itchy mcgoo wrote:ben wrote:Anybody ever try accupuncture for this sort of thing? I've not but I'm curious.
Yes.
Only thing that ever helped my neck.
I left after the first appointment and my back and neck felt strange...and then it hit me that I felt no pain and that was what was disorienting me. The relief was so incredible I cried.
Somehow, as these things frequently go, I didn't return as much as I should have so I'm back at square one.
My advice to Nico would be to commit to whatever you find that works for you, even the improvement appears small at first. Maintain a routine, whether it be yoga, stretching, whiskey, massage, whatever.
My girlfriend has also had dramatic results with acupuncture for her lower back pain.
Nico, there's some really good advice here already. Tanx is right that co-codamol doesn't normally cause gastro-intestinal side effects, it's the non-steroidals such as diclofenac or ibuprofen that can do this.
Mandroid's advice is great. I agree that your first port of call should be your GP. Although some people may have had bad experiences with their GPs before, I know that back pain is a big problem that the NHS is trying to address in primary care, so any decent GP should know what they're doing. They are also the best way to get referred to NHS services like physio etc.
I checked the NHS 24 website as well. I answered the screening questions according to the brief history you gave here, but you should really do it yourself.
linkThe lower back pain advice from NHS 24 is as follows:
Make an appointment to see your GP.
Until you can see your GP, you may find the following self-care advice for upper back pain helpful:
* To ease the pain, take simple painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for the correct dose. You should not take ibuprofen if you have a history of stomach ulcer, indigestion, asthma, or kidney disease, or if you are taking warfarin. If you are pregnant, do not take ibuprofen and only take paracetamol as instructed by your GP or midwife.
* Applying something cold to the painful area can numb the pain and limit the effects of any swelling. Cold packs are available to buy from your local pharmacist. Alternatively, you can make a cold pack yourself with ice cubes or a bag of frozen peas. Make sure they don’t directly touch and burn your skin by wrapping them in a wet towel. Apply the cold pack for no more than 20 minutes at a time. Repeat every 2-3 hours. If you use a packet of frozen peas as a cold pack, you can reuse the same packet several times for your cold pack, but you would not be able to eat the contents after they have become defrosted.
* Applying gentle warmth to the painful area can also help ease muscle pain. Try a heat pack (available from your local pharmacist), hot water bottle or a hot shower. To avoid burning your skin, make sure you don’t apply anything too hot and check the skin regularly.
* You can apply either warmth or something cold to the area as above. Choose whichever is the most comfortable for you. Some people find that alternating between using the heat packs and the cold packs gives them the most relief.
* Bed rest is not helpful for upper back pain - try to continue with your normal activities as far as possible.
* Keep as active as possible and take gentle exercise until the pain eases. Exercises such as walking, swimming and gentle stretching are especially good for back pain and will help to prevent injury in the future.
* Keep a good posture. Try to walk or stand with your head and shoulders slightly back. Avoid wearing high-heeled shoes.
* If you are sitting at a desk, make sure that your chair is at the right height for the desk. Your feet should be able to rest flat on the floor, or on a foot rest, with your knees bent at 90 degrees.
* If you are reading, make sure that the book is at eye level so that you do not need to stoop.
* If you are sitting or driving for a long period, make sure you have a seat that supports your back and neck. Take regular breaks to stretch and walk around if possible.
* In bed, use a mattress that matches and supports the natural curves of your spine. Lie on your side with your knees bent - avoid lying on your stomach.
* Make sure that your bed is the correct height for you. It needs to be easy for you to get into and out of. When getting into bed, first sit down on the edge of the bed. Now lean one elbow on the bed and lower your weight onto it. At the same time, draw up your legs and gently swing them onto the bed. Try not to twist your back. To get up, start by lying down on your side with your knees drawn up towards the edge of the bed, and reverse the steps above.
* If you are overweight there is extra stress on your back. Losing weight should help reduce your risk of back pain. For help and advice on weight loss, see how can I lose weight safely? and our articles on diet and exercise.
* Try to avoid lifting anything heavy while you have back pain. However, if you do have to lift, make sure you lift correctly. Keep your back straight and your legs bent and taking the weight. Always lift and carry objects close to your body. Never twist and bend at the same time. See HSE Manual Handling leaflets for more information.
You should call NHS Direct on 0845 4647 if:
* you develop numbness (loss of feeling) or tingling in your legs, feet, arms or hands,
* you develop numbness around your anus,
* you lose control over your bladder or bowels, or
* you need further help or advice.
So: first port of call; your GP. Good luck!