Go see your doctor! Last time I had a "muscle" pain in my back, he gave me muscle relaxers and said rest it for a few days. I could barely move, so rest was not a problem. Everything cleared up in a matter of days.

I had a pinched nerve before, medicine and rest did not help. The doctor prescribed physical therapy. After two weeks I couldn't stand it anymore. I went to a GOOD chiropractor and within a couple days, I was feeling much better.

I hope you back returns to normal soon.

 

This probably hits the mark the best. If your keyboard is up high (like on top of your desk) you may be pulling your shoulders up using your upper back muscles and neck muscles and not even know you're doing it. This happens to me often and it appears has sharp pain in between the shoulder blades just below the neck line when I been typing a lot. Hurts like a bitch. I've been trying to get a keyboard drawer here at work for about a month now. The best cure is to walk away from the keyboard and quit post whoring.

As for situps and stuff... true and to the point but don't forget your lower back muscles as well. Dead Lifts and rowing are great ways to increase lower back strength.

 

Someone with chronic/long term back pain (I'm there) has explored treatment options, results, symptoms, causes, future prognoses, etc. and is definitely the BEST one to take advice from. I had cancer recently and beat the BIG C. I researched the hell out of it, including the internet, before deciding on a treatment strategy. Better to talk with me about the subject than with someone who hasn't had that experience.

Andy-

Seriously, as a friend, ask for a recommendation for a good chiropractor and schedule an appointment. You won't regret it.

 

Thanks for the quick replies guys (P.M's included) you guys are great.
I have taken a couple of painkillers and my wife has rubbed in some deep heat over the general area, the pain is beginning to ease off a bit and I now have a comfy position.
Freaks you out a bit when you cannot even get undressed

I have spent most of the day sitting in one position in front of a pc at work. I think this is to blame. I certainly shall not be doing that again.

Are there any regular exercises I could do to help strengthen my back. I regularily do sit ups and a lot of biking but I could certainly do with losing some weight

I think a whisky is in order.

 

Christ!! This is a bit extreme for Andy

From personal experience the best short term pain killer is natural and tends to have the words Table Du Vin (lots of cheap and nasty stuff ). I find that 2 bottles of the stuff works wonders

 

Andy,

there might be another reason.

-----> YOUR GETTING OLD!!

 

Best idea is to see the Doctor if it persists....

The problem with using ice is that it can numb the pain, but not relieve the symptoms.... this can lead to you doing more damage if the pain goes away or eases but the symptoms remain.... whatever you decide, be careful of your back....

 

Spot on TJ! (Who ever said he only posted Drivel (with a capital D) )

My missus has a back condition which has forced her to give up work. You really wouldn't want to get that bad....

Get a really good bed and matress. Amazing that some people can spend 1K's on some things and then a couple of hundred on something we'd have to spend half our life on! We've just got a Tempur matress. Eye wateringly expensive, but after the first night's sleep on it you'd pay double....

 

I've had back problems for a long time too but I've learned to manage it. Your situation doesn't sound like a chronic thing, at least, not yet. If it's an occasional thing, muscle relaxants will probably get you over it. As for the heat/cold debate, I've been told "stuff". You go with what feels good. I used to use Robaxacet (Acetomenophen). They also have Robaxacal (ASA). This worked to get me past the initial day or two. I haven't had any back episodes for years now since I've been religiously doing my "back" exercises. These can be found in the paperback book "The Back Doctor". It also helps you to diagnose which back problem "type" you are and suggest the suitable exercise/stretches that would be best for your type. At least you don't have low back pain, which is the most common and most difficult to "manage". This also can be the most debilitating.

 

awinskill, got my tempur several years ago (before all the late night info mercials) and still love it. =)