my back is killing me and i have to work tomorrow... what should i do??

Question

a couple of days ago my back started hurting me and it has gotten progressively worse... i can't think of anything i did to it but it's gotten so bad that i can't bend at all and the smallest movement sends sharp pains up and down my spine... i don't think it's a sprain i have sprained my back before and this feels different... but i have to work tomorrow and i work with kids... i don't have time to go to a doctor or anything and icepacks aren't helping... what should i do???


oh, yeah, the only other time i have had a serious problem with my back was a couple of years ago at vbs when a child slammed his fist down right near my spinal cord... could that have anything to do with it? it's been so long ago but i can't think of anything else that could have possibly caused this pain....

Answer 1

try a therma wrap. they sell them at the pharmacy and it's a disposable heating pad. you need to relax the muscles so ice won't help. the wrap has velcro on it so you can sleep with one on. they last about 8 hours. if it helps you can even wear one to work tomorrow (you can't tell if it's under your clothes). i would also take aleve. i have lower back problems and this usually helps me. i

Answer 2

thermacare or cura-heat patches... i use them for my awful menstrual pain and they last sometimes almost 12 hours.... i also love salonpas pain patches (it's a topical pain medicine in a patch, kind of like bengay or aspercreme). stop using ice, it causes the muscles to tense up and contract, use heat instead to dilate the blood vessels, relax the muscles, and increase circulation to the area. try also using some anti-inflammatory meds like ibuprofen or aleve. these will help reduce inflammation and reduce pain. if it is as severe as you say, maybe you should consider a visit to the emergency room tonight. they might be able to give you something to hold you until you can get in to see your doctor. but i would definitely not let it go unchecked for too long... untreated back pain can be very debilitating and you don't want to risk your health or physical mobility.

Answer 3

Yes, do all that. Take some Motrin according to directions. Sit down on the floor on your butt, stretch out your legs, put your arms over your head with your hands together and gently stretch to the count of 10 to the right leg, to the center, and to the left leg. Repeat five times. Don't force yourself, just gently stretch. Posture is very important. Always sit up as straight as you can and hold your belly in. You might have to take time after work to go to the doc or a chiropractor. I think we can easily injure ourselves in many ways without even knowing it.

Answer 4

Try sleeping with a pillow between your legs. Sleep on your side, it may be a little uncomfortable at first but trust me. The pillow should be at least 4 inches thick, b/c your legs will squeeze it down a little. In a couple of days you'll be fine. Unless its a serious problem, see a doctor. Good luck!

Answer 5

For the morning, try a heating pad or better still Aspercreme or similar. But dont ignore this, get to a doctor asap. I hurt my back just moving boxes at work, and I am now headed to my third corrective back surgery on Tuesday,

Answer 6

im a commercial fisherman and have had lotsa back problems over the yrs,the worst thing you can do is stop being active,once you lie down your gonna be on the couch for a week or more,take and anti inflammatory like tylenol,stretch as much as you can try to keep limber (easier said then done i know)go see a chiropracter,you can go to a doctor and get pain killers and anti inflammatory meds but it will recurr,its also time to take the ice pack off and put heat on there,take a hot bath as hot as you can stand it.

Answer 7

try thermacare heat patches... you wear them for 8 hours, and they help to relax the muscles in your back... I recommend these to everyone, and everyone says they work great

Answer 8

wow! doc. stephanie!