I Am A 52 Year Old Male. I Stayed At

Posted on Mon, 2 Sep 2019

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 2 Sep 2019 Answered on

Last reviewed on

Question : I am a 52 year old male. I stayed at a hotel last week for 3 nights and slept on a real soft mattress. My lower back stated hurting Thursday morning and the pain got worse as the day went on. When I got home Thursday night I laid down for an hour and when I tried to get up, the left side of my back tightened up (cramped) and I went to the floor in pain. This happened 4 more times in about 5 minutes and then I crawled back to bed. I spent 23.5 hours in bed Friday with a heating pad. Saturday was a little better, but still painful to walk. Today it got worse, and I've cramped up while trying to move a couple of times. So it's been over 3 full days and not getting better. What treatments should I try?

Answered by Dr. Bhagyesh V. Patel (31 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
acute muscle spasm. detailed guidelines below.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to Ask A Doctor services.
I have read your query and here is my advise.

* As the pain intensity is severe and persistent, acute muscle spasm is most
likely condition.
Usually it takes around 5-7 days period time to recover such instance.

Guidelines for speedy recovery

- Prescription of muscle relaxant with analgesic action as chlordiazepoxide,
diclofenac or others from your primary care provider ; which should be
consumed 3 times a day after meals.
- Local application of heating pad 10 minutes each 3 times a day.
- Avoid sudden bending or twisting movements.
- Keep possible ambulation till pain baring as prolonged bed ridden condition
will hamper the speed of recovery.
- Should discuss need of gentle stretching exercise or assisted physiotherapy
with your doc as clinical examination is mandatory for the same.

Wish you fine recovery.
Regards.
Dr Bhagyesh ( MS consultant surgeon )

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj