Back issues, any advice?

[Jethro21]

So my back has been giving me fits lately, muscle spasms and cramps that last a couple days. Background is that when I was much younger and working in an ER I hurt it picking up (of all things) a little 90lb old lady from a wheelchair to a bed. Over the years it hadn't bugged me often, but over the last 2 weeks, it is becoming a real pain (pun intended).

I know that I have a couple things against me. First, my bed sucks. My wife and I have had it for 8 years and it started bugging me about 7 years ago (right after the newly wed everything is great idea got old). Replacing it is on the short list, which is one bit of advice I would like to hear.

Second, I wear 30lbs of gear everyday on my waist and outer carrier. I am certain this doesn't help. I workout and mostly do core workouts to help with this, but I have been sick lately and my workouts have gone to crap.

As of now, heat packs and hot showers are doing pretty good. I don't take medication and have never had anything stronger than advil.

Anyone have some advice for me? Is a chiropractor a good idea? Try to get a hot tub? Any herbal/natural remedies that people have found useful?

I appreciate any input,

Jethro

 

[jimmykm21]

Are you sure it's your muscles and not your sciatic ?

You worked in an ER so I guess you would know but I have felt the pain from my lower back down to my leg.
Sometimes it would only affect my lower back . It sounds to me like you could have a bulging disk maybe?

Your muscles would not still be affected by something you did years ago , your disk would though.

 

[elfster1234]

I pinched my sciatic nerve many years ago picking up a TV... it put me out of duty for damn near 4months. I used a vibrating / heat / massage pad that is about 2'wide & 4'long on my lazy boy & would sit on it every night on the high setting until it got better... I honestly think it saved my back & I pay really close attention to the way I pick up items now... more legs and no back.

 

[SRSDriver]

I was hit by a car that ran a stopsign (I was riding a bicycle). My PT had me activating each muscle in my lower back independently daily for a month or so. Her thought was that when you get an injury or pain in the lower back, muscles start compensating for other muscles and then everything gets out of whack. By retraining them do work as they are supposed to, all the muscles get back to their 'proper' jobs and life is good.

I think I was hit 12 years ago, after I got that all sorted out, I have been back to normal, no problems, rucking all the time, etc.

 

[Jig Stick]

Do you have any numbness, tingling, or weakness in your legs? Compression of the nerve roots in your back can be caused by many things, not just herniated disks. Tell me more about your symptoms. What makes them worse, better, etc...

 

[Scoby]

If it turns out to be a bulging disk don't wait to do something about it. It will NOT correct itself.

15 years ago I started having serious pain in my lower back and left leg. Spent 6 months hoping it would get better and it did off and on but, never went away. Went to a neurologist and had the x-rays and MRIs done. Two compressed/bulging disks, L4 and L5 in my lower back.

Since then I've had three back surgeries. Two micro discectomies on L4 that basically just trim off and remove the bulge irritating the nerve. One thing to remember about micro discectomies, every time you have one it weakens that disk. L4 finally blew out completely so I had it and L5 fused together with rods. Went ahead and did L5 while he was in there to save me grief down the road. That surgery was a big deal but worth it.

My point in all this is, if you have disk problems, don't wait. I screwed around with it for far too long and now have permanent nerve damage. There are days that all my toes on my left foot feel like someone slammed them with a sledge hammer. I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

Good luck to you.

 

[ZLBubba]

Lots of good advice above. Bottom line is that you need a doctor to look at it, and it probably wouldn't hurt to get an MRI just to make sure you're not truly messed up. If it's muscular, that's an easier fix. If it's an issue with your disks or nerves, that's going to be a bigger problem. As you said, you've been strengthening your core, which is necessary to this process. Are you also doing daily stretching for your legs and lower back? I'd do 20 min of lower back/leg stretching (especially hamstrings) to see if that relieves any of the pain. When I messed up my back, even when I hurt too badly to do much core strengthening, I could always double down on my stretching until the pain dissipated enough to do core exercises. If neither of those work to alleviate your pain, you really need to see a doctor.

Another alternative is seeing a chiropractor. I actually had some good experiences with chiropractic adjustments to alleviate lower back pain. That's another avenue that might work.

 

[MemphisMtnr]

A chiropractor kept me functional for several years with fairly severe back pain. However, once the nerve is pinched, don't wait to get it fixed IMHO. I sought alternative therapies for a year after I knew my sciatic nerve was impinged, and it took 18 months after the surgery for that nerve to wake up. Worst time of my life.

 

[Maggot]

Contrary to some above advice, avoid surgery if at all possible. If the disc has not ruptured, just herniated (bulged) it should go down if you rest it. Good stretching, like yoga, should help...avoid things that cause compression, like cardio, running, etc. Swimming is about the best thing you can do as it stretches and lengthens without the compression. If possible get assigned to work that wont have you carrying all the gear. If your overweight, lose the gut...a strong back needs a strong front. Find someone who does good deep tissue massage. Try Massage Envy...if you join and do it monthly its onl about $39.00 per hour. Good luck, and avoid the surgery.

 

[nso123]

I had some back pain years ago when I worked the street. I guess I wore about 25-30 pounds of gear counting my vest, radio, etc. Sitting in the patrol car did not help with it either. One day I commented about my back hurting around one of our reserve officers who just happened to be a Podiatrist and surgeon in his real job. He said my back probably hurt because of my feet. I thought he was crazy, but I knew that he was respected as one of the top Podiatrists in the country, so I figured I would listen to his advice. He told me to get a set of insoles for my boots that were called Powerstep. They were a step below custom orthotics, and immediately made me realize that my arch had not been supported for years. I wore them for a week, and my back pain went away. It was a simple solution to a common problem. Obviously, I had no back injury causing my pain, so you could be different, but if you don't have a known injury this might help you out.

 

[79jeepcj5]

I've had back issues for awhile now. Started as a compressed disk (L-2/L-3). Ended up rupturing it picking up a generator.

I was going to a reputable chiropractor shortly after I started having problems and it seemed to help with the pain some. That is, until he tore my rotator cuff giving me my "adjustment". That's been two years ago and I now have more trouble with my shoulder than my back. That being said, I would strongly advise against seeing a chiropractor.

After I ruptured my disk, my doctor referred me Tennessee Orthapedic Alliance for physical therapy. Those folks know their stuff! My first visit I grew by about a half inch! Not really, but the therapist determined my left leg was shorter than my right. She was able to manipulate my hip and although there was brief discomfort, I felt a noticeable difference upon standing. I visited them three days a week for about two months and would say my back is now at about 80% compared to a painful 20% or so before therapy. In hindsight, I probably should have gone longer, but the cost was adding up and work was slowing ( I'm self- employed).

My advice to you, based on my experience, is to visit your general practitioner and get a referral to a physical therapist. If you have decent insurance, it should take care of a good portion of the cost. I have blue cross and it paid about half. I ended up paying $45 per visit. Money well spent IMO. Good luck brother.

Regards

Matt

*Edit*
My doctor determined the rupture was not terribly serious being that it wasn't a lateral rupture. He said I had an 80% chance of recovery without surgery whereas had it been lateral I would have been looking at a 20% chance of recovery.

 

[Scoby]

By all means avoid surgery if you can. It wasn't my intent to suggest that it is your only avenue for relief. Especially if your problem is muscular.

Does your pain radiate to other parts of your body? Does it persist for longer than 30 days.
If so, go have it checked out by a neurologist. Not your family doctor. Not a chiropractor. Not a orthopedic guy. If your problem is related to pressure on a nerve, a neurologist is the professional you seek.

 

[mattharper]

+1 Maggot.
I herniated L4 and L5 a few years ago in the middle of a deadlifting session. Your symptoms sound very similar to mine. Especially that you've been sick and that seems to have irritated it. Luckily I got mine back in place with a few months of physical therapy. I had a great physical therapist. She gave me a few tips that helped speed the process along and probably saved my career. My regular duty loadout is also about 30 pounds. My full SWAT loadout is just over twice that, with most of the weight being from the vest. Here's what helps me:
1. Stretch constantly.
2. Core strength is king. He said it best... A strong back needs a strong front. It helps take some of the work load off of the problem area.
3. She gave me a foam roll to put behind my lower back while I'm driving to help the disc's stay in place and correct my posture. (Had to move my cuffs around to the front of my belt to make this work, but it was worth it.)
4. She explained it to me like this: Disc's need to be hydrated just as much as the rest of you. If you allow yourself to become dehydrated, your disc's will follow suit and become irritated. I've found this especially true, in my case at least. As a matter of fact, the only time my back gives me the least bit of trouble anymore is if I get dehydrated. Long training days, getting sick or pitching a good drunk and it takes days to recover.
It sounds like this may be what's happening to you right now.
Good luck and I hope you recover quickly brother. Back problems are for the F'n birds.

 

[Jethro21]

Thanks for the replies guys.

Right now it is just muscular pain localized to my right lower back, along the spine. Twisting kills and bending over quickly takes my breath away. I am tall so getting in and out of my patrol car involves bending my head to the side while standing- that is a spectacular feeling as well. While it is muscular pain I know that it could be because of some structure issue that my body could have been compensating for. I have been going back and forth about a chiropractor, my dad used to swear by them but others give some horror stories.

I think I will take a trip to my doctor and see if maybe some physical therapy could help.

You guys with back issues, what bed do you sleep on?

 

[Greg Langelius *]

I have had several orthopedic insults to my lower back and shoulder joints, and all my medical care is done via the VA. Their Orthopedic/Physical Therapy service is absolutely top notch in my experience. Once a frequent subject of Sciatic Nerve pain, their therapy and followup exercise plan has made that a matter of the dim past. Most of my followup consists of low impact back and abdominal workouts. Keeping the lumbar from going 'swaybacked' is key to managing sciatic nerve pain.

Mostly, though, any Veteran who can access VA assets for orthopedic issues is going to be in excellent hands.

Back issues related to disks and back muscles do not benefit from self diagnosis or self treatment; you need to get the proper assessment and advice of professionals.

Another area is podiatric influences on back pain. Believe me, unless there is actual physical injury to the spinal column, it is safe to assume that there is at least some podiatric issue at work. Fix the feet, and pains from toe tips to the top of the head just may find relief.

Another area I find problematic is neck and upper back pain from standing and working over a bench. In my case, it's from lack of proper exercise. Whenever it appears repeatedly, I resume my low impact belly and back workout, which I do when I wake, just before I rise from bed each morning.

Lying flat on my back, I slowly begin to raise my feet and head off the mattress until they are unsupported. I keep that position, breathing normally, until the muscles begin quivering. I then, very slowly, return myself to a fully supported position, still maintaining normal breathing. Three to five reps should take five to ten minutes, allowing a complete and relaxed recovery between each rep.

Once that's done, I do the complete opposite, slowly raising and holding my butt clear of the mattress, same breathing and reps. At full extent, only the heels and back of the head support the rest of the body. Nothing is strained, and the breathing remains as normal as can be. If you're feeling pain or getting out of breath, you're pushing things too far.

This approach provides muscular and cardiopulmonary benefit without overtaxing the heart, which is a 'must' with my current cardiopulmonary condition.

Exercises of this sort must be held off until all underlying physical injury is healed. They are for health maintenance, and not for injury recovery.

Greg

 

[c1steve]

First of all, do NOT use heat. You have an acute exacerbation of a chronic injury. Heat feels good, but SLOWS DOWN your recovery. Use ice 15 minutes per two waking hours, or nothing.

You probably do have some bulging of a disc. However if it is a broad based bulge, you should be able to recover without surgery. You want to strengthen your core/abdominal muscles Sitting is very hard on a lumbar issue, and is best limited as much as possible during your recovery. The broad based bulge is most common. A disc protrustion/extrustion may necessitate surgery. An MRI would help determine what you are up against.

Regular use of a cold laser can help greatly. This will reduce inflammation and promote healing. I work as a chiropractor and usually chiropractic therapy will work. My recommendation is to see an upper cervical chiropractor who utilizes the NUCCA system. PM me if you want more info.

 

[Wes_Mantooth]

First I'd try getting a good massage a couple of times a week for a month. An MRI will be needed to see if it is a damaged disc. If it is a damaged disc you'll be referred to a neurologist or an orthopedic spine specialist. Also if you have a slightly herniated disc a chiropractor can make it worse, much much worse. Ask me how I know this.

 

[woojos]

First I'd try getting a good massage a couple of times a week for a month. An MRI will be needed to see if it is a damaged disc. If it is a damaged disc you'll be referred to a neurologist or an orthopedic spine specialist. Also if you have a slightly herniated disc a chiropractor can make it worse, much much worse. Ask me how I know this.

I'd second all advice on avoiding a chiro. If you find a good one who is more of a PT it may help, but you'd be better off just finding a PT.

Also x2 on giving massage/stretching a try. Most people have something wrong with their backs and are asymptomatic. A little preventative maintenance can go a long way in keeping it that way.

 

[Mark williams]

Sleep on a firm mattress, with pillow under knees. This takes some pressure off the spine. Also try laying on your side with pillow between knees. I've had lower back surgery when I was younger and this seemed to help pain. Also heating pad and I y hot patch At night. Maggots post above was dead on. But sometimes, last resort surgery is required. I would try everything else first! Also if you don't have firm mattress , lay on the floor. I spent six weeks doing that before surgery.

 

[MAGUA]

Contrary to some above advice, avoid surgery if at all possible. If the disc has not ruptured, just herniated (bulged) it should go down if you rest it. Good stretching, like yoga, should help...avoid things that cause compression, like cardio, running, etc. Swimming is about the best thing you can do as it stretches and lengthens without the compression. If possible get assigned to work that wont have you carrying all the gear. If your overweight, lose the gut...a strong back needs a strong front. Find someone who does good deep tissue massage. Try Massage Envy...if you join and do it monthly its onl about $39.00 per hour. Good luck, and avoid the surgery.

Dr Maggot... a ruptured disc is a herniated disc and they usually don't get better on their own. People can walk around for years with bulging discs and not even know it.

 

[Maggot]

Dr Maggot... a ruptured disc is a herniated disc and they usually don't get better on their own. People can walk around for years with bulging discs and not even know it.

Wrong, again, junior. When it is herniated it has bulged, but the membrane of the disc is in tact and the fluid has not leaked out. When the disc ruptures, then the membrane breaks and the fluid escapes.

 

[MAGUA]

Wrong, again, junior. When it is herniated it has bulged, but the membrane of the disc is in tact and the fluid has not leaked out. When the disc ruptures, then the membrane breaks and the fluid escapes.

A herniation is a tear the same as a rupture . You better consult your partners Dr's Moe and Larry.

 

[mtrmn]

A GOOD chiropractor will help you and probably can keep you going a long time even if you DO really need surgery. And a GOOD one will tell you early on that you need to see a medical dr if you are too far gone. Problem is, finding a GOOD one. My daughter is a chiropractor, and I dare say a GOOD one, so I know a LITTLE bit about this. She was inspired to take this route by me having back trouble all her life. Between my old chiro and my daughter, they've kept my decrepit back in good enough shape to continue working for many years.

I've found the best way to stretch my lower back is to get in the same position you see Islaamists in when they pray--double your knees underneath your gut, get as low as you can and stay there a while.

 

[c1steve]

I would like to give an example of how chiropractic can help...

I injured my back fairly severely long ago while working long hours as a sports car mechanic, suffered with 7 years of severe sciatica. Since them I was involved in two near fatal accidents that injured my back, plus I broke my first lumbar vertebrae into 53 pieces during a mountain bike accident. After all this I ended up being a long distance runner and triathlete. I can trail run 15-20 miles at a time, swim several miles, and ride a road bike 100 miles with nothing but a sore butt. The only thing that is a real problem is running on the road, as the pounding causes problems within a mile or two.

In one of the accidents I was on a bike in the hills, a car hit me from the rear, and I flew 30-35 feet, was 12 up in the air, and landed on my head and my neck/shoulder. There were six witnesses, and all thought I was dead.

In a previous incident I was driving a pickup across the Bay Bridge in northern California. The truck stalled at one point, I got out and eventually was hit by a drunk driver and dragged along the cement for a few feet. The highway patrol officer said: "We see this kind of accident all the time, and I can't believe you are still alive".

When I broke my back, it was a severe hit and I was unconscious for 20-30 minutes. Fortunately some hikers found me and called for an ambulance. I spent 3 weeks the hospital, have a three vertebrae fusion, and a 16" surgery scar.

I trained for the Escape From Alcatraz triathlon by swimming 2+ miles a day/4 days a week. Also did a 80 mile, 5,000 vertical feet road ride on Friday, a 12-14 mile group trail run on Saturday, and often a shorter 40 mile steep ride on Sunday. Not many individuals come back from such injuries and are still relatively healthy. I owe it all to chiropractic, specifically the NUCCA system, plus some perseverance.

 

[45.308]

So my back has been giving me fits lately, muscle spasms and cramps that last a couple days. Background is that when I was much younger and working in an ER I hurt it picking up (of all things) a little 90lb old lady from a wheelchair to a bed. Over the years it hadn't bugged me often, but over the last 2 weeks, it is becoming a real pain (pun intended).

I know that I have a couple things against me. First, my bed sucks. My wife and I have had it for 8 years and it started bugging me about 7 years ago (right after the newly wed everything is great idea got old). Replacing it is on the short list, which is one bit of advice I would like to hear.

Second, I wear 30lbs of gear everyday on my waist and outer carrier. I am certain this doesn't help. I workout and mostly do core workouts to help with this, but I have been sick lately and my workouts have gone to crap.

As of now, heat packs and hot showers are doing pretty good. I don't take medication and have never had anything stronger than advil.

Anyone have some advice for me? Is a chiropractor a good idea? Try to get a hot tub? Any herbal/natural remedies that people have found useful?

I appreciate any input,

Jethro

I took a 180-200 foot fall in the mountains in 1985 and got all busted up plus the years of carrying a heavy pack and doing all sorts of body damage has left me with back pain and sciatica.

About 4 years ago we got something memory foam mattress and its eased my back pain and provided sleep. Well worth the money.

good luck

 

[Phil1]

A GOOD chiropractor will help you and probably can keep you going a long time even if you DO really need surgery. And a GOOD one will tell you early on that you need to see a medical dr if you are too far gone. Problem is, finding a GOOD one. My daughter is a chiropractor, and I dare say a GOOD one, so I know a LITTLE bit about this. She was inspired to take this route by me having back trouble all her life. Between my old chiro and my daughter, they've kept my decrepit back in good enough shape to continue working for many years.

I've found the best way to stretch my lower back is to get in the same position you see Islaamists in when they pray--double your knees underneath your gut, get as low as you can and stay there a while.

Similar situation except I have found that a tightly balled position on my back and rolling from corner to corner across my back and side to side across the corners of my back.

 

[Tahoe333]

First, you need to determine if it is a disc issue of a joint issue. Is the pain in the lower back? Does your back feel better when you bend forward or backward?
If it is a disc issue it can be addressed with "proper" physical therapy and epidurals or facet shots. If it is just a case of inflammation in the joint that is putting pressure on the nerve, I would look into a very good chiropractor, epidural or facet shots, and physical therapy. The key is finding a "good" chiro and PT, good luck.
try putting a thick feather bed on top of your mattress. It will provide some additional stability by filling the gaps in you body when you sleep.
i have had a shit ton of issues with my L5,S1. If you would like more advice PM me and I will let you know what works for me.

 

[Strykervet]

Been dealing with back pain for over a decade. It's disabled me. I have slipped discs, bulging discs, prolapsed discs, etc. Sciatica. Nerve damage.

You need at a minimum a good cold pack. Use this often and at least when you relax and in the evening. It helps a lot. Heat causes swelling and can make it worse, but can help healing faster. Don't use heat for at least a few days after a flareup, if at all. I don't use any heat. Naproxen, or Aleve, is a great drug for swelling and pain. If that doesn't work, you'll need to talk to docs about other drugs, maybe even opiates (which won't work very well for nerve pain though).

If you feel the pain leave the back and start to go into the buttocks or the leg, STOP NOW!!! This is likely compression on the sciatic nerve and it isn't pain you can work through, it'll only get worse and cause more damage, it can even make you lame. You can work through pain in your back though, as long as it stays there and it's the dull achy kind of pain. But once it moves... Stop.

Back braces. They didn't work for me, they actually make my back hurt worse. Your mileage may vary.

Traction feels good, but by the time you've walked back to your car, your spine has compressed back down and you feel the same again. If only you could feel like you were on traction all the time. Physical therapy is good to learn, some of the exercises are very helpful (like the core ones).

Strengthen your core is paramount. Crunches and other workouts I can't explain but a therapist could.

Laying prone on the floor, hips slightly tucked in and hands tucked under hip bone on each side, this is the rescue position. Lay flat on the floor this way and the pain should subside. Don't stay down there TOO long though. Careful coming back up. Sometimes I have to sleep on the floor when it's bad. I'm considering a new bed one day, but it's basically just a padded version of the floor it's so hard, which is what feels comfortable now.

Good shoes and good gear if you have to wear gear. If you have to wear armor, the kinds with elastic cummerbunds inside like the IOTV and Paraclete work best. If you can, get your gear resting on your hips vs. your waist or back.

Go see a good back doctor and they'll likely get you squared away. They can test for nerve damage (radiculopathy) and order an MRI if need be. But trust me, you want to get a handle on this NOW because I know you don't want to end up like me. I tried to tough through it and it's been hell. There are no surgeries for me yet either.

Chiropractor may or may not touch your back depending on the level of damage. They won't touch me. You need to see a good doctor and if a chiro is an option, you need to find a good one that knows his or her limitations. They can easily damage you much worse if your back is bad shape already. This is for you and your docs to discuss.

Good luck, I know it sucks.

 

[Deadshot2]

A GOOD chiropractor will help you and probably can keep you going a long time even if you DO really need surgery. And a GOOD one will tell you early on that you need to see a medical dr if you are too far gone. Problem is, finding a GOOD one. My daughter is a chiropractor, and I dare say a GOOD one, so I know a LITTLE bit about this. She was inspired to take this route by me having back trouble all her life. Between my old chiro and my daughter, they've kept my decrepit back in good enough shape to continue working for many years.

I've found the best way to stretch my lower back is to get in the same position you see Islaamists in when they pray--double your knees underneath your gut, get as low as you can and stay there a while.

Sometimes I think the term "Good Chiropractor" is another oxymoron. Most will just keep on treating the patient as long as the Insurance keeps paying, even if there's a condition that can only be cured by surgery.

There's only one way I go to a Chiropractor and that will be when a mortician would be more appropriate. I watched a local DC milk my grandson's insurance coverage dry after a car accident. Did the same on my son after a job related injury. Both needed surgery but the DC convinced them that he could do a better job. My son got the surgery and is better. My grandson was stubborn and is still suffering.

If your back pain doesn't go away after some basic exercises and "therapy" don't wait until the condition is so bad you can't move. Besides, the surgeon can give you some really great "drugs".

 

[fdkay]

A good quality inversion table will relieve some of that pressure.

 

[truth]

First of all, do NOT use heat. You have an acute exacerbation of a chronic injury. Heat feels good, but SLOWS DOWN your recovery. Use ice 15 minutes per two waking hours, or nothing.

That's just totally false. Cold constricts blood vessels and prevents the lymphatic system from functioning as it should. Icing is the biggest crock of shit ever dolled out.

People, We?ve Got to Stop Icing. We Were Wrong, Sooo Wrong. | MobilityWOD

 

[Strykervet]

That's just totally false. Cold constricts blood vessels and prevents the lymphatic system from functioning as it should. Icing is the biggest crock of shit ever dolled out.

People, We?ve Got to Stop Icing. We Were Wrong, Sooo Wrong. | MobilityWOD

Yeah, read down further:

"As a certified and licensed athletic trainer, I use cryotherapy in my practice. I agree with a lot of things said in this video about lymphatic drainage and the inflammatory cascade being how your body naturally heals. Inflammation is how the body deals with injuries itself and shouldn’t be shut off with NSAIDS immediately post injury. However I do disagree with that fact that we shouldn’t control the amount of inflammation, more specifically, around the area that was injured. What I don’t want to have happen is more tissue damage from secondary hypoxic injury in tissue that was unaffected from the initial injury. If the swelling is choking off proper nutrition to healthy tissues in proximity to the injured area, that is a problem and will result in greater tissue damage than what was initially injured."

Anyway, fuck the link, this is based on over ten years of personal experience. Heat and cold both have their places, but if swelling is involved, heat will make the swelling worse for apparent and obvious reasons. Look at Ayurvedic charts, they figured this shit out over 1000 years ago (cold for swelling, heat for "cold wounds" ie, improper bloodflow). Before you knock it, know modern TENS units have their roots 2000 years ago in Rome via application of electric fish.

You need to find out what kind of back pain you have first. MRI's illustrate damage, radiculopathy tests illustrate nerve damage. Now I'm not a doctor, I've just seen a lot of them and read a lot about what I have. If you have a sore back, if it's muscle related, then yeah, heat can help (but my mom, a 40yr. nurse, she says you should alternate heat and cold when you can). Heat assists healing by increasing blood flow to the injury, cold the opposite. If you have multiple jacked up discs pushing on nerves, the last thing you want is for increased blood flow and more pain.

Try it out. If heat works then you're lucky, maybe you just have sore muscles. Spasms. They can hurt like hell. If you have nerve or spinal pain, it's different and can be intermittent or constant and it moves around and varies in intensity. You can also have both at the same time (that's hell). The good thing is you won't do any permanent damage by trying either or both, and I'd encourage that to find what works best for your situation.

 

[brianf]

hoping that it is not as serious as some of these guys, but it could be a weak abdomen and weak tight hamstrings. a lot of non-spine related back issues are because of the rest of your body falling apart in so many words. as your core muscles weaken with age and your belly gets a little bigger (or the front or your vest get heavier and heavier) the normal tendency is for the hips to rotate forward and down and the shoulders to rotate backwards; to keep a center line balance point. that puts your spine in a less natural position and your body begins using muscles in slightly different ways then they were made for.

if you hamstrings are tight and weaker, also with age (just walking and sitting, or playing sports like tennis that have short choppy steps and not stretching for a good 30 seconds without bouncing) changes the the geometry of your back and make muscles get fatigued...tighten...spasm.

 

[Import_gsd]

like stryker said,
give a look at the TENS unit. it does help vwhen used properly. the same can be said of chiro help. it depends on what is going on. after a broken t10, fused c6/c7, and fused l4/l5 i'm quite up on spinal issues. feel free to pm me for advice.

regards kenny