Butterfly Rewards - earn free credits and redeem for good causes -  learn more!
my care2
make a difference
healthy & green living: more than 5,000 ways to enhance your life

customize your free newsletter

Customize your Healthy & Green Living newsletter now


How Do I Get Relief From a Back Spasm?

posted by Dr. Brent Jan 12, 2009 7:00 am
How Do I Get Relief From a Back Spasm?
3 comments

Q: How do I get relief from a back spasm?

A: As with any health problem, the first thing you want to try to do is prevent the problem from occurring in the first place.

Pay attention to how you use your back. Try avoid twisting at the waist (instead turn the entire body) and always use your legs (and not your back) when lifting heavy objects.

You should also work to strengthen your core abdominal muscles as they provide stability for the back and help take some of the workload off of the weaker back muscles.

When you first feel a strain in your back, try these steps to avoid or reduce pain. These are the most important home treatments for the first few days of back pain (if it persists, see your doctor for a thorough exam)

1. Relax. Lie down in a comfortable position
2. Ice. Put ice or a cold pack on your back for 10 minutes every hour to reduce pain and speed healing
3. Pelvic tilts. This exercise gently move the spine and stretches the lower back
• Lie on your back with knees bent and feet flat on the floor
• Slowly tighten your muscles and press your lower back against the floor. Hold for 10 seconds (don’t hold your breath). Slowly relax
4. Walk (no bed rest!!) Take a short walk (3-5 minutes) on a flat, level surface every 3 hours.

Dr. Brent Ridge is the health expert for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. You can call and ask him a question live every Tuesday at 2 p.m. Eastern on Sirius Satellite Radio, Channel 112 (1.866.675.6675). You can also follow along as he learns to grow his own food and raise goats on his farm in upstate New York by visiting www.beekman1802.com.

Got a health question for Dr. Brent? E-mail him at drbrent@care2.com.

More on Ask Dr. Brent (122 articles available)
More from Dr. Brent (127 articles available)

3 comments

3 comments

add your comment »
3 comments add your comment
Vural K.

thanks...
Kabin
Konteyner

Deborah D.

When I found that my back pain stemmed from 3 herniated discs, my doctor prescribed swimming. When I was faithfully swimming 3 times per week, my back pain was greatly reduced!
-debs

Nancy Clark

Following this sort of advice let to a ruptured disc for me. Everyone's back is different, and mine is too flat so I need to do things that keep the lordosis, or arch in my back. Beware of blanket recommendations about something as individual and important as your back!

Please enter your comment.
Or, log in with your
Facebook account:
1500 characters remaining

who's talking about this story?

Disclaimer: Care2.com does not warrant and shall have no liability for information provided in this newsletter or on Care2.com. Each individual person, fabric, or material may react differently to a particular suggested use. It is recommended that before you begin to use any formula, you read the directions carefully and test it first. Should you have any health care-related questions or concerns, please call or see your physician or other health care provider.

1011491

Copyright © 2009 Care2.com, inc. and its licensors. All rights reserved