Seeking Relief for Persistent Back Pain
Hello, I'm a 19-year-old male. At 18, I attempted a deadlift with moderate weights and pushed myself to achieve maximum repetitions for three sets. In hindsight, this was unwise, and it resulted in severe back pain that lingered for a week. I tried various sprays and remedies and felt somewhat improved. However, when I returned to the gym and attempted to lift a dumbbell from the floor, an excruciating pain flared up, prompting me to leave prematurely, especially with exams approaching. Currently, I notice that heavy lifting or extensive standing triggers pain, while I feel relatively normal on other days. I’ve consulted three different doctors, and their advice has been consistent: engage in exercises and apply topical creams to aid recovery. Unfortunately, despite following their recommendations, the pain persists, leaving me feeling frustrated and disheartened about my physical condition. To summarize: 1. It has been over a year since the initial injury. 2. The pain can intensify randomly, especially when I sleep on my back. 3. Certain heavy activities seem fine at times, yet the discomfort can worsen unexpectedly, with sleep often providing temporary relief. 4. This issue has significantly affected my overall physical well-being. 5. I tried some short-term physiotherapy exercises but struggled to remain consistent due to my college commitments. I miss working out and can envision a stronger body, but this pain is holding me back. I desperately want to resolve this situation.
Answers (1)
7/15/2025, 10:10:46 AM
OpenHealth AI
I understand that you're feeling frustrated and disheartened by chronic back pain that has persisted since your experience with heavy lifting. It's clear that this issue is affecting both your physical well-being and your daily life. Let's focus on practical steps you can take to help manage your pain and facilitate recovery.
Explanation
Back pain can be caused by various factors, including muscle strains, improper lifting techniques, or underlying conditions. In your case, it seems likely that your initial injury led to muscle strain or other soft tissue issues in your back. It’s common for pain to flare up during physical activities, especially those that involve heavy lifting or certain movements. Understanding how to care for your back while balancing your commitments is essential.
Next Steps
-
Modify Activities:
- Avoid heavy lifting and activities that trigger your pain. Consider lighter or modified exercises that do not strain your back.
- Experiment with bodyweight exercises or low-impact activities like swimming, cycling, or gentle yoga, which can help maintain fitness while reducing strain.
-
Targeted Stretching and Strengthening:
- Incorporate gentle stretching exercises for your lower back and surrounding muscles. This can help improve flexibility and reduce stiffness.
- Focus on core strengthening exercises (like planks or pelvic tilts) to support your back without causing strain.
-
Posture Awareness:
- Maintain good posture while sitting, standing, and even sleeping. Use supportive chairs and mattresses, and try to sleep on your side with a pillow for support.
- Consider using a lumbar roll when sitting for extended periods, as this can help support the natural curve of your lower back.
-
Ice and Heat Therapy:
- Use ice packs to reduce inflammation during flare-ups, and apply heat (such as a warm shower or heating pad) to relax tight muscles.
-
Consistency and Gradual Progress:
- Aim to incorporate short sessions of targeted stretching and strengthening exercises into your daily routine, even if it's just for 10-15 minutes. Consistency is key, so finding a schedule that fits your college commitments will be beneficial.
-
Track Your Progress:
- Keep a journal of your activities, pain levels, and responses to different movements or treatments. This can help you identify patterns and triggers over time, guiding you to make necessary adjustments.
-
Seek Additional Support:
- If the pain persists or worsens, consider reaching out to a physical therapist who can provide tailored guidance and exercises that fit your lifestyle and commitments.
Remember, healing takes time, and it’s essential to listen to your body. It's great that you're motivated to get back to working out by managing your pain effectively. If you need further details or tips on specific exercises, feel free to ask!
Related Questions
Experiencing Clear Fluid from Ear with No Discomfort: Should I Wait for My Appointment?
I am a healthy 57-year-old female, weighing 120 pounds and standing 5 feet 5 inches tall. My daily medications include 100 mg of Losartan for effectively managed high blood pressure, 200 mg of Lyrica taken twice daily for post-herpetic neuralgia, 100 mg of Synthroid following treatment for thyroid cancer, and a combination hormone replacement therapy patch. Additionally, I take Zyrtec and Flonase every day to combat allergies. Since October, I have been dealing with persistent tinnitus in my right ear, accompanied by some pressure and a muffled sensation. Recently, I've noticed that when I speak, it feels akin to the sensation I experience when my ears clear during a flight after chewing gum—my voice sounds amplified in my head. I've scheduled an appointment with a physician's assistant in an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) office for the end of March due to my worries about the tinnitus and any potential hearing impairment. Yesterday, I noticed that my ear emitted a clear fluid. Thankfully, there was no associated pain. The fluid was somewhat thicker than water, completely odorless—unlike the unpleasant discharge I recall from my daughter's ear infections—and there was no sign of blood. Could this indicate a perforated eardrum? I suspect this might be the case, but can this occur without an underlying infection? Should I seek attention sooner than my appointment in March? I would prefer to avoid urgent care during flu season; however, if this situation is serious, I am prepared to take precautions and visit.
Understanding the Increased Pain in My Foot While Reclining
At 30 years old, I am nearing the five-week mark since undergoing surgery on my metatarsals. I've encountered a troubling issue: I can’t seem to find comfort when lying down, whether it’s with my foot raised or lying flat. My pain level escalates to a severe 10 out of 10, unless my foot is making contact with the floor or I dangle my leg off the side of the bed so that my toes touch the ground. Is this situation typical for someone in my circumstances? Are there any suggestions that might assist me in getting a better night's sleep?
Assessing My Health Concerns: How Anxious Should I Be?
I’m a 32-year-old woman, weighing 124 pounds and standing at 5 feet 6 inches tall. For over a year, I have been experiencing bright red rectal bleeding. Initially, I attributed this issue to hemorrhoids that developed during my pregnancy two years ago. The bleeding occurs with most of my bowel movements, sometimes happens without one, and on a few occasions, has been enough to stain the toilet bowl significantly. The color of the blood is typically darker than what I observe during a hemorrhoid flare-up. There is a notable family history of bowel cancer on both sides; one family member was diagnosed at age 45, and another at 60. In the past six months, I have encountered several episodes of severe abdominal pain—3 to 4 instances—intense enough to consider a trip to the emergency room. However, the pain usually subsides within about an hour. It’s unusual for me to experience such acute pain, given my high tolerance for discomfort; for example, I once played rugby shortly after dislocating and fracturing my finger. Recently, I mustered the courage to consult with my doctor, who recommended a FIT test, which returned a positive result (30.1). Additionally, I underwent a complete blood test, and aside from having low ferritin levels (7 µg/L), all other results were normal. I have since been referred for a colonoscopy on a two-week waiting list to rule out any possible bowel cancer. Given these circumstances, how concerned should I be? Thank you for your input.
Persistent Pain in Right Shoulder and Arm After Lifting
Hello, everyone! I’m a 23-year-old male and have been engaged in weightlifting for several years now. Recently, I’ve been struggling with ongoing discomfort in my right shoulder and arm, which I haven’t been able to accurately identify. The pain manifests during particular movements, especially with lateral raises or when my arm is raised to shoulder level while rotating my wrist. Certain pressing and pulling activities can also provoke this discomfort. Rather than feeling sharp, it’s a deep, nagging sensation that sometimes seems localized in the front area of the shoulder or at the biceps tendon, and at other times it feels more like it’s situated between the shoulder and upper arm. Fortunately, there’s no numbness or tingling involved. This issue began while I was working out. I decided to take a break for around two months, but when I returned, the pain persisted. After consulting a physician, I was diagnosed with bicipital tendinitis. Since then, I’ve reduced my upper-body workouts, completely steering clear of shoulder exercises and heavy lifting, and have begun a gentle rehabilitation regimen focusing on external rotations, pendulum movements, and scapular exercises. Despite adhering to this routine for about a week, I haven’t experienced any noticeable improvement. Is it typical for this type of tendon injury to require an extended period for recovery? At what point should I consider diagnostic imaging, such as an ultrasound or MRI? Additionally, are there frequent rehabilitation errors that might impede the healing process? I appreciate your insights in advance!
INTENSE Spine Discomfort, Breathing Difficulties, Muscle Twitches, and Sweating
To elaborate on the situation mentioned in the title, I’ve been experiencing unusual muscle twitches and spasms for the past few days, along with some discomfort in my back. However, today, I felt an unexpected sharp pain shoot through my spine, which has left my legs feeling numb and made it impossible for me to sit up straight. Additionally, I’ve been dealing with cold sweats for the last hour and struggling to breathe properly. Perhaps I’m just overanalyzing things and it’s a common occurrence, but the intensity of the pain is overwhelming—it's truly unbearable. I’m shaking quite a bit, and unfortunately, my parents aren’t responding to my attempts to reach them for help. I have a history of a chronic heart condition and arthritis, yet I’ve never experienced pain this severe, especially in my spine. For context, I am nearly 15 years old and female. My current medications include pain relievers, anxiety medication, beta blockers, and some vitamins, though those specifics may not be particularly relevant. I don’t smoke; however, I have tried vaping a few times, which might not matter much, but I thought it was worth mentioning as it was requested.