Bad back

leeCal

I’ve managed to pull a muscle in my lower back somehow and have been in some pain lately especially when I try to stand upright and walk or bend slightly.

odd thing is I noticed some years ago that eating a banana helped ease the pain somewhat and loosen up the back muscle. So I’ve tried this again yesterday and today and it does seem to work. It lasts for several hours. 

has anyone else found this solution or perhaps has another which may help.

janer1967

Not heard of that bit will give it a try as I've had backache for couple of days nothing major just a niggle 

leeCal

Hi @janer1967 it might be worth a try, I wouldn’t eat one at night though because it may keep you awake.  Good energy food too you see. 🙂

this is an interesting article about why tennis players eat bananas between games, potassium rich too helps prevents cramps.
https://mytennishq.com/why-do-tennis-players-eat-bananas-during-matches/

Sandy_123

Gosh I best buy a bunch for when mine goes.  Hopefully your back eases off, nothing worse

chiarieds

Hi @leeCal - I'm sorry you've hurt your back; there's nothing worse. My son had this happen to him a couple of weeks back, & I sent him the following video, which he found helpful. If you scroll down to the last video in this link (it's wrongly named) called exercises for sciatica- degenerative disc disease. Just do a little & often, & thank you for the banana tip. Please see: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/exercises-sciatica-problems/

Danielle_2022

Hi @leeCal,
Thanks for the banana tip, that's not something I've thought of before! I find heat pads particularly helpful when I need to loosen a muscle.

Please keep us updated with how you're doing over the next couple of days, too

Sandy_123

@chiarieds thanks for posting I know you've posted that one before. I did try it just now, was sirprised I could get in that position but I couldn't lift my legs up lol. 

chiarieds

Hi @Sandy_123 - if you can just do the pelvic tilt exercise, & buttock squeezing that's fine. (my son did tease saying she really seems to enjoy saying 'squeeeeze'). Yes, I've posted before as it's the gentlest of mobilising exercises.

Sandy_123

Yeah I'm going to go for 10 15 minute walks every day to build up too

leeCal

Thank you everyone and thank you for the video @chiarieds , I’ll try the exercises later on. 
My back is slightly better today but still sore and stiff, just had another banana though so here’s hoping. 🙂

Sandy_123

@leeCal your spot on with bananas, I googled it and see link below

https://enewsletters.k-state.edu/youaskedit/2019/01/11/got-pain-or-inflammation-eat-a-banana/#:~:text=Initial research conducted at the,metabolites that function like ibuprofen.

leeCal

Thanks @Sandy_123, the former article also,said that the high potassium content helps loosen up muscles as well. Interesting stuff. Who knew.

Sandy_123

Who knew indeed I think when I'm in a flare-up  ill be buying some

66Mustang

@leeCal sorry to hear you have been in pain. Coincidentally I pulled a muscle in my back only a tiny bit today carrying something which was too heavy. I have never had back pain before and it wasn’t a nice feeling. I imagine if I multiply the pain in my head I can guess what a proper bad back is like, not nice. Thanks for the banana advice, I eat a lot of bananas, maybe why I hadn’t had back pain before  

leeCal

Thank you everyone, after a few exercises gently done it’s feeling a little better. It usually takes a few days to pass, luckily I’m not working anymore so I can rest it.

whilst on the subject I would add that over the years I’ve found that a water bottle helps but only if it’s providing warmth not high heat. I’ve found that though high heat is great at first it actually damages more over the long term. I’d therefore recommend a warm water bottle only. (I used to pull a muscle practically every autumn when I worked so I have some experience on the subject).

Thanks again everyone for your kind concern. 

chiarieds

Pleased you're feeling a little better leeCal. I have no idea if bananas will help with my genetic disorder, but nonetheless I will give them a try. Do keep moving about; don't sit too long. As Sandy mentions, walking is also good, as it's a rhythmic exercise. Hope you're feeling even better tomorrow.

janer1967

I was told to eat banana to combat side effects of a tablet I was taking for my eyes. I've never had such bad side effects couldn't eat , felt sick all time I was warned this may happen 

Was something to do with potassium level hence the banana recommendations 

Had to come off the tablets 

Glad your feeling a bit better and doing the exercise @leeCal

chiarieds

We're all going to be 'going bananas.'

SueHeath

Hi all any think is worth a try when you suffer with your back - banana's make sense, lot of natural remedies out there to try. I find cold gel pads help with my problems.

Sandy_123

With water bottles I tend to find having shower on hottest you can stand on the effected area on my back. 

Danielle_2022

I can relate, @Sandy_123! My physiotherapist has also recently started using a small portion of our sessions just giving me a massage, which helps so much. Do you have access to these services?