Back Spasms -- Help Needed

[jmjm530]

Some say that HCV and/or treatment can make us more suspectible to muscular issues ..
(MANDATORY HCV CONTENT FINISHED)
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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

[Forseegood]

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.

[scratchinghead]

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.  ;)

[3txsofar]

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!

[jmjm530]

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

[3txsofar]

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!

[jmjm530]

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