I've been getting them quite frequently the past few months. I've had x-rays come out fine and all I ever get is pain killers and told to use an ice pack. Does anyone else have this problem? What could the cause be and how do you deal with it?

3/4/2010 1:03:23 AM

dehydration maybe

3/4/2010 1:04:29 AM

Does it occur after doing activity x or sitting in position y for an extended period of time? Do you wear the same shoes regularly?

3/4/2010 1:14:37 AM

i drink plenty of water.

i bought a new pair of shoes when it first started happening because someone suggested that might be the problem but nothing changed.

today it started while i was lifting a chair but it was super light, but there has been no clear pattern of when it comes and goes (walking, sitting, laying down, standing still)

[Edited on March 4, 2010 at 1:19 AM. Reason : -]

3/4/2010 1:19:09 AM

Dude I got those today too, more like a bad cramp actually. Now my back hurts

3/4/2010 1:28:58 AM

i really want to get off the couch and go to bed but everytime i try to get up my spine starts throbbing

3/4/2010 1:39:10 AM

I feel ya bro, it hurts to get up n roll over

3/4/2010 2:00:34 AM

I need more info. Are they painful enough that it affects your movement, or keeps you from thinking? Enough to make you yelp out in pain?

My mother had serious back issues for most of my childhood so I'm kind of used to hearing about it.

3/4/2010 2:42:08 AM

there is usually a muffled yelp/moan something of the sort when it first hits every time.

sometimes i get really dizzy almost immediately when it starts, and things start to look duller, especially light

3/4/2010 2:47:46 AM

Could be overdeveloped/underdeveloped muscle imbalance, ergonomics (sitting at a desk job especially), spinal alignment issues, or something else.

3/4/2010 5:10:40 AM

An xray couldn't spot the bulging disk that an MRI could see. Though, I don't have what I'd call spasms, just pained calfs/hamstrings and stiffness from time to time.

3/4/2010 6:52:54 AM

I get one every 6 mo. to a year. It's a debilitating pain that keeps me from moving; I generally take meds and couch time for a day or two until it goes away. My pains were caused from being out of shape, when I work out/have physical activity I typically don't get them.

3/4/2010 1:28:21 PM

but now everytime i need to get off the couch i can't

i don't mean to sound like a whiny little bitch, but i am in so much fucking pain right now

3/4/2010 2:00:14 PM

I know how it feels...I was in so much pain from the last one I almost passed out trying to roll over. Just gotta take the meds, lay on a heat pad, and eat cookies and milk.

3/4/2010 2:05:55 PM

i've been told never do heat, only ice

3/4/2010 2:16:21 PM

It depends. Ice mitigates swelling but heat pads are great for stimulating bloodflow and loosening tight muscles.

3/4/2010 2:56:59 PM

There's no way I'm putting ice on a spasm...I don't care if a Dr. said to, spasms = contraction.

3/4/2010 3:19:50 PM

I get them from time to time after I play basketball for an extended period of time. I know mine are caused by a pinched nerve. I could get a small procedure to fix them but I get them so infrequently that I just deal with them.

I put heat on them... and it usually alleviates the contractions a bit after awhile...

And yes, to answer your question, a bad spasm can be debilitating. I know you're a Mets fan so this story will make sense, but after a game in Boston last year Frankie Rodriguez had to go to the hospital for back spasms. He couldn't get off the ground in the clubhouse even. I've never experienced them that intense, but it happens.

[Edited on March 4, 2010 at 5:30 PM. Reason : x]

3/4/2010 5:28:38 PM

lol i feel like just about any pain or injury can be compared to the mets 09 season

3/4/2010 6:43:54 PM

do you ever stretch? if not that usually helps quite a bit

3/4/2010 9:04:48 PM

went to urgent care today, x-rays didn't show anything but they gave me vicodin.

3/5/2010 8:26:47 PM

Odds are it's due to a tight weak muscle. Vicodin isn't going to shit for it. Up your food intake, up your water intake. Get more sleep. Ibuprofen will help with inflammation when needed.

Beyond that, you need a well rounded workout/rehab plan, that includes a good stretching routine, and myofacial release (foam rolling). A good chiro (not all are) may be of immediate help.

3/5/2010 10:37:15 PM

so how is vicodin helping your problem in the long term?

3/8/2010 3:31:45 PM

they said whatever is wrong will fix itself, the medication is just take away the pain until it doesn't hurt

3/8/2010 3:58:37 PM

^In most cases, this is true. Most back pain will simply go away after a few weeks to a month, and the best solution is to tough it out with pain meds and simple remedies like stretching.

My GF has near-constant back pain due to spasms. She swears the best solution is to smoke a bowl.

3/8/2010 4:58:46 PM

my fiancee works at a chiropractic office and i get to go in as many times a week as i want for free

so i suggest that

find a chick that works at a doctors office and bang in some benefits on the side

3/8/2010 5:11:57 PM

^that's the best advice anyone has given me, i will get on that right away

(or rather, on her right away, amirite?)

3/8/2010 6:00:43 PM

… to piggy back on this thread

what are some good exercises to strengthen the muscles around the beck and shoulder blades?

I work up with a tight muscle there about a month ago, and it’s better, not not 100%, and I figure I need to strengthen those muscles a bit.

3/8/2010 9:16:33 PM

do you have bad posture? like do your head and shoulders lean forward? if that's the case, do some chin retractions (imagine you're reacting to getting a pie in the face) and some seated rows, making sure you really squeeze your shoulder blades together. there's other stuff too, but that's a good start. when you're just sitting around, try to be mindful of your posture and don't slouch

stretching is a big thing too, so do some pec stretches in a corner to loosen up your chest

3/8/2010 10:54:13 PM

good posture + dead lift + abs + rows + etc + good chair + good bed = no more back problems

3/8/2010 11:36:39 PM

Quote :

"do you have bad posture? like do your head and shoulders lean forward? if that's the case, do some chin retractions (imagine you're reacting to getting a pie in the face) and some seated rows, making sure you really squeeze your shoulder blades together. there's other stuff too, but that's a good start. when you're just sitting around, try to be mindful of your posture and don't slouch "

I never realized this was "bad posture." I've always done this, and i'm convinced that's how my spine is shaped...

But I've naturally been doing that chin retracting thing since this started happening.

Didn't think about the rowing thing... and i'm definitely more mindful of my posture now too.

Thanks though

3/8/2010 11:53:26 PM

I actually had a back spasm this year. thought my kidney was bursting or something (kidney problems in our family) and it hurt so bad I went to the doctor just to make sure. I was embarased it was just back spasms but that shit hurt like a bitch. never had one since though

3/10/2010 12:50:59 AM

bump

this sucks ass

3/18/2011 11:18:46 AM

^
Have you started any new kind of exercise/activity recently? I used to get this as a result of muscle imbalance when I started rock climbing.

3/18/2011 1:04:17 PM

absolutely not. i've been more sedentary in the last 6 months than probably ever in my whole life.

3/18/2011 3:15:59 PM

I started taking daily walks, about 45 minutes to an hour non stop moving, and it has helped SO MUCH. The issues are still coming back every time I get super stressed or I receive bad news.

3/18/2011 4:15:18 PM

I get these from electrolyte imbalances in the summer, especially on long runs or bike rides. Try adding more electrolytes to your diet with more water.

Chiropractic + power yoga takes care of strengthening my back, because I spend so much time sitting these days in school, and bent over fixing bikes.

3/18/2011 4:28:30 PM

i would get these so bad that my fingers would go numb.

nsaids and skelaxin were my friend

3/23/2011 1:40:27 PM

Had this problem awhile back. Got some acupuncture done (doctor's orders) and it helped a ton. I was very surprised.

3/23/2011 1:51:42 PM

pseudoscience.

3/23/2011 1:53:33 PM

Even if it was just fine some sort of placebo effect I don't care. It worked and was free

3/23/2011 1:56:45 PM

I have had problems with back spasms and other muscle related back issues. For years i tried to correlate my activities with the back pains, but i could never figure out the cause. I finally went to a physical therapist and they gave me about 10 pages worth of stretches and exercises that were designed to help strengthen my core and improve flexibility. The routine consisted of about 45 minutes in the morning and an hour before bed, with various stretches to be used throughout the day and in the car or seated at the computer. I usually follow this exercise plan for a few weeks and it is enough to get me back to normal for several months if not longer. My dad was also having some of the same problems and had gone down the muscle relaxer/pain pill route with no success. He now does these exercises regularly and has not had problems in years. So it might be worth a visit to the physical therapist to get some info on what could help to prevent back pain.

3/23/2011 2:06:31 PM

I think i've been having back spasms but i have not been diagnosed... when i get up from sitting sometimes my lower back starts hurting like crazy... to the point i have to sit back down or lay on the floor until it passes... usually after a few seconds. I also have to get out of bed very slowly or it will act up when i first wake up

does that sound like back spasms?

5/9/2011 10:24:21 PM

skelaxin for relaxin

5/9/2011 10:41:21 PM

^^ yes! I had them two weeks ago for the first time in like 8 or 9 months. Sucked...

People say "I think I've had back spasms." Those people haven't. You know right away..

5/9/2011 10:43:28 PM

Skelaxin.. meh

Flexeril ftw. Skelaxin doesn't really work for me.

5/9/2011 10:47:13 PM

I'm going to the gym trying to strengthen my core and get a good stretch in. does it help to sleep with elevated legs?

5/9/2011 10:48:14 PM

I used to have back spasms when I was fat, i cured them by not being fat anymore

5/9/2011 11:09:25 PM

If you have a desk job, see if you can find a way to stand up while working for good periods of time, mixing up your sitting. Sitting all day is one of the worst possible things for your back ... puts tons of pressure on your spine, even in a chair with good support.

Get in shape ... strengthen your core ... stay VERY hydrated ...

Those are some of the best things I have found, and had recommended and tested. I personally like going to a chiropractor to get some things popped when I know something is tweeked or there is a sharp pain ... but they can only relieve some short term pain at best ... you need to strengthen your back and that is done by getting in good shape

5/9/2011 11:21:56 PM

^^ why troll in this section? Being fat has nothing to do with this... not even a little bit.

[Edited on May 9, 2011 at 11:23 PM. Reason : ignorant]

5/9/2011 11:23:34 PM