Helping relieve back pain

[Rainwolf21]

Last week I went to a chiropractor for severe pain in my back is which turned out to be muscle spasms.  He did what he could over a three day period and told me to take it easy when I went back to work.  He didn't give any pain meds because he said they wouldn't help and what would is time.  Hot baths with muscle relaxing salts help for a little while but not so much today.  I woke up about 7am hurting and took a bath, which helped ease the pain for a short time but I need something that is gonna really help.  Tried codeine the day I went to the chiropractor (before I went) and that stuff never even kicked n

[Tuckamore]

I don't know where you reside - that may make a difference in a Chiropractors ability to RX medications. In the states where I have resided they cannot not. My niece is a Chiropractor and cannot RX medications.

I've searched the internet to disprove my beliefs and still can find nothing that says Chiropractors are currently allowed to RX Meds other than new Mexico. New Mexico chiropractors are offered the option of prescribing certain drugs from a formulary. It was determined there were a lack of primary care physicians in many rural areas in New Mexico. A lot of New Mexico chiropractors practice in these areas. This is one way of filling that void. Still they require additional education.

Hope they are able to find answers for you. Best of Luck!

Tuck

[Rainwolf21]

I ruled out kidney, gall bladder, and multiple other issues. And worked with my bf's mom (an RN) to rule out multiple issues as well.  The pain is in one single location: lower back, to right of my spine, between my waist and ribcage.  I've had no injury in that area. But I work in an environment where I can constantly having to move heavy objects (massive tubs of ice cream) and drop them into a dipping cabinet.  The only way to get into the dipping cabinet are doors that are taller than my waist and the places for the tubs are a good six inches into the cabinet so bending anywhere but with your back is impossible. I tried believe me.  The pain has eased some however it is still there.

And during my visit to the chiropractor, my bf was looking up what chiropractors can and can't do because we weren't sure about them being able to give out pain meds and we found that they actually can.  They just very seldom do so because pain meds mask the pain and don't actually treat the issue.  So it's common belief they can't

[Tuckamore]

Hello and Welcome.

I'm sorry to hear about your extreme back pain. I know how much that can hurt and disrupt our lives.  In fact, 31 million Americans experience low-back pain at any given time. Another fact, back pain is one of the most common reasons for missed work.  Back pain is the 2nd most common reason for MD visits, outnumbered only by URI (upper-respiratory infections). Quite the statistics and difficult to believe - but true.

First of all my friend in pain - a Chiropractor cannot prescribe medications. He couldn't have even ordered a muscle relaxer for you - had he thought they may be beneficial. At the end of a week one would think you should have some improvement.

I'm all for a good Chiropractor. I've consulted them my self. However I'm not convinced that they should be your first choice when you are experiencing undiagnosed pain. You may very well have muscle spasms - but maybe it's more. It's possible that you have a "condition" that is causing the muscle spasms that needs more treatment than a Chiropractor can provide. It's also possible that this is just going to take more time. Obviously only you can make that decision. Again it seems that after a week your pain should not be worse.

Is your pain very lower back, mid-back? Can you describe your pain, stabbing, burning, aching, etc? What makes it worse and what makes it better? Does it radiate any where? Do you recall injuring it - or did you do an unusual activity that could have caused these SX (symptoms)?

I assume the codeine you took the other day is from an old RX. Be cautious. It's a scheduled opiate and it's really frowned upon in the medical community (including Chiropractors) when you take old opiate prescription that wasn't meant for your current problem. We've all done it - please don't think I am judging you. I never would.  I just want you to be aware that in this opiate-phobic climate that may get you in trouble.

So what would I do? I'd make an appt to see my PCP and try to get some answers. Your PCP may only order a muscle relaxer and maybe an x-ray to start. However if this continues or the pain increases your PCP will be in the best position to order further diagnostic tests - and better treat you. It could be more serious than just the usual over-worked muscle spasms.

Other members may have additional suggestions. They may stop by later. You may want to try rotating ice with heat. An OTC (over the counter) NSAID (non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug) taken routinely may also be beneficial in reducing inflammation and discomfort. They key word is routinely and not sporadically. Ask your family pharmacist for a recommendation. They are the real experts on medications and how they work. Your family Pharmacist will also be familiar with your medical HX (history) - which may be important when suggesting a NSAID.

I wish you well and hope you'll keep in touch. If you can answer my questions that would be helpful. I'll look forward to hearing from you again soon. If you have additional questions please don't hesitate to ask them. Back pain can be debilitating and my heart goes out to you!

Best of Luck,
~Tuck