Back ache advice?

Question

I have pulled my back coughing, I was stepping over a toy and started coughing and click my back went.....I am in agony, it has never happened before but it is affecting my right leg and hip

What can I do, it happened yesterday, I have a family to look after and pain killers are not even helping?

Answer 1

Sciatica is a very painful condition. You feel like your back is about to snap. The dead leg feeling and pain under the foot is a dead giveaway. You have several choices. Let it run its course, take more drugs, see an osteopath or chiropractor. Anyone who has not experienced sciatica will not understand how the pain takes over your life. try lying flat on the floor and gently flexing your muscles. You have trapped the sciatic nerve in your back between bones, hence the intense pain. If the condition persists you'll need DF's or similar strength painkillers. It is a living hell. There will be swelling inside your back that has to be allowed to lessen before the pain subsides. You will be prone to this for as long as you live. Please be careful what you lift in future and how you lift it. You may have a congenital weakness, ie birth defect, that makes you prone to this. A full body scan will tell you or a spinal consultant.

Answer 2

You seem to have symptoms of sciatica but your family doctor needs to make sure.
A chiropractic adjustment could help. I'm not so sure about physio. I suffer from sciatica and the physio exercises have never done me much good but the chiropractor has. It all depends on whether it's bone or muscle that's affected.

You can try some Voltaren or other Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory medications. These can be bought over-the-counter at your pharmacy. They should not be taken if you have a history of ulcers or allergy to Aspirin. Paracetamol is unlikely to help on it's own if it is sciatica.

Heat treatment may be of use, it certainly helps my sciatica. A hot water bottle or wheat bag you heat up in the microwave is good for this.

If you become unable to move properly, you should go to the A&E department of your local hospital, who will do some x-rays to see what the problem is.

Answer 3

I cured my sciatica with this natural treatment ( http://cure-sciatica.info )
Normally, I would not answer a question like this as my expertise is generally in medication but I had severe sciatica while I was pregnant with my 3rd child (after having had twins) and I had sciatica so bad that I was finding it difficult to walk. I tried massage therapy and physical therapy and could not take medication
I went to the chiropractor and the pain was instantly relieved. My hips and lower back were out of alignment because I had carried twins the year before. On occasion a Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) can also work but they usually only work on one joint at a time - the chiropractor will do your whole back which works faster. Anyone who does not believe in chiropractors will tell you they are quacks - don't listen.
I don't necessarily believe that chiropractors can cure things like diabetes but they can definitely relieve some types of back pain especially if a pinched nerve is involved which is usually the cause of sciatica.

Answer 4

If you are in such bad pain, I really suggest you see a doctor soon. You may only have a pulled muscle or you may have a bulging or ruptured disc. The only way to find out is to have some simple tests/scans to see what is going on in there.

I wish you the best and I hope you feel better soon. I have had chronic back pain and sciatica for 14 years now. Unfortunately I had a ruptured disc that went undiagnosed for too long and now I have permanent nerve damage. Your back is important, so please take care of it

Answer 5

It sounds to me like you may have a pinched nerve or a slipped disc this will require a visit to a chiropractor to really resolve this pain for now if you have some muscle cream try that if you have just torn some muscle this may help numb the pain.

Answer 6

if it's a deep strain pain killers won't help as you get very little blood in your ligatures. I've got a similar problem. first you should probably see your doc. but for instant relief use a cold compress of some sort. not a warm one as this will only make any swelling get worse. a cold compress (frozen peas etc) will reduce swelling and relieve it. and trust me it feels soooooooooo good :)

Answer 7

For first aid try a cold pack and lying on your back with your legs supported up so that your hips and knees are on a staight angle. As soon as you can, go and get sorted by a doctor, you might have ripped a disc.

Answer 8

Try some Ibrobufen and a very hot bath. Followed by bed with a hot water bottle on the base of your back. If it isn't better in the morning see your Dr.

Answer 9

Miss Serengetti is right on the money!!! An old fashioned way (and inexpensive) to soothe an ear ache is some warm olive oil or sweet oil. A couple of drops in the ear will make it feel better. >>>you can find sweet oil at any drug store<<<

Answer 10

Sounds like sciatica. Heat, Ice.. try both. Ibuprofen. I just saw my MD, a chiropractor today and acupuncture tomorrow. Believe it or not. .the chiropractor worked wonders. I've never been to one. I had my opinion formed by an MD years ago.. That MD was wrong about them.. Let me tell you. It worked today!