BCF Quacks - bad back.

[chris-red]

I was out with some of the missus family and was chucking a rugby ball about with some of the cousins, I bent down to pick it up and bang *spasm* really bad pain in my back. It feels muscular and it is either side of my spine, right at the bottom. This happened before in exactly the same way except it was my family and a cricket ball this happened back in August.

My back is still in pain, but I can move about, it just hurts a lot.

It hurts when I do the following.

Look down.
Lift my legs while sitting.
Point my toes upwards.

Last time I got my missus to stand on the affected area and that seemed to help a lot this time it doesn't.

My Questions,

It it worth going to the docs or will they say, just take Ibuprofen and get on?

I've been trying when possible to stretch it, is this the right thing to do, or should I rest it? It eases up if I'm moving about and hurts more if I've been sitting comfortably for a while then move.

Any other tips?
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Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

[angryjonny]

inb4 Aids


IME GPs will do whatever it takes to get you out of their surgery as quickly as possible. When I had a knee injury that swelled up like a rugby ball their advice was little more than "man up". It's never been the same since.

As for your back, I did something similar putting on a pair of jeans. Righted itself after about a week. You're just old now is all. The injury will go with time but it's probably symptomatic of a bigger problem that'll bother you every so often until someone presses the big red button.

[CaNsA]

[RhynoCZ]

If it's a pulled muscle, GP will give you muscle relaxants, an injection into your back most likely. If it's nerve damage, pain killers could help but I don't do painkillers, to be honest.

Also, try hot and cold bath/poultice.

To prevent this from happening again, I recommend you to do push-ups, that'll firm your abdominal and back muscles.
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'87 Honda XBR 500, '96 Kawasaki ZX7R P1, '90 Honda CB-1, '88 Kawasaki GPz550, MZ 150 ETZ
'95 Mercedes-Benz w202 C200 CGI, '98 Mercedes-Benz w210 E200 Kompressor

[Minty]

I get occasional bad backs. My quack knows this and throws a hatfull of co-codamol my way. Takes the edge right off the pain and life continues pretty much normally. My pain goes completely after around 10 days'ish.
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My fingers smell of your mum.

[andym]

With my current job I'm either standing in one place for a couple of hours at a time or taking 20kg baskets from a pallet from head height down to floor level, both of these usually cause some lower back pain, I've found clenching my fists and pressing them in to the sore area then bending back as far as I can (usually I feel a click) really helps..... other than that try to move around as much as possible

[stinkwheel]

Pilates.

Sort out your core strength and postural alignment and your back muscles will look after themselves.

Be discerning on who you choose to teach you. Make sure they know you have back pain and are happy to work with it. You don't want to be in the class with the bored hosewives using it as something to do to kill time between dropping the kids off at school and putting the findus crispy pancakes in the oven.

I'd be loking for a couple of one-on-one sessions to start with.

I do Tai-chi and it has vastly reduced my incidence of back and shoulder injuries. Mrs stinkwheel was complaining the other day that I never ask her to rub my back any more. Pilates and yoga work on similar principles which a variations on the theme of core/centre-based movements and skeletal alignment.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[.Bishbash.]

Suffered from a slipped disc a couple of times, a few things helped me;

Lower back pain is horrible. to get over it I'd definitely go the Drs for a proper check over, if you have private health care, ask for a referral straight away.

To help in the future though, do the following;

Listen/do as this Yank says daily

Core exercises - Lots of planking
Stretch everyday before you get out of bed, pull each leg up separately to your chest for about 30secs each and do the video before you go to bed.

Once the pain goes, slowly strengthen your back muscles, but the core is key.
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Current bike - GSX-R1000 k8

[chris-red]

My missus does Yoga and I have been thinking about going, I've booked the physio for tomorrow. Hopefully that'll put me on the right track.
____________________
Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

[weasley]

I've had a few non-serious back pains over the last 10 or so years, usually as a result of some kind of strenuous activity. My usual strategy is to wait a week - if it is getting better I'll wait it out but if not then I go to an osteopath and within a couple of days it is sorted. Every time.

When self-healing I tend to have a hot bath and soak for ages, then when I get out I do some gentle stretches and twists - by careful manoeuvring and manipulation I can get pretty much my whole spine to release ("crack") from the lumbar to the neck, with only the couple of vertebrae between my shoulders that can be stubborn. It is usually issues in this area that I have to resort to the osteopath with.
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Yamaha XJ600 | Yamaha YZF600R Thundercat | KTM 990 SMT | BMW F900XR TE

[Kidjal]

had the same issue. Doctor immediately referred me to local IPOPS clinic for physio assessment
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Still going strong - Triumph Street Triple '08

[robs321]

Tramadol for a short time will sort it!

[MCN]

Blue Chakra Crystals, organic, herbal, caffeine free, fruit infusions with 1-1/2 teaspoonfuls of MTFU-Bro.

Seriously:
1st thing is to rest the area until immediate pain subsides. A couple of day rest is good advice.
Pain management Brufen, Aspirin is very good (if your gut can tolerate it), Paracetamol (be vigilant of the daily dosage).
You could get more powerful stuff with prescription which is why you could call your GP.
Cocodamol is the berries then Dihydrocodeine is maybe the next one up.
Any codeine drugs come with the possible side effect of constipation which is worsererer if you have any lower back pain to deal with as you strain away for 1/2hour on the pan.

Avoid any strain on your back muscles.
When things appear more normal you can do a bit of strengthening exercise.
To avoid similar in the future learn and a practice safe lifting regime.

Never lift anything you cannot lift from a squat. If too heavy to lift from that position get help.

It may not be most manly but it will probably 100% avoid similar in the future.

Be conscious of your posture when standing, walking, sitting etc.
Use a roll behind your back to support your spine if sat down or when driving.

Sell that damned motorcycle.
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[arry]

I have a good friend that's an osteo Chris. She's in Grays and can advise you / manipulate the area etc

She's in Grays

She's done wonders for my shoulder.

Not terribly expensive - you're looking at 30-40 quid I reckon

[Robster]

[moggie]

If you can get hold of a Diazepam (Valium) they are God's gift to muscle spasms. Just one will do the trick instantly, its like someone took their finger off the tazer trigger.

Telling your GP that ibuprofen isnt working might get you prescribed some Naproxen instead

Personally I find Tramadol has too many drawbacks, I'd rather rest and take the pain than get the thick buzzing head that tramadol gives me (and its keeps you awake)

But my number one tip is a pair of prism specs. The missus will take the piss, but they let you lie totally flat on your back on the floor and still watch tv. bliss.

https://g03.a.alicdn.com/kf/HTB12OEiHVXXXXanXpXXq6xXFXXXh/Wholesale-2014-Creative-High-Definition-Horizontal-Glasses-Lazy-Glasses-Novelty-Bed-Lie-Down-Periscope-Glasses-Reading.jpg_220x220.jpg

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lazy-Creative-Periscope-Horizontal-Reading-Watch-TV-On-Bed-Lie-View-Glasses-ZY-/281810991149?hash=item419d3e782d:g:Z38AAOSwHjNWB1rS
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MT-03 | CX500B | Yamaha RS125 | Voskhod 2

[chickenstrip]

[Kidjal]

I train at kickboxing 4 times a week and whilst I don't recommend that (it had a love hate relationship with my ongoing back pain) the intense stretching we do before each session, the physio says, is what's keeping me moving.

Heat, regular but relaxed exersize and stretching. No impact stuff like road running, jumping.. core workout exersize.
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Still going strong - Triumph Street Triple '08

[Ariel Badger]

Keep clear of chiropractors and osteopaths.
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Bikers make great organ donors, get 115 on your licence today.

[Suntan Sid]

You're not going to want to hear this OP but, despite all the advice on exercising, core strength and drugs, you'll be stuck with a recurring bad back for the rest of your life!
Been there done that for the last 30 years.
Eventually you'll work out what not to do, to avoid it and how to deal with it when it happens.
Despite what the quacks would have you believe, I don't know anyone who's had a "bad back" that has been cured and that includes people who've had surgery, physio, drugs etc.

Good Luck!
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"Everybody needs money, that's why they call it money!"

[Diggs]

I regularly pull a muscle beneath one of my shoulder-blades, and when it happens I take it easy for a day or two, keep on moving it and apply Fiery Jack. Don't touch your eyes or pecker afterwards though...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hotspur-Fiery-Jack-ointment-25g/dp/B00ZA90EB6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1447115102&sr=8-1&keywords=fiery+jack

Like Sid says, once you have a weak spot in your back it won't go away and you have to learn to manage it. Stretching out before you do anything, particularly when its cold is the way I do it, which is great until I forget...
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Now - Speed Triple, old ratty GS550, GSXR750M
Gone (in order of ownership) - Raleigh Runabout, AP50, KH125, GP125, KH250, CBX550, Z400, CB750FII, 250LC, GS550, ZXR750H1, Guzzi Targa, GSX750F, KH250 x2, Bimota SB6R and counting...

[sickpup]

[MarJay]

I have found that Chiropractic treatment works for me. My Chiropractor is not a quack in the sense that unlike a lot of American chiropractors, he does not claim to be able to cure every malady in the world (including cancer).

He sorts my lower back, adds movement to my joints and generally makes me feel better. It's not placebo, because I was sceptical when I was referred, and initially the treatment was paid for by my company medical insurance.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[P.]

[MCN]

Chiro/Osteo practi is purely down to increasing blood flow. Nothing magic or speshal.

Not placebo but physical problems can be 'helped' purely by suggestion.
If you are in a 'good mood' then you may forget all your troubles.

This is where a Good Single Malt beats the Hockospoacus-ists. Much cheaper and as efficacious.
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.