THE MOFO CHILL CLUB

I have a lot of back problems related to bad posture for many years and too much time in front of a computer... What usually helps me is doing sports, especially swimming, and taking some magnesium pills!

Hope you get better soon, man!

But where does it hurt exactly? lower back or middle?

My whole back hurt but I'd say worse mid to lower back. It doesn't hurt much at all anymore though, but I wouldn't be surprised if it came back. I still have no clue what the hell happened.

My back is actually hurting now too. Gah, this is stupid!

I had serious back problems about two years ago and i was told by my doctor that it was most likely stress and lack of sleep (i have insomnia) related; i've got much more sleep and i've definitely calmed down alot since then and i don't have any back problems.

Not saying it's the same problem, just something to keep in mind because i thought it was a cheap way to get me out of her office since she obviously didn't think it was a serious enough problem, but i believe that's what it was now.

Sounds like a "spasm" - muscles involuntarily lock up causing great pain and immobility.
The cause can be a strain or moving (bending, lifting, twisting or even sleeping in a certain position) in a way where nerves were pinched in the spinal column or from the very common herniated disc - where the herniation presses upon nerves that trigger the spasm, stiffness, pain, immobility, etc.

Sounds like that could be it.

Did the pillow trick help?

I'd just like to point out now; go to an actual doctor haha. I like Captains post sounds like he knows what he is talking about but whatever, always make sure you get actually diagnosed and don't take me and Captains personal comments as a diagnosis. I know you aren't silly but i just don't like the idea of anyone ever reading this and thinking this is what might be going on with me: go to a doctor whoever you are in the future!

at self. I totally forgot about that. It probably would have helped too. I forget stuff my doctor tells me to do too.

Of course. I still want to see a doctor.

Swan, may I ask how old you are, what kind of physical shape you're in and what kind of activity (or work, lifting, exercise) you engage in or do not engage in?

I think his fondness is to go after hot swanettes in lakes full of algae.

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Look, I'm not judging you - after all, I'm posting here myself, but maybe, just maybe, if you spent less time here and more time watching films, maybe, and I stress, maybe your taste would be of some value. Just a thought, ya know.

Keep it loose. I like to stand up and swing my arms and hips from side to side.

A few tips for back pain / problems...

• First, lower back pain is probably one of the most common ailments in America.
• Second, a specialist once told me that the only time to consider surgery on the spine is if your only alternative is a wheel chair (because there are so many other less invasive treatments available to try first, but surgery on the spine may leave you in a wheel chair even if you can walk)!
• Third - I don't denounce chiropractic - I think it can be quite helpful - but only on the mid or lower spine. Never let a chiropractor "adjust" your neck (cervical spine). They will all tell you it's necessary and will try to do it - insist they do not.

Most back stretches need to be done on the floor - this is problematic for people who can't get up or down off the floor.
But if you can... try laying flat on your back and pulling your knees to your chest one leg at a time and hold the stretch. You can do this stretch with both knees to the chest after a while if you are able. All stretching exercises need to be done slowly and without strain while breathing deeply and relaxing (this is not aerobics or body sculpting).

Also try laying with knees bent, feet together on floor, then slowly lower your bent knees to your left side and hold, then do the same to the right. There are many variations of these - do what provides a slow stretch & feels comfortable.

Another helpful one is the Yoga position of "downward dog" - get on all fours - you can do a version of the Muslim prayer (yikes!) where you push your butt back and lower your forehead to the floor (and hold). Or do the "cat stretch" where you slowly arch & lower your back while on all fours.

Citizen Rules provided the leg elevation position for relaxing.

Also good - hot showers or baths. Using epsom salts in a hot bath is soothing. Muscle rubs & heating pads are also helpful - but do not use them together! Cold packs might be advisable just after an injury or onset of spasm, but ultimately heat will be the treatment (some doctors advise alternating cold & heat depending on the injury - consult them on that).

Drink a lot of water. (Dehydration can exacerbate spasms or help bring them on.)
Eat a balanced diet & maintain a healthy weight (if possible).


For prevention of back problems - don't allow yourself to sit for long periods of time. If work requires you to do so, take a break every fifteen minutes for walking, stretching or standing. Daily walks are ideal as is any controlled, low-impact, regular excercise.

As Camo pointed out: reducing stress (if you can) & getting adequate sleep are essential.

Strengthening the core is a great way to prevent back problems (basically strengthening the abs & obliques) - the stronger your front, the less pain in your back you are likely to have & less chance for future injury. And of course, practice proper lifting with the legs, don't strain, try not to twist or move in sudden or uncontrolled ways.

That's sound advice.

A true story, my dad use to go to a chiropractor and he even talked me into going once. The chiropractor's dad, had also been a chiropractor and years ago he had killed a patient by snapping his neck too hard in doing a neck alignment. I've heard that's happened before too. Like Captain said, just say NO to adjusting your neck.

It's true, never let a chiropractor touch your neck!

Hot showers are a good tip too!

Plus there are some new theories that regular adjustments to the neck can gradually damage or collapse certain blood vessels, leading to heart attacks or strokes. Also, the spaces in the cervical spine are very small surrounding the spinal cord and very delicate - adjustments in that area may help with pain, but at the same time it's like playing Russian roulette and hoping your chiropractor knows how to spin the chamber just right, every time!

The lower back has much broader spaces within the spinal column and is bigger - the risk is still there (hey, there's always risk with virtually any treatment), but the odds of cumulative injury or sudden death is much less.

Wassup MoFo's?

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