h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I haven't been posting much because I strained my back, and it hurts to sit up for very long. I've been lifting too many heavy objects, like big boxes of kitty little, bottled water packs, and garbage. Owwwie! I shall have to be more careful, and rest it well.

Oof! Can you afford an osteopath or chiropractor? They can work wonders! I used to be a martyr to my back, but I got (ahem) styraightened out by a lovely lady with whom I would talk about books while she massaged me, Then...just as she'd lulled me into a flse sense of security,,,CRICK! She'd pull my head off, turn it around and stick it back on.

Alternately...diazepam as a muscle relaxant.

Btw...As I've explained elswhere...the way to carry heavy items is on one's head, supported by a small towel that you've rolled up, twisted, and coiled into a circle. This is how 90% of the world carries heavy items.

(And apologies for that other thing. I promise you...it wasn't what it might have seemed.)

It's not too terribly painful -- I don't think I need a chiropractor. I am taking Advil, and that seems to help enough.

And no worries, my friend.

Safe lifting tips, lift with the legs, not with the back, bend at the knees and the hips, not at the waist.

A back brace of the type used by porters and warehouse workers is a good and fairly inexpensive investment. It doesn't brace so much as keep one reminded to use safe lifting technique. Can usually be had at an industrial supply house or medical supply company. Doesn't hurt to call ahead and find out for sure if they've got the item.

Best wishes JEllen. I'm awful at putting up with pain. I always take twice the recommended dose of the strongest pain killers.

Seriously best wishes. I'd wondered where you'd gone.

Good to have you back....

No. The ergonomics consensus (although it's not my particular branch of ergonomics - which is my profession) is that back braces are A Bad Idea. They encourage non-sensible lifting. The safest approach is:
- Learn to lift safely (as outlined above).
- MOST IMPORTANTLT...Don't lift anything too heavy! Simple as that. Know your limitations. Stick to them.
- Don't lift awkwardly shaped loads.
- Don't twist while reaching for or carrying a load.

Best of all...find someone else to do it. Get a man in!

>>I always take twice the recommended dose of the strongest pain killers

I take eight ibuprofen if I feel a migraine coming on.

Hiya JEllen. Having to lift all that heavy stuff is a drag- I'm sorry you've strained your back. Hot baths and epsom salts are good for strains like that.

I had missed seeing you online!

Hot naths with vetiver oil are even better. Plus..they make your skin smell divine!

naths? baths!

Hi JEllen,

It must be said that the latest medical advice for a back injury like yours is gentle exercise - NOT resting.

Having said that, rest always works for me - the advice above from Edward, Psychocandy and ITIWBS, and everyone, is good advice as far as my own experience is concerned. Doctors! What do they know? (You really should see yours anyway.)

I've found chiropractors or osteopaths good - if you can afford one, try an initial visit if you can afford it, just to check you over.

And v. importantly from now, lift things properly as in Post 4 since your back will now be weaker, esp. at first.

Get Well Soon!

Jab

Take care Ellen.

oh my, pack pain is awful.

I'll second the gentle exercise advice - was off work recently for backpain and the physio showed him some really useful exercises.

gives Ellen a gentle
Get well soon, take care.

you've been in pain Jellen
Backs are funny things,you can do the same thing time after time,then one day ,for no aparent reason,it causes injury and pain.Do take care,hope you feel better soon

A good bit of gentle exercise is this:

Lay on the floor, flat on your back (or on a bed, if you're too sore to make it up and down - but floor is best), with your head properly supported by a pillow.

Draw your knees up gently towards your chin. (around this time, you may hear a small explosion and gently grip your knees.

Rock gently bak and forth a few times, in so doing pressing your spine gently against the floor.

Begin to rotate your knees in a horizontal circle, fits clockwise, then anti-clockwise.

Gently let down your knees.

Repeat with each leg separately.

Oh Jellen

Hiya everybody. My back is doing much better. Yay! I've been painting a lot.

Jab

Is it hard to paint an 'a lot'?