Need to complain.

[loopfruits]

I pulled my back out during a softball game this evening, and I can't for the life of me get comfortable. Whenever I do manage to get comfortable, it only lasts about 30 seconds, and then I need to move again. This is 100 times worse than menstrual cramps. I just wish I could fall asleep. Any home remedies you know of? I've been using a heating pad, but can't tell if its making any difference.

[Vikkster230]

Hey there... for the initial 24-48 hours: an ice pack 20 minutes on 20 minutes off. It will help with possible inflammation of the affected area... Good luck and I hope you feel better.;)

[Canticle]

Massage lavender oil into the painful area. It does help. Also put a few drops on your pillow. great aid to getting off to sleep. A few drops in bath water is very relaxing too.

[DuckiesDarling]

Loop, honey, the heating pad is the worst thing you can do. As was stated do ice, do it for no more than 20 minutes at a time but do it in 2 hour intervals, you may alternate with moist heat. That means either get in a shower or try and sink into a tub with warm, not HOT, water. Or you could wrap a moist towel around that heating pad in a jiffy. Alternate the two and you should feel some relief. The ice will literally numb the nerve endings, but try and take some ibuprofen like Advil or Motrin or any other NSAID (Non steroidal anti inflammatory drug).

If it persists after a few days, make an appointment with your chiropractor as you might need an adjustment to properly align the spine again.

Hope you feel better soon.

[Cherokee_Mountaincat]

Get a cold pack, a tube of Aspercreme or Icy Hot and a good friend for a fantastic massage, then have them massage that in. :};)
Feel better soon Hon.
Cat

[Flounder1967]

Lots of liquor.

[WhenTold]

If it persists after a few days, make an appointment with your chiropractor as you might need an adjustment to properly align the spine again.


Probably best not to do this. Without wanting to go all "Raargh, evidence based medicine, raaargh!", Chiro is essentially nothing more than an expensive and mildly risky placebo. There is little or no quality evidence to suggest it works better than a placebo. This is not to say that it can't provide temporary relief, just that you're probably much better off with a physical therapist or a decent sports masseuse in the event of a chronic back issue.

[littlerayofsunshine]

Bengay, Aspercream, Icy hot ect. ect.. Is not that good for pulled muscles or slipped joints. It increases blood flow and swelling which will also cause more swelling and inflammation. Short term use of Aleve, or ibuprofen would lower the inflammation, cold packs, and maybe a vibrating heating pad with no heat, or vibrating chair cover applied to the area to interrupt nerve pain. If it is a pinched nerve, movements that would open the area where it is pinched and move the nerve out of the way would be more beneficial and then do strengthening exercises would lessen the chance of future injuries.


I hope you feel better soon.. Take care of yourself :)

[DuckiesDarling]

Probably best not to do this. Without wanting to go all "Raargh, evidence based medicine, raaargh!", Chiro is essentially nothing more than an expensive and mildly risky placebo. There is little or no quality evidence to suggest it works better than a placebo. This is not to say that it can't provide temporary relief, just that you're probably much better off with a physical therapist or a decent sports masseuse in the event of a chronic back issue.

With all due respect, Chiropractic is a proven method to treat lots of injuries. The best chiropractors work hand in hand with doctors when drugs are actually needed or worst case scenario, surgery.

I should know, I worked for one for three years and literally saw with my own eyes how effective threatments were on patients that needed them. A physical therapist can not by law manipulate the spinal column as it is not in the scope of their medical license. As for being expensive? It's covered by a lot of insurance companies and it takes many less treatments at a chiro to fix a problem caused by a misaligned vertebrae than it would take a physical therapist to attempt to relieve pain that would never go away until the spine is corrected.

Chiropractic is an internationally recognized part of the medical field and it is simply an alternative treatment to drugs and other things that not only do not do more than treat the symptom without correcting the problem can also in the long term lead to dependence on pain medications.

http://www.chiropractic.org/

[Cherokee_Mountaincat]

I took Physiology when working in a VA hospital to get my humanities for college (Dammit, more outing of myself here...sigh) and I found that the realigning of Vertebra Can be beneficial in some cases, unless the injury is indo-muscular(Pulled, torn, displaced muscles, and what not). Its very helpful in many cases. If its musclular in case, then the only true thing to do is rest it up a bit and let it heal on its own. Thank the Spirits we arent back in the Middle Ages (Page! bring me a leech!) LOL
Feel better soon Sweetie.
Cat, who aint touchin no leeches..lol

[kegspoon]

ICE for twenty, warm shower, ICE 20 more, a nice glass of an adult beverage, Irish whiskey hits the spot for me.Make sure u drink a full glass of water wtih ANY analgesics u take, and dont take too many. And a nice gentle back rub from someone that loves you!

[loopfruits]

I woke up the next morning about 80% better. Thanks for all your advice!

[onewhocares]

As the resident bad back person on this site..two back surgeries for herniated disc and another inoperable...all the advice is great with the exception of the heating pad. I have had GREAT results from a product called BioFreeze which may be hard to comeby but is along the lines of the Icy Hot. Also, sleeping with a pillow under your knees or in between if you sleep on your side might change the alignment for some temporary comfort. Anti-inflamatories such as Motrin or Aleve are good as well as muscle relaxers. But the most important aspect in my eyes FIRST and foremost is to go to the doctors to get to see if it more than just a strain or sprain.

Belle