I've got a bad back.

I've never had back pain before - only the occasional stiffness after sleeping on a hard floor or sleeping twisted etc.

This morning I woke up fine, but from lunch onwards my back has started to get stiffer and stiffer. It's mid-back, and seems to be quick movements that set it off. If I move slowly and gingerly then it's not as bad.

I can just about manage as I am, although it's sore - but I can't afford to feel any worse tomorrw. I would struggle to drive to work, and would be useless at my job!

So have any of you guys got any tips?

This is a first for me, and the only thing I can think of which might have set it off is a new desk chair here at home (one of those funny style ones that you kneel on rather than sit on), but I haven't sat on it once since friday (although I'm sat on it now and it's relatively comfortable, although I'm slouching - sitting up hurts a little).

From personal experience, almost anything can set your back off. It could have been the new chair, you may have twisted getting into or out of your car, or simply stumbled and not noticed anything until now.

My advice is get it looked at before it becomes chronic.

I recommend a good osteopath if you can afford it. An osteopath will consider your muscles and skeleton overall, and should be able to diagnose if something else has set things off, rather than a GP who would more than likely prescribe painkillers and taking it easy for a while.

I should add that I would try to avoid painkillers. They'll mask the pain, but that'll encourage you to potentially make things worse. Better to know the pain is there, I think.

What the good lady Heather said.
I have some exercises that you could do if it continues, but at the moment it could just be a case of a good stretch puts it right.
I'd certainly lay off doing any exercise for a couple of days until you know it's back to its old self.

Mark

From personal experinece if it is something like a pulled muscle then I would recommend not stretching it at all. However for other types of injury it may be suitable.

I've done things to my back by holding shopping awkwardly, sitting improperly, and putting a coat on....

I generally find laying on a hard floor with my legs up on a chair so that my back is straightened tends to help relieve the pain for a bit.

Assuming it's just muscular pain, then I'd recommend trying a TENS machine - relieves my pain whenever my lower back or shoulder plays up, which seems to be happening more and more since hitting mid-30s (oh, to be young again!). It works by using low level electrical pulses through gel pads applied to the affected area's muscles (not to be used on the spine itself though, but either side is ok!). Start with 2 sessions a day (15 minutes per session), one in morning and one in evening for example. Start with level 3 or 4 intensity, it goes up to level 8 but you need to build up to the higher levels. Within 3 or 4 days you should notice some improvement.

If you have a Lloyds Pharmacy near you, they're on offer at the moment - Dual Channel TENS machine, £14.99 (was £29.99) - check the Store Locator at the top of their home page to find nearest store.

TENS machines won't help if it's more than just muscular pain, and don't expect instant results as it takes a few sessions before you'll see any effects, as your body adapts to it. The theory is that over time these electrical pulses start to temporarily block the nerves transmitting pain.

If the pain persists more than a few days, or gets worse, then get yourself to a professional as soon as possible to get it checked over. A pulled muscle usually goes away in a few days if you take things easy, but try to keep on the move rather than sit or lie down for long periods - go for a stroll outside in your lunch hour. Keeping mobile helps stop it seizing up and going into spasm.

If it's muscular ibuprofen (or diclafenic if you get a prescription for it) and a heat bag are good for inflammation. Pain killers can help but they are only a short term solution.

I'm still partially suffering after my accident (tore some muscles around my shoulder) and they helped

I've had intermittent back pain since I fell off a rope in PE when I was 14. I find several large glasses of Scotch help considerably, along with laying flat and still for a few months.

I also suffer from muscular pains in my neck. It hurts more than anything I've ever experienced, and it can be brought on by simply looking over my shoulder too quickly. My GP told me to take ibuprofen and co-codomol together at maximum dosage, and to keep moving it. It takes about 2 days to stop really hurting, and about a week before it feels "normal" again.

Absolutely

Bending, stretching, exercise.... anything but lying down on a stiff board!

Massage, physio and accupuncture can really help. Relaxation techniques help me too.

I attended a back treatment class-thingy run by the NHS and it was supposed to be at the head of new techniques and theories regarding back pain. It basically goes against all the old advice and old wives tales like hard matresses, etc.

A young lady in stilletos walking up and down it

Heat - hot water bottle/pad/gel pack. All the treatment I've been getting recently revolves around heat then gentle stretching. It may surprise you that the source of your pain may not be the root cause but the body has a way of taking the path of least resistance and it's this area that the pain manifests itself in. And stay away from the young lady in stilletos - she's my sister.........

Al

I've now got twinges after doing the washing up...

Nicola must think I'm taking the piss but washing up is the worst thing for my back. As I have lower back pain the combination of being stood up but slightly bent down over the sink is hell.

+1 Faye thinks I'm just trying to get out of it...