The Quick Guide to Handling Your “Back Going Out”

•    Get down on the ground

Many acute or new back injuries are related to the intervertebral disc in the spine.  Most of the time there has been some tearing of the outer fibers of the disc and an inflammatory process quickly starts.  Find a surface that is flat and lie on your stomach.  This may not be comfortable, but can be the most important thing you do!  Lying flat puts your spine in a good position to minimize damage and swelling around the injury.

• Avoid sitting for any length of time

When I say don’t sit, I mean Do Not Sit.  I tell my patients they can lay flat on their stomach or back or they can stand.  Sitting puts pressure on the back of that disc and inevitably will make it worse.  Many times, sitting can feel better, but it is almost never the right position for you.  Sitting to eat is fine, but other than that, no sitting for the first couple days after the injury.

• Ice it don’t Heat it!

When there is an acute inflammatory process, you want to put ice on the low back because it will decrease swelling.  Heat can feel better, but may also cause more blood flow to the area.  After the first couple of days heat is okay if it feels like it relieves symptoms or relaxes muscle spasm, but not right after the injury.

• No stretching the back muscles even if it does feel good

You will get some muscle spasm with new back injuries, but that doesn’t mean you need to stretch them by bending forward.  Often, flexing and bending will make the problem worse in the long run, even if you feel like the stretching relieves tightness in the muscles.  No knees to chest!

• Don’t ignore serious symptoms even if you are embarrassed

Large disc problems and pressure on the spinal cord can cause inability to control the bowel and bladder as well as severe back pain.  Patients do not often like to admit this, but it is very serious.  This loss of control can be permanent if it is not addressed quickly.  Other signs of a serious problem are progressive leg weakness or symptoms down both legs.  If you have these problems you need to see a doctor immediately.

​Hopefully this helps address some of the misconceptions and questions that people have after a new back injury. If you have further questions, give us a call or send us an email.  We are happy to help!

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Call 304.525.4445

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