Muscles in lower back all rigid and locked up

[cuppa69]

Hi, the muscles around my lower back have been locked up for a few weeks now.

I find using an electric blanket has helped. I also use "winter green' (methyl salicylate) sports rub, with limited effect.

Taking a couple of Ibuprofen and a co-codamol help too, but it's still very immobile and limits what I can do. Any suggestions are very welcome 😊

[Mmrr]

I understand your pain.I have severe back issues and am struggling just now with pain, no analgesia is effective. Heat helps as does slouch sitting. I've had previous lumbar surgeries.

My GP prescribed Ravlo Lidocaine patches which make the unbearable, bearable, but not all GPs will prescribe them due to cost. They might be worth asking about.

[cuppa69 in reply to Mmrr]

Thanks for your reply. I don't think my pain is as bad as yours, it's just frustrating when you're immobile and can't do what you want because your back is rigid. I'm sorry to hear that you can't find any effective angesics 😔 Take care

[KittyJ]

I’d speak to your doctor or pharmacist to see if there’s anything better you can take. I take amitriptyline and use a heat pad but I try to keep active too as I find too much inactivity doesn’t help either.

[cuppa69 in reply to KittyJ]

Thanks for your reply Kitty. I find the Ibuprofen and Co-codamol take the edge off the pain, it's just being so rigid that's the annoying thing. I definitely find moving around helps 👍

[Hezekiah]

When I damaged my lower back, I found walking very helpful once I could actually walk again. I built up from walking 20 yards, to a heck of a lot more than that, and found it very therapeutic. Also I bought a Flexibak device amazon.co.uk/product-review... which I find gives me great psychological comfort, and I return to using it whenever I get stiffness again. Visiting a physio and getting exercises which suit your particular problem is also to be recommended.

See demo of Flexibak on YouTube. I tried posting a link here, but it didn't work too well.

Flexibak device on kitchen table

[cuppa69 in reply to Hezekiah]

Thanks for your reply Hezekiah. Yes, walking definitely helps but my back doesn't loosen up as much as I'd like. I did look up the Flexibak on amazon, but it's not currently available. I've put it on my wish list 👍

The back stiffness seemed to be triggered by stress. I just woke up one morning and it was like having whiplash around my lower back. It's a lot better today for some reason, not that I'm complaining! Thanks for the threads too btw. Very thoughtful 😊

[Hezekiah]

Also try these threads for additional information

healthunlocked.com/nras/pos...

healthunlocked.com/nras/pos...

healthunlocked.com/nras/pos...

healthunlocked.com/nras/pos...

Is there any more you can say about your age, general mobility, the onset of the back pain, etc ? It might help with getting useful replies. Ooops, I've just read that you are male and aged 53.....really should be more aware should I not...

I have an NHS Leaflet about back pain which I'd be happy to send to you, if you think that might be useful.

[Neonkittie17]

Muscles contract in the cold weather making it hard to move, but if you can keep moving up and down pottering and let the blood flow, carrying oxygen to your joints that’s what helps as does heat to the joints to generate blood flow/circulation. You’re doing that already. A good physio could help but if nhs you’d be on a long waiting list most likely.

[cuppa69 in reply to Neonkittie17]

Thanks for your advice. The cold weather definitely has an effect. I've been wearing a back support, but more as a heat retainer than a support. That seems to help.

[Runrig01]

I suffer severe back pain due to AS, it causes shortening of the tendons which then makes the muscles spasm. I use a butec patch for background relief. I also take a muscle relaxant called baclofen which helps. Gentle stretches are essential in my case and my tens machine gives good relief. I’ve just upgraded to a wireless one which is brilliant and can do 4 areas at once. I have my electric blanket set up to Alexa do without moving I can switch it on before I get up.

[cuppa69 in reply to Runrig01]

I'm sorry to hear about your pain Maureen, thank you for sharing your advice. The stretches and TENS machine sound good, I might look into a Shiatsu massager.

[Plumcrumble]

Hi cuppa69 backs can take ages to get better, a few years ago I strained my lower back, could hardly walk, I eventually went to a osteopath training school ( fees a bit cheaper) I didn't think it was helping, then suddenly got better, but it did take a while, hope you feel better soon, best wishes Sarah

[cuppa69 in reply to Plumcrumble]

Thanks for your reply. I'm sorry to hear about you hardly being able to walk. That's awful. I'm not as bad as that. The back muscles were completely rigid yesterday, but seem much better today, and for absolutely no reason I can put my finger on. Obviously not complaining lol

[Plumcrumble in reply to cuppa69]

Yes, sometimes it can go as quickly as it came, glad your feeling better 👍

[oldtimer2]

I find a combination of daily yoga, the exercises from the Royal Osteopororis Society (and approved by the physio that I saw), together with intermttent osteopathatic treatment all help.

I have permanent alterations to the bone structure due to injury and osteoarthritis now which impinges on the nerves. An injection into the spinal area around the sciatic nerve did help with that sciatic pain in the summer, but not with the remaining problems, and the spinal surgeon basicaly said that i have to learn to live with it.

[cuppa69 in reply to oldtimer2]

Oh blimey! Your situation sounds really difficult. I sincerely hope you have many more good days than bad. Many thanks for your hard won advice. I do try yoga, and even though it's difficult to begin with, there definitely is an improvement afterwards.

[Peterrabbits]

I’ve had a lot of relief with a ziplock back full of snow , just lately . Not so nice as heat but numbs the area and seems to help

[cuppa69 in reply to Peterrabbits]

Thanks Peter, I've got a hot/cold gel pack in the freezer which I can wrap in a tea towel if the pain worsens. Thanks for the tip.

[Happy5]

Feel for you all hideous , you'll get there again albeit slowly. I go for body massages regularly which help remove what I call the body "sludge" and keeps my muscles less tense.

Sending 🤗

[cuppa69 in reply to Happy5]

Many thanks for the advice Happy5, a massage sounds just the ticket. Merry Xmas!

[daughter-Advocate]

I might've missed the reasoning as I'm typing on mobile - is your back pain due to compressed nerves in the spine? If you have access to a clinic that offers spinal decompression therapy on a machine, it may be helpful to release the tension and decompress the spine. Or pull and stretch your back by pulling your body on a pull up bar that's what helped myself, partner and my dad (along with a new regimen of ibuprofen for him).Are you able to do any back stretches? Does it hurt when you do the twist stretch? Or laying on the bed on your back with legs bent and twist to opposite side to stretch the soas/lower back area.

CBD pure capsules have helped me feel a little less tensed.

I have a compressed ulnar never and my left neck + shoulder gets locked up after using computer for work. This cream helps me immediately: Boiron Arnicare Arthritis Cream a.co/d/65lscuy