Help! I Threw Out My Back — What Now?

One minute, you’re fine. The next, your back is in so much pain you can hardly think. Maybe you were lifting something heavy or twisting to reach something. However it happened, throwing out your back isn’t ideal.

For relief, you need to know how to manage the situation. As a specialist in back pain, Patrick S Hill, MD, helps people with thrown-out backs manage their discomfort and heal quickly. If you threw out your back, make an appointment with Dr. Hill at our office in Beverly Grove, Los Angeles, California.

Between now and your appointment, we can help you understand how your back incident happened and what you can do to soothe your pain. 

What happens when you throw out your back

In most cases, people throw out their backs by straining the muscles. That said, more serious issues might be involved, like a problem with the discs in your spine. 

Usually, the issue arises because you did something that was more than the support structures in your back could handle. You can throw your back out by lifting something heavy, twisting quickly (as in a golf swing), or simply having poor posture. 

You’ll know you threw out your back if you have symptoms like:

• Low back pain that doesn’t spread to other areas, like down your legs
• Stiffness or limited range of motion
• Back muscle spasms
• Tenderness in the low back
• Pain when you try to straighten your spine

Many times, these symptoms start suddenly and persist for about two weeks. 

Easing your pain

First up, take it as easy as possible. You don’t want to do anything that adds strain to your back, like lifting heavy objects or twisting at your core. 

That said, you don’t want to just stay in bed. Try to get up and get moving every couple of hours. That supports your healing and limits stiffness. 

When you are resting, alternate between hot and cold packs. Apply them for 15 minutes every few hours. The hot pack helps your muscles relax, which can be particularly useful for spasms. The cold pack eases your pain by limiting swelling due to your back injury. With both, always place a towel between your skin and the hot or cold pack. 

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications can also bring you relief and limit swelling.

Healing your thrown-out back

Throwing out your back often means you’ve strained your muscles. With ample rest — usually about two weeks — the area should heal.

In some cases, the incident affects key structures in your back, like the discs that cushion your spine or connective tissue. 

At our office, Dr. Hill can evaluate your back and determine the extent of the injury. Then, he tailors a care plan to help you heal while minimizing your pain along the way. That might mean conservative pain medication paired with physical therapy for muscle strain or dedicated treatment for disc issues. 

Don’t wait to visit Dr. Hill if you threw out your back. Call our office or schedule your appointment online today.