My lower back is killing me today

[undeterred]

for no particular reason that I know. No health insurance. I'm staying off my feet. Know any good home remedies?

[hippywife]

1. If it feels like a muscle strain

try some ibuprofen and apply heat to the area for 20 minutes and then off for 20 minutes, lather, rinse, repeat.

Hope you get to feeling better. :hi:

[Kali]

2. female issues?

kidneys another possibility - run a lot of water through to try and flush - cranberry juice too

[Schema Thing]

3. Yes. Believe it or not, walking does more good for me than anything

along with careful stomach and back exercises. Crunches for instance, seem to help very quickly. Obviously I'm not actually strengthening my stomach muscles so immediately, so I think what I'm doing is reminding my stomach muscles to do their job.

[abq e streeter]

4. I have a lot of problems in that area too.

I was recently given a list ( with diagrams) of stretches to do, and have talked with others who said they helped. I want to steer clear of having this be "medical advice" ( and I think that's a very good DU rule) but hopefully you can find some information about stretches that will be of some help.

[one_voice]

5. Try spreading your legs..

even with your shoulders and put you hands on your hips and stretch (angle a little back) like you might see a pregnant woman do. Alternate ice/heat 20 minutes ice, then 20 minutes heat then 20 min break, repeat. Take some ibuprofen, and if you're laying down put a pillow between your knees..that takes pressure off your lower back.

Hope you feel better.

[undeterred]

6. Thanks everyone.

Got some ibuprofen and took a hot bath. Will try stretching tomorrow.

[demtenjeep]

7. I have used those "patch" thingies that get hot

and you can attach them around your back. Works for a while

[prolesunited]

8. Short term

don't immobilize yourself. It's the worse thing you can do. Take a walk or two tomorrow for sure, short, easy walks that will keep muscles active. Be sure not to do any lifting or prolonged bending that would cause more strain.

Two of the best positions for resting are laying on your back with your feet propped up on a chair and knees bent at a 90-degree angle. It takes all of the pressure off of your back. For sleeping, either sleep on your back with a pillow or two under your knees. Or if you sleep on your side, bend your top leg slightly and put a pillow under that leg and put another pillow under your arm.

When you start feeling better, check out yoga programs in books or DVD at your library that are specifically designed to help those with back problems. I've had a lifetime of back and sciatica problems that were resolved through regular yoga practice. And don't worry, you don't have to do any crazy pretzel poses to find relief.

I did have problems around Christmas, but I'm sure I just wrenched it good falling off the ladder, hitting the counter and landing on the floor when I was washing the upper cabinet fronts. It was like a slow motion wreck. It took about two weeks and some muscle relaxers to get through that one. Needless to say, I didn't do yoga when I was in the middle of that but I did keep up with walking and gentle stretching.

I hope you feel better soon.

[OhioChick]

9. Thermacare works wonders

Hope tomorrow is better for you.

[RagAss]

10. Google Robin McKenzie...lower back exercises.....they saved my life