Is the most awful thing that can happen to someone! Once the damage is done, its pretty much there to annoy u for the rest of ur life. I’ve come across many middle-aged people now who have a “bad back”. Life for them goes on as normal but a few restrictions do apply.
I don’t know if I’ve injured my back or what… Last year, when I was on my placement, I had this project to do that required me to look up historical data which meant going to the archive centre and pulling out boxes of batch books. Now these batch books are very light otherwise, but I didn’t know they’d be so freakin heavy when put together in a medium sized box. So I climbed up the ladder, pulled the box out, didn’t realise it’d be so heavy and entire weight of the box was put on my spine, i was bent backwards with the weight.
After that incident, i did feel the slightest pain in my lower back for a day or two but nothing to be worried about. Now, however, i feel slightly more pain every now and then in my lower spine (just where the hip bone joins the spine) e.g. when i walk a lot during the day, or climb too many stairs etc. Its not painful, its bearable, but its still annoying.
Have I injured my back or is it normal to feel such slight pain after lots of walking? I also have a heavy college bag that I carry around most of the times… could that be one reason?
And the people i've seen with "bad backs" were quite active and of average weight actually. One of them even did cycling regularly. He would have loved to participate in the city marathon but his back doesn't permit so much running, so he sticks with cycling as a daily cardio workout.
most peoples estimate of "average" weight these days are a good 10-20 lbs more than they were 30 years ago, when people actually had to be active just for day to day activities, and ate closer to the land.
There's no way to know for certain unless you have it checked out. A reputable chiropractor should be able to help you out. It might not be injured so much as it needs a bit of TLC. I had a problem years back. When I went to have it checked out, the chiropractor discovered that I strained it. After a few weeks of therapy there as well as doing some very simple stretches (most of which are just modified versions of Salaat positions actually), everything was fine.
And yeah...weight does have a lot to do with it. Your skeleton, muscles, joints, etc. are only meant to support so much weight. Once you start going over the max amount, it can put strain on your frame. Check with your doctor about the correct weight range for your height and consider making some changes if you're over the recommended range.
I don’t have a model figure but i definitely ain’t too fat for my skeleton
Carrying a heavy college bag around explains the strain i guess, it weighs as much as I do at least!.. the pain isn’t so serious that i’ve to go to a doc..
I don't have a model figure but i definitely ain't too fat for my skeleton.
I wasn't saying that you were hon. I was just saying that it's one of the things to consider. Since your weight is in the ideal range, you can rule it out.
Yeah...backpacks can be problematic. But they do sell specially made ones now that distribute the weight evenly across your back so that one side isn't carrying more weight than the other. I got one during my school days...expensive but worth it AND it lasted a long time. In fact, it's now in its 6th year of service, helping my cousin haul her books to and from class.
^ 2 more months of hell for me =) and then i'll be done n dusted with college.
What u guys have mentioned is absolutely correct, even posture and the way u sleep can have an affect on the back... i need to improve my posture thats for sure..
Ok I think i was just getting worried, doesn't seem like i have a back injury, Alhumdulillah...
last year???
you meant to say its been atleast 4 months since you are having back pains.
i say consult a doctor. better safe than sorry.
supplement with calcium and rest rest rest...
may i ask which part of back..
middle/lower/ right lower????which side....
Yes, it was last year, its been more than 4 months, but the pain is not constant as I said before. I only feel it when i've been running around all day or when i'm in a lab and have to stand up all the time...
I'm not on any supplements, i probably should start taking them.
I will consult the docs if the pain becomes more regular or more severe... its bearable for now and i only experience it on an odd day.
there are many things in our current lifestyles that contribute to back/neck pain.
the fact that most people don't walk properly, we don't wear footwear that aligns our body properly, sitting at computers incorrectly etc etc.
i had a really bad rsi injury caused by excessive mouse usage. even the most ergonomic mice require us to do have our arm/wrist/hand in unnatural angles for long periods of time. injury is inevitable.
posture definitely has a lot do with it. my friend is having physio for a back injury; he's a keen footballer and he only uses the pc for work. the physio has told him off for not standing/walking properly as it is contributing to him not getting better.
You should still get it seen to. There are probably some measures you can take to help it get better, otherwise it's inevitable that it will get worse.
I was listening to a consultant (back specialist) on radio4 once. He works with athletes, ballet dancers, concert musicians (as they also sit in awkward positions for hours) as well as regular people, to help rid them of their back pain/problems. He said building core strength and the muscles that support the spine are really important for everyone. There are simple daily exercises that can be done for this.
i had a really bad rsi injury caused by excessive mouse usage. even the most ergonomic mice require us to do have our arm/wrist/hand in unnatural angles for long periods of time. injury is inevitable.
wow. didn't know that. scary.
You should still get it seen to. There are probably some measures you can take to help it get better, otherwise it's inevitable that it will get worse.
I will, Inshallah.
I was listening to a consultant (back specialist) on radio4 once. He works with athletes, ballet dancers, concert musicians (as they also sit in awkward positions for hours) as well as regular people, to help rid them of their back pain/problems. He said building core strength and the muscles that support the spine are really important for everyone. There are simple daily exercises that can be done for this.
Most back injuries like that should resolve in few days of rest and analgesics or spasmolytics.
If they do not, then they need to be attended by a rheumatologist.
One may need an MRI of back to see if the lining around the spine is injured.
Still flat bed rest is advised and a belt is to be worn. No back exercises until seen by a physician.
A good posture and wearing a belt while lifting heavy weight should prevent these injuries.
Lifting weight is an art in which back must be kept straight ((the upper torso) and knees to be bent before lifting.
The heavy college back adds to the problem. I have a bad back too. See a doctor and probably he/ she will prescribe physical therapy which should help you immensley. I have had back surgery and so know a lot about back pain. And yes, I have seen very thin people with hernaited discs too. Injuries can cause problems. Not that you should need surgery. That's an extreme case.
