It’s baaaaack. And as usual my back “went out”, as they say, while doing nothing at all. It happened yesterday just before the Triana Tapas Tour. I’d gone to the market to chat to some people there and go over my route (since it was my first time) and then I stopped for a coffee before meeting my clients. I don’t know if it was because I got a chill in my back, or because I was leaning forward too much, or both, but suddenly there was that telltale AAAARRGH feeling in my lower back, and when I tried to stand up it was very painful. But after walking around a bit it seemed to loosen up and felt more “tight” than painful during the tour. Same after I got home. Ouchy without being too bad. But then I woke up in the night in agony, so I must’ve pulled something in my sleep.
Today I am on painkillers and slathering on the BioFreeze, and need a crutch to get around the house. Luckily Peter is available to do my Flamenco & Tapas Tour tonight as I don’t think I’d even make it down the stairs. Hope it doesn’t last too long this time. On the bright side, at least I’ll get some work done on the blogs, etc. Oddly, sitting at my computer (and getting up to stretch regularly) is one of the two positions that only hurts a little. The other one is standing.Ā š¦
casa azahar 
Oooo, I’ve been there! Mine first happened when I stood up, then bent over slightly to pick up my briefcase – then OUCH! Driving home and changing gears was almost impossible – think I drove the whole way in one gear!
Take care of yourself, and hope you feel better soon!
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Uffff… mine first happened when I was in my mid-twenties. Back then it almost always developed into sciatica because I didn’t know how to manage the primary symptoms so nerve damage followed. Now it’s just – ha! JUST! – accute lumbago due to a compressed disc I’ve had almost forever.
The crutch was something I’d never considered until a few years ago when this happened and a neighbour lent me one of hers. Wow! Way easier than having to hold onto furniture and walls on the way to the bathroom or my bedroom.
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You didn’t pull something in your sleep, or most likely not; usually it’s just the offended muscle shortening as you lie there relatively unmoving. Yow.
The lean forward is the evil magic button because it makes the lumbars feel unstable, and then the quadratus lumborum group (mainly) seizes. Everything in the area is going to come along for the ride of course.
Take a look at http://www.sacrowedgy.com/howto.htm and then roll up a towel tightly (secure it with rubber bands so it stays firm) and use it in place of the “wedgy” product. I keep those around for sale in my studio but the emergency towel roll is damn near as good in a pinch.
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As always I bow to your greater knowledge Sled. Makes sense that overnight was just staying in one place too long. If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years it’s that bed rest is the worst thing for lower back pain. I’ll try the rolled towel tonight. I normally sleep on one side with both knees slightly drawn up, but during back episodes can only sleep on my back, so this should help. Thanks!
I also used Spike this morning before attempting to get up and got some serious relief, enough so that I could actually pull myself up from bed without excrutiating pain. So interesting that I moved Spike around the hurty area to no avail, but then found a spot nearer the spine that didn’t seem to hurt that much and then – BOOM! – instant relief.
Fucking backs, eh? Why can’t we all just walk around properly on all fours like cats? We don’t need to be upright, we’ve got opposable thumbs!
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I usually find it isn’t the spot that hurts that is the relief spot. It usually radiated down the nerve to where the pain is. So if you can find the “sweet spot” nearer the spine, you can usually get relief.
I also bought something I had seen and tried out years ago but had not been able to find. I will find the link. I bought mine through Amazon.
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“Trigger point massagers” or Back Buddy”.
They may look a bit silly but for me shoulder and low back pain, mine is a godsend. They are available on Amazon and aren’t terribly expensive.
http://www.comfortchannel.com/level.itml/icOid/3606
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I can almost feel my back muscles going into spasm in sympathy! Glad Peter is on hand to take on your tour today … hope you’re on the road to recovery with no setbacks!!
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Thanks Alison! Peter had to shift an English class, but yes, it’s great he can do this so I don’t have to disappoint anybody. Flamenco tickets have been bought, a family is looking forward to their night out… and I know he’ll show them a great time.
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Hope it will ease off soon. I’ve only once had a very bad back so far, and it lasted two weeks…
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My sister managed to pinch a nerve in her back. She’s in AGONY. Chiro, massage, physio, and electric nerve stimulation…
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