Chiropractors/back pain
Expert: Scott F. Gillman, DC, DACBSP - 4/18/2010
QuestionOn Friday morning I woke up with severe pain in my left side of the back. The pain is associated with most movement and when I breathe. The pain is very acute. I have had rib our before but not this badly or this long. I am taking a long flight in two days. What can I do, the spasms are very painful.
AnswerBill,
It's now Sunday. See if you can get in to your chiropractor first thing Monday am. Drugs kill pain - so contact your primary care physician's office and see if they can prescribe something. For at home, you can try some of the standard exercises (see: www.fixyourownback.com). Also, you can try laying on the floor against a firm object, e.g. a softball or basketball, to see if you can massage-out any tight spots. Ice down: that kills pain, too, but ice will not affect your inevitable outcome. See: www.drgillman.com, the "How To" tab on how to apply ice. Sometimes the combination of ice, vigorous massage, a few key exercises, heat, analgesic rubs (e.g. tiger balm or biofreeze) can get you over the hump. Wrap-around back supports also can reduce your pain. You simply have to try them and see if it reduces your symptoms or not.
'Hope this helps.
Dr. G