I'm Broken

[ellyssian]

Justin and I were trying to pack up the pressure washer for pick-up. We were trying to lower it in, I was half way squatted. Justin had the handle side, I had the frame. Unfortunately, he was holding to one side, not the middle.

It tipped. It didn't fall, although it did snap something in my lower back.

Twice.

Yeeeouch.

A while ago I had injured my lower back - at least, that's what the experts tell me when I complain of pain between my shoulder blades and other areas I generally consider to be my upper back. FYI, according to doctors and therapists and lawyers oh my, the lower back ends at or above neck level. I do not know exactly where the upper back begins or ends, if there is, indeed any such creature. Anywho, this is definitely lower back, down near my tailbone. Hmmm... maybe that's your upper back? Although the pain seems to be radiating up to my lower back (i.e. the middle section, in layman's terms; in medical terms it's probably the extreme lower back, or something), so it may reach my lower back (i.e. shoulders) yet.

Yeeouch.

Comments

[wolfette]

damage to the lower back can often cause pain in the upper back because you hold yourself awkwardly to "protect" it.

My old GP used to prescribe "hot baths - hot as you can stand them - and gentle exercise" for any back pain.

[ellyssian.livejournal.com]

As soon as UPS comes and picks up the pressure washer, I'm going to take a nice, long, hot shower.

There were two things I wanted in a house that I didn't get with this place: one is a mixed blessing - a fireplace; the other is a tub long enough for me to fit into comfortably.

Ah well, that's what home improvements are for, no?

I have a whole series of back exercises, I just do them now for damage control - which is applicable in this case! I've already gone through them once, with little difficulty (except when I rolled up and tried to get off the ground! =)

[blood-of-winter.livejournal.com]

i know this may be stupid but have you considered getting one of those contraptions that hang out upside down...not the doorway kind but it looks like a free standing exercise machine? and you lay on the padded plank and it turns you upside down?

[ellyssian.livejournal.com]

Can't use one. Even some of the semi-inversion devices (like arched benches) raise your blood pressure - the "increased blood flow to the brain" is "rejuvenating" unless it's fatal! =)

I've looked into them in the past, as I'd dearly like to be able to use them. I'm supposed to stay away from the inverted yoga poses as well - not that I could do any at the moment, but at one time I was capable of them, but had to skip them. Maybe some day I'll get things under control enough so I can do that, I'll pick up one of these - my back tells me it would approve muchly.

[blood-of-winter.livejournal.com]

yeah wouldnt be good to solve one problem only to worsen another..i didnt realize that inversion could raise your blood pressure when the blood rushes to your head.

[ellyssian.livejournal.com]

I'm just guessing it's that simple - all I know for sure is that inversion + hbp = bad thing; the why is a complete guess on my part! =)

[sviviano.livejournal.com]

Oh man. My heart goes out to you. I've had the same thing happen to me.

A good Chiropractor can help.

Not that I'm an expert or anything but here's my advice anyway.

My advice to you is treat this as an injury. Or a re-injury in this case. It's not just back pain - you hurt yourself. And while heating pads or other ways to warm yourself may feel good, it really is not good for you. You need to bring down the swelling and inflammation. So for the first 24-48 hours I think you would be better off icing your back.

Here are the first few links from a google search on "icing an injury.

http://orthopedics.about.com/cs/sprainsstrains/ht/iceinjury.htm
http://www.sportsinjurybulletin.com/archive/1066-cryotherapy.htm
http://ask.yahoo.com/20030121.html

[ellyssian.livejournal.com]

A good Chiropractor can help.

Actually, and this may be because the 'good' wasn't involved, but when I went to a chiropractor I lost much of the earlier benefits of yoga and other workouts, which they had me stop while I was getting treated. I actually ended in worse shape, with a decreased range of motion. Kind of scared me off chiropractors in general.

I'll look into the ice - I know there are certain times and situations where ice should be used and others for heat. Thankfully, we have both available. =)

[redbeard76.livejournal.com]

Bend with the knees, not the back. Hope your back is doing better. Having a bad back myself from time to time, reading today's entry is phantom painworthy.

[ellyssian.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah, I'm all about proper lifting and all, even more so then I was before the original injury back in 1990-1 or so. My wife could go on at length about how I refuse to set full grocery bags on the floor or pick them up from there - they go from car to counter or table (or direct handoff at one end or the other), but never to the floor! =)

This was much more of a sudden injury, as the weight shifted and the pressure washer (maybe 50 lbs or more?) flipped in our hands and lurched, yanking me quicker than I wanted to go. I suppose if I had let go, I'd be fine. Of course, then my son would learn how to lift properly in the worst possible way...

[opakele.livejournal.com]

Take care of that, you certainly don't need a back injury. Hope you feel better soon.

[ellyssian.livejournal.com]

Pretty much feels better today, although I'm being forced to abuse it some more (more on that in another post! =)