[6t7gto]

Inversion table.
Bought one 6 years ago and haven't been to the chiropractor since.

[ta6point6]

Get a l/s brace (lumbrosacral brace) or even a basic back brace. When you hurt your back your muscles spasm trying to support your back. Switch between hot and cold on the low back but the back brace will really help till your body readjusts itself.

[68lemansman]

Originally Posted by SRR

Is your laundry basket made out of rebar?

No I was a car accident in '96 and almost lost my leg due to a shattered disc. I had to get lower back surgey.I was able to recover really good a few years after. I actually got my back back in shape and was able to do a lot more as I wanted. Since I injured my neck and shoulder from a work inury I think my back isn't as strong anymore.

[Ben M.]

One thing no one has mentioned. How do you sleep at night position-wise? I injured my back many years ago and it would start aching and hurting at the littlest of things no matter how careful I was. Turned out that I was sleeping in a poor position at night which was not helping my back out at all. I started sleeping on my side with a pillow between my legs to keep my spine aligned straight at night - at the recommendation of a physical therapist. It has kept my back problems in check for over 10 years now. Doesn't help much with rapid healing, but it does keep things from degrading over time, which sleeping poorly positioned can do.

As far as healing faster, not much you can do besides good posture and not stressing your back in any way. Ibuprofen\booze for pain never hurts if you don't overdo it ;-)

[boltbuster]

Originally Posted by 68lemansman

I pulled a muscle in my back. Of course trying to do a favor for the wife lifting a lundry basket. Its bad to the point I couldn't put weight on my right leg at first. I still have lower back pain when I walk. I Look like an old man walking.I have muscle relaxers. Any other ointments or something I can try? I appreciate the help.

Find a therapist/chiropractor who does acupuncture. I pulled a muscle in my back picking up a yard-waste bag full of wet leaves. On my way to work, in a hurry, didn't bend my knees--perfect storm. It hurt to breathe. A friend sent me to an acupuncturist who worked with several pro athletes in Chicago. I went to one session and the pain was 95 % gone...like magic. Went back the next day for a fine tuning and the pain never came back. Good luck, whatever you decide to do.

[sdbob]

When I did that to my back/leg from lifting 12" block for my garage. went to therapy-stretching heat-cold getting blood flow to the injured area worked for me.

[Old Goat Racer]

I've been dealing with some back pain as well (splitting 200# logs). Might be a slipped disc. And I look like an old man walking, oh wait. Go ahead, chime in Rob.

[Icefan71]

I have back issues too. Stretching, proper body mechanics has worked the best. No bending at the waist, keep the twisting to a minimum, keep things as close to your body as possible when lifting. I've been dealing with it for over 10 years. Its always something stupid. One time was while bending over and picking up the morning paper. Another was bending over to pickup a little baby blanket. That one dropped me to my knees and I had to be carted off in an ambulance.

[Greg Reid]

Yeah, it's amazing how easily you can re-hurt your back/neck once you've done it the first time. I've once had neck and back pain that lasted weeks simply because I turned around at my work bench to look at a schematic on the wall behind me. It doesn't always hurt at that moment either....you just feel that little 'pop' or 'click'...and you know it's coming. Sometimes it lasts for a few hours...sometimes for a few weeks.

[Region Warrior]

Mines a nerve prob.
Carry, lift, move heavy stuff all day no prob when carefull
Slip on ice, lock legs and back to keep from falling
Sometimes reach down to pick up a pen without thinking

[indymanjoe]

Originally Posted by Region Warrior

Tried everything.
Muscle relaxers help.
But only thing really helps is bourbon and/or beer...and a cigar.

Glad im not the only one thinking this LOL (does work though)

[455Grandville]

Stay the hell off it, and go see a Dr.

[hurryinhoosier62]

X 2, Brad! Back injuries are nothing to play with. Trust me....I KNOW!

[455Grandville]

Originally Posted by hurryinhoosier62

X 2, Brad! Back injuries are nothing to play with. Trust me....I KNOW!

So do I , part of the reason I changed careers.

[68lemansman]

Originally Posted by 455Grandville

So do I , part of the reason I changed careers.

I changed careers too. That's why I injured my neck at work. I used to deliver the bottled water that you put on an office cooler. That one bottle weight 45 pounds. It fell off the truck and came stem first on my head. That is why I have neck and shoulder problems. 7th cranial nerve in my skull in smashed. There's nothing they can do but give me shots. Shoulder has a pinched nerve and surgery is due. Back to the switching careers. I did that job delivering 190 bottles a day. 65 stops a day and each bottle weighs 45 pounds. I say if I didn't get hit on the head with that bottle then I don't think would of done that job for long. I had to give it up because my neck and shoulder both were damaged from the bottle. I just think after the wear and tear on my back from that job plus having had back surgery before didn't do me no justice. I still have the pain in my lower back and right butt cheek but there is no pain going down my leg anymore. So it can't be sciatic.

[hurryinhoosier62]

Jason,

OUCH! I still have some pain in the areas you described after 3 major back surgeries(including a spinal fusion). The doc told me that I will ALWAYS have some pain.

[hurryinhoosier62]

As I remember,Brad, you were quite a bit younger than I was when I had my first discotomy(39). You did the SMART thing.

[mcshooter]

when i have back pain its always in my lower back.. i lay on myback flat on the floor with my legs up on the couch at 90 degrees that takes the pressure off and use a heating pad under my back with a pain pill.

[Squidward]

Originally Posted by Mattman

Sorry to hear that your hurt.
Find out what Ray Lewis used for his tricep.
That deer powder stuff or what ever it was.

Beat me to it!!

Deer antler spray.

[Old Goat Racer]

Bought some Aspercream yesterday, I feel better today. Maybe the bourbon helped too.