Muscle spasms......

[ELVIS68]

Every now and then I get muscle spasms in my back which last about 5-7 days

I take diclofenic and methacarbamol which help with the pain but this week my back went again and I've got a numbness down the back of my legs, the doctor says this is normal with back spasms and to carry on taking the tablets.

I've booked up to see a physio but as before when the appointment comes around my back is ok and they just give me exercises to do which I do but it still happens, any suggestions please?

Yours, fitish healthy 44yr old walking to the amusement of my wife and kids like I've crapped my pants!

[LoftyLottie]

Elvis, I get the same thing quite often and would really find yourself a good osteopath - a gentle one. I too saw a physio who would just give me exercises. A few sessions with the osteo and some gentle work on my back works wonders.

Also my doctor prescribes me a muscle relaxant called baclofen which really does help.

[LoftyLottie]

Or you could take Ibuprofen 600mg every six hours or so!! ;o)

[ELVIS68]

Thanks Lottie, I'm put off the osteopath because of the prices they charge and how many visits you need.

Thing what annoys me most is it goes when I'm not working or lifting anything heavy.

[LoftyLottie]

Elvis I have three sessions and try to go every three months to keep my back reasonably OK. Costs me about £100 for three sessions, which to me is worth it. I was recommended to my osteopath by my GP who uses him too!! It's far better than all the painkillers that the doctors dish out and the wait for NH Physio appointments is horrendous and, as you say, they just seem to give you a short session and then a sheet of exercises.

[funnygirl]

I suffered back spasms and I went to a sports physio who worked wonders.
I had hourly sessions and mine were £80 a session. I had 3 sessions and touch wood I've not had a twinge since.
If you are in London The British School of Osteopathy on Borough High St. is very good.

[ELVIS68]

£80 a session?.....Ouch!...that just made my back twinge

[sunny-dave]

I know it has a bad reputation because of abuse and over-prescription in 'mental' disorders - but my GP prescribes me Valium/diazepam for my (very occasional) back spasm problems. It's a great muscle relaxant and a dose at bedtime usually starts to clear the problem and another the next night usually finishes the job.

[ELVIS68]

Thanks methyl, I will ask him

Dave, I was prescribed diazepam by my old GP, didn't really do much to be honest, no different to the meds I'm on now

It's not an unbearable pain, more a nagging pain if that makes sense?, but every now and then I'll go to move and get a sharp pain that literally takes my breath away

[LoftyLottie]

Elvis/sunny dave. The drug I have Baclofen has the same effect as valium and doctors are more inclined to prescribe it that valium as it doesn't have valium's disadvantages. My GP who used to prescribe me valium as a muscle relaxant swapped me over to Baclofen and it really does work and give you a good night's sleep.

Good luck.

£80.00 a session is really expensive when I think how good my osteopath is a £37.00 a session.