I injured my lower back - can't straighten it. Help!

[Smurph]

Cut to the chase - I pulled/sprained (I think) something in the left part of my lower back whilst skating tonight. I can't straighten it and it hurts to sit down. I can hardly move. I've had back pain before but nothing like this form of instantaneous distress. Apart from the obvious option of going to a doctor which I intend to do tomorrow if I'm in the same state - what have you guys done to combat sudden back pain and has the pain ever diminshed by itself after a couple of days despite it being unbearably discomforting?

[324]

I do these: lay flat with lower back pressed to ground and stretch out arms/legs as long as possible, downward facing dog, icy hot or tiger balm, hanging from monkey bars

[Hypnotoad]

ugh, shit happened to me in high school.  You could be in for a bit of a journey here.  The doctor will probably tell you to take it easy and maybe take a pointless x-ray.  I did some PT at the time and it helped, especially the electrode shit.  Sometimes other muscles in your back will compensate and the hurty point moves around.  Don't be too weirded out if that happens.

[Smurph]

Just got out of bed and I'm going to have to go to the hospital. It's unbearable. I can barely move. FUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

[Gnarwhal]

Just got out of bed and I'm going to have to go to the hospital. It's unbearable. I can barely move. FUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

that sucks dude, i hope nothing's majorly wrong

[BFKskateboards]

just go to the chiropractor. and yea the electro shock shit does work. but you're back wont be 100% for a long time. its been at least 5 years since i hurt mine and its pretty much cured, i just have a little pain here and there every once and a while. i hurt mine in the same spot and i had an inflamed nerve. but yea take it easy for a while, thats really all you can do. injuries fucking suck.

[Geddy]

i had this and went to the chiropractor and didnt help at all. if anything he fucked it up more. The best way i found to fix it is stretch your back by laying face up and the ground and lift one leg up at a time and grab it and pull your knee toward your face. It's been working with me for about two years now

[able]

It could be a pinched sciatic nerve. If so, do this for instant relief.

Lay on your back on a firm surface (hard wood floors are perfect)

Stretch out (like everyone else mentioned)

now most importantly:
get a large, thick towel and roll it up
place it underneath your pelvis area
so that it lifts your lower body higher

What this does is it relieves the pressure from
you spine. If it IS a pinched sciatic nerve,
that means that the vertebrae on your spine are
pinching down on the nerve like a vice grip

doing this instantly relieves the pressure

try it out i a room with a tv, or something entertaining
basically, give it some time (5-10 min)

I hope this helps you


EDIT: wait, this thread is from July?
  

[Smurph]

I was relieved of pain for a while, I could skate/work. But now the pain seems to have returned, albeit less severe.

I'm going to try out some of the things you guys mentioned. Thanks for the help so far guys. Hopefully some of this information will benefit others too...

[earlygrab]

I've had the exact same issues a couple times a year, for the last 7-8 yrs. So after a ton of diagnosis from numerous chiropractors and any one else who I could think could help, I have found 3 very simple things to almost remove this hell from my life.

Ice the muscles
Take tylenol
Stretch after skating.

Basically whats happening is your muscles swell up and cause pressure that pinch your nerves. The ice and tylenol reduces that swelling.