topic Re: Back Spasms in Wellness

Back Spasms

Patriot3 — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 15:44:01 GMT

Anyone have suggestions? Got out of bed to get a drink of water last night and could barely walk. Was fine an hour earlier. Took a Flurbiprofen. Slightly better, but still can't walk very well. And boy those spasms grab!

Supposed to get groceries today, but will put that off and see what tomorrow brings.

Going to continue w/the Flurbiprofen and maybe add a muscle relaxer, too. So disgusting and yeah, painful, too.

Re: Back Spasms

nada54 — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 15:50:02 GMT

@Patriot3 Do you have a back brace? I always find that helps. Also ice and heat. both of those work magic for me. Hope you feel better soon.

Re: Back Spasms

gizmogal — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 15:53:30 GMT

I have found relief with a heating pad under me when I lie in bed for about 20 minutes. Even if it's daytiime aadn I'm dressd, a lie-down with heat can help after a spasm to delay or prevent another one. I don't let it stay warm on me for longer than that. Then I try to get up and walk around or at least don't apply heat again for at leastan hour.

If you have a shower head or shower wand with any kind of pulsing setting you can step into the shower and let very warm water pound your back for a minute or two. Or 3-5!

I have also booked a massage in the middle of one of those spasm attacks (not when the spasm was actually happening, but when I knew one could come at any time) and that was defintley helpful to relax the muscle and get more blood supply to it to heal. If not a pro to work on you, find a friend or spouse who can gently stimulate that muscle area with repeated even-pressured touch.

Heat and rest and massage have worked for me in any combinations. I usually might be sore after a day but the spasms do stop in about 24 hours, in my experience.

Hope you are feeling much better soon. It can be very intense. Hang in there.

Re: Back Spasms

Patriot3 — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 15:53:40 GMT

@nada54 wrote:
@Patriot3 Do you have a back brace? I always find that helps. Also ice and heat. both of those work magic for me. Hope you feel better soon.

@nada54 Thanks, me too . I do have a back brace and thought about it.

Re: Back Spasms

Patriot3 — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 15:56:02 GMT

@gizmogal wrote:
I have found relief with a heating pad under me when I lie in bed for about 20 minutes. Even if it's daytiime aadn I'm dressd, a lie-down with heat can help after a spasm to delay or prevent another one. I don't let it stay warm on me for longer than that. Then I try to get up and walk around or at least don't apply heat again for at leastan hour.

If you have a shower head or shower wand with any kind of pulsing setting you can step into the shower and let very warm water pound your back for a minute or two. Or 3-5!

I have also booked a massage in the middle of one of those spasm attacks (not when the spasm was actually happening, but when I knew one could come at any time) and that was defintley helpful to relax the muscle and get more blood supply to it to heal. If not a pro to work on you, find a friend or spouse who can gently stimulate that muscle area with repeated even-pressured touch.

Heat and rest and massage have worked for me in any combinations. I usually might be sore after a day but the spasms do stop in about 24 hours, in my experience.

Hope you are feeling much better soon. It can be very intense. Hang in there.

@gizmogal I did stand in the shower this morning with the hot water on my back. Thanks!

Re: Back Spasms

Travone — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 16:04:34 GMT

I agree with all the above. Also if you don't already, start taking a OTC magnesium before you go to bed.

Re: Back Spasms

chrystaltree — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 19:28:04 GMT

What's disgusting about it? I think your right, take the flurbiprohen and your muscle relaxer and hope that the flare up is a short duration. I have back pain myself so I can relate. I might be jinxing myself but I haven't had any serious back pain since Fall. I take Neurontin.

Re: Back Spasms

KittySoftPaws — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 16:12:19 GMT

I'm assuming you have a nice firm and not too old good mattress? I would definatly try CBD salve. My Chiropractor's office sells a line of CBD called CBD spectrum and I have the body salve for my back and neck due to a bad accident years ago. It works and works fast! He also told me he uses this line for the purity and also because there is no THC in it and won't be an issue for any trace of anything you don't want on your skin. Plus unlike so many other things out there, this is not chemical or pharmaceutical which I always prefer. Hope you find some relief.

Re: Back Spasms

TVLand — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 16:21:13 GMT

I have had bad very painful leg and feet spasms.... I have found heating pad...very warm shower or soaking..helpful..... now I have been eating a banana or at least a half of a banana a day...plus an OTC magnesium supplement ...every other day in the evening to be very helpful.....

Re: Back Spasms

HisElk1 — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 17:03:06 GMT

@Patriot3 , having had the same, my chiropractor recommended a tens unit. He actually purchased a small portable one for me many years ago for my birthday.

When I go for a treatment, he hooks me up to his more powerful one before aligning my back and I have found it very helpful afterwards.

I hope you are able to find relief.

Re: Back Spasms

nekodaisy — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 17:38:46 GMT

My first back spasm I was in my mid 30's. I went to the hospital because it went into my chest. They told me heartburn. About 15 years later and tons of spasms went again to the hospital. This time they admitted me due to my age. Told this time it was low postassium. They gave me the drip and gave me the tablets. I still get them about twice a year but not as bad and motrin has helped me. They are awful.

Re: Back Spasms

LavernLuvsShoes — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 17:41:15 GMT

I also get them periodically.

I find that Aleve and a hot, pulsating shower helps tremendously.

Re: Back Spasms

FranandZoe — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 17:52:12 GMT

If you don't feel better in a few days see a chiropractor. I've gone a few times over my adult lifetimer - most recently about 6 weeks ago. I had terrible lower back pain with spasms. The chiro really helped me - I'm back to normal.

Re: Back Spasms

spent2much — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 17:59:15 GMT

@Patriot3 I've had a lower back problem (spondylolisthesis) for YEARS. I would not want to live without my TENS unit. I wear the little box, which clips on a waistband, and electrode pads on my lower back. I've been using it for about 25 years and I wear it 24/7 with the exception of showers. When they first came out, they were at least $300. Now you can get a good one for approx. $30!

Re: Back Spasms

ellaphant — Thu, 23 Mar 2023 01:46:04 GMT

One of the worst things for back spasms is being too sedentarty. Move! Walk A mile at least daily along with other treatment.

Re: Back Spasms

hckynutjohn — Thu, 23 Mar 2023 22:57:47 GMT

@Patriot3

Pretty much isolated to your back(spine)? Generally speaking more often deals with muscles. Pain? Mild compared to more serious issues.

Muscles effect how you walk, why? It is an auto reflex from avoiding the pain. Watched many people over decades after my spinal surgeries, and they are easy to spot.

Usual way for Doctors tell real severity in issues of the spine? MRI.

What to do? Stay off your feet/ice/elevation. Some feel better with support under the knees while prone.

Not sure what this Flurbiprofen is, so no comment. If you can, anti-inflammatory helps some.

hckynut 🇺🇸

Re: Back Spasms

Swedishmiss — Thu, 23 Mar 2023 21:28:04 GMT

So sorry to hear this. Hope you are feeling better!

Re: Back Spasms

GenXmuse — Fri, 24 Mar 2023 21:21:05 GMT

Back pain is the worst! It affects every other part of your body. We have a tens unit that works very well and

always have Biofreeze and Icy Hot on hand.

I hope this doesn't last very long for you!

Re: Back Spasms

Patriot3 — Sun, 26 Mar 2023 16:04:52 GMT

@hckynutjohn Flurbiprofen is an Nsaid. Have used it for 25+ years, altho have to be careful. It will give stomach ulcers if used too much. Happened to me once.

I also have had back surgery.......spinal fusion L4-5, S1. Have 6 screws in my back.

Re: Back Spasms

DrakesMomma — Sun, 26 Mar 2023 19:29:14 GMT

@Patriot3 - I have had the same fusion as you. It was the physical therapist that told me if I have any of the same symptoms as I did when it all started for me to ice, anti-inflammatories, and get up and move. If you did PT after surgery try some of the exercises again. If it has been more than two weeks consider giving the surgeon's office a ring.