Help fix my husband's bad back

angeltreats

Sorry if this is in the wrong place, I couldn't find anywhere better for it!

My poor husband has aged about forty years in the last few days. He's done something nasty to his back, pulled a muscle or something, and is in an awful lot of pain. So far I've made him have a hot bath, take ibuprofen three times a day, sprayed Biofreeze on his back (miracle pain reliever that got me through marathon training and constant injury), made him sit on a hard kitchen chair instead of the squishy sofa, and banned him from driving (so he doesn't have to turn round to reverse and maybe make it worse).

I'm afraid to give him a massage in case I aggravate it.

I can't think what else to do to fix him and the poor love is really feeling miserable. Does anyone have any advice or ideas or old wives' cures that might make him feel a bit better?

cyclingyorkie

keep moving!

jennyjelly

Deinitely keep moving. A massage with warm oil would help too. It's unlikely you could do any harm unless it was broken, and I think he'd know if it was.

And don't baby him or it will last longer!

MrsE_2

angeltreats wrote: »

sprayed Biofreeze on his back (miracle pain reliever that got me through marathon training and constant injury),

My DH suffers with his back, is that Biofreeze on sale in shops? I just googled it & it appears internet only, I've never heard of it before.

For your DH, a hot water bottle is good.

Oldernotwiser

Make an appointment for him with an osteopath - they can do wonders with bad backs.

Zazen999

MrsE wrote: »

My DH suffers with his back, is that Biofreeze on sale in shops? I just googled it & it appears internet only, I've never heard of it before.

For your DH, a hot water bottle is good.

Yes, Biofreeze is available in shops - I last saw it in a health food shop [not sure about regular chemists]

frugallass

if it's muscular I would suggest ice-packs rather than heat - an appointment with someone who can do deep tissue massage will also be beneficial (sports therapist)

Bitsy_Beans

Ice the area 15 mins for every hour. Heat will only increase imflammation (although it's great for pain relief!).
Don't sit - it's the worst thing ever for your back. If he can manage it then squat to relieve any pressure he feels from standing but don't sit. I find combination of lying down, moving, ice and a massage with ibuleave normally does the trick.
If all else fails I go to an osteopath. You could also try a TENS maching - Lloyds Pharmacy sell them and they are pretty good, help with pain relief and also massage.

angeltreats

Thanks everyone. Maybe I'll nip to the shop for a bag of frozen peas as I don't have any ice, and I might take him out for a walk. I'll send him to the doctor tomorrow if it's no better and see if he can get a referral to an osteopath or chiropractor. We've just moved to the area and wouldn't know who to go to.

Re the Biofreeze - I bought mine from my physio, who was a big fan of it, and I'm sure I've also seen it in specialist running shops.

MrsE_2

Bitsy_Beans wrote: »

You could also try a TENS maching - Lloyds Pharmacy sell them and they are pretty good, help with pain relief and also massage.

I was thinking about one of those for my DH.

He had an operation on collapsed disc's about 7 years ago. He had them fused.

He still gets pain in his lower back & down his leg sometimes. More if he stands for a while.

He had an accident a few weeks ago, someone hit him waiting at the lights (in a big van) & then tried to run him over (actually butted him bodily with the van).

He started with shoulder/neck pain which the doctor thought might be a trapped nerve. Then his lower back & leg started up again.
The doctor said its like the song "the thigh bones connected to the knee bone, etc" its like a domino effect.

I knows TENS machines help in labour, are they good for back pain too?

pageee2004_2

Hi
My DH has suffered for years with his back and swears by his Tens Machine, only thing that gives him some relief, and you can move around with it on.....
Definately will help....