in my attempts to get fit, i've done something to my back. i've tweeked a nerve in my lower back and its giving me hell with shooting pains down my right leg Doctor wasn't much help aside from giving me some painkillers (which i can't take otherwise i can't ride my bike to/from work!) and told me to rest it. Funnily enough though, one of the most comfortable positions is riding the bike, not only was it fun riding to work before, it was 20 minutes pain free which was a huge relief!! so as the doc was useless, i'm looking for SENSIBLE suggestions on how to ease the pain quickly as its not an uncommon problem so i'm guessing people here must have had it.
This might sound obvious, but make as much effort as possible to stop causing more pain. I had mega back issues when I was a teenager, which the doc said was because I was growing fast. If it's the right cause then the pain causes spasms which causes more pain, etc. I was on a stretcher it was so bad, but some strong painkillers broke the cycle. Same process everytime I had the problem. So if you can't take painkillers then REALLY rest and don't try to be a hero, and maybe it will stop sooner.
Get drunk. Alcohol relaxes your muscles. I did my neck couldnt move head and was in agony for 2 days then i got drunk woke up hungover but neck was better !
You could try lying on your back and GENTLY pulling your knees into your chest, it stretches the muscles but if that's painful best just relax and try to let it heal itself.
Trying to see if you can give yourself a BJ doesn't count for trying to get fit! Sorry... couldn't help it. Seriously though sounds like it might be sciatic nerve related. Believe it or not I buggered my right sciatic nerve up due to the fact I always had my wallet in my back right pocket... it was fat and putting pressure on my butt cheek during long commutes in the car. Over time, the nerve said no, and I said ouch. (And no... its not because I had wads of cash. Just wads of friggin loyalty and points cards for every bloody shop I ever visit. Useless pieces of plastic that I will only ever use once or twice, ever.) Ibuprofen is good for relaxing muscles but it wont kill the pain. Take paracetemol as well to ease the pain. Start with pain killer, give it time to work and get into the body and then take the ibuprofen and keep alternating, spacing the doses out so you're not pumping drugs in all at once. Disclaimer: Im no doc so make sure it doesn't infringe on other health issues you have first and always read the label! Next, see a sports massage professional. I saw someone who worked with Bath University and Bath Rugby. They are way better then any doc as they specialise in these types of injuries. They'll work on you to sort of the root problem but it won't be pleasant like a spa massage... its a very functional massage and it hurts! I quite liked the pain though! Does mean forking out about 25-30quid for 30 minutes but if its bad and repetative it might be worth it. Hope that helps.
I suggest gentle mobilisation-that is do as much as you can without hurting. Stop any high load or high impact work until it is better. Painkillers which prevent you riding? I'm not sure what you have been given but this sounds wrong. Anti inflammatories can help and I have had some good effect from Voltarol gel. If you have no problems with Ibuprofen/Voltarol-stomach issues for example- tablets will help. Complete rest is second best to gentle mobilisation. Weights/gym work is well dodgy until it settles. The fact you are comfortable on the bike suggests that the tip from dino may be a good one. My osteopath used to work on my lower back and recommended just such manoeuvres and my lower back has been much better for years now.
Un related, but it's your thread to hijack Blesshim! Did you get your seat cowl sorted? That brings back very distant (& deep buried) memories of being a teenager (But I'm pretty sure I'm not going to be the only one ) My godfather suffered from a bad back for years, tried everything the Doc's suggested with no real improvement. In the end he went to a professional sports masseur, much against his will. After a relatively short time he was pretty much cured.(Apparently)
Deffinatley sounds like sciatic nerve. I did my back in when I was bout 17, and ever since I have had frequent back pain, which I have self diagnosed as sciatica. I also get shooting pains down my left leg...if I really upset it, it's enough to stop me walking! I find that keeping mobile helps but don't do anything heavy...just keep mobile until it feels better. Unfortunatley I have found pain killers are the only thing that numbs it in the meantime.
I get something very similair to you, went around a whole bunch of different methods and then finally found some old boy who is a chiropracter. He pulls me in all differnt directions and clicks me back in to place. Its just a matter of finding someone who knows what to do with you.
Dr Ed writes... I think Sloth is right. I bust my pelvis in a bike smash 2004, and about 2 and a bit months later I woke up in the night in absolute agony. The only comfy position was curled up in a ball on the floor. The doc said take more tramadol. Well I didn't need any excuse for that!! - but it didn't work. I went to the sports physio at the Nuffield, he told me it would take 6 - 8 weeks of hell while he pummeled the sciatic nerve back into place. Like Sloth I enjoyed the pain :shock: :shock: And the physio was so right, after 4 weeks it was bearable, after 6 it was a 'so what' and by 8 it was gone. £30 a go - expensive - but he did a fantastic job. You need to stretch your lower back as much as possible, 'swhy riding makes it feel better. I'm not a doc BTW
Dr41 writes (see what I did there!!) ....Definitely find yourself a good chiropractor..and I mean a good one...I had one for a few years who was a tiny Taiwanese man....great guy, but simply not big enough or strong enough to move my back as much as it needed....I think the back massages from the pretty Asian nurses was what kept me going back for so long! The guy I have used since is so good that I very rarely have to visit him now...it's been years, in fact. Are you experiencing any other symptoms...vomiting, diarrhea, etc. - there are numerous side-effects of having a spine that is out of alignment that may appear unrelated in nature, but can point to the exact part of the vertebra that is causing the discomfort. Take 2 Vicadin and PM me in the morning. @ Sloth....absolutely agree about the wallet thing for two reasons....one, you carry it in your front pocket & no-one can nick it!! Secondly....yes, just having a wallet in your pocket when seated, and especially whilst driving can most definitely cause both discomfort and misalignment of the vertebra just ever so slightly....but that's all it takes to cause damage when done on a long term basis. Take 5 Vicadin and PM me in the morning. @ Edski....just take Vicadin and have some fun!!
We should all write each other MD certificates. We deserve them and if someone else issues them other then family and yourself, it must be lagit, right? http://www.honorprize.com/Purchase-doct ... online.htm
ah tramadol....!! my mate has a lifetime supply from his doctor from when he burst a disc, he swears by the stuff. my personal trainer had a poke around on my back this morning and she says its an inflamed muscle in my back thats then pressing against my sciatic nerve.
all good advice. i done my back in a few years ago with similar symptoms. twisting while carrying heavy load. doc sent me to chiropractor who gave me those same exercises, lie back, pulls knees up into chest. then take para and ibu to get through day using your back, not favouring it also identifed misalignment in pelvis and spine, due to wallet in back pocket. as mentioned. after a couple of years without doing that, i notice it straight away if i sit down with wallet in pocket, very uncomfortable (wallet thick with damn business and travel receipts)
(wallet thick with damn business and travel receipts) If it was cash I wouldnt be complaining quite so much about it
Better with an wallet empty of cash, and a healthy back mate IMO. Having your health is priceless, and something we all tend to take for granted until we don't have it.
