i totally fucked up my lower back standing up off of the couch today. hurts like hell, and feel kinda stupid getting injured on such a small task. but then again, that dude from the Fat Boys had a heart attack doing the same thing. i couldn't imagine. anyways, my dilemma is this:

last time i hurt my back the chiropractor cracked the shit and told me to go see a doctor. I went to the doctor and he told me i needed to have a chiropractor look at it. so, do i need a new doctor or a new chiropractor?

Doc

remember the simpsons episode where homer creates a chiropractic device out of an old garbage can and the other chiropractors in town come and smash it because homer is making everyone's back problems go away?

i don't remember that ep, but i can only imagine....too bad Homer J Simpson isn't listed in my phone book. i think there is a springfield here in MN though. Maybe that's the same one, or at least have a portal to the fictional one....

ugh...

are you all crooked when standing? does the pain shoot down your leg?

I have a herniated disc and it's no fun. Went to the Dr's, chiropractor, etc. The Dr. was talking minor back surgery, but suggested getting a cortisone shot in the spine first. That was 4-5 years ago. back is not 100%, but the pain went away immediately after the shot.

Dr. Homer's Spine - o - Cylinder!

Patient: You think you can fix my sciatica?

Homer: I don't know what that is, so I'm going to say "yes."

classic simpsons

Without knowing your medical history, I say neither. That Simpsons comment is actually right on the money.

My back got messed up because a moving car hit it. The doctor gave me perscriptions for SOMA, vicotin, and ibuprofen and then I went to physical therapy. Haven't gone back for follow up treatment, although every so often, something crunches around in there and I'm in blinding pain, I just tough it out because I consider the Docs more of a quick fix but not a solution. Like I said before, I don't know your medical history, but most likely the muscles supporting your back need strengthening and you need to develop your flexibilty. My PT told me that I was healing faster then most people with similiar injuries because my inner core was pretty strong and flexible from a 5x a week yoga practice. Do you get a lot of exercise? If you lift, is your form correct? Do you have good posture? Do you sit at a desk/or sit around for a long period of time? Preventative measures are the best cure- unless you have a herniated dic like toybot:)

I've had a history of back/neck issues dating back over 20 years... in your situation, I'd consult your regular doctor first. Sounds like alternating heat and ice would probably do you some good. If it persists, then try a chiro...

On a side note, I have a friend who's a pediatrician, and she kinda has a chip on her shoulder about who are legitimate "doctors" and to her, the rest are quacks. I always make sure to refer to my chiropractor and acupuncturist as a doctors to wind her up.

Agree with T.Phantom. My back got messed up in '91 and it was going out on me a couple times a year - excruciating pain, etc. Strengthen your back and abs and you'll diminish both the rate of occurrence and the level of pain.
If you do go for chiro work DO NOT let them adjust your neck. The quick twisting motion they use to adjust the cervical disks can tear your carotid and lead to a stroke - the doctors I work with have seen it happen often enough that it's an actual risk and not just freak happenings.

As Toxic Phantom said, I have no idea of your history and everyone has different issues, but my personal experience with back pain it was triggered by two things: stress and weight gain, and one of those things was usually connected with the other.

I never took any prescription pain killers for it, but found that naproxen sodium worked best, and exercise was key in getting the problem to resolve itself quickly.

I would see a real doctor first, then see if they recommend a chiropractor or massage therapist. If the doctor recommends surgery as the only option, find another one because you want to use that as a last resort. When you have a hammer, usually everything you see looks like a nail...

You need to strengthen you abs and obliques. Most of the muscles that support your back are in front. I hurt my back years ago and doing some exercise will help out. Back injuries are probably the worst because you will never be the same after the injury and sometimes the slightest wrong move will cause pain. I live with discomfort 24/7 and carrying a bag with just a 9"x12" sketchbook for at least 3 hours can cause my back a lot of pain.
If you slipped a disk, the chiro may not be able to adjust you...and the doctor might cost you a bundle. Like toybot said, it might just take a needle in the back.
A second opinion from either a doc or chiro is always a good thing.

Steer clear of Chiropractors they'll rack up insane bills and rarely stop treating. I consider them hacks but others think they're great.

Depending on severity try an Orthopaedist or Neurosurgeon, at least they have the technology to dull the pain (prescriptions).

Rarely see good results from back surgery, consider it a very last ditch option, you'll often end up worse off, sometimes far worse off. There is sometimes the option of arthroscopic back work which can be less invasive.

Others mentioned steroids (cortisone) injections which might work, Depo Medrol packs, etc.

Goodluck.

Maybe look into rolfing rather than chiro: http://www.rolfingportland.com/benefits.php

Oh, one thing against cortisone shots is that cortisone can wreak havoc with cartilage... so I've avoided shots like that.

Your family doc will have little in the way of an immediate cure. Most likely pain meds and an anti inflammatory are all that they have at their disposal. This DOES NOT mean that you shouldn't go to them. You should.

The surgeons will want to cut you. This is only an option for extreme cases. I would not recommend this seeing as how this is a recent problem. So no specialist just yet.

If he recommends physical therapy, DO IT, it's the best solution. The back is not an easy fix. Very complicated region of the body and it may take some lifestyle changes to solve.

The chiropractor may offer short term relief but it is only as good as a massage in most regards. I would beware of chiropractics and other "alternative methods". Most do nothing and many are just there to drain wallets. Search "subluxation" on Wiki. It's not science.

Ok, another one just came in today. Seriously - DO NOT GET A NECK ADJUSTMENT!

Severe back pain is what I imagine that getting hit by lightning must feel like. I'm no doc, but my bet on treatment would be a combo of the things mentioned above. For stuff you can do at home, ice and naproxen or other anti-inflammatory to reduce any swollen muscles. If it stays tight, break out the heating pad, then ice again. I've also been dealing with a crappy back on and off for years, and I have heard the above prescription on several occasions. If this is your first time with severe back pain, you most likely just strained something and it will get back to normal pretty quickly. Once you do start feeling better, ease into some exercises for the back and abs as mentioned above.

One of the guys I work with got hit by a car while jogging a few years ago, which really messed his back up---he praises yoga for keeping him away from the scalpel. Of course, he was pretty fit to begin with, so that helps...

Cortisone shots seem to be stop-gap measures that help for a while only. I have major issues with chiropractic treatment, but think acupuncture is good, so I am 50/50 on the "whack" sciences...

I'm currently recovering from surgery for a torn rotator cuff, and suggest that you avoid pain medication as much as possible (except for recreation, of course)---it took a few days to get my head straight again after a few days in a hydrocodone daze.

Best of luck with your recovery!!!

I've hurt my back off and on for years including pinched nerves. More recently, it's due to weight lifiting when I've been unable to get to the gym regularly and then over do it. The next day I go to reach for something and blam-o - I get hit with pain that almost drops me to the floor.

A friend recommended a message therapist and she's been a true miracle worker. She's strongly opposed to chiropractors thinking the harsh back-cracking is really bad for the back. Instead, she uses a very gentle technique to re-align the spine after the muscles pull it out of whack. It sounds new-ageish but it freakin' works like a charm - 2-3 sessions with her and the pain is completely gone and stays that way until i mess up again by overdoing it at the gym.

Change your doctor and if he/she recommends a chiropractor ask for a referral from the doctor himself or if you're not sure with chiropractors ask for physical therapy.

Chiropractors are like drug dealers. They get you hooked, and then you never feel right unless you get regularly "adjusted".
Don't go to one unless you wanna become their cash cow.

Two thoughts.

1. I'm a little surprised that your doctor recommended a chiropractor. The doctors that I know do not hold chiropractors in high regard (no offense to any skullbrainer chiropractors). That would make me a little suspicious in fact.

2. If a doctor suggests treatment that seems excessive to you, you can always seek the opinion of another doctor. Opinions can differ on the same medical issue, vastly in some cases.

The problem with pain killers is that they numb the pain...which means if you're aggravating you back even more, you won't know it until the pain killer wares off...then you'll be wanting more cause you've hurt your back even more. No pain killers for me. Icy hot works well. If you do take pain killers, you gotta remember that anything you do can injure your back even more so you need to be extra careful when you're on medication or even icy hot.

Mmmmmm.
Paaaaainkiiiiillersss.

This may sound elementary, but seriously take a good hard look at your chairs, particularly your work/office chair and your posture.

Earlier this year, I suddenly started waking up in the middle of the night with sharp pains in my lower back any time i tried to roll side to side. Standing up had to be done with the utmost caution because i I bent an inch in the wrong direction, more sharp pains in my lower back and my hip. It was bad. I seriously thought I was becoming crippled, but being a male of the species, I was afraid to go to the doctor for fear of what bad news he might give me. Then I happened to go on a 2-week vacation. 4 or 5 days into the vacation, the pain vanished. Completely. When I went back to work, it came back. I'd have never figured it was my work chair because the chair was pretty comfy while I was sitting in it, it was just gradually throwing my back out of whack and I didn't know..

Anyway, to make a long story short, after havingg my employer say they wouldn't pay for a new chair for me, I just shelled out the money and bought an Aeron chair for myself and took it to work. I not only looks fabulous, but it solved my pain problem. I didn't get an Aeron chair at home, but I did upgrade and buy a new one with good support.

Aeron chairs are sweet but I wish I could have a Mirra instead. It doesn't look as good as the Aeron but it is a lot more comfortable for me.