I always pride myself as being very independent. I’ve always been like that, since I entered my adolescent years. But recently I lost that independence – even if it was just for 4 days. It happened so quickly that I’m still not pretty sure what triggered it.
All I can say is – lower back ache or any back ache for that matter is a bitch. There’s really no other way to describe it. And I wish it on nobody.
A twist, a bend, bad posture or a past injury – I just don’t know. Or even the after effects of a spinal block from both my pregnancies which happened years ago. Weird but apparently that can also be a cause.
I was in pain… real pain. The intensity of it impaired my physical functioning. The difficulty to perform simple everyday tasks was the worst. The inability to dress myself – like putting on socks, underwear and pants was hell. Incapable of drying the lower part of my body once stepping out of the shower, saw me losing my dignity during this time. The sheer embarrassment to have your daughters dry you and then dress you afterwards. Of course this was followed with a good laugh on some days and pure agitation on other days. Relief was felt when I lied down but the sharpness of the pain was felt once I got out of bed. Getting out of bed, sitting and walking was an ordeal.
So off I went to the doctor and a couple of test later, turned out I had a strain injury. A strain or sprain injury is an injury to the muscle or tendon or tearing and stretching of the ligaments. Caused by twisting and pulling the muscles with prolonged repetitive movements. The pain was so bad that it radiated to my hips. I was booked off from work and prescribed anti-inflammatory as well as pain medication. Heat therapy by massaging and applying a heat pack brought some short-term relief. Together with a few sessions with a physiotherapist to help ease the pain and restore functionality. Which by the way was another killer.
In a past blog post I wrote about the importance of monitoring your health but it is equally important to take care of your back.
Ways to prevent back ache
- Correct posture
- Stretching exercises
- Proper lifting techniques
- To eat a balanced diet and to drink lots of water
- Stop smoking
See the correct lifting and bending techniques, which might sound like common sense, but how many of us actually follow these techniques.
Proper lifting and bending techniques
- Do not bend forward at the hips as this puts pressure on the back.
- Face forward and do not bend your neck.
- Bend your knees to squat in order to lift something from the ground. Keep your back straight and tighten your stomach muscles.
- Get a good grip of the object, bring it close to your body and slowly lift and straighten your legs.
- Do not turn or twist your body while lifting.
- Do not lift the object higher than your shoulders.
- Squat again at the knees to put the object down.
The good news is, I’m slowly but surely on the mend. I’m wearing a back brace for support and I’m doing some stretching exercises. But on a cold day like today I once again feel a sharp pain in my back. This is because cold weather causes the muscles and ligaments to tighten up.
I’m forever grateful for the help and little patience of my family during this time – even if they were a bit annoyed with me at times.
Have you ever experienced back pain? How did you cope and did you feel that you lost your independence?
This happened to me years ago in my early 20s. I then went to the doctor and he gave me acupuncture to relieve the pain. I was also send to a lady who helped me to do exercise. I’m glad you’re healing.
Author
Mel, do you still get recurring pains in your back since you injured it? Yes acupuncture and chiropractic adjustments also works like a bomb.
Injuring your back is one of the most painful, debilitating and horrible things a person can do. Unless you’ve experienced it then you dont realise how bad it is. I suffer from degenerating discs in my lower back and incure my back regularly through having young children – I recently wrote about you can reduce lower back pain here: http :// www . ideas4dads . com / 10 – ways – to – improve – lower – back – pain /
Hope you are okay now — that sounds horrendous. And then the psychological fall-out! #BlogCrush
My mum used to have severe back problems when I was little. I have memories of her collapsing in sudden pain in a shop and not being able to get up again. So I learnt the correct lifting techniques at a young age. But sometimes I’m lazy and/or forget… So far in life, my back issues haven’t been too bad 🤞 I hope you’ll stay well now! X #GlobalBlogging
Oh this sounds just horrific . So glad you’ve had supportive family to help and hope you are feeling much better now. Those hints and advice are ones I think we could all benefit from refreshing our memory on #blogcrush
Oh poor you! Sounds like a right horrible time! I suffer from a slipped disc and sciatica which in turn gave me SPD in my last pregnancy where my hips kept dislocating (its common when you have pre-existing back issues). I like you needed help drying, getting dressed etc and the lack of independence really grinds on you! Hope you get back to your old self soon!Thank you for sharing this with us at #TriumphantTales. I hope to see you back next week!
Ugh. Just reading about your injury makes me claustrophobic, because I’ve been there too. Blessings to you as you get strong again and take good care of yourself.
I pulled something in my back the last time we moved (almost 6 years ago), and I was barely able to get out of bed and on the couch every day. So glad to have an understanding Hubby! Dr gave me pain meds that helped now and then. Physical therapy didn’t help much. Then an ad on tv caught my attention about ‘magnesium for muscles’. I thought ‘it couldn’t hurt’ and, about the same time, found that my thyroid problems caused a need for it and it seems to have helped enough that I can function. My back still hurts now and then, but not as much as it had.
I’ve had a really messed up back for years now. It really can change your whole personality being in chronic pain. Hard to describe to those that haven’t been there #triumphanttales
Glad you’re on the mend. I suffer with back pain, nothing like you but enough for me to have to go to my chiropractor about 4 times a year. She gives me stretches which I do find help… When I remember to do them 😉
Terrible how debilitating back pain can be, hope you are feeling a bit better? I was in bed for one day this week with a vomitting bug and I hated feeling so weak, dependant and removed from the family! It’s good that we have people around us, imagine living on your own – that would be a hundred times worse I reckon. #blogcrush
Sorry to read that you’ve been in so much pain, pleased you’re on the mend! Thanks for linking up #twinklytuesday
Gosh sounds so painful and I can imagine how tough it is too lose your independence X #stayclassymama
Having an injury like that is my worst nightmare with two young children to look after. I am glad to hear that you are starting to feel better. #TwinklyTuesday
My mum has always had bad back pain and it took her years to persuade her doctor to let her have physio but now it is much improved. I had vertigo earlier this year and it was totally debilitating. Thanks for linking up with #globalblogging
As someone who suffers from chronic nerve pain in my neck and assorted back issues, I feel you! I am so sorry you are experiencing this and I hope you find the relief you need, FAST! Gentle hugs to you #blogcrush xoxo
Author
Ah sorry to hear that you suffer from chronic pain. Well my back is starting up again – hope mine is not chronic. Seeing doctor again soon so will get to the bottom of it #Blogcrush
I hope you are finding ways to cope and prevent it happening again. Thanks for linking up with #stayclassymama
I can so understand this. I suffer from cronic back pain and It’s very debilitating indeed. I have no idea what caused it but it could also be a combination of things like the ones you mentioned. Thank you for sharing with #stayclassymama