Thread: lower back pain

Do girls not get back pain when theyre on their i period...? i dunno its something to do with the moon and tides.

The only time that I've had lower back pain was at running camp when I was forced to sleep on a foam matress. I fixed it when I tripped over a root and slid down part of the moutain. However, before that all happened...I went in the pool which did help. Also, heating pad for back helps. They cost around $8, depending on which ones you buy. I'd purchase the ones that stay hot for 8 hours and wear it to bed. Other things that you can try are mineral ice and icy hot. I swear by mineral ice. I love the color and smell of it.

Any ways, it none of that works....you should definitely go see a chiropractor. I hope you feel better.

Wow i hurt my back last Thursday, been hurting ever since. Stupid capture the flag.. I tweaked my lower back, its really annoying. Anyone know what that might be? Or any ideas of how to get rid of it?

Originally posted by Retro@Oct 29 2003, 12:40 AM
Get those hot patches like Greener mentioned. They work well. They make you all warm and cozy too. Better yet mayeb get someone to massage your back...woo thats the way to go.

Hehe ok the thing greener mentioned, i know that i have somewhere in my closet. But that massage does sound like the way to go..mm

The last thing you want to do is go to a surgeon. Please don't do that.

Try to picture your back as a tree; your body is upside down. Your brain is the root system, underground, and the spine is the trunk. Everything - absolutely everything in your body branches out from those nerves, beginning with the brain and up through the trunk. Every movement you make has its beginning in the spine, branches outwards from there. Every muscle that twitches and cramps gets its message from the spine. Keeping the spine healthy is essential.

If you picture a palm tree, it sways and bends, and that is why it doesn't break in hurricanes. In the same way your spine needs to be flexible *and* strong.

Please bear with me as I am trying to describe a visual here, but it is very difficult without a picture. Your lower back is connected to the big gluteal muscle system; and your lower lumbar is *supposed* to have an inward, flexible curve to it. Viewed from the side, the lower spine should curve towards the abdomen, then back out at the tailbone. When the gluteal muscles are too tight, or the tendons in the legs shortened (by too much sitting or by too much time in high heels) the muscles then pull down on your pelvis, compacting the vertebrae which form the lower curve, so that the vertebrae are now pressed together and not curving. This makes the spine rigid instead of flexible and strong. At this point, you are in a serious danger zone, because it may only take one wrench to "break the camel's back" and cause lifelong serious problems. I learned this the hard way.

You, however, probably have time, but I would not waste it! Your first goal is to decompress that lower spine and get the gluteal areas and upper back thighs stretched out and flexible, to lengthen those shortened tendons before it is too late. First, sitting less. As much as possible, try to lay with your back flat on the floor and your body in the same position as if you were sitting, but instead your upper legs are perpendicular to the floor and bent at the knee onto say a chair or ottoman. Secondly, begin gentle stretching for your back upper thighs and gluteal area. Try some basic yoga stretches for maximum result, and pay close attention to your body! STRETCHING SHOULD NEVER HURT You should get to the point where it would hurt if you went further, but it doesn't hurt YET. It should feel good. If you have been using an exercise regimen for strengthening; shitcan it until you become more flexible; stretching always strengthens the corresponding opposite muscle anyway, so don't worry. You won't get weak. Stretch the tendons/ligs by doing that old stair trick of standing on a stair or phone book with your heels hanging off, and gently lowering your heels until you can feel a good pleasant stretch.

If all you have is lower back pain, it should be gone shortly after beginning this - several times a day, every day, whenever you can. There is a whole lot more to back health, but at this point you will surely obtain relief just through this.

Also, if you are able to buy a book on the subject, I can direct you to the best one ever written, including a free guide on why never to seek back surgery except in some rare and extreme cases. Further compromising your back is never the ultimate solution; and only weakens your spinal health more and more. It's a never ending suicidal cycle, once you start. Anyway, the book itself is (and yes it's a doctor, but that doesn't mean much considering most doctors are grossly misinformed on the subject themselves and nearly always are incapable of treating it properly) fantastic on the subject of gaining and maintaining spinal health permanently, naturally. He suffered a severe back problem himself and was not even able to get up off the floor for a while - now he surfs, has gained an inch or more in height, and runs a busy and successful clinic for back patients.

Your problem, being mild, will be easily taken care of, but for a lifetime of back health, I just have to recommend the book. Healing Back Pain Naturaly by Art Brownstein, MD

Good luck, and if you want any more info let me know.

(PS strengthen your abdominal muscles as well.)