Assess the quality of the pain — note whether it is dull and achy, sharp and stabbing, burning, or whatever other “descriptors” you would use for your pain. Keep a record of this for a few days after your injury to see how the pain progresses. To get a good baseline, rate your pain on a scale of one to 10, with 10 being the worst pain you’ve ever had. After a few days, rate it again. You can do this every three to four days to see if you are improving. Research shows that this is a valid way to monitor your current pain. If you do end up needing to see a doctor for your back injury, having information regarding the quality of the pain, and the progression of the pain (improving or worsening following the injury), can be very helpful in establishing a diagnosis and treatment plan.
A feeling of numbness in the pelvis or lower back, and the area surrounding it. Shooting pains down one or both legs. Feeling weak or unsteady when you try to stand, or your legs suddenly giving way beneath you either when you are standing normally or bending. Problems with controlling your bowels or bladder.
Note that while rest is important initially after an injury, lying in bed for too long can delay recovery. It’s best to only rest for 24 hours. If you can, make sure you get out of bed, even if only for a few minutes every hour. Becoming active sooner can reduce a delay in recovery.
As you recover, avoid standing or sitting in the same position over prolonged periods of time if this exacerbates your back pain. [2] X Research source Also avoid sports or physical activity that risk further damage to your back. See a physician for guidelines on when and how to return to activity in the safest manner possible.
To ice your back, wrap a cold pack, bag of ice, or even a bag of frozen vegetables in a thin towel and apply it to your injury for 15 – 20 minutes. Allow your skin to return to normal temperature before you begin to ice again. Never apply ice directly to your back. If you still have pain after three days or if your back pain is chronic, you can apply heat. Try a heating pad, a hot water bottle, or a heat pack. Again, the heat should not be applied directly to your skin – use a thin towel or even a t-shirt to wrap the heat source and protect your skin.
Particularly if your back pain is not improving, it is important to see a doctor sooner rather than later. Medical studies have shown that faster intervention from your doctor can help to prevent an acute (short-term) injury from becoming a chronic (long-term) one.
Robaxacet is another option for pain control that also contains a muscle relaxant property. [7] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source If your back pain is caused from a strained or injured muscle, this is likely to be your best bet to help to alleviate the pain, as well as to speed recovery.
Stronger painkillers include prescription strength Naproxen or Tylenol #3 (Tylenol mixed with Codeine), among others. [8] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
Poor posture at work, with too much standing or continually sitting in one position. A muscular injury leading to muscle spasms. Degenerative disc disease. A herniated disc. Spinal stenosis - where the vertebral canal (housing your spinal cord) narrows over time. Other more rare conditions such as a tumor, a fracture, or an infection in your spinal canal.
