Back strain symptoms--duration

[Silas1066]

I think I may have strained my back doing leg-lifts in the gym in late July. It was made worse by running. I didn't exercise for 10 days, and symptoms pretty much went away. But when I started exercising, they came back.

I am wondering how long this is going to go on--or if anyone here has any experience with this. It bothers me most in the morning when I get up--a stiff back, poor mobility. Gradually gets better in the morning hours, and then usually doesn't bother me until the late evening.

My other issue is that it seems to have gone "global" on me. Other parts of my back and ribs hurt, almost like I have flu symptoms (aches and pains).

How long does a sprain go on for? Can it cause these other issues?

 

[ibake&pray]

HI, sorry for the pain. You were on the right track, resting and letting your back heal. You just didn't let it heal long enough. You should have given it two weeks, then tried a slow build up to see how it went. I would also recommend taking something like Aleve or Motrin for a few days to give your back some help. They are anti inflammetories along with the pain relief.

The reason you are sore and stiff in the am is because of the lack of activity during the night. You are laying fairly still and that allows your muscles to seize up because of the lack of use. Then in the evening they are tired and overworked so that causes the increase in pain again.

The extra pain that you are having in your ribs and around is probably compensitory pain. Because you have hurt your back, you are favoring it, and in doing so, you are holding your body different than if you were well. It causes the other areas to provide extra work and they are now sore from the extra use. they are compesating for the sprained ones.

Hope you get better soon! You might want to try one of the icy hot paRAB that you leave on for 12 hours. Try it at night and see if it doesn't help you in the morning..