Sprained back - now what??!!

P

Pochacco

Cathlete
I sprained my lower back at work last week and couldn't stand up straight until today. It still hurts when I sit or stand for long periods of time. Everyone tells me I should stretch and take it easy. But I'm so used to working out 5-6 days a week that missing 4 days straight of NO CATHE workouts is pure torture :-(

How does everyone else survive when they're injured? Should I really take a few days/weeks of from exercising to recover? Or can I do some other types of exercises that won't further sprain my lower back? After an injury, how does everyone continue with their Cathe workouts?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

TIA!!

Eileen
 
Eileen,
I am sorry to hear about your back. About 10 weeks ago I discovered I have sciatica, which is pain that run down the side of the leg and the back of the leg and buttocks. It can be very painful, especially when I sit for a long period. I continued to do all of my Cathe workouts and even ran and did a lot of strength training. Well, I still have the sciatica pain and I am not healed, and I am going to start physical therapy next week. My point is, take it easy until you feel no pain and start back slowly. If I had done that I probably would be healed by now. I know how hard it is to not work out, but in the long run it is better. One thing you could probably do is walk. What was hard for me was I did not feel any pain while working out, so I thought it was okay, but then the next day I would be sore. Take it easy and don't mess around with a back pain injury. You will be up and about before you know it.

Take Care,
Susan
 
REST and take it easy!

I also have sciatica and it's been months since I was able to do a Cathe workout. I am seeing a Chiropractor but am not at all sure this is going to do the trick.

I have pain, like Susan, that is worse after sitting or standing for long periods of time. I've been able to take some walks recently but miss terribly my Cathe step and weight work.

Hope you feel better soon!
 
Becky,
I did not know you had sciatica problems. It is just frustrating the heck out of me lately. I have been seeing a chiro and I really don't think it has helped that much. I am going to start working with a physical therapist. I hope it works, because I am going to go NUTS soon. I hope your sciatica feels better soon. How long have you had it? I have had mine off and on for about 10-12 weeks. If I don't sit I am pretty good.

Susan
 
First of all, are you sure it is a sprain? I see my chiropractor monthly and after each adjustment I feel so much better. One adjustment can make the world of difference. Have you seen a chiropractor yet? Just an idea!
 
Susan,

You can pm me or email me anytime . [email protected]

I wrote on another post to you the other day about it. (do you post on a daily check-in? I believe it was there, the day before yesterday)

My back started hurting years ago but it would flare up and be gone in days......recently (last year) it started being more often and last longer.
Right now it's probably the worse it's been. My life style is changing. No daily exercise, no lifting,......even some housework is suffering because I can't imagine vacuuming the stairs, or scrubbing the bathtub on my hands and knees.

I'm interested in Physical therapy and am going to ask my chiropractor about it next. But also know that I may end up at an orthopedist. Sounds like we might be going nuts together!

Take care!

I am understanding TOTALLY you're feeling like you're about to go nuts. ME TOO!!:eek: I miss my active life and want it back......SOON!! x(
 
Have you actually seen a doctor? That would be the logical first step. They can do an MRI (or other tests) to rule out any more serious issues. My SO has two ruptured discs which he basically ignored for years, and his quality of life has seriously deteriorated of late, to the point where he is probably going to have major back surgery (multiple disc fusions, he already has two X stops put in) next year.

I'm not trying to be alarmist, but you want to make sure you understand what the issue is and how your doctor/PT wants you to approach it.

Good luck!
Marie
 
I suffered from very bad sciatica that radiated from my lower back down my left leg at the tale end of my last pregnancy and into that 1st year after he was born (this was 4 years ago). After seeing an orthopedic surgeon, having an MRI (which was clear except for a little arthritis in my back...eek) and going through 2 months of PT, my doctor recommended a pain management doctor. Best thing that I did!!! He figured out where the sciatica was originating (which was my peraformis), stuck two metal needles in my left glute (after receiving a local, of course) and delivered an electrical current to the peraformis muscle. The muscle released and talk about relief. I was back doing all the step, lower body work...pain free within a couple of days.

Now, I will say that it doesn't end there. I see a massage therapist 2 times a month for 90 minute deep tissue massages that helps to keep the performis from seizing up again. Also, daily I do the stretches that my PT showed me to also keep everything relaxed. A few times in the last 4 years I have felt the twinges of sciatica a few times, but when I do, I lay off of everything but yoga, which really helps, and do a lot of extra stretching for the next few days.

I would highly recommend seeing an orthopedic or someone in sports medicine to rule out anything serious. But consider seeing a pain management doctor also.

HTH,

Becky
 
I sprained my back a few months ago after having my daughter. She was a heavy baby, and getting her in and out of the car while in her infant car seat was way too much for my out-of-shape back to handle! It took at least a good month (not what you want to hear, I know) for it to feel back to normal. It was very hard to not workout during that time, but when I was doing CTX chest and was unable to bring myself back up to a sitting position with the barbell in my hands, I knew it was time to give myself a little break!

Take a rest!:)
 
Actually, I just read an article recently that suggests complete rest is ill advised for back pain, even a disc injury. Light exercise with stretching, and strengthening of the abdominals is excellent for back health. Just don't over-do, and if it aggravates the condition stop. You will most likely want to avoid high impact though :) It's not clear what you are doing for treatment, but I personally find chiropractic a life saver. Unless you have prolonged tingling and numbness in your lower extremities, it is most likely not a disc injury. I am not one to suggest running to the doctor all the time, but if it doesn't seem to be gradually getting better, you may want to consult a physician or a chiropractor. Oh yeah, and ice and moist heat are excellent remedies as well.

ETA: If your injury occurred at work, you most likely have worker's compensation benefits that will pay for some treatment. Something to think about.
 
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