Question
Ok yesterday I tried getting up on a Wake Board the 1st try the boat pulled me and i let go and felt my back tense up a little bit, so i stretched in the water (which feels alot better than stretching a tense back on land). 2nd try I almost got up but this time i was trying to pull up more the my right side then left and I let go feeling my back in more tense pain. I got back in the boat and could feel the pain in the mid right back and when I stood up it really hurt. I cant move w/o feeling the pain. Its gotten a little better since yesterday (I think from sleeping). When i step with my left leg I can feel the pain more than when I step with my right leg. Bending over is impossible and moving my right arm over my head and towards my left shoulder hurts like hell. Any advice on how to get better?

Answer
Dear Grant,

This doesn't sound like anything more than a moderate muscular strain...the fact that your pain is getting better already is a good sign.

For the next few days you need to make sure you do some mild stretching in the morning, mid-day and night.  just enough that you can feel a strain on the system without increasing pain levels.  As you flexibility increases you will be pushing inflammation away from the muscular system which will reduce pain while increasing function.

Additionally, you need to make sure that you are consuming more than 100 ounces of pure water every day to help flush out inflammation. Utilize ice for 20 minutes an area to help and over the counter pain meds as needed.   This should significantly help to reduce pain levels.

If over the next three to four days you pain gets worse then schedule an appointment with a local chiropractic physician to get an examination and some care.  otherwise, you should be fine in a week or so.

Respectfully.
Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman
www.suncoasthealthcare.net