Ouch, my back

[Connie1]

I did some foolish things and injured my lower back. It has been years since I last did this, but two days ago I managed to do it again.

It was raining, and in order to expose my plants to the rain, I moved them away from the house where the eave protects them from rain.

It was muddy, and my house is clean inside, so in order to protect my shoes from getting mud wedged between the treads, I stepped on the stepping stones instead of the mud.

The stepping stones are not placed according to safety. The plants are very heavy. I reached out away from myself to set them down, not wanting to step in mud.

So I moved each one- there are about eight of them- then came in and resumed my duties in the kitchen. As I was reaching down to put some utensils in the third drawer, something "gave way"in my lower back with tremendous pain and I could only lie down and put my knees to my chest. More or less paralyzed for the time being.

This sort of thing has happened about seven times in my life more or less, but I am 45 years old and they're few and far between, but not forgettable. Anyway this was 2 days ago and I am just starting to be able to walk around normally, but I can't go outside and get firewood or anything. I really need more paved area outside because when I do step in mud, I have to remove my shoes and it takes a very long time to clean the bottoms. Whine whine whine

Actually I am just fishing for housekeeping solutions as well as any advice for healing and preventing this from happening again.

Connie

 

[dss62467]

Well, Connie, I don't have any advice. I'm not the world's greatest dometic diva, so you probably wouldn't want it anyway.

Just wanted to tell you that I hope your back feels better soon. Do you have "muddy boots" you could wear instead? (This is what we call my daughter's rain boots because she has to wear them out in the yard in spring when it's total mud)

 

[kathryn]

Ouch!
Isn't it odd how you can hoist and lift and power things around, and your back feels o.k., then you do something like reach for a toothbrush or open a drawer, and something just gives?

Housekeeping solutions? I'm not one to ask (just look at the dustbunnies under my bed!), but what about having others do your housework while you recover? (Is that what you were looking for? Or suggestions on how to move the plants next time?)

Get some garden clogs or other shoes that you can step in mud with and clean easily with a garden hose.

Decide whether your want your plants exposed to rain or not, and keep them there! If you want the benefit of rain water, you could move some empty buckets out when it rains, and water the plants with them.

Healing? I've found that chiropractor's do a fine job with back problems. If you don't have a chiropractor already, the first visit is usually free, with xrays (at least around here, and this being such a small town, I'd assume that larger towns would have the same deal).

I started seeing chiropractors when I felll off a horse about 18 years ago (actually, the horse started to fall, tossed me off, and almost fell on me before he righted himself). Regular doctors tested me and said nothing was wrong (!), but it took me about 15 minutes to get out of bed in the morning because my back would arch around the sore area to protect it during the night, and it took me a long time to "unwind," inch-by-inch, with pain all the way. A trip to a chiropractor got me a diagnosis ("subluxation": a vertebral "less-than-a-dislocation" that chiropractors see as something, but regular docs don't count. After just a couple of visits, I felt so much better. I now see a chiropractor when I have certain back or neck pains (and I can tell when I need to see him, and exactlyh what needs adjustment).

 

[jdoll]

Ouch is right Connie! that is terrible! i hope you feel better soon. My grandmother "bags" her feet with walmart bags so that her shoes don't get dirty. i think this is insane, but whatever works. it has something to do with having a use for everything........i like Donna's boot idea. that makes much more sense. are you laying on ice? feel better soon!

jes

 

[nancy324]

So sorry to hear it, Connie. I think the human body needs an upgraded design that does away with lower backs entirely. I am sooo tired of lower back pain.

Sounds like you've been doing your best to prevent it, because it only happens once in a blue moon. I'm not sure there is anything you can do to eliminate it entirely, but my Dad swore by a little exercise routine he did every day. I forget the name of it, but I'll look it up. I highly recommend taking 3 ibuprofen as soon as the pain begins, but no doubt you already know that.

-Nancy

 

[Bobbi]

Oh, Connie! That is terrible and I can't give you too much advice regarding keeping your house in order. Do the best you can but do absolutely nothing that might exacerbate your back. See a doctor too. And then never, ever do what you described above because wouldn't you rather clean up a muddy mess than be incapacitated? Since you have a tendancy to throw out your back, don't put yourself at risk. That may mean mud on the floor or plants that don't receive a rainbath but healthy backs are more important. I know that many people with back issues have them due to weak abs but I doubt that's your problem. I have seen your abs! But get back into ab work asap and make them iron strong; keep them engaged when you lift and always lift with bent knees, Making the legs do most of the work and with abs engaged. If you fear trouble, make the husband do the lifting. I hope you recover quickly and completely. And if anyone offers help, take it! If you can hire someone as suggested, do it. You only get one chance to heal so heal completely before you put your back to the test. Good luck to you!
Bobbi http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif "Chick's rule!"

Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?

- Mary Oliver

 

[briee]

Connie, back pain has to be the worst and I'm sorry to hear your in such pain. I have had reoccurent back pain for years, but it has decreased SIGNIFICANTLY since I've been doing the P90X which leads me to believe that there are certain stretches within this workout that have helped my back. LORD KNOWS IT CAN'T BE THE YOGA. (I'm sorry that was said sarcastically-see previous thread).

Regardless of my past yoga experiences, I want to encourage you to do some kind of a yoga type tape once per week to keep your back in working order once your through this episode. I'm coming to realize that some of us "just have to bite the bullet" and do it in order to keep our backs symptom free. I'm not the one to recommend any type of tape to you as I'm finding it tough enough to find one that I really like, but I'm sure others could. I have enjoyed the P90X yoga but it's long, worth it but long. Prayers are sent your way and try to remember that it WILL pass. (I always have a hard time with back pain as I want to "pull" it right out to fix it, but it seems to take lots of rest and patience). I have had some good experiences with Chiropractors, but again, it still takes rest and patience - something very tough for us Catheites.

Briee

 

[naughtoj]

Feel better soon Connie!!

 

[Connie1]

Thank you all for the wonderful suggestions and prayers! I think I will see a chiropractor. After reading the Maker's Diet I have adjusted my view of health care practitioners and their capabilities.

The WalMart bag idea is great! I do have a pair of gardening clogs but the bags would be quicker and I'd still have all the support of my shoes!

I am feeling so much better today. Yesterday I did some very light cardio, in other words, went to the mall.

As for yoga, stretching, I wonder if Stretch Max will contain what I need. I do know I have been slacking off of workouts since Thanksgiving. Not completely stopped, just slacking! And that probably figures in. Being 45 years old? Can that figure in? NOOOOO!




Gratefully,
Connie