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Back Spasms -- Help Needed
Some say that HCV and/or treatment can make us more suspectible to muscular issues ..
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Last night my back went into spasm after a ten minute ride on an exercise bike at the gym. I usually don't cycle.
This isn't a new issue and goes back years and ranges from dropping-to-the-knees spasms to feeling quite normal carrying my ex around on my shoulders.
Lately, it's been somewhere in the middle. If I sit in a chair for an hour without moving much, it sometimes siezes up and I can't get out. And then the bad spasm episode last night and today.
Enough background...
Looking for any and all help, experiences, cures, etc. ... do not be afraid -- if you think a mixuture of hogwart tail and dandelions will help tell me. A friend said she got some relief by having a saline solution injected into the muscle knot. (I have a big knot on the lower right side just above the hip bone).
Took a Mobic earlier today and a little valium. Right now in bed as standing and lying down are the only two positions that feel comfortable. Been using a little ice.
-- Jim
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Last night my back went into spasm after a ten minute ride on an exercise bike at the gym. I usually don't cycle.
This isn't a new issue and goes back years and ranges from dropping-to-the-knees spasms to feeling quite normal carrying my ex around on my shoulders.
Lately, it's been somewhere in the middle. If I sit in a chair for an hour without moving much, it sometimes siezes up and I can't get out. And then the bad spasm episode last night and today.
Enough background...
Looking for any and all help, experiences, cures, etc. ... do not be afraid -- if you think a mixuture of hogwart tail and dandelions will help tell me. A friend said she got some relief by having a saline solution injected into the muscle knot. (I have a big knot on the lower right side just above the hip bone).
Took a Mobic earlier today and a little valium. Right now in bed as standing and lying down are the only two positions that feel comfortable. Been using a little ice.
-- Jim
What about some gentle walking, I'd think that it would make the spasm ease up some. I had a microdiskectomy 3 years ago and my doctor told me to keep up with the walking regular. I purchased a treadmill for my bedtime and have the T.V. positioned to I can watch T.V. while I walk and I have book holder thing that hold books for me on the treadmill, if I want to read. At least that way, I have something to do while I'm walking. I don't want to get into a bad way with my back again. Sorry that you're suffering so. Susan
And above all, like they told you in lower school. "Sit up straight!"
And don't sleep on your stomach. seriously
You are building your castle on sand until you make sure your sitting and sleeping positions are correct. Sorry I have to point out something as simple as that. You seem to be a fan of the dramatic solution.
Merry Christmas and please look both ways when crossing the street, this forum doesn't want to lose you.
A Merry Christmas to you too.
"...isn't a new isssue and goes back years..."
"...Chiropractors. Never been to one..."
"...my hips aren't an equal distance frome the floor."
If ever there was a good candidate fror chiropractic, it's you. Muscles go into spasm for a reason. At 52, my job still requires me to climb under houses and into attics (6'2" 230 lb). I have to be intimately aware of what's going on with my back.
I've been Valium/hydrocodone free for over a year thanks to a good chiropractor. Just get the !@#$% adjustment.
"...isn't a new isssue and goes back years..."
"...Chiropractors. Never been to one..."
"...my hips aren't an equal distance frome the floor."
If ever there was a good candidate fror chiropractic, it's you. Muscles go into spasm for a reason. At 52, my job still requires me to climb under houses and into attics (6'2" 230 lb). I have to be intimately aware of what's going on with my back.
I've been Valium/hydrocodone free for over a year thanks to a good chiropractor. Just get the !@#$% adjustment.
Willy; I can't tell you if your back issue is related to that OR just "red lining" it, trying to regain your youth or lost vitality due to some atrophy which occurred during TX.
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Don't think so in regard to regaining my youth. Beautiful young women and fast sports cars for that, but the strain is more on the pocketbook than the back.
But as to the "atrophy" during tx, yes, I'm sure that is what did me in as my back had become quite strong prior to treatment. A cautionary tale for those treating -- keep up the exercises as best you can, without of course exhausting yourself
And so true about those gym classes -- very hard to go at your own pace when you're the only male in an otherwise female class -- which is often the case with Pilates, or even Yoga at times.
Yesterday it was moist heat on and off and a little walking plus I swtiched to Alleve from Mobic. I plan to get out today and walk some more with some very light stretching and some very basic and protective back exercises. If things don't start healing up next week, may consider a chiropracter.
As to the leg length thing, I did have an ankle injury playing sports in school and it's possible that may account for my pelvis to be tilted some. Somewhere in the back of one of my closets there might be one of those orthodic (sp) things that was made some time ago to correct the angle of my ankle. Just wondering if this might be affecting my back.
Thanks again everyone for all the great support and advice. A Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all,
-- Jim
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Don't think so in regard to regaining my youth. Beautiful young women and fast sports cars for that, but the strain is more on the pocketbook than the back.
But as to the "atrophy" during tx, yes, I'm sure that is what did me in as my back had become quite strong prior to treatment. A cautionary tale for those treating -- keep up the exercises as best you can, without of course exhausting yourself
And so true about those gym classes -- very hard to go at your own pace when you're the only male in an otherwise female class -- which is often the case with Pilates, or even Yoga at times.
Yesterday it was moist heat on and off and a little walking plus I swtiched to Alleve from Mobic. I plan to get out today and walk some more with some very light stretching and some very basic and protective back exercises. If things don't start healing up next week, may consider a chiropracter.
As to the leg length thing, I did have an ankle injury playing sports in school and it's possible that may account for my pelvis to be tilted some. Somewhere in the back of one of my closets there might be one of those orthodic (sp) things that was made some time ago to correct the angle of my ankle. Just wondering if this might be affecting my back.
Thanks again everyone for all the great support and advice. A Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all,
-- Jim
Merry Christmas all and I hope you are better today, Jim. I'm of the opinion that yoga can certainly help you. Pilates may be a little too proactive for you while you are injured. As Foresee mentioned you should also be going very light while working into anything, even yoga, until you heal. I did the same thing myself; you go to a class and want to portray yourself as super limber and end up pushing past the point where you should.
A final thing that I would mention that I don't think I've heard anyone address is that point you made about your back having a curvature which favors one side or another; almost as though one leg is longer. I met a guy who mentioned to me that he had been in a car wreck and broken his leg. He said "no big deal right?" I agreed. He said then, basically when the leg mended it caused the bone to have a bit of shrinkage and suddenly one leg was shorter than another. That caused his pelvis to sit unevenly, that caused his spine to have an uneven curve to it and...... he herniated a disc. "that, he said IS a big deal".
I can't tell you if your back issue is related to that OR just "red lining" it, trying to regain your youth or lost vitality due to some atrophy which occurred during TX. It could also just be a freak occasional back issue that has no specific cause; just bad luck. In any case, I hope you are feeling better.
I thought I'd pass along my little story for you to think about.
best,
Willy
A final thing that I would mention that I don't think I've heard anyone address is that point you made about your back having a curvature which favors one side or another; almost as though one leg is longer. I met a guy who mentioned to me that he had been in a car wreck and broken his leg. He said "no big deal right?" I agreed. He said then, basically when the leg mended it caused the bone to have a bit of shrinkage and suddenly one leg was shorter than another. That caused his pelvis to sit unevenly, that caused his spine to have an uneven curve to it and...... he herniated a disc. "that, he said IS a big deal".
I can't tell you if your back issue is related to that OR just "red lining" it, trying to regain your youth or lost vitality due to some atrophy which occurred during TX. It could also just be a freak occasional back issue that has no specific cause; just bad luck. In any case, I hope you are feeling better.
I thought I'd pass along my little story for you to think about.
best,
Willy
don't do full poses
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That's going to be hard for a poser like Jim. . . . . .
On the Chiro's intake form and on the PT's intake form there is always a checkbox for "Yoga" in the Cause of Injury section . . . .
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That's going to be hard for a poser like Jim. . . . . .
On the Chiro's intake form and on the PT's intake form there is always a checkbox for "Yoga" in the Cause of Injury section . . . .
I love Rodney Yee...just his voice is soooo soothing, and his yoga DVD's, to me, are some of the best out there...really beautifully photographed and the music is very relaxing...took classes with him, he's really one of the best...yoga will help with everything in your life, I believe it that much, but take it really, really easy at first...don't do full poses, only to the extent that if feels comfortable, and let some poses go till later...it's great that youre considering yoga, it's been a life saver for me.
If you feel pain while stretching, you've gone too far and the muscles will have tensed back up. Also, breath deep in and out, visualize the sun warming your back, and hold for at least a count of 40 seconds. 2 sets of each.
Could be that you have one tiny little torn muscle and the rest of your back has tightened up to protect it. In that case, be very careful because heat and stretching and damage it more. GoofyDad wants you off the forum so he can work at being top jokester!!!!! Grain of salt with his "strung up by the wrists" method. ;)
Rodney Yee has a studio near me, though he is rarely there now that he is well known. Don't know of that specific video but he is a very good teacher. During my many acute back issues years ago, one constant bit of advice was to be as active as you can be. If I could do a few simple stretches from the video I would, but go very slow and don't be a hero. Slow, gentle, progressive relief is the key.
Good luck! and Happy Holidays!
Good luck! and Happy Holidays!
Thanks. I do think Yoga might be the long term solution. Wondering how you hapened on "Rodney Yee", his name is unfamiliar to me, not that I'm current on Yoga teachers. He does have a video for back issues slanted for beginners. This may be a good one to start with although not sure if even the beginner vid makes sense while I'm in the acute stage.
-- Jim
-- Jim
Had many back issues - lower, middle and upper - prior to even knowing I had Hep c. Rarely have any back problems anymore simply due to a prevention program, even though I play golf, which is not at all good for a back.
The prevention is simple - yoga. Find a good class nearby and perhaps one of Rodney Yee's books and prevent it. After some classes you can do it on your own if self-motivated or perhap you will need a regular class to keep it up. A side bnefit is that yoga 'suppossedly' ? can give some mild benefit to the liver and other internal organs.
As far as chriropractic. I would only use it for a really bad incident and then only use a chiropractor who regularly treats athletes - colege or professional. There are simply too many quacks. Also, one can become dependent on chiropractic. Far better to do regular yoga.
Happy Holidays!
The prevention is simple - yoga. Find a good class nearby and perhaps one of Rodney Yee's books and prevent it. After some classes you can do it on your own if self-motivated or perhap you will need a regular class to keep it up. A side bnefit is that yoga 'suppossedly' ? can give some mild benefit to the liver and other internal organs.
As far as chriropractic. I would only use it for a really bad incident and then only use a chiropractor who regularly treats athletes - colege or professional. There are simply too many quacks. Also, one can become dependent on chiropractic. Far better to do regular yoga.
Happy Holidays!
Hi there, good to hear from you as always --
I did Pilates about five years back and it did help my back, but my back was beter back then to start with.
About 3-4 months ago, I tried another series of Pilates classes (these were mat classes not private instruction with the machines) and my back just started siezing up from them and getting very stiff. Don't know what's happening now. I think something must be pushing on a nerve or something that activates the spasms. But maybe once I get that figured out and back to feeling more normal -- maybe then I'll try Pilates again for maintenance.
Hope this finds everyhing going well for you and your family during the holiday,
-- Jim
I did Pilates about five years back and it did help my back, but my back was beter back then to start with.
About 3-4 months ago, I tried another series of Pilates classes (these were mat classes not private instruction with the machines) and my back just started siezing up from them and getting very stiff. Don't know what's happening now. I think something must be pushing on a nerve or something that activates the spasms. But maybe once I get that figured out and back to feeling more normal -- maybe then I'll try Pilates again for maintenance.
Hope this finds everyhing going well for you and your family during the holiday,
-- Jim
Don't know what to say except hang on a door per GoofyDad's post until further notice or unitl someone islams it shut on your fingers by mistake. In the latter scenario, you probably won't notice he back pain anymore.
-- Jim
-- Jim
Jim, I just want you to know how big an influence you have on me. I spent so much time reading your posts last night that I forgot to do my back streches and this morning I sprained my back slightly. Belly belly big influence!
Dancegirl has a good point, yoga will work too. But you have to stay away from that gym for awhile! It's good for your system to give it a week of rest anyway. You'll actually find an increase in endurance when you exercise again.
After the acute stage passed I started Pilates about 5 years ago - I used to literally have to pull my legs into the car when I got in to drive - I have not had a problem since I started those core strengthening exercises
After the acute stage passed I started Pilates about 5 years ago - I used to literally have to pull my legs into the car when I got in to drive - I have not had a problem since I started those core strengthening exercises
After the acute stage passed I started Pilates about 5 years ago - I used to literally have to pull my legs into the car when I got in to drive - I have not had a problem since I started those core strengthening exercises
Feet shoulder width apart. Shoulders square above feet. Try to slide your pelvis 4" to the left (or whichever). Honestly - I felt sure I was going to the high side, but when I make a picture in my mind of how the spine would be bent to get one hip high, it sure seems you would slide to the low one. I dunno - maybe you should see a good sports rehab guy to get some exercises.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low_back_pain:
Research shows that the presence of a leg length difference does not mean you will have back pain. Diagnosis of leg length difference is quite easy; just stand in front of a mirror in your underwear on a flat, level floor (a bathroom is usually good). Look at your hips to see if they are level. If one seems higher, put a magazine under the shorter leg. Keep adding magazines until your hips look level. Measure the height of the magazines. This is the difference in the length of your two legs. 90% of the population has a leg length difference; the same percentage that experiences lower back pain during their lifetime. A difference of only 1% would be ⅓ inch or more.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low_back_pain:
Research shows that the presence of a leg length difference does not mean you will have back pain. Diagnosis of leg length difference is quite easy; just stand in front of a mirror in your underwear on a flat, level floor (a bathroom is usually good). Look at your hips to see if they are level. If one seems higher, put a magazine under the shorter leg. Keep adding magazines until your hips look level. Measure the height of the magazines. This is the difference in the length of your two legs. 90% of the population has a leg length difference; the same percentage that experiences lower back pain during their lifetime. A difference of only 1% would be ⅓ inch or more.
When you say a "lateral slide", I assume what you mean is that your feet stay pointing in the same direction throughout, and all that moves is the shorter leg pushing down, as from the hip, with the 'thought' being to make that leg longer. At least that's what I'm doing. That and lots of wet heat, mobic and valium. Definitely feeling better, or at least with the Mobic and Valium I don't care as much. Either way an improvement. Question. Does this technique elongate other body parts or just the legs?
-- Jim
-- Jim
I'm assuning we have a similar thing going on (with the back that is, with Paris the only attraction I see is the permiscuity - which isn't to be overlooked, for sure). So I went to my orthopod/chiro/sports trainer dude - hobbled in - he took a look - prodded for a moment, and said, "We'll fix that - you just need some maintenance". Then he hung me on the bar thing - traction like to release the compression and had me do the slide thing. Took a few tries to get it right - not a tilt, a leteral slide. I suppose he had me do 5 or so, holding for 45 secs each? I really don't remember. I did a few sessions that day with a like-a-chalkboard at my office for hanging. Felt better by evening, and was about 80-90% in a day or two of sliding 3-4 times a day. About 3 minutes and 4 slides each session.
The Dude also had me do lightweight crunches on a sports ball. Worked for me - but keep in mind - I only know my experience - he could have you do the opposite for all I know. That said - it sounds like we have the same issue. Good luck.
The Dude also had me do lightweight crunches on a sports ball. Worked for me - but keep in mind - I only know my experience - he could have you do the opposite for all I know. That said - it sounds like we have the same issue. Good luck.
Started doing #1, above, with a chin bar set so my feet can stay on the ground. How many stretches, how much of a stretch and how long to hold each? I tend to overdue things so I just did three strecthes of about five seconds each, but I could see where you would just hang there for a minute or two as if in traction. Keep in mind that I'm now in a sort of acute spasm state although am able to work around and the hangs I just did were not irritating. Thanks again. Not as much fun as hanging with Paris, but will have to do for now.
-- Jim
-- Jim
Thanks again, it's clearer now. For some reason I had first envisoned the first exercise lying down, but now it makes more sense when doing it standing. I think the second Paris Hilton tape covers that position as well.
-- Jim
-- Jim
Just keep studying the Paris Hilton tapes... it'll straighten things out.
No I don't know any names. An excellent licensed sports Medicine PT and DC straightened by back out with one visit and the hip fixer excerciser deal. I thought I descrribed it OK - but let me try again. One side is tilted up, right? That ain't where it wants to be. If you are able to stand straight, and slide your hips in the direction of the tilted up side, it will have the effect of pulling that side down. And more quickly than you would think. That may alleviate pressure on the stuff that's pinched in the vertebrae, and over-all start to unwind the spasming/constriction/inflamation. Did the trick for me very quickly. Good luck.
No I don't know any names. An excellent licensed sports Medicine PT and DC straightened by back out with one visit and the hip fixer excerciser deal. I thought I descrribed it OK - but let me try again. One side is tilted up, right? That ain't where it wants to be. If you are able to stand straight, and slide your hips in the direction of the tilted up side, it will have the effect of pulling that side down. And more quickly than you would think. That may alleviate pressure on the stuff that's pinched in the vertebrae, and over-all start to unwind the spasming/constriction/inflamation. Did the trick for me very quickly. Good luck.
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