Stretch, twist, AAAARRRRGGGGHHHH!

[muckymotor]

Well, I've managed to reach middle age and avoid any major back pain, until last week.

I was reaching into the depths of a high cupboard which involved me stretching as far as I could reach and at the same time twisting slightly to the left. And then it hit me, the pain literally took my breath away and covered the full width of my back. It felt like a stabbing burning hot lightning strike which slowly died down over a few hours. I still have a bit of nagging pain now although I can move freely and pick things up ok.

Is it worth a trip to the doctors although I realise back problems are notoriously difficult to pin point? Or maybe I'm just getting old

[DevestatinDave]

Whilst I can't advise whether you see a doctor or not, this might help minimise the same thing happening again:

When you're doing anything involving your back (lifting, etc), take a deep breath and hold it. The benefit of this is that it stabilises your back. More relevant to your case, it restricts how much you can twist which might help prevent you getting to that particular trigger point which caused your pain.

[FreeLitres]

Ouch - get it checked out at the GP asap.

I thought it might have been some kind of bk injury from the title.

[rasto]

Having suffered similar in the past resulting in 6 weeks of physiotherapy, I was advised to take nurofen as early as possible as it helps to stop swelling in the damaged area which can make the problem even worse.