How can I get rid of this lower back pain?


Question:
About a year ago, my lower left back began hurting. I discovered that it was a pulled muscle by twisting rapidly during sports practice. I rested it for a while, and started exercising it to strengthen it. Now, 3 weeks ago, my right lower back began to hurt. I've used hot/cold treatments, and I take advil/motrin. (By the way, which is better?) I've stretched it and rested it for a while, but the pain and tightness still persists. Any ideas?

Answers:
Lower backs can be difficult to diagnose and treat. There are so many different things that can go wrong, which is why physicians don't always know what to do with you.

Your lower back is a weak point in your body, as well as your neck. Once you have a back injury, you always will. I would suggest you go to your doctor so an x-ray can be taken to see if anything can be seen on film. Radiologists can see muscle spasms, swelling, etc. on x-rays. There could be a mechanical problem. If there are nerves involved, the pain will go down your leg. If the pain is just in the back alone, there won't be any nerve involvement for now.

If the problem is muscle related, heat is best to relax the muscle. Moist heating pads are much better than dry. If you don't have one, put a wet towel rung out on your back with the heating pad on top of it. Make sure you put plastic of some sort over the heating pad. Dont' get it wet.

Motrin is stronger than Advil. The icy hot patches are good too. They don't last long, but do help temporarily. I would not do any exercising while you are in pain. Rest your back. Sleep with a pillow between your legs at night if you sleep on your side. Put the pillow under your legs if you sleep on your back. This is going to be difficult to get used to for about a week, but after that it will be second nature. The pillow will help keep the muscles in the back from being strained from sleeping positions. You'll notice an immediate difference. Don't lift anything, don't twist, use your legs if you have to bend, keep your back straight.

Your body is telling you something is wrong by sending pain signals to your brain. Pay attention. After the pain is gone, you can do gentle stretching exercises to keep the muscles stretched out. Lie on your back on the floor or bed which ever you prefer, pull one leg up to your chest and hold it there for a count of five and release, do the same with the other leg. Do this several times, alternating one leg then the other. Don't pull both up at the same time, as this will strain your back.

You will always have to take special care of your back the rest of your life. Once injured, always injured. That's the way it is. Sorry for the bad news.

Hope this helps. Take care.
stretch and build muscle strength with light weights
I'd recommend you see a physiotherapist that specializes in sports injuries.A friend of mine that was a gymnast a few years ago suffers with her lower back, she has just started going for treatment and it's made such a difference to her.
put a hot pad on it to soothe it. Don't take too much advil/mortin ( they're both almost the same thing). Rest for a while and don't excerice for a while, until it's better.
can you have your back xrayed first. it might not be the muscle that's bothering you. try going to a chiropractor and ask about it.
Back pains are not that easy. None but a physiotherapist would help.
Go as soon as possible and seek their advice.
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