Strained Back Muscle Again

[mb]

OK, it sounds like you are basically doing what my understanding is that you are supposed to do. Maybe a visit to the PT?

By the way I had a severe back strain many years ago. I can usually keep it under control but if I do something unusual it ofter acts up. For example I usually limit my mountain bike rides to about 2 hours but a couple of years ago I went on a 5 hour ride with a lot of climbing and sure enough the back was really stiff the next day.

One thing that I have found that helps is prescription muscle relaxants but I stay away from them unless it is stiff for more than a week or two.

MB

[haha]

I tried that pick up a cup off the floor with your mouth trick-holy crap, I doubt I will ever be able to do that. It seems that my thigh and chest are trying to occupy the same space.

Ha

[ls99]

Saw on a wall hanging somewhere: You know you are getting old when your back goes out more often than you do.

[FIREdreamer]

I strained a lower back muscle a few years ago and for several days I could barely walk (I had nasty muscle spams). The physical therapist gave me some back exercises to do and it went away pretty quickly. Even though I still have to be careful when I lift something heavy, I have never had another bad episode since then. When I feel tightness in my back, those are the exercises I do:

Lie on your belly, arms extended in front of you and legs extended behind you.
1) simultaneously lift left arm and right leg as far off the ground as you can. Hold for a few seconds. Bring them back to the ground. Now repeat with the right arm and left leg. Repeat 10 times.
2) simultaneously lift all arms and legs as far from the ground as you can. Hold for a few seconds. Bring them back to the ground. Repeat 10 times.

There is a third exercise (that I use very rarely), but it's a lot harder to explain with only words.

[haha]

Originally Posted by FIREdreamer

There is a third exercise (that I use very rarely), but it's a lot harder to explain with only words.

Would you be willing to try?

I will do the ones you just posted- I remember doing them in PT but had forgotten about them recently.

My BIL is a football coach. His trainer gave me some some exercises for my hip problem which have helped a lot. The back and hips really transmit everything that is going on betwen you and the ground as you move about in the world.

They have to be OK.

Ha

[FIREdreamer]

Originally Posted by haha

Would you be willing to try?

I'll try.

Find something high to sit on, like a kitchen counter.
place the left leg on top on the counter while the right leg dangles down the side of the cabinets. Stretch the left leg in front of you, parallel to the edge of the counter. Torso should be straight up. Bend your torso forward (at the hips) and with your 2 hands, try to reach your left foot's toes. Hold for a few seconds. Come back to starting position (left leg extended, torso straight up). Repeat 10 times.

Then turn around and place right leg on top of the counter while left leg dangles. Repeat.

[haha]

Originally Posted by FIREdreamer

I'll try.

Find something high to sit on, like a kitchen counter.
place the left leg on top on the counter while the right leg dangles down the side of the cabinets. Stretch the left leg in front of you, parallel to the edge of the counter. Torso should be straight up. Bend your torso forward (at the hips) and with your 2 hands, try to reach your left foot's toes. Hold for a few seconds. Come back to starting position (left leg extended, torso straight up). Repeat 10 times.

Then turn around and place right leg on top of the counter while left leg dangles. Repeat.

Thanks Firedreamer. That is very clear.

Ha