What can I do about my back? Having severe back pain only when sitting down since the new semester started?

Question

Usually goes away after standing, but the lower back pain is getting increasingsly worse as time goes on (still mostly when sitting though). I didn't have this problem last semester, and its been years since I had anything like it (when I was 16 driving around all the time with friends). I'm 22 now. I don't have health insurance currently, but it seems like its getting time to see a doctor somehow, someway. I can't miss any more class as thats how bad it's been.

Answer 1

Stretch, stretch, stretch. Also, inverting yourself upside down for a minute or so at a time helps. Without a prescription, take ibuprofen.

Doctors tell you to ice back pain, but I have found that heat helps much better. Use a heating pad or if you are in class, you can by stick on heat wraps that are WONDERFUL and they last for 8 hours (sometimes more).

Good luck...a bad back is miserable!

Once it does get better, it helps to strengthen your back muscles.

Keep moving. The worst thing you can do is stay in bed....it gets really tight again.

Answer 2

Trouble sitting with the lower back. Well what part of the lower back. Does the pain travel into the buttocks? Is it on one side or the other or both. Does the pain travel out away from the spine? Is the pain central to the spine? How are you sitting, slouching or sitting straight up?

Lots of questions that need to be answered. Most likely you are sitting with bad posure and that is causing your muscles to tighten up and it is changing the shape of your spinal column. That can cause pain by putting pressure on the nerves as they exit the spinal chord. Get up every chance you get and do some stretches or walk a little, the best is every 20-30 minutes.

As for a disc problem well it doesn't sound like that. Clinical indications would include increased pain when coughing, sneezing, or bearing down. Most of the time the pain is worse when standing vs sitting because of increased stress on the lower back, but not always.

Try to get up often in class and sit without slouching. If nothing helps with the next couple of days call a chiropractor in your area and go visit them. They will evaluate your spine and hopefully find that it is just something simple that I suggested here. They may adjust you for it if it is and the problem could be corrected pretty quickly. Since you don't have insurance let them know this and find out how much it will cost over the phone for the exam and the standard X-rays, someplaces take them on every patient some don't. Either way good luck.

Answer 3

First. Sitting puts more pressure per square inch on your back than anything else you do. When not in class you should stand, walk, or lie down. I had this problem about 10 years ago. I could hardly walk. I went to a chiropractor and for the first 2 weeks he did not adjust my back, he massaged it to loosen it up and then put Ice on it. At home I used ice 10 minutes every hour per Dr. instructions. Helped alot within first couple hours. Be sure to put a towel between you and the ice, never on bare skin. If you prefer you can alternate with heat pack. But the way I learned it in life and also in nursing school was heat added inflammation. But it is also good to help muscle's relax for a bit. Also should use an anti inflammatory like Motrin 600 mg 3 times a day for inflammation.

Answer 4

Massaging the back muscles by applying pressure will reduce the pain.Apply an icepack to the affected area. This will make the area numb and reduce the pain or apply a hot water bottle, heating pad or a warm compress to the painful area of the back .Sometimes alternating a warm compress and an icepack will reduce the pain faster. More details and remedies at http://aches.in/backpainremedies.html

Answer 5

My recent trip to the doctors showed that the immense back pain I was suffering was a strained muscle.

I couldn't move, bend, relax, and found it difficult to breath with the pain.

The doctor said I should Walk for 2 miles per day and swim if possible. He gave me strong pain killers to cope with the pain under light exercise.

10 Days later I have stopped taking the pain killers and am now better without any pain at all.

I couldn't swim but did try gentle exercise each day, but I was advised not to overdo the exercise.

Gentle exercise is the key to any muscle related lower back pain, and not rest, but if the problem is a skeletal one I would seek medical advice at any cost.

Answer 6

The fact that you say it's worse when you are sitting makes me wonder if it is your coccyx? Is the pain right at the very base of your spine? Do you find, that when you've been sitting for a long time that it also hurts just as you begin to get up too?

If so, I had this, my coccyx became inflamed and very painful. Sitting was a no no. Anti-inflammatories can help....my became so severe I had it removed. No pain since.

Answer 7

The cause is muscles that are too tight creating knots called trigger points. For full information and instruction on how to help yourself read The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook by Davies.
For now find a massage therapist to lighten the pain.

Answer 8

Sounds like a pinched nerve...and it will not get better by itself. An MRI would tell for sure, but they are very expensive...Check out all available options and get to a doctor. This can and will get worse if not treated.

Answer 9

Did you ever tested Back Pain Relief 4 Life procedure? Visit on this page : http://www.BackPainInstantRelief.com . This can surely benefit anyone!

Answer 10

Corey it is my experienced opinion you have a disc protrusion .That area is known as L5 or L1 .An mri is required urgently .I have 4 prolapsed discs and lost my job as a result .Specialist wont operate
you have youth on your side .Take advantage of this while you can i have no chance at all .I sympathise with the pain it is cruel .Best of luck .