My backkkkkkk.

[AutumnDae]

My back hurts! Really bad!

It's probably from going 4 wheeling today with Lindsey. We kind of flip them over a lot. And when her dad towed us in the tube we landed on top of one another.

Should I be icing it or putting heat on it? Aren't you supposed to alternate? I have no idea what I'm doing.

[byee]

Awwww...poor Autumn! Personal Yoda here!

There's no hard and fast rule for ice v. heatwith back injuries, it's really personal preference. Ice reduces swelling, which is good immediately after the injury. After that, sometimes people prefer heat, either a heating pad, a hydroculator (wet heating pad, and simply divine), or a hot bath.

Try both, see which one feels better.

[Atonement]

Yes heating or icing will help most likely.

If you can, non perscription medications also should help, if you take them properly and not in huge combination of eachother. aspirin, acetaminophen (tylenol), ibuprofen (motrin), naproxen (aleve), and others like that.

Also, I know for people with chronic back problems (not saying you do) they lay in certain positions. These include sitting on your back with your knees elevated, head pillowed, and hands extended at their sides. Or another one is back flat on the floor and knees and feet up on a chair.

Just some suggestions. If it hurts to twist, try to touch your toes, and such tomorrow, I would ask a school nurse and see what she or he thinks.

[Skhorpion]

Try doing back exercises to strengthen the muscles in your back.

I recommend against mixing OTC anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen or naproxen. They all tax your liver a bit and together could cause liver failure. Don't take aspirin if you're using any type of blood thinner either, unless of course you enjoy bleeding from every orifice.

As far as ice/heat goes, I would ice it till the swelling goes down then apply heat to soothe the pain away.

Perhaps asking someone you know for a massage wouldn't be a bad idea either.