Update:

Just tried the exercise recommended by @renomeno and others. It felt lovely! I honestly think things feel less stiff now.

How often should I do this?