Question
Thank you for your quick response.  I have a question concerning the magnesium citrate.  You described it as a muscle relaxer, but I read it was for people having problems with bowel movements?   
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The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
A week ago today I woke up to a stiff back and pain that has not gone away.  I find that the pain is greatest when I wake up and starts to ease through out the day and becomes almost normal with pain medication, but when I wake up the next day, its the same thing all over.  It seems to be a little better getting out of bed as the days go by.  The night before the pain began I did workout on my treadmill but I've worked out for years, stopped (for a couple of months) and recently started again 2 weeks prior.  Over the summer, I had my apartment painted and did a lot of cleaning which started a slight sore back but nothing serious.  Do you think I should see a doctor, and if so, what kind, or should I wait it out, or do some type of exercise?  My DOB is 12-7-62 and I am a female.
Thank you,
-----Answer-----
Helaine:

Thanks for writing!

This could be something as simple as dehydradation. Try this today and see.

Go and get 12 16 ounce bottles of DeJa Blu or Aqua Fina filtered water or a similar brand. Get some water that has no minerals added "for taste", look for filtered or spring water, not tap water or distilled water. Take the day off and drink one 16 ounce bottle every hour until they are all gone and see how you feel.

The other thing to use would be magnesium citrate, water soluble, that is the the world's greatest muscle relaxer and is available at your health food store or chiropractor's office.

If you don't get a 60 % reduction in pain within 36 hours,by Mon night, I suggest you make an appointment with a good chiropractor and get this checked out. Go to www.sorsi.com, www.soto-usa.com or www.icak.com and look for a good chiropractor near you. They will order the tests necessary and make a referral if indicated.

Does this answer your question?

Dr. Rozeboom  

Answer
Helaine:

Yes, Magnesium citrate will increase bowel movements, if one takes too much of it. There are two kinds of the magnesium citrate, one is used in the hospitals for a strong laxative before surgery. That is not the one you want. The other is sold at health food stores and is mainly a muscle relaxer but enough of it should be taken to make the bowel movements easy and regular.

Does this answer your question?

Dr. Rozeboom