Question
Dear Lawrence,

I am a 46yo male, thin and active, married with one child. I am considered slightly hyper and must keep busy all the time. I have a great relationship with neighbors, friends and relatives as I can fix anything that needs doing. You dropped your TV? I can fix it. You have a collection of old farming equipment in the barn that hasn't been run in 20 years? I can fix that, too. Some people have been known to call me "McGyver!"   

Anyway, I have thrown my back out for the third time in 8 years. The first time wasn't an injury, it just happened one day at work. I was flat on my back and was taken to the ER, where x-rays were taken that didn't show anything wrong.    

This time, for the first two days, I could only crawl. I was in so much pain that only got worse when I tried to stand. I haven't had a family doctor in 20 years, since my old one passed away, because I never get sick. But my wife was able to get me an appointment on the third day. The office was like an assembly-line, and I had no time to ask any questions. I was given a prescription for naproxem sodium, and a muscle relaxer and sent away with no recommendations.    

I am in the process of trying to find a "family doctor" where I live, like my old family doctor. I guess I'm not getting any younger, and want someone who cares and considers me his or her patient. I have good insurance, and tried a couple of years ago, but everybody I called said they weren't taking any new patients at the time. I'll try again, and this time ask the guys at work if they can recommend somebody.   

At my recent appointment I was told it was a strained lumbar muscle. For that much pain I should've been given a diagnosis that I couldn't pronounce OR spell! Just kidding! :)   

What should I do if this happens again? I mean, is there anything, like, in the first 15 minutes or couple of hours that could minimize the pain and the amount of time I'm crawling and flat on my back?   

I appreciate your time, and any suggestions you have. Thank you!

Sincerely,
William

Answer
William,
The answer to your last question is, "yes."

Please see my articles on back pain at somatics.com/page4b.htm.

They explain the common origin of back pain and what to do about it.

In brief, it's a conditioning problem; you're too wound up, and a certain postural reflex, called Landau Reaction, is tightening up your back muscles.

In other words, you haven't "thrown your back out"; you've gone in to spasm as part of being too "hyper."

with regard,
Lawrence Gold