Manual Trans and bad back

[Reynoma]

About a month ago, I was still trying to teach my 8 year old daughter how to ride a bike(See http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=5962)She is getting very close...she's just not very committed.Anyway, during one of our test runs, we both go crashing to the ground. I mostly landed on the bike and hurt my ankle, shoulder and back. It has been about a month, and my back is still hurting. (No, I have not gone to the doctor, as I don't feel that my doctor is going to do anything other than give me pain killers. I have this thing about taking medication - I don't like to do it). This back problem is making driving a clutch very difficult. I may have to borrow my mom's 1990 Buick LeSabre for a while. Anybody else have a similar experience and can give me a few non-drug related suggestions about how to clear up this bad back thing so I can go back to my clutch?

[Reynoma]

I've strained my back in the past, but it usually went away in a couple of days. This time, it just seems to keep on going.I cannot stand up straight for too long. It hurts to walk with normal strides, I have to walk with very short strides. I can go up stairs fine (as you normally lean forward a little).

[Reynoma]

The lower "L" and "S" areas.

[Reynoma]

I landed front first. It is not sore to the touch.

[GMJAP]

After developing some problems that the normal medical system didn't do anything to help for 2 years, I got desperate and have since become a great believer in going to members of the AAMA (American Academy of Medical Acupuncture)Basically, they're MDs who have completed a minimum of training and received certification in acupuncture, which is great for these kind pain problems. And as an MD, they'll know if and what to do if it's something serious.You can find one through their website: http://www.medicalacupuncture.org/ If you don't want to get into that, I'd suggest trying a good massage therapist as a first step.

[drunkenmaxx]

Quote, originally posted by Reynoma »The lower "L" and "S" areas.what a pain in the (removed), huh? backpain is a mofo. i have a bad back (could be from falling 20+ feet straight on my (removed)) and sometimes it hurts so bad, i stay home from work. i never go to the doctor either, i trust my instinct that it will pass. this may sound stupid, but it is how i got back to walking after physical therapy for my leg ran out: get pretty hammered to where it doesn't hurt so bad and work it as much as you can!

[Reynoma]

Quote, originally posted by drunkenvibe »what a pain in the (removed), huh? That's just it. It almost feels like I pulled a muscle in my (removed), but is a much more sharp pain than a general muscle pull..

[Charlievibe]

I pulled a muscle in my back a few months ago and thought I was going to die. It was in the same area as you are describing. I ended up going to the doctor because with the job I do, I didn't have the luxury of just letting it go away. The doctor gave me these muscle relaxers and warned me that they were strong. Like you, I don't like taking medications and these muscle relaxers were proof as to why. I felt like I couldn't breath and I was going to die. Needless to say, I only took them once.So, what I tried was some Arnica on my back with the heating pad and a couple of Tylenol. I don't take anything stronger, I have a very low tolerance for most medications. I also stood in a very hot shower and let it beat on my back some. The Arnica can be purchased at a health food store or at your local feed store. Arnica is an old time remedy that they now use on horses. It stinks, so it will run loved ones off, but man does it help!!!

[Psychobroker]

You should pay a visit to a good chiropractor, and try some lower back stretches, along with ice 15 mins at a time to reduce the spasms (if that's what's happening).Here's one stretch: http://www.exrx.net/Stretches/....htmlanother: http://www.docwong.com/health/stretch/stretch6.htmand lot's more general stretches: http://www.betterhealth.vic.go...?OpenYou should also consider crunches, or better yet, "no momentum sit-ups" ala Matt Furey. I'd say crunches first to help strengthen the abs, which are cruicial to lower back support.

[Reynoma]

Quote, originally posted by Psychobroker »I'd say crunches first to help strengthen the abs, which are cruicial to lower back support....a major part of why I have the back problems!

[DarkCancerian]

That's what I do... Chiropractors are awesome. They usually don't give you pain relievers, all the ones I have met tell me pain is the message, not the problem, and they're after fixing the problem. The only time I've heard of them offering pain relievers is for extreme pain.

[03VibeGT6Spd]

there is some good info up there.The back excersizes is called mackenzie excersize. (I'm not sure of the spelling)If you have any pain in your leg or legs Go see a doctor.I blew out my L1 S5 disk that was fun.I have had back problems since high school.I wouldn't see a doctor until my 30's after following doctors advise for a few years I gave up. I would have spazms ever couple of months that would last about a week.Finally I ask the doctor to give me cortizone shots which help with the pain and shorten the length of it.finally I blew the disk, and developed a bad limp.After talking to 4 sergeon's that wanted to do a disk fusion, I found a young doctor about 35.who offered me a microdiskomy, I jump on board and had the surgery the very next day.I don't have the spasms anymore, but I do have pain from the arthritis in my fiscet joints.But it's much better then it was before.I didn't like the pain meds they gave me because I do like to think a little.But I did find one I liked called Ultram, You don't get high from it. But it really takes the edge off the pain.Good Luck with your back!

[Ponyota]

My work causes alot of back pain. If you have pain radiating down into your (removed) more than likely you should see a doctor. My guess is that you pinched a nerve and have swelling. Doctor will probably give you something for inflamation to release the nerve and not give pain killers unless you ask for it. He or she may also give you a steroid pack. Stretching the hamstring is a good way to help strengthen your lower back and keep it limber. You can do this even while you have pain. Without going into alot of detail about strengthing your back, I would go to see a doctor and get hooked up with a sports medicine facility for direction on how to strengthen your back. You would be supprised how much it helps. I've did it because of cronic back pain from numerous back injuries. I'd lived everyday with back pain and then one day I told myself, enough is enough! Since this time I've only had a few days of discomfort but no real pain. Normaly I can take an Aleve and stretch it out and its better by mid-day. Good luck whatever you decide to do. But letting it go can cause more damage if it's more serious than swelling.

[joatmon]

I think you posted this so we'd feel sorry for you and not give you a hard time about how your yankees got spanked royally last night I know you want to go a medication free route, but the anti-inflammatory effects of aspirin or ibuprofen can really help. A muscle relaxant may also help, but not if you need to drive anytime soon. Can't remember if you imbibe, but alcohol is a pretty good muscle relaxant. the longer it goes without getting better, the better chances are that whatever is wrong will become permanent, so I hope you get well soon, and if not, go see a medical professional for better advice than I can give.

[soldierguy]

I screwed up my back about 4.5 years ago. Pain in my (removed) (literally...my right (removed) cheek), tightness and soreness in my lower back, had to walk leaned forward...bending over hurt, standing hurt, running about KILLED me...the whole deal. Did the pain meds...took the edge off but nothing else. Did the phyiscal therapy...ultrasound on my (removed) (did nothing but make for awkward conversation during treatment...lol!), and a rack thing where they literally pull your hips away from your back (that helped but didn't get rid of it). Turns out that because of the injury the #4 and #5 discs became abnormally large, pinching my sciatic nerve. Doc said surgery was the only remaining option but gave me a 25% chance of it getting better, 50% chance of it doing nothing, and 25% chance of it getting worse. I said no thanks.I stretch a lot, had to give up running (can still walk and bike though with some pain but not bad). For the most part I've learned to live with it...it doesn't bother me most days unless I push hard on walking or biking long distances. Had to give up the idea of owning a car that's low to the ground (getting in and out hurt bad), which is why I traded my Jetta in for a truck and have ordered a Vibe to go along with the truck. After about 2 years I was to the point where I didn't need the pain meds except if I pushed too hard on working out, and that seems to be where I've stabilized at. Except for the running, I can do pretty much what I want to...just have to be careful is all.Hope yours gets better and you find something that works for you to keep the pain away.

[Reynoma]

Quote, originally posted by joatmon »I think you posted this so we'd feel sorry for you and not give you a hard time about how your yankees got spanked royally last night LOL! Good one!

[Reynoma]

Quote, originally posted by soldierguy » Pain in my (removed) (literally...my right (removed) cheek), tightness and soreness in my lower back, had to walk leaned forward...bending over hurt, standing hurt, running about KILLED me...the whole deal. This sound EXACTLY what I have going on. I think I need to make a doctor appointment.

[Reynoma]

I went to the doctor yesterday. After he bent me around every which way, he determined that it is, in fact, my rear-end muscles that are giving me the problem and not my back. Apparently, there are many smaller muscles (not just one big muscle) in your (removed). I pulled one of those muscles that surrounds the siotic (spelling?) nerve. When that muscle spasms, it hits the nerve.He's got me on (1) an inflamitory and (2) a muscle relaxer. He also recommended physical therapy for 4 weeks.

[joatmon]

Glad you got it looked at and hope your suffering sciatica is better soon.

[GMJAP]

Good luck with getting that better soon. I've pulled my piriformis (a (removed)/low back muscle) before and that was awful. Stairs were a nightmare!

[Psychobroker]

Quote, originally posted by joatmon »Glad you got it looked at and hope your suffering sciatica is better soon.Well, I guess it's nice to have someone look at your (removed) once in a while...even better if it's a female

[rated_w]

LOL did you get a massage there too? oh my what a lucky man .. hehe .. hehe sorry.. I hope that your injuries get better soon... so that you can enjoy stick again.. My car is an auto :'(