I have become dependent on using a heating pad every night to go to sleep because my back hurts so badly and won't straighten out easily. Do I possible have a medical condition that I should have chekced out by a doctor? Are there any good home or over-the-counter remedies for my back pain? Thanks!
2006-09-25 13:42:30 · 10 answers · asked by missmarymack 2 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Pain & Pain Management
well, it doesn't sound like a disc problem (i'm a chiropractor & i get referrals from neurologists & spinal surgeons).... unless you have radiating pain into your legs or weakness in your legs &/or feet.
stiffness & difficulty sleeping can be caused by many things... and honestly, sleeping with the heating pad on all night is the WORST thing you can do!
heat is only supposed to be used for a maximum of 20 minutes at a time (per hour) or you will cause inflammation-- so if you have some mild inflammation in your back- in the muscles or joints & then you heat them up all night, it's no wonder it hurts more & you can't get out of bed.
* if you want, you can alternate ice & heat- 10-15 min of ice, then wait a bit- 30 min or an hour & then heat for 20 min ... lots of people dont think ice will work, but it's great.
your family doctor may be good to see, but he/she will probably not do a lot for you- xrays perhaps & tell you to take some motrin & use ice or heat.
a chiropractor can be helpful, or massage therapy as well.
good luck- stay off the heating pad all nite!
2006-09-25 14:47:41 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Welcome to the club. Humans were NOT designed to stand upright, and our backs pay the price.
You have, moist likely, sublixation, and possibly some degenerative disc disorder. Arthritis could also be contributing to the problem. A good MRI will tell you what is really going on. Most MDs will treat it conservatively, which means low volt, the tens machine, ultrasound treatments, massage, plus physical therapy by building muscles to to the work discs can';t any longer do in cushioning. X-rays might show something, but MTIs are far better, though much more costly.
2006-09-25 21:55:47 · answer #2 · answered by Legandivori 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If I were you, Id try a chiropractor. I was recently talked into going to one and I cant believe the results. If youve never had an MRI for this problem, I suggest you go to a doc first and see if they can answer your questions about why youre hurting.
It may be nothing but just being over worked and youve strained all your lower back muscles..OR it could be something serious.
Dont let it go on, my brother in law did, and he finally went in, and he had cancer all around his spine, it was too late.
Im not trying to scare you, but you DID ask.
2006-09-26 14:27:05 · answer #3 · answered by ~~ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you might just have some serious back problems and you need to get to your Dr's.,asap as it could be something that he might be able to take care of or he might be able to send you to a specialist.The only thing that I have found to help with the pain is a nice hot bath before I go to bed with a touch of lavender in the bath.
2006-09-26 16:50:17 · answer #4 · answered by cardiffshirl2 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
long term use of a heating pad will cause permanent mottling of the skin as you are basically cooking yourself each night. See a chiropractor first and see how it goes, if he thinks you need a referral to a different specialty he should send you on.
2006-09-25 21:54:16 · answer #5 · answered by drcurtis777 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Speaking from experience (I had to have back surgery) I would get yourself to a doctor - try a chiropractor. Good Luck...because back pain can be horrible!
2006-09-27 18:09:14 · answer #6 · answered by Dorothy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i had back pain for years,id go to the hospital get x rays and they would say your ok,then my doctor ordered cat scan,i have heriated discs,bulging discs,a real mess,and the doctor said if i would have gone to a chiropractor one more time it could have paralyzed me...they now have me on heavy duty pain meds,but a least i can walk.....good luck
2006-09-26 01:59:16 · answer #7 · answered by john doe 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
it could be a disc problem - slipped or protuding. it could require surgery or just special exercises but you should see a doctor immediately. back problems are the worst.
2006-09-25 20:50:39 · answer #8 · answered by bryanocarr 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, you could have disc problems
2006-09-25 20:51:06 · answer #9 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you may have a slip disc see your doctor
2006-09-29 02:48:04 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋