Back

[den]

I have a back. I got it this morning doing some heavy lifting. The control panel slipped and suddenly I was the only thing between the floor and $8000 of electrical scrap. So now I have a back. It's sort of there all the time and occasionally twinges to let me know it's thinking about me. Heat packs are my friends.

Comments

[trickenzie.livejournal.com]

Slow careful stretching exercises are your friends too.

Ice packs may actually be better for your back than heat packs. Ice packs will reduce swelling and inflamation. Heat packs aggravate them. No more than 20 mins, not on bare skin,and an hour between applications. Ice packs can be a bit painful at first, but they will help the pain go days quicker if you use them right.

Beer is your very best friend.

from Trickie - the Back of 1983.

[pipibluestockin]

I second the ice packs - the key is to reduce inflammation, not add to it.

[dewhitton.livejournal.com]

The problem is purely muscular. If I thought it was spine I'd go for the icepacks. This is nothing a massage session with a physio can't fix, but I'm without a physio.

[breimh.livejournal.com]

Actually, having been trained as a nurse *shows his shiney lpn certification*, I have to agree with both trickenzie and pipibluestockin. Ice is better for your ailing back than heat. Also, Ibuprofin (unless you're allergic to it) is better for you than other painkillers because it also reduces swelling of muscles and any damaged capilaries.

I hope you mend well, very soon, poor bat.

[dewhitton.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah. Doing Ibuprofin like made. It helps.

I don't like ice packs. They're cold.

[tropism.livejournal.com]

You want ice packs during, IIRC, the first twelve hours or so of an injury, to reduce swelling and just make it not hurt, and then heat packs afterwards to promote circulation.