Back pain

[Aksannyi]

Okay. This isn't so severe (at least not yet) that I feel the need to go to a doctor, especially since I haven't got one (or insurance, for that matter), but I have been experiencing some back pain since yesterday. I have no idea what caused it. The heaviest lifting I have done in the last week was taking out the trash and carrying some groceries.

Basically, it's the upper to middleish part of my back that hurts, and the pain is what I'd call "shooting." It hurts really bad for a few seconds and seems to feel like it spreads from the "pain epicenter" when I move, then settles into a dull ache. No matter how I sit, it persists, and Advil has not done much. Surprisingly, I didn't have any trouble sleeping last night, so lying down is probably the "best" position.

Basically what I'm asking is if anyone has any home remedies that might relieve the pain. I'm flying out of town on Wednesday and I'd really prefer not to be super sore while cramped in a goddamn airplane if possible, so if any of you have any suggestions as to how to reduce/eliminate the pain, that would be kind of awesome.

[Miroku_Asura]

How old is your mattress?

[Aksannyi]

Five years, but it was in storage and unused for three.

[Eratosthenes]

I had a similar back ache a few weeks ago, but mine was more in the shoulder area. I just woke up hurting in the morning, and I couldn't really find any cause other than sleeping in a weird position. I took ibuprofen to dull the pain and it cleared up in about two days. The second day, it wasn't bad enough to need any painkillers.

[Miroku_Asura]

Not a doctor here, so take what I say with a grain of salt- For me, I've found that if I'm able to get into a position where my back isn't hurting (in my car, bed, couch etc...) that's generally how I fucked it up in the first place. Maybe try flipping/rotating your mattress. Also, I've hurt my back carrying groceries before >_> Didn't lift with mah knees...

[Aksannyi]

The heaviest thing in there was a small jug of laundry detergent, less than 5 pounds I'm sure. Maybe I did sleep weird on Saturday night though. I guess I'm just going to keep popping Advil, try to rest it, and keep working with the Icy Hot.

[antihero]

cancer

[Fhqwghads]

Any kind of anti-inflammatory analgesic might help. Aspirin, ibuprofen, etc. It certainly can't hurt. It could be a "pinched nerve". Take a hot bath, lay down with a rolled up towel under your neck, get a massage, do some light stretches. If none of this helps and it continues over a few days see a doctor.

[Aksannyi]

Yeah if I have to go see a doctor I'll do it in Mexico when I get there, if it comes to that. Health care there is cheap and I can buy prescription drugs. God bless Mexico.

[Fievel]

cancer

Bullshit it's obviously lupus.

[Venga]

Maybe slightly serious since it's a "shooting pain". Im used to aching pains in my back but i just stretch them out. Im guessing it isn't muscle pain? You have hit your coccyx recently?

Other than that painkillers and and a bath?

[Aksannyi]

It doesn't feel like a muscle pain, but where it hurts there aren't really any bones or joints. Like where my lungs are. I wonder if it's like a bruised rib or something. Though then I'd probably only feel it on one side (right?) and I might have noticed having hurt myself at some point.

[Surealistic]

Bullshit it's obviously lupus.

its never.....

nvm lol


but my vote is for aids

[Titanss]

my back was hurting too recently I thought it was my kidneys or something

[kuronosan]

Don't touch Aspirin, unless you like thinning your blood. Take Naproxen or Ibuprofen.

Try doing this - take your hands and pinch the muscle between your neck and shoulder (sternocleidomastoid). Pinch firmly for approximately a minute. Let go for about 10-20 seconds, then firmly massage the area. If this doesn't work, try it lower down beneath your shoulderblades.

[aurik]

Aspirin has actually been shown to have medical benefits when taken in small doses over very long period of time, probably due to the blood thinning effect.

[kyod]

Don't touch Aspirin, unless you like thinning your blood. Take Naproxen or Ibuprofen.

I caution using Naproxen as I had the worst chest pains of my life when I took it for my lower back once. Only medication I've ever had a horrible reaction to.

/2cents

[ZarakiKujata]

was expecting more CS antics.

son I am disappoint.

[Odesseiron]

Yeah I honestly thought CS created another thread for back pain when I saw it on the main page lmao.

I had some back pain a couple weeks ago. It was a shooting pain similar to yours. I think it was due to a couple things did it. A ton of shoveling snow, and terrible posture in my computer chair. It ached for days. The only relief was sleep, but if I slept too long I would wake up with pain just as bad. I've made a concious effort to improve my posture, get more exercise that's helped.

What I can suggest for immediate relief are those Therma Care wraps that go around your back. You can sleep with them, and they last about 8 hours and feel incredibly good. Also Icy Hot stuff works pretty well.

[Aksannyi]

Icy Hot has been doing the trick for me today it's just a bitch to put on since my back is not exactly the easiest to reach for rubbing-in purposes.