Lower back strain - advice please

**scissorhands** · 17th March 2011, 08:47

I have torn a muscle in my lower back while surfing. I'm just resting after seeing my GP, taking some ibuprofen for antiflam and very mild pain killers.

I was hoping for some advice for the next couple of weeks. I have found stretching very good

at reducing the pain and giving movement to all the surrounding muscles that have spasmed (locked up) to protect the torn muscle.

I thought of soaking in a spa in a few days when the swelling has gone down, and continuing the stretching.

Any hints or highly recommended sports therapists who are ACC registered? Thanks

**Banditbandit** · 17th March 2011, 11:05

Rest up. It will take a little while for the torn muscle to heal .. and then rest up a little more so you don't tear the new tissue again.

That's about all you can do - wait and rest ..

**slofox** · 17th March 2011, 11:22

Drink a bottle of finest single malt whisky and smoke half a kilo of Dak. You'll soon feel much better - for a while anyway...

On a more sensible note, the tear will take time to heal and there is no shortcut through that. I have always found physio beneficial as long as the practitioner knows his/her stuff. I had "interferential" therapy (electrical field stuff) on a massive tear once upon a time and that accelerated healing no end. Not sure if this is currently in vogue or not but it did help me.

Best of luck and hope you are better soon.

**marie_speeds** · 17th March 2011, 11:26

A massage.....mmmmmmmmm

**Edbear** · 17th March 2011, 11:51

Rob Knight is one of ACC's spinal rehab specialists and comes very highly qualified and experienced. Give him a call on 09-427 4477. He's the guy I'm seeing for my rehab and he's brilliant!

**rainman** · 17th March 2011, 18:53

Rest, gently stretch, physio, just like they say.
You may also want to get some Zheng Gu Shui from your local chinese supermarket or TCM shop. Bung some in a warm bath and have a soak, i's close to miraculous. According to a friend you can also apply it directly but I haven't tried that.

**munster** · 17th March 2011, 20:04

Whereabouts are you? Malcolm Hood in Pukekohe did wonders for my back, saved me from a fusion op. I recommend him, others don't. He's a straight up guy and doesn't put up with shit, if you don't follow what he says, he'll tell you to your face that you're an idiot.

Which is why my wife won't see him, she had a spasm, major pain, went to see Malcolm, couldn't move or bend etc and she asked him if she could still play netball that night and he walked out the consult room and slammed the door without saying anything.

**Brett** · 17th March 2011, 21:10

You're onto it. Lots of stretching and make sure that you keep your core strong, but don't over work the back muscles until they are ready otherwise you can cause further issues. I did that with my ankle injury, ignored it and didn't allow it to rest, took 8 sessions of painful physio and lots of exercise to get it mobile again.

**Smifffy** · 17th March 2011, 21:33

Do that other exercise that the youtube poster favourited.

Nucking Futs!!

**scissorhands** · 18th March 2011, 08:12

I'm not keen for any Judo at the moment, the whiskey aint so dumb as beer really does relax the muscles and reduce the pain!

Thanks for all the tips, resting can be a bit annoying when its forced on you, best I find a good book.