episodic back spasms- moving over entire back area over 4-5 days

[Beverly Smith]

I suffer approximately once of twice a year from back spasms;  they begin slowly in one area of the back, then progress to the severity of labor pains, accompanied with nausea, inability to sleep.  Over days the pain moves from one area to another; it is incapacitating.  Painkilles such as Vicondin are useless, muscle relaxants such as Soma or Flexeril or Robaxin are useless.  Acupuncture has not bee helpful.  Massage relieves symptons as long as it is occurring, but pain returns immediately.  Sometimes the area is too painful to touch or manipulate.  I exercise regularly, am careful to include back stretches, do not eat sugar or alcohol.  Often only waiting it out has shelped, but at times this is unbearable due to the severity of the pain.

[mike1105]

bev-- sometimes, stetching your back can be the worst thing to do, especially if those muscles are already weak and stretched from rounded forward posture. I suggest you go to a website by Jolie Bookspan and read read read.