Chronic Back Problem.

[Mason45]

One week ago I woke up with chronic pain in my lower back, since then it's got worse. I've walked 90 minutes daily for the past 5 years without any problems. I'm a heavy sleeper so maybe my body got in a bad position whilst I'm sleeping. Another possibility is the computer chair I use isn't supporting my back properly. I need to get my back ok again and maybe I should buy a new computer chair. Any suggestions? Firstly treating my back pain and then where can I buy a decent computer chair. At the moment I can barely walk to my front door.

[bkk6060]

Had this before.  Does the pain go down one of your legs? More then likely a bad sleep position.

Could be a subluxation disc and or muscle contraction.  I would try ice and anti inflammatory.  Deep tissue massage may help.  If not consider see a Doctor for a scan or physical therapy.

[Andre0720]

Chiropractors suggest that the main cause of back pains is 'stress'. Given that the health of the spine is not compromised.

And I found that the worst chairs are those that have a curved backrest....

 

Failure to find a good chiropractor here can lead to an alternative, an orthopedists, as there are some here....

 

Stress, well, difficult to identify, to diagnose, and no pills to get rid of it. Typically a change of environment would help....

[atpeace]

That isn't chronic which is a good thing!  You're probably just going through a short term back issue.  You don't wake up with chronic back pain but deal with it for months to years.  

 

If I were you I would calm down and realize it will pass. I've had episodes where I fell to the floor in intense pain getting out of bed.  I'm extremely active in sports so this is just part of life.  Anxiety is your worse enemy IMO. 

 

To speed up recovery, go to the pharmacy and get some diclofenac 50mg (cost 50 baht for 10 pills - don't get the gel).  Take two a day for a couple days then  start reducing the dose.  Might get some nasty stomach issues ( rare for me) but if the pills allow you to get back to walking IMO they are a net positive. 

 

Good luck and I feel your pain!

[KhunLA]

14 minutes ago, atpeace said:

That isn't chronic which is a good thing!  You're probably just going through a short term back issue.  You don't wake up with chronic back pain but deal with it for months to years.  

 

If I were you I would calm down and realize it will pass. I've had episodes where I fell to the floor in intense pain getting out of bed.  I'm extremely active in sports so this is just part of life.  Anxiety is your worse enemy IMO. 

 

To speed up recovery, go to the pharmacy and get some diclofenac 50mg (cost 50 baht for 10 pills - don't get the gel).  Take two a day for a couple days then  start reducing the dose.  Might get some nasty stomach issues ( rare for me) but if the pills allow you to get back to walking IMO they are a net positive. 

 

Good luck and I feel your pain!

@Mason45  Good advice above.  I've used diclofenac over the years, sporadically, when I'd aggravated my bad back.  It's not a med you want to take long term.

 

One bubble pack (generic/made in TH or India) 10 tabs should do the trick, along with some stretching exercises.   If comfort doesn't subside within those 5 days, then it's something else probably.

 

As mentioned, if discomfort going down one of your legs, then could be a disc issue, and may also subside, or may want to seek out a chiropractor, if it doesn't.  Avoid any lifting for the next week or 3.

[Moonlover]

The above posters are correct. You do not have chronic back ache. You have an acute spasm. There's plenty of sound advise above, so I'll not repeat it. However your long term task is to prevent it from becoming chronic and this is my recommendation.

 

I first learned Dr. Root's methods almost 40 years ago when I was suffering just as you are now. It worked and the pain was gone within 2 weeks. I have never had a problem with my back since.

 

I still use his exercise routine occasionally as a preventive measure.

 

[Denim]

1 hour ago, Mason45 said:

Another possibility is the computer chair I use isn't supporting my back properly. I need to get my back ok again and maybe I should buy a new computer chair.

 

Bingo !  Had exact same problem. Too stingy to get a new chair and was sitting on a balcony chair with my legs elevated up on top of cabinet in a kind of V shape with the apex being the bottom of my spine. Many hours sitting in that chair like that over many months.

 

Doctor in Uk said it was sciatica . So....back in Thailand got a new padded computer chair and from Mr DIY a large memory gel cushion to sit on. Stopped sitting with my legs so high up.  A month later , more or less back to normal.  The doctor advised me not to give up walking as this would help build muscle as additional support. Back then , to walk a hundred yards was agony with every step. But I put up with the pain and walked through it. After a kilometer it was a lot better. Within a week I was doing ten mile walks with no pain. The more I walked the better it got. Back to normal now ....lesson learnt. Maintain a good posture when sitting for many hours and rest frequently.

[save the frogs]

google "stretches for lower back" or "stretches for sciatica"

 

https://www.healthline.com/health/lower-back-stretches

[Rimmer]

A troll post of no help to anyone has been removed

[Hummin]

If inflammation, check your diet, and your daily routines.

 

Good back solution to strengthen your back without pushing to much while it hurts, easy walks at sand beaches, soft relaxing massages, and swimming for the beginning.

 

 

[kingstonkid]

Get a pad or a large pillow and put it under your knees and sleep on back

[Luuk Chaai]

9 hours ago, Mason45 said:

One week ago I woke up with chronic pain in my lower back, since then it's got worse. I've walked 90 minutes daily for the past 5 years without any problems. I'm a heavy sleeper so maybe my body got in a bad position whilst I'm sleeping. Another possibility is the computer chair I use isn't supporting my back properly. I need to get my back ok again and maybe I should buy a new computer chair. Any suggestions? Firstly treating my back pain and then where can I buy a decent computer chair. At the moment I can barely walk to my front door.

 

Did you make an appointment with a chiropractor ?   Do that before you go self medicating and do nothing to correct the issue

I'll put $10 on the S.I. joint

[Mason45]

ge

11 hours ago, Mason45 said:

One week ago I woke up with chronic pain in my lower back, since then it's got worse. I've walked 90 minutes daily for the past 5 years without any problems. I'm a heavy sleeper so maybe my body got in a bad position whilst I'm sleeping. Another possibility is the computer chair I use isn't supporting my back properly. I need to get my back ok again and maybe I should buy a new computer chair. Any suggestions? Firstly treating my back pain and then where can I buy a decent computer chair. At the moment I can barely walk to my front door.

I went to the local pharmacy, they were out of Diclofenic so I was offered a Thai generic brand by the name of Diflam 50 mg. Within one hour I was a lot better. Since then I had a strong massage. I got my bedding organised better as I'm an acid reflux sufferer. I found an extra pillow to place under my legs. I will try sleeping on my back which will take getting used to. So far so good, I'll just see how I wake up tomorrow morning. I'm sure this was all brought about because even in my older years I'm a very heavy sleeper and I must've moved sharply to cause my back pain. Anyway thanks all for your suggestions.

[Sheryl]

A nonsensical post of no apparent relevance  to the topic has been removed

[connda]

Go get an xray to ensure you don't have any major disc issues.  If not, time and anti-inflammatory pain meds. 
Most people experience transient back issues during their lives.  Me personally?  Tylenol for pain and diclofenac for inflammation.  Ice.  Rest.  Time.  But that's just me.  Talk to a doctor.  Once you're healed again, then make stretching a part of your exercise routine. Or yoga.

[connda]

2 hours ago, Mason45 said:

ge

I went to the local pharmacy, they were out of Diclofenic so I was offered a Thai generic brand by the name of Diflam 50 mg. Within one hour I was a lot better. Since then I had a strong massage. I got my bedding organised better as I'm an acid reflux sufferer. I found an extra pillow to place under my legs. I will try sleeping on my back which will take getting used to. So far so good, I'll just see how I wake up tomorrow morning. I'm sure this was all brought about because even in my older years I'm a very heavy sleeper and I must've moved sharply to cause my back pain. Anyway thanks all for your suggestions.

Oh yeah.  Buy a bloster and sleep with it between your legs.  It helps to align your pelvis when you sleep on your side.  My wife gave me one like when we first got together.  Been using it for a whole lot of years. 

[SiSePuede419]

17 hours ago, Mason45 said:

One week ago I woke up with chronic pain in my lower back, since then it's got worse.

I think you mean acute, not chronic Doctor. 😄

 

Duration

Acute Pain: Short-term, lasting from seconds to weeks (usually less than 3-6 months).

Chronic Pain: Long-term, persisting for more than 3-6 months or beyond the normal healing period.

[wavodavo]

On 1/3/2025 at 10:14 AM, Mason45 said:

One week ago I woke up with chronic pain in my lower back, since then it's got worse. I've walked 90 minutes daily for the past 5 years without any problems. I'm a heavy sleeper so maybe my body got in a bad position whilst I'm sleeping. Another possibility is the computer chair I use isn't supporting my back properly. I need to get my back ok again and maybe I should buy a new computer chair. Any suggestions? Firstly treating my back pain and then where can I buy a decent computer chair. At the moment I can barely walk to my front door.

I  know all about back pain and mine was cureed b y a good surgeon. For you I would suggest that you get a good Thai massage but you have to pick the right one.Don't select a young pretty one with a small body instead select as older one that looks stronger and may be more experienced.The massage has to be really strong and you must  be able to feel it and the next day you should feel better.If not you have wasted your money.

[Sheryl]

I would be cautious about vigorous massage --  especially massage that twists the spine -- before getting ok from an ortho

[cooked]

No mention yet of the possibility of kidney damage possibly causing back pain. `A blood test which includes uric acid level as a parameter can clear up that question.

[Easterneye]

Coming from another angle , and I know this idea will just be dismissed unfortunately ,, however my advice for what it’s worth is to double make sure the silent killer isn’t at work in your body and get yourself a PSA blood test asap .

Lower unexplained back pain is one of the killers symptoms ,, NOT saying in your case it is , however so many men dismiss this as they have no other symptoms and when they do and go get tested eventually , in many cases it’s game over as it’s spread too far .

Good luck