Blew up my back

**MakeFast** · 07-12-2009, 01:22 PM

So I was riding my bike home yesterday (road bike, so nothing jarring or anything) and came to a stop light, stood up in the pedals to accelerate and my whole lower back felt like it locked up. I was maybe 1/4 miles from home, so I sat down and rode the rest of the way.

On a pain scale of 1-10 with 10 being incapacitated, I was at about a 15 while standing straight up. I could crawl/bend over at the waist and hobble around, but couldn't take more than a step or two without being doubled over in pain. Started Ibuprofen and Ice (every 4-6 hours and 20 min. every hour, respectively).

Today I am doing much better (I actually walked upright from my bed to my office chair), but still in some serious pain if I put weight on my right leg.

I had a herniated disc a couple of years back (kayak accident) and this is different pain - it isn't the acute shooting down the leg I had from the disc (and it also didn't hurt more when I busted out laughing), but more generalized - my totally non-doctor diagnosis is that it is just a pulled/strained muscle (I was carrying a pretty heavy load on my back while biking, nothing out of the ordinary, but not insubstantial).

So I am continuing with the ice and ibuprofen today, switching to ice/heat tomorrow.

Really puts a damper on my plan to ski on Sunday though.

L7 · 07-12-2009, 02:27 PM

It's more than just muscle would be my magic internet guess based on years and numerous episodes of similar shit. More like muscles spasming to protect a misalignment somewhere that is pinching discs and or irritating SI joints. When you stand up in front of a mirror are your hips and or shoulders level or does your torso appear 'crooked'. Stretch your hamstrings and stretch you hip flexor/quads. You'll probably find one of or all of those are very tight. Do some abdominal work to get the internal obliques(?) firing and working.

**Vinman** · 07-12-2009, 05:35 PM

with your history of disc problems I would be suspicious even without the radiating pain down the leg.

**MakeFast** · 07-12-2009, 07:55 PM

I'm not standing crooked (so the wife says), hamstrings, quads, hip flexors have the same amount of stretch as normal (I'm not overly-flexible).

I think you guys are probably right though - muscle tenses up/spasms trying to protect something else...I'm just hoping its not the disc again, because that took forever to heal.

e: After googling SI joint, that was exactly the location of the most acute pain last night and the only place I feel tenderness right now (the rest is just tight muscles).

**MakeFast** · 07-12-2009, 08:56 PM

L7 - kept looking around, found some PT instructions on how to "reset" your SI joint. Felt a nice pop/give when doing the exercises and a bit of relief. The muscles are tight still, but I think that is definitely what was going on.

**Vinman** · 07-13-2009, 04:25 AM

Can you link to the place you found that exercise?

**pubes** · 07-13-2009, 06:03 AM

Yes please a link would be real helpful.I constantly have miss alignment issues and would appreciate a link.I usually have to go to PT and it takes a couple weeks to get an appoinment.

Thanks
Pat

**PDS** · 07-13-2009, 08:23 AM

OT, how big of a boof did you stick to herniate a disc? 30 ft to non aerated water, 50 ft to aerated?

L7 · 07-13-2009, 08:23 AM

Originally Posted by mattw

L7 - kept looking around, found some PT instructions on how to "reset" your SI joint. Felt a nice pop/give when doing the exercises and a bit of relief. The muscles are tight still, but I think that is definitely what was going on.

Yep I'd like that too. I have some techniques of my own but always open to new and better ways. That 'pop' is quite a relief isn't it? Often it's followed by several smaller ones over the next couple of days as things loosen.

**MakeFast** · 07-13-2009, 10:06 AM

This is what I did: [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkltzrvatlU"]YouTube - si joint[/ame]
Tried to take it easy, but on the second or third time going through the series of exercises something finally gave. And sweet relief. Now just need to get the muscles to loosen up.

I remember doing something similar back when I hurt the disc at the physical therapist, so I figured it wasn't some crazy internet cure that was going to hurt my back more.

And PDS, no waterfall, it was impact with a rock that did it. I think it was one of those "this is going to happen sooner or later" things though - and the kayaking just pushed me over the edge.

edit: A high-velocity impact with a rock, but it was a boat + rock collision that did the damage.

**Sphinx15** · 07-13-2009, 10:58 AM

Something similar happened to me 6 or so years ago, except I was just walking along, not riding or running or anything - all of a sudden doubled over in pain, couldn't stand up straight. I went straight to a sports chiro, and in 2 days I was back to normal/pain free, almost completely fixed after 1 cracking session. FWIW, I had never been to a chiro before, and I haven't been back after those 2 sessions. It hasn't happened since, I have no idea what caused it...

**Vinman** · 07-13-2009, 03:36 PM

Very useful exercise. Basically called muscle-energy technique. I use that one often and in different variations.

That exercise shown is good for someone who has an SI that is rotated posteriorly on the right or anteriorly on the left. You can do that opposite if your is the other way. The only problem is figuring out which is which or if you have an SI joint problem to begin with.

L7 · 07-13-2009, 04:01 PM

Originally Posted by Vinman

The only problem is figuring out which is which or if you have an SI joint problem to begin with.

Shameless professional plug. Drumming up business.

I'd insert the winky face here but I dislike them intensely.

**Vinman** · 07-13-2009, 05:51 PM

shameless indeed you got me....but veiled in truth. Anterior or posterior rotation is easy for someone like me or you to figure out no so easy for average guy joe skier or for some other medical professionals I know.

**MakeFast** · 07-13-2009, 06:22 PM

Yeah, I am at the "not getting medical professional attention" stage - no insurance (my old insurance was up for renewal and "they don't cover Oregon" - seriously?!?! - hoping to get employee insurance once I get a job).

If it was getting worse I would bite the bullet and go to visit the doc (the receptionist at the "Sports Medicine" clinic back east knew my voice after PT and such from back and knee problems), but unless it gets worse I will be doing that exercise and ice/heat for the next few days.

L7 · 07-13-2009, 07:27 PM

Originally Posted by Vinman

shameless indeed you got me....but veiled in truth. Anterior or posterior rotation is easy for someone like me or you to figure out no so easy for average guy joe skier or for some other medical professionals I know.

You've certainly provided enough help here to earn the right to 'plug' your services. If I was anywhere near you I'd be at your door AND you'd see a lots of broken down folks I'd be telling about you.

**MakeFast** · 07-14-2009, 02:22 PM

Anyone have links/explanation of some good, non-dangerous lower back stretches?

**splat** · 07-14-2009, 04:05 PM

Have you considered getting some bodywork?

L7 · 07-18-2009, 07:00 PM

Originally Posted by mattw

This is what I did: YouTube - si joint
Tried to take it easy, but on the second or third time going through the series of exercises something finally gave. And sweet relief. Now just need to get the muscles to loosen up.

Hadn't looked at that yet. Looks good. I heart youtube..... if only they'd show boobies.

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