Ayaazzzz! Bad back!

[Fromtherough]

Was having a knock on Wednesday and my recent good form was continuing. Got to the 4th hole which is a short par 3 and hit a smooth 9 iron. My lower back exploded into pain with my follow through. It took my breath away. I was ok standing upright but was getting severe twinges in the left lower back going into me left (ahem) cheek when I bent forward. My round was therefore over.
The pain has continued despite applying a heat pad to the area, taking paracetamol, ibuprofen and using deep heat.
I'm off work today and meant to be playing with a few mates this morning but that is out of the window now. Anyone experienced this type of injury? How long did it keep you out and any tips on sorting it? I'm "only" 35 and didn't swing any differently to normal for my back to just give up on me.

 

[pokerjoke]

It sounds like a back spasm.
I have had some about 6 months ago.
The first was so severe it put me out for a few weeks.
First of all you will have to rest and take pain killers.
Once your over it start stretching daily.
Then if you can start strengthening your core.
I had a small spasm about 3 weeks ago where I couldn't tie my laces for a couple
of days,but my body seems to be able to cope better now ive upped my fitness.

 

[Foxholer]

See a Chiropracter (or Osteopath) is my advice! But make sure you get an X-Ray of the area for diagnosis!

Had exactly that sort of event some time ago.

Relieved after 1st session; 'solved' after a few. Back golfing within days of the 1st session - with some back stretching exercises suggested as warm-ups.

I'm not keen on GPs for these sort of injuries. After the hassle of getting an appointment, their recommendation is normally rest an anti-inflams. Doc did put me right once though - when I'd actually torn a muscle (lifting concrete helping a mate build a garage!). 3 nights of agony solved with 2 mins of Deep Heat!

Apparently my (longer than normal) back is slightly unusual! A couple of spare 'discs', one of which seems to want to attach itself to my Pelvis! All sorts of chaos in that area!

 

[London mike 61]

I agree with what has been said above, and definitely stretch on a daily basis.
when you can move a bit more freely, try to find some Pilates classes near you , they are first class for core strength exercises.

Good luck with your back. :thup:

 

[duncan mackie]

it could be a number of causes, and the underlying causes could have created a number of different issues which themselves have contributed to your symptoms.

stretching and mobilisation could help - or they could compound the issue at this point
heat may help - or it could compound the issue
ice may help - it rarely hinders
rest may help (see the first comment)
cocktail cures aren't sensible (although mojitos may be an exception )

start with your GP, and promptly. whether you end up with an osteopath, physiotherapist, chiropractor or fitness instructor should be their call not yours (especially if you have to ask the questions you have here)

 

[DannyOT]

I had the same last year (Only 24 myself) after a swing. It ended up being piriformus syndrome. Apparently quite common in golfers and runners/athletes. Sadly, it took about 8 months to go away properly but I did play lots of golf in that time using painkillers which probably didn't help.

 

[Fromtherough]

Cheers for the replies and advice. If it's no better after the weekend I'll have to get it checked out. The gutting thing is that from some of your experiences it sounds like it could be an injury that recurs. Is it a case that once a weakness is apparent in this area it seems likely an injury could occur again? Not great news if so. I didn't get any warning it was going to go this time. I'd warmed up and had played 3 holes before it happened so it wasn't as if I was tight/unprepared. Hopefully it won't be in my head when I eventually am able to swing a club again.
Interesting about Pilates. The Mrs attends a regular class and has said that there are more and more blokes going and using it as part of their fitness regime. Strengthening the core is something I could concentrate on as well once the pain subsides.
At least the with the pants weather forecast this weekend I won't mind missing out on playing quite so much.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Get it sorted soon. It'll nag away as I know from bitter experience. I found a decent local chiropactor and she was superb. My GP isn't that great on this sort of thing and I decided to bypass them and book a session with the chiropractor

 

[hovis]

I have a identical thing going on with my back. Had a mri scan yesterday and the consultant said i had a very slight bulge in one of my disks. He said the nature of golf causes the spine to touch the main nerve and you're body's reaction is to lock up all the muscles in the area to protect your lower spine.

You need to see your gp fast!! Mine has been caught at a stage when it can be easily treated without surgery. He said if i had left it a little longer then the story could be very different

 

[Coatsy79]

Ice pack and some rest but not too much

Move as much as you can

Stretches and holds are a must, as far as you can manage

Feel better soon, I know your pain all too well

 

[PhilTheFragger]

sounds like a possible disc prolapse to me,
Disc has popped out and trapped the sciatic nerve.
I had this 7 years ago and needed a discectomy operation eventually.

If it is just sore, then see an osteopath/ chiropractor ,
But if you lose feeling/ pins n needles in your leg/foot or experience bladder control issues then get to your doc/ A&E asap.

Hope you get it sorted

 

[the_coach]

You should get yourself to the Docs Office soonest, don't try to swing a club until you have.

Hope it isn't, but from what I've seen happen in golf, sounds that you have a prolapsed disc, disc squeezed out some, traps nerve. if the pain you had was extremely sharp & you felt it as if it traveled a ways down the legs as well as up the spine. Trying to swing, trying to hit shots & play will only make things way worse.

 

[rob_golf1]

I had a back spasm a few years back after really going for a drive. I mean literally, everything went into it. Apparently I went as white as a sheet..................

Had to take a few days off work because of it, but have never really experienced anything similar since.

I know my uncle had some pain in his back for a while and he went to see a specialist and within ten minutes his back felt as good as it ever has. He felt something pop back into place.