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Family Medicine (Expert Forum)
What could be causes the constant aches in my back?
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What could be causes the constant aches in my back?
by shubunkin, Apr 04, 2002 12:00AM
I am a healthy 28 year old female with no known health problem except panic/anxiety disorder. I have this constant ache(not pain) that goes down my back and under my right arm into my ribs. I have had chest xrays, blood work to check liver and other functions, echocardiogram, stress test and all of them looked great. It seems to be worse in the mornings but has been going on for some while now. And with the anxiety, all I do is seem to worry about it. I take 20mg of paxil which has helped some. I have to say I have preety bad posture. Could that be a cause? Thankyou!
Doctor's Answer
by Forum-M.D.-DT, Apr 04, 2002 12:00AM
Thanks for visiting the Family Practice Forum.
Assuming all the tests you describe above are "normal", the most likely cause for the back pain you are experiencing is some type of chronic muscle strain or tendinitis. Certainly, bad posture can contribute to this problem. If you work at a desk, keeping your back straight, and possibly using a small stepstool under your feet (which further takes pressure off the back, particularly in short individuals) may prove helpful. Some people find that sleeping on a "firmer" mattress helps chronic mid and lower back pain.
Here are some back exercise/strengthening tips to help reduce back strain and help rest your back.
#1 To reduce strain on your back:
· Don’t push with your arms when you move a heavy object, instead, turn around and push backward to reduce the strain on the low back
· When sitting, sit upright in a straight-backed chair with your spine pressed against the back of the chair.
· Bend your knees and hips when you lift a heavy object off of the floor and keep your back straight.
· Avoid lifting heavy objects higher than your waist
· Hold packages close to your body with your elbows bent
· Use a footrest when sitting for a long period of time.
· Bend your knees when you bend forward
· Lie on your side with your legs bent and a pillow between your legs
#2 To help rest your back, hold these positions for 5 minutes or longer
· Lie on your back, bend your knees and hold pillows between your knees
· Lie on your back, with a pillow under your head, bend your legs 90 degrees and put your lower legs and feet on a chair
· Lie on your back and, while trying to press your lower back against the floor raise your right leg up from the floor, keeping your knee straight until you begin to feel the “pull” on your hamstrings and lower back (you can use your hands to help hold the leg, do this for just ONE minute, then alternate and do the left leg). Repeat 5 times
· Lie on your back and bend your knees, and bring one knee up to your chest and hold it there. Repeat with the other knee and then bring both knees up to your chest. Grab behind your thigh to prevent overflexing your knee.
I hope this proves helpful. Posture IS important!! Let me know if I can be of further assistance.
Assuming all the tests you describe above are "normal", the most likely cause for the back pain you are experiencing is some type of chronic muscle strain or tendinitis. Certainly, bad posture can contribute to this problem. If you work at a desk, keeping your back straight, and possibly using a small stepstool under your feet (which further takes pressure off the back, particularly in short individuals) may prove helpful. Some people find that sleeping on a "firmer" mattress helps chronic mid and lower back pain.
Here are some back exercise/strengthening tips to help reduce back strain and help rest your back.
#1 To reduce strain on your back:
· Don’t push with your arms when you move a heavy object, instead, turn around and push backward to reduce the strain on the low back
· When sitting, sit upright in a straight-backed chair with your spine pressed against the back of the chair.
· Bend your knees and hips when you lift a heavy object off of the floor and keep your back straight.
· Avoid lifting heavy objects higher than your waist
· Hold packages close to your body with your elbows bent
· Use a footrest when sitting for a long period of time.
· Bend your knees when you bend forward
· Lie on your side with your legs bent and a pillow between your legs
#2 To help rest your back, hold these positions for 5 minutes or longer
· Lie on your back, bend your knees and hold pillows between your knees
· Lie on your back, with a pillow under your head, bend your legs 90 degrees and put your lower legs and feet on a chair
· Lie on your back and, while trying to press your lower back against the floor raise your right leg up from the floor, keeping your knee straight until you begin to feel the “pull” on your hamstrings and lower back (you can use your hands to help hold the leg, do this for just ONE minute, then alternate and do the left leg). Repeat 5 times
· Lie on your back and bend your knees, and bring one knee up to your chest and hold it there. Repeat with the other knee and then bring both knees up to your chest. Grab behind your thigh to prevent overflexing your knee.
I hope this proves helpful. Posture IS important!! Let me know if I can be of further assistance.
Member Comments
by Lynnie, Jul 27, 2002 12:00AM
I'm new here.......Nice to meet all of you.I sure would love to have some information if at all possiable.I have been doctoring with back pain now for 8 months after falling over a bike in my bedroom,I have been in theaphy had three Lumbar Epidurals that helped for only a short time to releive my severe pain.I have been on many pain meds to keep my pain down only to make me sicker,with so many side affects.I was just put on OxyContin 10MG twice a day and he just up it another 10 MGs a day ! I'm at the end of my rope.As seems I even get sick headaches from this and sick to my stomach to. I have been on many,I can't remember what they are any more. I seen the MRI results that read.My L-5-4 are severly damaged and I also have Spinal Canal Stenosis severe in the L-4-5 Mild in the L-2-3-4.I have read somethings about it .Still I have no idea what I am up against.I wish I could have surgery and fix the problem ,is it possiable? My doctor doesn't want to discuss it at all. Just a different pain medcatiation all the time. Please help ! Thanks Lynnie
