Discussion Topic |
|
This thread has been locked |
Toker Villain
Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
|
|
|
Nov 17, 2013 - 07:17pm PT
|
Sorry Weston, lots of back events.
The worst were while traveling..
But fortunately, knock wood, never thrown out while climbing.
Soma and hot baths and time (1-12 days in my case).
|
|
ionlyski
Trad climber
Kalispell, Montana
|
|
|
Nov 17, 2013 - 07:19pm PT
|
About 7 days. 4 to 10, depending. When you take the opiates, don't lay around but rather go out on very gentle walks as soon as they kick in. You will gain more benefit from the medication that way. Try to walk in perfect, symmetrical form.
Arne
|
|
Ghost
climber
A long way from where I started
|
|
|
Nov 17, 2013 - 07:23pm PT
|
If muscle spasms are the problem, and not something skeletal, try a thing called the Theracane. It's about fifty cents worth of green plastic molded in a way that allows you to put pressure on a muscle in a way that will release spasms. It retails for $35, which is kind of a lot relative to what it is, but it works. Resolved an ongoing back spasm issue that I had had for years. And I know Wayno has had good results as well.
Info at http://www.theracane.com/
available at amazon.com here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0007YZ1BM/?tag=googhydr-20&hvadid=2246542511&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1825581841128247942&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_1yyw4lg45q_e
Bit of history... We were climbing at Smith Rocks eight or ten years ago, and visited the little climbing store there, probably looking for some chalk. I saw a weird green plastic thing hanging on one of the display racks. It looked like a cross between an oversized green candy-cane and some kind of weird sex toy, with strange knobs growing out of it. So I asked the guy working there what it was.
He picked one of them up and maneuvered it around so it was digging into his back. "It's for working muscle cramps out of your back."
We looked at him like he was maybe not all that smart, but before we could say anything he handed it over to me and said "Try it. Everybody who tries it says the same thing: 'This is better than sex!'"
I take the fifth on whether it's better than sex, but it sure does something amazing to your muscles.
I know it looks like a joke. Or some kind of snake oil, but it is serious relief for back spasms.
|
|
TrackerTodd
Mountain climber
CA
|
|
|
Nov 17, 2013 - 07:29pm PT
|
I have been dealing with this for awhile myself . I work a physical job, and all the sports I do are pretty strenuous . In my case its a mix of a slightly weak core, fatigued muscles and a little bit of age. Best thing you can do is Ice the heck out of it for the first 2 days then get heat on it a lot to get that inflammation down. Also walk, walk, walk and walk, laying sitting down is the worst thing you can do and laying down is not much better. For me its a good two weeks before I can ease back into Climbing , riding , surfing etc. Also get a 6 inch foam roller to help massage out the kinks, that has helped me a lot.
|
|
Bluelens
climber
Pasadena, CA
|
|
|
Nov 17, 2013 - 07:40pm PT
|
My suggestion is to see a physical therapist.
One month after overdoing it while digging a shrub out of the garden, I woke up with a severe back spasm. My first ever. I waited out the night. I walked the next morning around the track at school for 20 minutes and it eased up.
I went to a physical therapist who specializes in working with dancers. I had a tender area in my lower spine, which was not obvious until I hopped off the exam table and grabbed my back wincing. He manipulated my legs until he loosened a stiff underused vertebrae, releasing a flood of endorphins as the muscle moved for the first time in ages. He prescribed several stretches and I've had no further problems. I have a minor scoliosis that never needed surgery which may have contributed to the underused muscle/stiff vertebrae situation.
|
|
Big Mike
Trad climber
BC
|
|
|
Nov 17, 2013 - 08:37pm PT
|
Ahhh backs... I may know a thing or two about that issue.. Lol
Even before i broke mine, i've had several spasm attacks over the years. Usually they happen when i abuse my body too much, and don't stretch enough.
I find the key for me is usually a good soak in the hot tub, followed by some swimming, then another long soak, with a stretching session to fiinish the gig. Chiro, massage and accupuncture are also great tools. Usually if i did some maintenance it would start to return to normal after 2-3 days.
I also find that when my core is strong, my back mellows out. I've been meaning to try ghosts green machine out too, but haven't got my hands on one yet.
|
|
Risk
Mountain climber
Olympia, WA
|
|
|
Nov 17, 2013 - 09:48pm PT
|
"Severe?" Try calling 911 and being picked up from the floor with the "clam shell" scooper twice and sitting in the ER with an IV until it settles down and someone can drive me home and carry me back inside. My back spasms and seizes after about 30 minutes following what feels like someone is tickling my lower back with a feather. On the Richter Scale, if it's a 7, figure 3.5 days to return to work and drive myself. I get tremors all the time and carry on. The sit-at-home remedy is vicodyn and valliam. The cause is usually a slip, stress, or overexertion from a downhill hike (compression). I pray it never happens on a trip far from home.
Severe to me means its a bedpan situation for few days.
|
|
pud
climber
Sportbikeville & Yucca brevifolia
|
|
|
Nov 17, 2013 - 10:17pm PT
|
Allow your body the time needed to thoroughly heal from this latest event before attempting any advanced stretching exercises.
I experienced the spasms you describe a dozen times or so over the last 30 years. The crippling effect of these events would last 2 weeks to 2 months.
I have not had serious back pain or spasms since 2004 when I learned to stretch properly and daily.
Iliopsoas muscle health is vital to back strength and health, and often completely ignored.
This is the stretch I feel was most effective in eliminating back pain and spasms from my life.
[Click to View YouTube Video]
|
|
Daphne
Trad climber
Northern California
|
|
|
Nov 17, 2013 - 10:24pm PT
|
Where do you live? It's probable that you need some help from a professional who really knows structural mechanics of the body. If you live in the norcal bay area, I have THE BEST physical therapist ever. He can tell you exactly where you are off in your body mechanics that causes the problem. Icy heat and soaking, etc. are just band-aids. You gotta find out what the root of the problem is.
|
|
Fritz
Trad climber
Choss Creek, ID
|
|
|
Nov 17, 2013 - 10:48pm PT
|
I have "A CURE" that worked for me, after years of Severe back spasms.
(it may not find favor, since it is pretty simple.)
MY SPASM-HISTORY!
I started having severe back spasms, in my mid-40's, usually after I had done "improper lifting”, after I was “out-of -shape."
After trying physicians, I ended up at a chiropractor, who said:
I can help you! But first reduce the swelling with ice and relaxation. After that, I was better, until it happened again.
I re-injured my back again, about 6 months later------and went to another chiropractor. After x-rays, I learned that I had chronic spinal-damage and I would be hopelessly crippled by my 60's without regular visits to that particular chiropractor. (I Have not been back since).
(I’m 64 now and my back feels great at the moment)
To her credit, the chiropractor recommended doing exercises to strengthen my back muscles.
Since then----15 years or so------I do try to avoid improper lifting and I do a monthly (that’s all it takes) series of 40-50 leg-lifts & set-ups.
I also try to do all my hiking/walking with trekking poles, which help with upper body muscles.
Back-spasms are gone --------if I do the above.
Back-spasms are back if I don’t.
Give it a try?
|
|
Wade Icey
Trad climber
www.alohashirtrescue.com
|
|
|
Nov 17, 2013 - 11:05pm PT
|
soma good
theracane good
walks good
hot baths good
PT good
Consulting a with a Physician good.
|
|
mucci
Trad climber
The pitch of Bagalaar above you
|
|
|
Nov 18, 2013 - 12:27pm PT
|
Sleep on the floor, with a thin foam mat.
Works wonders.
|
|
Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
|
|
|
Nov 18, 2013 - 12:34pm PT
|
It started for when I was 21 - too much football. My subsequent lifestyle has not helped,
especially those bone-crushing packs. Being almost crushed by a backhoe didn't hep, either.
To wit, chiros haven't done a thing for me, nor has anything else. When an episode occurs I
just ride it out on the couch or bed. If the pain allows walking does seem to help. It went out
half way into a 64 mile death march in Sept. it took three hours almost until I was able to get
a greatly lightened pack on. After a few hours of hiking it felt a lot better but stopping and sitting
didn't help. This went on with decreasing severity for two more days.
I gotta go finish setting my concrete forms now and start hand-mixing 20 bags - penance is a bitch.
Ps
Re: Mucci's sleeping on the floor - when mine has been really bad I've tried that. Lying feels ok
but I've not been able to get up without phenomenal pain so I don't try it any more.
|
|
'Pass the Pitons' Pete
Big Wall climber
like Ontario, Canada, eh?
|
|
|
Nov 18, 2013 - 01:08pm PT
|
I have only had back spasms a few times, but man oh man - the first time I thought I was going to die!
I was in my garage, bending over sorting gear on bins on the ground. My knees were straight, not bent, and I was supporting all of my upper body weight with my back.
Suddenly I was lying on the concrete in so much pain I was unable to move!! I hadn't even *done* anything, except for leaning over incorrectly. This was very disturbing to me, because I was going to be on the wall in less than two weeks. However it worked out ok.
In Canada, you can buy methocarbamol 400mg tablets without a prescription. I took those for a few weeks, and was fine.
Another time, I was standing on Chickenhead Ledge, having just climbed Flight of the Albatross. I was bending over my pigs in the same body position, and the same thing happened, although I felt it coming on and managed to lie down and straighten my back out. I didn't have any of the methocarbamol with me, and had to rely on ibuprofen. It would have been a grim situation indeed 2500' up El Cap, if what had happened in my garage happened up there!
The third time was after doing a wall, and doing a road trip in a car. I stopped at a pharmacy to ask for the pills, and learned that I can only get them without a prescription in Canada. Accordingly, I bring those things with me everywhere now, but fortunately rarely need them. The time on the road trip was really painful, I had to get to a motel and fill the bathtub with water as hot as I could stand. The hot water always seems to help.
For me, it's pretty simple - when I am bending over sorting gear in the garage - or even on the wall! - I either need to kneel on the ground, or else bend down with my knees bent, and put my elbow on one of my knees to fully support my upper body weight so my back isn't doing it. In other words, avoid the body position that sets it off.
I have the pills with me most of the time, but rarely need them. However if I feel any discomfort coming on, I may take one or half of one as "preventative maintenance".
Another thing I have is a little chiropractic pillow that I bought at a health aids store, the kind of place where they sell wheelchairs and Depenz. It is a cylindrical pillow about 5" in diameter that is quite solid, and when I drive, I put it behind my lower back. The pillow initially feels "too thick" until you've sat with it there for a while, and I find with that support when I'm driving, my back doesn't bother me.
By the way, I'm more than twice your age. ;) And still gettin' 'er done up on the wall.
|
|
Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
|
|
|
Nov 18, 2013 - 01:13pm PT
|
Well, Pete, have pity on us weak Merricans and try not to let the Republicans know that we're just doin' this act to elicit pity and Obamacare.
|
|
Bruce Morris
Social climber
Belmont, California
|
|
|
Nov 18, 2013 - 04:54pm PT
|
Visit the Lavender Lounge Massage Parlor on Pearl Street in Boulder and ask for "Miss Kiki". She has a powerful right arm over-developed like tennis pro and she will provide immediate relief for anything that ails you. Just make sure you get "Miss Kiki". Accept no substitutes! One visit to an AMP (Asian massage parlor) is always worth twenty trips to a chiro-quack and, in the long run, much, much cheaper.
|
|
Spider Savage
Mountain climber
The shaggy fringe of Los Angeles
|
|
|
Nov 19, 2013 - 12:11am PT
|
I've had lots of experience with this. Most unpleasant.
You have the inversion table. Use it.
Learn to relax those spasmy muscles. Light massage is great.
Drugs are ok for short periods but loose their effectiveness.
Glass of milk a day for calcium helps relax muscles if you can drink it.
Don't stretch the muscles when a spasm is happening. It just makes it worse.
I've noticed my back goes bad when I don't go climbing enough.
|
|
Big Mike
Trad climber
BC
|
|
|
Nov 19, 2013 - 04:28pm PT
|
Nice Weston. Next time you hit the tub, when you're warmed up do that stretch in the video that pud linked! It's awesome. Then when you're done, jump in a pool or a cold tub. Allow your body to regulate it's temperature before you get out. At least 5 minutes in the cold. This will cool your muscles before they have a chance to contract and they will stay elongated.
I did this last night and it was awesome. My back is a little sore still, but nothing like the aching that was happening yesterday.
|
|
neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
|
|
|
Nov 19, 2013 - 05:07pm PT
|
hey there say, WML... hope it gets better soon,
:)
lots of neat advice here, for all kinds of things...
|
|
|
SuperTopo on the Web
|
Let us know!