Lower Back - Diagnose The Injury?

[Juanco20]

I've never previously had any back issues (Just turned 30) but quite recently have got back in to playing golf regularly and I carried my clubs rather than using a trolley

A few weeks ago I was on the 15th hole of a course which was an uphill hole and as I got up near the green I went to clear some leaves by my ball and my lower back went into spasm, never really felt a pain like it before. I couldn't get back up and had to fall to the floor and lie flat for a few seconds until it stopped. For the rest of the day I couldn't bend over without the same thing happening.

3 weeks later and not having suffered since I was on the same hole and the exact same thing happened again. It felt really weak and sore for the next week or so until I did it again on the first day of our holiday lifting a suitcase. Could hardly walk for the next 2 days but it quickly went and now just feels really weak like it could happen again at any time.

I've since bought a powered trolley for my clubs. Is it likely just strained lower back muscles from poor posture when carrying the bag or potentially something more serious? Anyone had anything similar and if so what was the course of action/cure?

[cholo]

Sounds like exactly what happened to me

After going to see various physios etc, ended up going to a Chiropractic Clinic and wish i had gone sooner.

It looks like it was mainly down to my bad posture and rounded back. A few sessions at the Chiro and trying to learn to walk with a straighter back, sit properly at PC desk and do plenty of stretching has helped.

Would definitely recommend it.

[Juanco20]

cholo said:

Sounds like exactly what happened to me

After going to see various physios etc, ended up going to a Chiropractic Clinic and wish i had gone sooner.

It looks like it was mainly down to my bad posture and rounded back. A few sessions at the Chiro and trying to learn to walk with a straighter back, sit properly at PC desk and do plenty of stretching has helped.

Would definitely recommend it.

Thanks. Which stretches have helped?

[cholo]

There are various back stretches that you can find on Youtube, but most of my stretches related to my legs.

Apparently my hamstrings etc were very tight and this was making the problem worse when i run.

One thing I found that did help was a foam roller. Have a look at foam rolling for lower back on youtube and there should be a few vids on there.

[AC43]

cholo said:

There are various back stretches that you can find on Youtube, but most of my stretches related to my legs.

Apparently my hamstrings etc were very tight and this was making the problem worse when i run.

One thing I found that did help was a foam roller. Have a look at foam rolling for lower back on youtube and there should be a few vids on there.

I've had a long term achilles injury and a short term lower back problem both related to tight achilles (& glutes & calves & facias).).

Lots of running and cycling to blame.

[Juanco20]

I've kind of been living with this since September as he it hadn't occurred again to the same extent. When washing face over basin my lower back will immediately cramp up but that has been the worst of it

Then yesterday I was rushing around to get out of the house to go and play golf, went down to pick some golf balls up and that was it, back suddenly went without a shooting pain which went right around the front of my pelvis, down my right thigh and in to my shin. Since then I can hardly walk properly and my back is in constant pain unable to even bend over slightly. We have some Diazepam in in the house so I'm taking that but it's definitely time to take a trip to a physio or Chiropractor, just not sure which. It's a lot of money to spend if you pick the wrong person

[Gav147]

I have very similar problems with my back and agree with the chiropractor advice, worth their weight in gold, it will not go away instantly after you've been and chances are for the next 24 hours it will feel worse! But it does really help. The only time my local one wasn't able to fit me in (she was literally about to go on holiday) she told me in the short term to relive the pain to put heat then cold on it, it certainly helps! hot water bottle for 5 mins then bag of frozen peas wrapped in a tea towel and repeat a few times, might take the edge off for you today.

[227bhp]

Go see a Doctor.

[Juanco20]

227bhp said:

Go see a Doctor.

My experience of doctors is that this would be a complete waste of time. At worst they'll tell me it's all in the mind and at best they'll refer me to an NHS physio fresh out of uni that will give a sheet of generic exercises that they hand out to every patient who walks through the door

[rambo19]

Juanco20 said:

227bhp said:

Go see a Doctor.

My experience of doctors is that this would be a complete waste of time. At worst they'll tell me it's all in the mind and at best they'll refer me to an NHS physio fresh out of uni that will give a sheet of generic exercises that they hand out to every patient who walks through the door

Agree 100%

[gareth h]

I've lived with this for years, took up yoga 2 years ago which has pretty much resolved the issue, although still have to be very careful with squats and deads.

[Juanco20]

Went to see a Chiropractor this morning. The very bottom vertebrae is nowhere near where it should be, stuck in a position well to the right of those above it. Sounds like a fairly simple fix of manipulation, stretching and strengthening so fingers crossed he's correct. It was certainly a lot easier to bend over after the few minutes of manipulation he did today

[markcoznottz]

Juanco20 said:

I've kind of been living with this since September as he it hadn't occurred again to the same extent. When washing face over basin my lower back will immediately cramp up but that has been the worst of it

Then yesterday I was rushing around to get out of the house to go and play golf, went down to pick some golf balls up and that was it, back suddenly went without a shooting pain which went right around the front of my pelvis, down my right thigh and in to my shin. Since then I can hardly walk properly and my back is in constant pain unable to even bend over slightly. We have some Diazepam in in the house so I'm taking that but it's definitely time to take a trip to a physio or Chiropractor, just not sure which. It's a lot of money to spend if you pick the wrong person

Possible disc herniation? The sensation is a nerve compression, but finding out why may take a while. Good impartial advice is very difficult in the uk to find.

[theboss]

markcoznottz said:

Possible disc herniation? The sensation is a nerve compression, but finding out why may take a while. Good impartial advice is very difficult in the uk to find.

If I were the OP I'd find a private hospital and pay whatever they charge for a consultation and MRI scan if its deemed necessary.

I lived with lower back and sciatic nerve pain for a number of months, then one day about 20 months ago woke up with numbness, was misdiagnosed by NHS A&E docs and within 36 hours suffered permanent nerve damage in my feet, legs, bladder and bowel.

If I'd done the above it would have been caught when there was a chance to prevent deterioration. Don't mess around with a possible herniated disc.

[APOLO1]

theboss said:

If I were the OP I'd find a private hospital and pay whatever they charge for a consultation and MRI scan if its deemed necessary.

I lived with lower back and sciatic nerve pain for a number of months, then one day about 20 months ago woke up with numbness, was misdiagnosed by NHS A&E docs and within 36 hours suffered permanent nerve damage in my feet, legs, bladder and bowel.

If I'd done the above it would have been caught when there was a chance to prevent deterioration. Don't mess around with a possible herniated disc.

Good advise, you need to know what you are dealing with before any treatment.