What have I done to my back?

[apples and oranges]

About 6 months ago I was sitting sideways on a chair with my body twisted around typing on a keyboard with my legs facing to the side, then I sneezed (hard). I was in AGONY! I couldn't move for ages. it took weeks to get better, I was walking around but unable to stand up straight and every so often it would ache so much that I had to lie on the floor in order to straighten up (the pain would bring tears to my eyes), then I'd struggle to my feet and carry on for a few hrs until it happened again.
But it's still not perfect all these months on. If I lay on my stomach to read a book for example then I can hardly move to get up, some nights laying in bed it aches and i have to lie on my back and bring my knees to my chest to have a good bend to ease the aching. It's not preventing me from my day to day life, I am quite active (play sports etc), and at the time of injury I weighed only about 138lbs (about 150 now but still not "obese") but every few days it will ache and annoy me.
I suppose I should go to the doctor but as it is not "pain" as such then I see no need to have them unnecessasarily poke and prod me and possibly make things worse.
Just curious as to what I may have done and wonder if anyone had simular experience?

 

[MOZHIARASU]

Sounds like you may have pulled a muscle - I am sure someone more qualified will point you in the right direction. I think if it were me I would be wanting to see someone who could help to put it right. Again, I am sure someone will post before too long with very good and practical advice. Hope you get it sorted soon.

 

[Synsane]

yes i thought myself it could have been a muscle, but wouldn't it be better by now??? i've pulled many a muscle in my time and normally heal withing a few days/weeks at most!

thanks for your reply.

 

[Pompal 09.]

I had a fall 2 1/2 years ago whilst on holiday and badly jarred my back. I was in agony and couldnt move the day after - luckily my brother in law was on holiday with us - he runs the intensive care unit at a major hospital - and he was able to concoct some pain relif for me! Even now though I still get some residual pain from that fall but its not so bad as to need treatment. It was hurting though for about a year after I did it. It would appear that some things take a long time to heal!

 

[Mohammadreza]

Hi Nadine

Another suggestion is a prolapsed disc. It can cause severe lower back pain and can be intermittent in the intensity of pain.
If you have a prolapsed (slipped disc) you will need to visit your GP to discuss your prognosis or at least to rule this condition out. It is quite a serious condition due to the pressure the prolapse is putting on the spinal cord.

I would say that your GP is definitely your next move regardless of the origin of your pain.

Take care of yourself.

Rx

 

[Mr Beaker]

Hi Nadine
I think it's likely that the muscle went into spasm when you initially did this.-It's common for this to happen and can be as excrutiating as you described. The residual pain may be from the actual injury to the muscle and this can take a long time to heal. As the pain's not severe now- but nevertheless still there to some extent, I would've thought it's unlikely to be spinal but if you're worried you could get the doc to check it out. If no luck there, a complementary therapist would be worth visiting. HTH Hom

 

[Bby-Angel-16]

Sneezing whilst out of central alignment (eg twisted) is a pretty classic way to blow a disc - often asociated with leg pain, but it doesn't have to be. A Chiropractor or an osteopath are by far the best options for who to see.

Personally I wouldn't bother with the GP yet; nothing against them, but it's not their area of expertise. If the chiro/osteo can't find anything, then go to the GP, or if you just need some painkillers - but I'm assuming that's not the case if you haven't been in the last 6 months

 

[Jamaican Me Crazy]

transverse abdominus is affected by sneezing and would fit with the poor posture when it occurred, unfortunately TA doesnt have bony attatchments just fascial so exercising by "holding" for upto 30 secs at a time.
identify by placing two fingers under ribs and trying to push fingers away, or in groove of pubic/thigh and doing same.
hope it helps
Gaz