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

Firstly, try to sit without your neck bent down looking at the keyboard, as this can upset the muscles all around the back of your neck and is generally not a good idea. Second, your back is meant to have a certain shape (http://www.yorku.ca/earmstro/journey/images/spine.gif) and so you probably need a chair with good lumbar support.

As for sorting out your back - lie on the floor with your back correctly arched and your head facing the ceiling - its not terribly comfortable, but if done correctly for about an hour, it'll sort most aching backs. Hot baths and hot water bottles are also good, as is a back rub.

The 'not being able to sit' but fine when standing, lying or moving bit is what scares me most: this is what my colleague experienced when she had a slipped disk

*oozes sympathy

I managed to prolapse a lumber disc earlier in the year and it's taken me months to rehabilitate my back.

If you think this might be the start of a chronic problem, get some physio NOW and learn some stretching and core-building exercises.
The added bonus is that you might be very lucky like I was - and get a dishy young male Aussie physio .

* goes off into reverie about handsome young men with wonderful hands

Ahem.

As well as the above - I've been getting some help from a personal trainer at the gym and that's been really useful. My back and core-muscles are now much stronger and I'm pain free.
Best of all, it's reduced the chances of me having more problems in the future.

None of this was cheap - but without it I wouldn't be working and I wouldn't be earning.

Thanks Alex, but the problem is, I can't go and lie down for an hour, must do some cooking and stuff, we'll be eight people for supper.

B'Elana, behind the pc you are not moving enough so you need pc earobics of some sort. I am not expert, more a futonsleeper!

Is it very bad Bel?

Since you are able to move around, it must be merely a muscle pull or something. See if you are able to do some very gentle stretching.

These two poses really help me whenever I have a back problem.

http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/471_1.cfm

http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/875_1.cfm

Thanks a lot for all your suggestions and good wishes.
I've done so many sports classes, many of them doing special exercises for the back, I *know* exactly, what I should do and what I should avoid - it's just, that in everyday life, I tend to ignore this . I moved and lifted some very heavy boxes today at work, so yes, it may well be a pulled muscle, time will show.

I know the feeling - take it as easy as you can girl, and whatever you do don't make it worse

Belive me, I'm trying, I'm moving very, very carefully and get up from my chair every so often.

One of my previous employers insisted that every employee, right up to the MD, attended a practical lifting and handling course. We weren't allowed to leave the room until we had each demonstrated how to lift a box, to the examiner's satisfaction. I confess I thought it was a bit silly at the time, but 20 years on I've never forgotten how to lift things, and I haven't damaged my back lifting (touch wood).

First of all, I should have asked my colleague to help me, as every of the three boxes seemd to have been twice my weight - well, probably not, but very heavy. And there's no way to lift a box of that size the way you should do it, it's too broad.

A lot of the technique is to do with assessment - judging the size and weight of something that you can pick up and carry safely (i.e. with a straight back throughout). If you decide it's too heavy or awkward, then you don't even start - you find a trolley, or someone else to help you. Failing that, then you could open and unpack the contents of the box into smaller boxes.

Oh, I did use some sort of trolley, but I had to get the boxes on to it first - and then off it again. I've been doing this for years now, and nothing ever happened. So it must be an age thing after all

A gentle from me. Hope things settle soon Bel, take care.

I hope that the healing process will be fast for you,B'Elana,and that you are fine and fit in no time. *careful*

My chiropractor would say sitting is usually the worst thing for your back. I concur with Azathoth. A little walk might help. But be careful with the house work. Let someone else pull that vacuum cleaner, wear cushiony shoes and stand on a pad if you stand at the sink for long.
Feel better soon!

Thanks all, I did go back and forth quite a lot yesterday, but have to be very careful not to make a wrong move, I immediately feel when I do .
The warmth from the electric blanket didn't help at all, it only made me sweat
I guess I'll have to do some exercises once again, and if, possible, on a regular basis.

Hi bel.i do hope you're feeling better soonIf the problem hasn't cleared up by monday i'd seriously consider seeing the .Hubby hurt his back yesterday too,he can't remember when,but thinks he might have lifted something!!!
Do take care.

Hi smurfles, the will only give me an injection, which will ease the pain but not cure the underlying problem, so if it'll not get to the point where I can't move at all, I'll bear with it.
Hope your hubby will be better soon.

HiBel,hope you're much improved today
Hubby is taking pain killers.Last time it happened the said they would ease the pain,and allow him to start moving normally,and things should go back to where they belong!!