Ok, I just hurt me lower back

[Dying Eagle]

I have Ice on it and I took some pain killers. Anyone else have any other advice to get me thought this?

Note: I lost my insurance last week and I can't afford a chiropractor.

[Jack_Dawson]

1. Take it from a back pain expert:

Lay on the ground, flat on your back. Rest your legs on a chair, bending at knee level.

Motrin. Vicodin. Rinse. Repeat.

[CO Liberal]

2. Speaking as Someone With Chronic Back Pain.....

...you're doing the right thing. As my chiropractor says - "Ice always helps - it can never hurt."

Make sure the painkillers you're taking have an anti-imflammatory in them. Aspirin and Advil (ibuprophen) do, Tylenol (acetomenephen) does not.

[RodneyCK2]

3. Motrin...lots of it.

When I hurt my back about 8 years ago the doctor put me on large doses of Motrin, upto 700mg a day, but you have to ease yourself upto that amount and then back down. Do not stop or start cold turkey.

Mine was so bad that I could not stand up straight, so I feel for you. The culprit was determined to be a Futon bed. These are my college days. Never get a Futon... LOL.

[Aristus]

4. Righty-ho. guv. Thrown y'back out, 'ave ya?

'em poppers'll 'ave ya right as dodgers in no time, what?

[Surf Cowboy]

5. I threw mine out golfing on Saturday

Woke up on Sunday and couldn't feel my right foot or the blade of my left foot. Still can't, and now I've got pressure from my kidneys through my oblique muscles. I've had a bad back for 10 years, but this is the worst it's ever been.

I ice it whenever I can, lay on my back with feet elevated (thighs 90 degrees to floor, knees bent), and take lots of ibuprofen. You can also lay on your side with a pillow between your knees and a rolled up towel underneath your love handle (to keep your hips from rolling).

Also, don't stop moving, walking, or anything else you do. If you lay around and hurt the entire time, you won't get any better. Learn some stretches, and unlike most who hurt their backs, actually STRETCH. You want that spot to stay as warm and limber as possible.

I don't have health insurance either, but I still see a chiro on my own dime. I wish you the best of luck.

[RodneyCK2]

6. My dad and I suffer from bad backs...

we are both tall men so this issue is very familiar. A word of advise, the one thing that helped me get over my back problem is a good, firm mattress. Make sure your mattress has good support and is...FIRM.

If your mattress is 6 years or older, get a new one. I swear by this.

[Mr. McD]

7. I would suggest you see a real Doctor.

Avoid chiropractor's at all costs, they will only suck your wallet dry and contribute nothing to your well being. Rest with elevated knees. Pain killers and anti inflammatory drugs such as Motrin or Naporsyn. I frequently take muscle relaxants.

[RodneyCK2]

10. I agree re the Chiropractor...

they are nothing but quacks IMO that just want your money. What would benefit you is a good massage (some Chiropractor's hire them). A massage will increase blood circulation in the troubled area, not to mention relax you.

[Surf Cowboy]

12. I used to feel that way...

Until I found a very good chiro. He coaxes the spine and muscles to do what they're supposed to--he doesn't really "crack" your back. I saw him in January (when I could barely get around). He took one look at me, noticed that my left leg was shorter than the right (which I have been telling Orthos and Neuros for 10 years now), and started treatment, which included a 1/8" lift in my left shoe.

Before I recently wrenched myself golfing, I had been able to jog and mountainbike again and had lost 30+ pounds. I love the guy.

But I've had two other chiros who I wouldn't let work on a cadaver...

[Sabriel]

8. I had luck with the McKenzie book "Treat Your Own Back"

(No, not Bob & Doug MacKenzie...although that helps, too.)

In general, I do a few of the McKenzie exercises and try to stay active despite the pain. Immobility seems to make it worse. Work through it! Go for the burn!

[RebelYell]

15. The McKenzie program

completely healed my blown disk. I was in terrible pain, nothing but narcotics brought relief.

After the first McKenzie exercise, the pain left my hips and eventually left completely, never to return in over 2 years.

The book is about $12.00. A miracle.

[Blue-Jay]

9. Lay flat and take a vicodin.

Get a massage too. "Happy ending" optional.

[Dying Eagle]

11. Thank You DU

Good Advise!! :hug:

[Snoggera]

13. Take hammer, hit self in head, fall down

you won't even think about your back problem again.

[Maddy McCall]

14. Take ALEVE. It has naprosen in it, which is closest to the...

chemistry in Naprosyn, a prescription anti-inflammatory. I swear by it--I have four herniated disks in my back. Three days of rest, naprosen, flexoril, and a pain reliever usually gets me back on track.

Go get some Aleve. It's best for your back.